Have a child or student that hates math? You’re not alone. In fact, one of the phrases educators hear most is, “I hate math”, according to Education Consultant Kelly Trotter King.

Don’t fret.

There are many ways that parents and teachers can help a child to start to enjoy math. One way to do this is to make math fun by turning it into a game and/or using apps.

Studies have shown that kids improve faster and are more engaged when using apps compared to traditional math worksheets.

In no specific order, the 9 must-have apps and tools for kids who hate math are:

1. Prodigy Math Game – $8.99+

This app is accompanied by a platform which its creators claim is “The most engaging math platform in the world”. The app covers 1200+ essential math skills for grades 1-8. The app places children in the correct grade according to diagnostic testing so that kids can learn at their own pace. Real time reports are sent so you can monitor the progress of the user.

2. iTooch Elementary School App – $5.99

Boasting the largest database of educational exercises of its kind in the app store, this app is for grades 3-5. It’s a comprehensive learning app, so it doesn’t focus solely on math. There are grade-specific lessons ranging from Math to Language Arts. The lessons meet Common Core State Standards and include easy explanations. With more than 4,000,000 users, teachers and parents must have this fun and educational app.

3. Quick Math – $1.99

Designed for grades 3-6, this app aims to improve users’ general arithmetic skills. This app lets students practice math at their own level, featuring handwriting recognition software, the ability to create multiple personalized user profiles, and individualized feedback. *For children 3-7 years old, check out Quick Math Jr.

4. Mathmateer – $0.99

With the slogan “Math can be fun!”, Mathmateer has kids building rockets while solving math problems. According to teacher, Amanda Bindel, “The math content is rich, covering all four operations, money, time, even and odd numbers, and shapes on six levels, from beginner to genius”. This arcade-style game is suggested for grades 3-6.

5. DragonBox Algebra 5+ – $4.99

The DragonBox toolkit introduces children as young as 5 to math and algebra “without even realizing that they are learning”. It’s based on experimentation and discovery and features a colorful, easy-to-use interface. This app has been dubbed “the Revolutionary Algebra App” by TeachersWithApps and is listed on topbestappsforkids.com.

6. Twelve a Dozen – Free

According to Debbie Gorrell, “Kids will be entranced by the world of Dozenopolis–the experience is so intriguing that it’s downright addictive”. Being taken “on a journey through a universe of numbers”, users will learn core math concepts through puzzles while saving the world of Dozenopolis.

7. Mathemagics – Mental Math Tricks – $2.99

This 5-star app enables children to improve their mental math abilities. Designed to teach kids handy, rarely-taught math tips and tricks, it’s a great tool to encourage students to solve problems in their head. For those who hate math, this must-have app teaches math skills in a new way.

8. Operation Math – $2.99

Said to be “sizzling with excitement” by TeachersWithApps, Operation Math makes kids practice their basic math skills while accomplishing missions. With a 4.4-star rating, Operation Math will engage children aged 7+. According to The New York Times, it’s so fun that even “adults may find Operation Math a great way to brush up their own skills”.

9. Motion Math

This award-winning app “puts the action in fraction”! Parents’ reviews praise it for its success in making fractions fun. Created by Stanford School of Education for children from pre-k to grade 8, Motion Math has a 5-star rating on EdSurge. The app has multiple versions that provide an interactive learning experience in which users don’t feel like they’re learning.

Are we missing any? What are some other “must-have” apps? Tell us about them!