Long Division Worksheets, Games, and Tips

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Fun Ways to Teach Long Division: Activities for 4th and 5th Grade Teachers

Are your students struggling with long division? You’re not alone! Long division can be a tricky concept, but with the right strategies, it becomes manageable—and even fun.

In this post, you’ll discover classroom-tested tips, free long division worksheets, and no-prep games to help your 4th and 5th graders master this essential skill with confidence.

Simple Tips for Teaching Long Division

1. Use the DMSB Strategy (Divide, Multiply, Subtract, Bring Down)

Teach students to remember the long division steps using the acronym DMSB. Write it on the board, create a chant, or let students decorate their own anchor charts.

👉 Grab a free printable DMSB anchor chart here.

It’s perfect for math notebooks or bulletin boards!

2. Make It Real

Give real-world examples: “We have 24 pencils and 6 students. How many does each get?” These relatable scenarios make division click.

3. Always Check with Multiplication

Once students finish dividing, have them multiply the quotient by the divisor to double-check their answer. It reinforces understanding and builds accuracy.

Zero-Prep Long Division Activities

1. Whiteboard Races

Call out a problem. Students race to solve it on their whiteboards. First to finish (correctly) earns a point. Quick and effective!

2. Partner Up

One student solves the problem, and their partner checks it using multiplication. Then switch. It’s collaborative learning at its best.

3. Step-by-Step Circle

Put one long division problem on the board. Each student completes one step and passes it to the next. This builds team skills and procedural fluency.

4. Divide & Conquer Teams

Small groups solve one division problem together and present their strategy to the class. Great for modeling and discussion.

5. Mental Math Practice

Warm up with mental division problems (e.g., “What is 56 ÷ 8?”). Short bursts of thinking time = long-term gains in fluency.

No-Materials Long Division Games

1. Math Around the Room

Post division problems around the classroom. Students move from station to station solving each one and recording answers in a notebook.

2. Simon Says: Division Edition

“Simon says, divide 42 by 6!” Mix math and movement to keep energy levels high.

3. Divide the Line

Draw a line on the board with problems on each side. Students solve the first side, then “cross the divide” to finish the second. Add a timer for a challenge!

4. Verbal Math Showdown

Call out problems and have students shout the answers. Tally points individually or by teams. Fast, fun, and competitive.

Teacher Hacks for Long Division

1. Desk Writing

Let students solve problems on their desks with dry-erase markers. It’s more fun than paper—and easy to clean!

2. Color Code the Steps

Use different colors for each DMSB step to help students stay organized and spot mistakes quickly.

3. Peer Teaching

Pair students to explain and teach the long division steps to one another. Teaching reinforces mastery.

4. Use a Friendly Leaderboard

Track solved problems or improvement streaks with a classroom leaderboard. Motivation matters!

Why These Long Division Strategies Work

These engaging division activities are:

• No-prep
• Hands-on
• Easy to implement
• Perfect for 4th and 5th grade classrooms

Whether you have 10 minutes or a full lesson block, you can use these games and strategies to build your students' confidence and skill with long division—without adding to your workload.

Free & Featured Resources

Printable Division Anchor Chart

Perfect for centers or student reference.
👉 Click here to download.

Divisibility Rules Posters
Great for teaching division rules and number sense.
👉 Check them out here.

Divisibility Rules Worksheets
Great practice for students!
👉 Check them out here.

Ready to Make Long Division Less Stressful?

Try one or two of these ideas this week! With no-prep games and engaging worksheets, long division can become one of your students’ favorite math lessons.

What are your favorite go-to math activities? Share them in the comments below!

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Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!