Free Integers Activities for Teaching 6th and 7th Grade Math

Note: This blog post contains resources from my TpT store and my Amazon Associate store.

Free Integers Activities for Teaching 6th and 7th Grade Math

Do your students groan when they hear the word integers? Mastering negative numbers doesn’t have to be boring or confusing—and it definitely doesn’t have to involve a trip to the copy machine or laminator.

Today, I’m sharing fun, no-prep integer games and activities you can use right away to boost understanding and engagement with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers. These work especially well for 6th, 7th, or middle school students—no materials, no stress!

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1. Integer Partner Game

Have students pair up with a whiteboard or notebook. You call out an operation and two numbers (e.g., “−3 minus −6”), and each student solves it as fast as they can. First to show the correct answer gets a point. Keep score for 5–10 rounds.

Modify by switching operations or having students create the next problem.

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2. Integer Human Number Line

Assign students a number (positive or negative) and have them physically line up across the room. Then, give an equation aloud (e.g., “−2 + 5”), and have those numbers step forward and explain the result. Great for kinesthetic learners!

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3. Integer Target Practice

Draw a number line on the board. Give students integer equations to solve, and have them “hit the target” by pointing or writing where the answer lands on the line. This is perfect for visualizing direction and distance between numbers.

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4. Integer Sort and Match

Say an integer expression (e.g., “−4 × −2”) and have students hold up fingers, write, or call out the correct sign (+ or −). Challenge them to explain why the answer is positive or negative—this builds deep conceptual understanding.

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5. Integer This or That

Call out a problem and give two possible answers. Students move to one side of the room for answer A or the other side for answer B. Then discuss as a class why one is correct and the other is a common mistake.

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6. Integer Talk Prompts

Use 2 minutes at the start of class for "Number Talks." Display an integer equation and have students justify the answer without solving it formally. Example: “Why do you think −7 + 3 is negative?” This builds reasoning and confidence.

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Don’t Miss This: Free Adding Integers Task Cards!

Need a quick boost for adding integers? Download this free set of adding integers task cards to give your students extra practice with number lines and mental math. Perfect for early finishers or quick reviews!

👉 Grab the freebie HERE.

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Looking for More Integer Practice?

If you're ready to go all-in with integers, check out the full Integers Bundle. It’s packed with 390 task cards and a hands-on interactive notebook activity that covers every major skill: number sense, identifying phrases, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers.

No need to prep—just print, assign, and watch your students build real confidence.

👉Check out the full bundler HERE.

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BONUS GAMES: 

Integer Truth or Bluff

This no-materials game gets your whole class thinking critically about integer operations.

How to play:

• You say an integer equation and a potential answer (e.g., “−6 + 4 = −10”).

• Students give a thumbs up if they think it’s true or a thumbs down if they think it’s false.

• Pick a few students to explain why—correct or not.

• Then reveal the truth!

💡 Why it works: Students practice mental math, learn from each other’s reasoning, and correct misconceptions without pressure.

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Integer War (Deck of Cards Version)

Use a standard deck of cards with all face cards removed (or assign values: Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13). Use black cards as positive integers and red cards as negative integers.

How to play:

1. Split the deck between two players.

2. Each player flips two cards: one is their integer (red = negative, black = positive), and the second is their opponent’s operation card:

   • ♥️ = Add

   • ♣️ = Subtract

   • ♦️ = Multiply

   • ♠️ = Divide (ignore if the result won’t be a whole number)

3. Players solve their opponent’s equation and compare answers.

4. The player with the greater result wins the round and takes the cards.

5. Keep playing until the deck is gone. The player with the most cards wins.

🧠 Classroom Adaptation: If you don’t want to use real cards, project a digital version using random number generators or card-drawing websites.

Final Tip: Make It Daily

Even five minutes a day of integer practice can lead to mastery. Try rotating through these games each week, and sprinkle in task cards for bell ringers or partner work. You’ll be surprised how fast your students start thinking in integers!

Click HERE for integer resources from my Amazon Associate store

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 valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!