Coast to Country

Are you looking for a fun, engaging way to teach number sense, place value, and basic math operations? Buckle up, because we’re bringing Hot Wheels to the classroom for a high-speed learning adventure!

Using 100 numbered Hot Wheels cars, students can practice counting, ordering, adding, subtracting, and comparing numbers—all while racing their way to math mastery. Whether you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or parent looking for a creative math activity, this lesson will turn number learning into an exciting, interactive experience.

Materials You’ll Need:

• 100 Hot Wheels cars (label each with a number from 1-100 using stickers or tape)

• A race track or open racing area

• A number line (1-100)

• Whiteboards & markers

• Stopwatches (optional for timed challenges)

Lesson Plan: Race to 100!

1. Start Your Engines: Number Recognition & Ordering

Begin by spreading out all 100 cars and challenging students to put them in order from 1 to 100. Once the lineup is set, try these fun warm-up activities:

🚗 Skip Counting Races – Pick out only even numbers (2, 4, 6…) or odd numbers (1, 3, 5…) and race them to see which number crosses the finish line first. You can also practice skip counting by 5s and 10s.

🚗 Guess My Car – Hold up a car and give clues: “My number is greater than 50 but less than 60.” Let students guess the number before revealing it!

2. Racing for Place Value

Take math skills up a notch by reinforcing place value concepts.

🏁 Tens & Ones Race – Have students separate the cars into two groups: one for numbers ending in 0 (10, 20, 30…) and another for numbers 1-9. Pick one car from each group and add them together. Example: Car 40 + Car 5 = 45.

🏁 Greater vs. Lesser – Two students race their cars. After the race, they determine which car has the greater number and which has the lesser number. Line them up on a number chart for visual learning.

3. Math Challenge Races

Now it’s time for math on the move!

🔢 Addition Race – Two students race their cars, then add their numbers together. Example: Car 12 + Car 8 = 20.

🔢 Subtraction Race – Pick a car, roll a die, and subtract the number rolled from the car’s number. Example: Car 25 – roll a 7 = 18.

🔢 Even vs. Odd Showdown – Divide the cars into two teams: evens vs. odds. Race them and tally the winners—do even numbers or odd numbers win more rounds?

4. The Finish Line: Wrap-Up & Reflection

After all the racing fun, gather students for a reflection session:

✅ What did you learn about numbers today?

✅ Which math challenge was the hardest?

✅ What was your favorite race?

To extend learning, let students design a Race Car Number Poster, highlighting facts about their favorite number—odd/even, addition facts, skip counting patterns, and more!

Why This Lesson Works

• Hands-on learning keeps kids engaged and excited about math.

• Movement-based activities help reinforce number sense in a fun, memorable way.

• Competition & teamwork encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.

So, the next time your students need a math boost, hit the track with Hot Wheels and watch their number skills speed ahead!

Have you tried a math lesson like this before? Share your experiences in the comments!