Looking for a Comparing Decimals Game?

Once students have been introduced to the wonderful world of decimals, it’s important that they can work out which decimal is larger or smaller using their knowledge of decimal place value, such as tenths, hundredths and thousandths.

To make this learning as engaging as possible, the dedicated team of teachers at Teach Starter has created this card game aptly named “Decimal War!”

Playing Decimal War is easy! Just follow these simple instructions:

1. Split the deck evenly between two players. Place the cards face down.
2. Players simultaneously flip over the top card of their deck.
3. Players decide which decimal is the largest. The player who laid down that card takes both cards and places them off to the side.
4. Play continues until all of the cards have been flipped over. The player with the most cards at the end of the game, wins!

To challenge their understanding, students will encounter cards with both leading zeroes and whole integers (before the decimal point) to help them visualize the full value of the number, not just the digits after the decimal. 

This resource can be used as a math center activity, with your guided math group, or as a full class activity (see below) to practice ordering decimal numbers. 

More Ways to Practice Comparing Decimals 

Our Teach Starter teacher team has devised several other ways to use these card games. Read below to see what will work for your students.

• Decimal Ordering and Rounding – Extend this activity by having students put the cards in order from least to greatest or vice versa. You can also have students practice rounding the decimals to the nearest ones, tenths and hundredths place value.
• Scoot Activity – Place two decimal cards at each desk and give students a recording sheet. Pair up students and assign each to a starting point. Give students an appropriate amount of time to compare the decimal cards and write them as a number sentence using <, > and = symbols and then say, “Scoot.” At this time, the students will rotate to the next card. Continue in this manner until students have made it through all of the cards.
• Exit Activity – As a formative assessment, after you go through your decimal lesson, pass out two cards and a sticky note to each student. Students will write both numbers on the sticky note and the symbol for less than (<), greater than (>) or equal to (=) in between the decimals to complete the math sentence.

Download to Play This Comparing Decimals Game

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the printable PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. 

We recommend that you print this card game on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Lauren Blankenship, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Decimal Place Value Resources at Your Fingertips!

If you’re looking for more decimals practice, you’ve come to the right place! Check out these fun activities and resources to add to your lessons on decimal place value:

teaching resource

Describe That Decimal Worksheet

Explore the place value of decimals with this versatile one-page printable worksheet.

teaching resource

Fractions and Decimals Matching Game

Practice matching equivalent fractions and decimals with this set of 15 cards that focus on tenths and hundredths place values.

teaching resource

Compare and Order Decimals – 5th Grade Math Worksheet

Build decimal place value understanding with a printable worksheet for comparing and ordering decimals.