Best Math Programs to Beat Summer Learning Loss — For Kids from Preschool to Middle School

Summer math loss is real, but the right tools can help your child stay on track. This article reviews three math programs - Funexpected Math, To Do Math, and Beast Academy - that can help prevent skill decline during summer. Whether your child is just starting with numbers, progressing through elementary school, or looking for advanced challenges, these programs offer engaging solutions:

• Funexpected Math: Best for kids aged 3–7, focusing on early math and logic basics with interactive games and storytelling.

• To Do Math: Ideal for elementary to middle school students, offering lessons tied to diverse learning styles and real-world examples.

• Beast Academy: Perfect for grades 2–8, especially gifted learners, combining challenging problems with comic-style lessons.

Each program aligns with U.S. educational standards and provides flexible pricing options. Below, we dive into their features, teaching methods, and suitability for different age groups to help you choose the right fit for your child.

1. Funexpected Math

Funexpected Math turns early math education into an exciting adventure, blending research-backed methods with engaging storytelling to make learning math both effective and fun.

Age/Grade Suitability

This app is designed for kids aged 3–7, covering PreK–2 math curriculum while also diving deeper to strengthen foundational skills [1]. Research shows that early math skills are a strong predictor of academic success, even more so than reading skills [2]. This makes the early years a critical time to build math confidence and prevent learning loss, especially over the summer.

Understanding that children develop at different rates, Funexpected Math adjusts to each child’s learning pace and style. Whether your child is just starting to grasp numbers or exploring more complex concepts, the app provides tailored challenges and guidance.

Features and Teaching Approach

One standout feature is the app's AI-powered tutor, which personalizes learning for every child [3]. Instead of simply presenting problems, the tutor asks guiding questions, introduces math terminology naturally, and offers helpful hints along the way.

The app uses a variety of teaching methods to keep kids engaged. From numeracy exercises and logic puzzles to interactive manipulatives and oral problems, it caters to diverse learning preferences [4]. There are also counting games, printable worksheets, and even holiday-themed math quests that tie learning to special occasions. For hands-on learners, the app includes craft tutorials to explore math in creative ways. Its storytelling approach - complete with adorable characters and adventurous plots - makes math feel like an exciting journey through space and time.

The results speak for themselves: kids using Funexpected Math for just two 15-minute sessions per week often show 18 months of growth in only six months [2]. These features align with U.S. PreK–2 math standards, ensuring kids build essential skills while having fun.

U.S. Compatibility

Funexpected Math is a great fit for American families and educators. Its curriculum aligns perfectly with PreK–2 program taught in U.S. schools, reinforcing key skills and concepts. Plus, it’s designed to meet COPPA and FERPA regulations[3], so parents can feel confident about their child’s online safety.

Teachers across the U.S. have embraced the app as a classroom resource. Eric, a STEM teacher from Florida, shares:

"This app is a perfect balance - not too game-like, but also not just another digital worksheet. My students love it and even ask to play during free time!"

Summer is a critical time for addressing educational gaps, which get especially challenging for underprivileged families. Funexpected Math helps bridge these divides. Michelle Park Michelini from the University of Chicago highlights its impact:

"We were encouraged to find that high-quality math apps like Funexpected can help narrow math skill gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged children." [3]

Pricing and Accessibility

Funexpected Math offers flexible subscription plans. Families can choose between monthly or annual options, with the annual plan typically providing better value for long-term use. This flexibility makes it an accessible tool for maintaining math skills over the summer and beyond.

For educators, the platform provides a dedicated school plan. This includes classroom tools like easy rostering, progress tracking, and resources for English Language Learners. Teachers can create custom learning tracks and monitor student progress seamlessly, making it easy to integrate into the classroom.

The app’s quality hasn’t gone unnoticed - it earned the Best Original Educational App prize from Kidscreen Awards 2025, and Best Visual Design award from The Webby Awards [3]. Professor Dor Abrahamson from UC Berkeley adds:

"Funexpected Math draws on cutting-edge theory of learning from the cognitive sciences to produce an engaging activity leading to deep learning of mathematical concepts." [5]

2. To Do Math

To Do Math takes a culturally responsive approach to teaching math, making it more relatable and easier to grasp for students from various backgrounds. By connecting math lessons to real-life experiences and cultural contexts, the platform helps students see math as more than just numbers and formulas - it becomes something meaningful and relevant.

Age/Grade Suitability

To Do Math is tailored for elementary and middle school students, offering content designed to align with diverse cultural learning styles. The platform acknowledges that students from different backgrounds may approach math in unique ways and turns those differences into strengths. For instance, it’s especially effective for learners who thrive on oral traditions or movement-based activities. By weaving in rhythm, music, and motion, the program creates engaging pathways for students to grasp mathematical concepts [6].

Features and Teaching Approach

The platform introduces tasks that encourage all students to see themselves as capable of excelling in math [7]. By using real-world examples rooted in diverse cultures, abstract math concepts become easier to understand. Some standout features include:

• Memory aids like mnemonics to help with formulas.

• Rhythm and music to connect math strategies with auditory learning.

• Movement and dance paired with math fact recitation for a hands-on experience.

• Games that promote active, verbal engagement with math topics.

The teaching approach focuses on challenging students with tasks that build both conceptual understanding and procedural skills [6]. Additionally, independent learning stations encourage students to take charge of their progress, whether working alone or in groups.

Dr. Shelly Jones from Central Connecticut State University sums it up perfectly:

"Math is cultural. It's not a question. It just is." [7]

This culturally conscious method aligns well with efforts to make summer math programs engaging and impactful.

U.S. Compatibility

To Do Math supports U.S. educational goals by reflecting the diversity found in American classrooms. It uses students' cultural experiences as a foundation for learning, incorporating practices and traditions from various cultures - including non-Western mathematical concepts - to bridge academic lessons with real-world understanding [8]. Teachers can use culturally relevant tools like manipulatives and literature that mirror their students' experiences. The platform also equips educators with templates and rubrics to evaluate how well math problems connect with different cultural perspectives.

3. Beast Academy

Beast Academy is designed to keep kids sharp in math, providing challenging and interactive lessons that help maintain and even advance their skills. It combines online modules with textbooks to encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.

Age/Grade Suitability

This program is tailored for students in grades 2 through 8, with a particular focus on gifted learners. To ensure the right fit, Beast Academy offers placement tests to determine the appropriate starting level for each student[9].

Features and Teaching Approach

Beast Academy stands out with its comic-style guidebooks, featuring vibrant characters and storylines that make even tough math concepts more approachable. As well as in Funexpected Math, the program prioritizes problem-solving skills over rote memorization, offering adaptive online problems with instant feedback and multiple chances to retry.

Julie Miller, a Gifted and Talented Teacher from St. Anthony-New Brighton School District, highlights the program's strengths:

"The individualization is wonderful. Students can go at their own pace and comfort level. I also love how they can see progress and try problems more than once. Both students and teachers appreciate the clear visual progress indicators that highlight growth and understanding."[10]

For younger students, Beast Academy includes a read-aloud feature for problems, instructions, and solutions in Level 1, and for problems in Level 2. This makes the content accessible for kids who are still developing their reading skills[9].

U.S. Compatibility

Beast Academy aligns well with U.S. educational standards, drawing loosely from Common Core while adding more depth and challenges. It’s a solid fit for homeschooling families and works well as a supplement to classroom learning. The platform can be accessed on computers and tablets using updated browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. However, it’s not recommended for use on phones[9].

Pricing and Accessibility

Beast Academy offers flexible pricing options to fit different budgets:

Families can also purchase physical materials: Guides ($15.00), Practice books ($12.00), and Puzzles ($10.00)[11]. Beast Academy offers a 14-day refund policy for online subscriptions and provides a demo version, so families can test the program before committing[9].

Parents frequently share positive feedback, like this comment from Daniel E.:

"Her improvement and confidence this year has been remarkable. Her teacher says she is now at the top of her class."[10]

Another parent, Carol L., shared her thoughts:

"I'm really impressed with the care and detail, not only of the math thinking, but the visuals, the humor, and the story."[10]

Advantages and Disadvantages

When tackling the summer slide in math, understanding the pros and cons of each program is essential. By weighing their strengths and challenges, you can fine-tune your approach to summer math learning.

Funexpected Math shines in early childhood education, catering to children aged 3–7 with a research-backed design. The app focuses on accelerating early math skills through fun, interactive tasks. It covers a broad range of foundational abilities, including math, logic, early coding, and spatial reasoning, giving young learners a strong start. However, as children grow and their math needs become more advanced, families may need to transition to a different program.

To Do Math is built to evolve alongside students, supporting learners from kindergarten through middle school. Its adaptive technology tracks progress and customizes lessons, making it a great companion to classroom instruction. While its alignment with school curricula is a plus, some users feel it may not delve deeply enough into advanced topics for students who need extra challenges.

Beast Academy offers an intensive and rigorous experience, perfect for gifted students in grades 2–8. Its comic-book format and focus on problem-solving over rote memorization make math both engaging and thought-provoking.

However, its advanced difficulty may be overwhelming for students who need more foundational support.

These comparisons can help you choose the program that best supports your child’s math journey.

Conclusion

Preventing summer math loss is entirely possible with the right tools and approach.

Funexpected Math is a great choice for younger kids (ages 3–7), offering interactive play to build early math skills. To Do Math ensures steady progress for students from kindergarten through middle school, providing consistent support at grade level. For advanced learners craving a challenge, Beast Academy delivers engaging problem-solving tasks that can reignite their enthusiasm for math.

The key is to pick a program that aligns with your child's needs. For younger children, Funexpected Math helps build confidence and foundational skills. Students who need structured, ongoing support might excel with To Do Math. And for those who feel standard math routines are too easy, Beast Academy offers a stimulating alternative.

With the right app, summer can become a season of growth and discovery, keeping math skills sharp and minds engaged.

FAQs

How can I choose the right math program for my child's age and learning style?

To find the right math program for your child, start by thinking about their age and where they are developmentally. Younger kids often thrive with apps that build basic skills through playful and interactive activities. On the other hand, older children typically benefit from programs that push their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

It's also important to consider how your child learns best. If they’re a visual learner, choose apps with vibrant graphics and clear diagrams. For kinesthetic learners, look for programs that include hands-on activities or interactive challenges. If your child learns well by listening, opt for apps that feature spoken instructions or storytelling elements. Picking a program that aligns with their learning style can make math both effective and enjoyable.

How do these math programs meet U.S. educational standards and keep my child safe online?

Math programs such as Funexpected Math are crafted to match U.S. educational standards, including the Common Core State Standards. These programs cover key math topics like numbers, geometry, and measurement, helping children develop a solid understanding of math concepts while staying aligned with school curriculum goals.

When it comes to online safety, these platforms take extra precautions. They use secure, monitored systems to safeguard your child’s personal information and create a safe, focused learning environment. By adhering to top digital safety practices, they ensure parents can feel confident while their children engage with and practice math skills.

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