If you’re craving place value games that actually get kids excited about comparing numbers, this Place Value War set will be your new favorite math center.

Students practice reading and comparing numbers to 999, paying attention to the hundreds place, tens place, and units place, while using precise math language like greater than, less than, and equal to. It is developmentally appropriate, hands-on, and perfect for partner practice, small groups, early finishers, and sub plans.

With fifteen game levels, differentiation is simple, predictable, and stress-free.

What’s Included: Place Value Card Games for Every Learner

Level 1–3: Numbers to 100

Single Digits, Teens, and Tens

• Build number sense with quick comparison of 0–9, teen numbers with a constant tens digit, and multiples of ten.

• Kids learn to watch the tens place and units place while stating which number is greater.

Level 4–8: Comparing Tens With Tricky Ones

Close Tens and Similar Ones

• Contrast numbers such as 54 vs 45, or sets like 33, 35, 43, 45.

• Perfect for emphasizing how the position of a digit changes the value.

Level 9–13: Mixed 2- and 3-Digit Numbers

Reading Across Places With Care

• Compare numbers where one small change flips the result.

• Great for building accurate reading of digits in the hundreds place, tens place, and units place.

Level 14–15: Numbers to 999 With Look-Alike Digits

Ultimate Visual Discrimination

• Compare 3-digit numbers that look similar, like 117, 771, and 717.

• Students slow down, read each place, and explain which place decided the winner.

You also get:

• Deck labels for easy storage

• Kid-friendly directions printed on cards

• Teacher tips for printing on cardstock or patterned paper to avoid see-through cards

• Ideas to use the same decks for ordering, number talks, and quick assessments

How to Play Place Value War

1. Deal the selected level evenly to players. Cards stay face down.

2. Flip the top card at the same time.

3. Compare using place value language. The higher value wins the round and collects both cards.

4. Tie? War! Each player places two cards face down, then flips a third. Highest value wins the pile.

5. Continue until time is up or a player runs out of cards. Most cards wins.

This classic structure gives tons of repetition with zero boredom.

Skills Covered With These Place Value Games

Place Value & Number Sense

• Comparing and ordering numbers to 999

• Attending to the hundreds place, tens place, and units place

• Reading multi-digit numbers accurately

• Explaining which place determined the comparison

Mathematical Reasoning & Vocabulary

• Using terms like digit, place, value, greater than, less than, equal

• Justifying comparisons with complete sentences

• Building confidence with quick, repeatable practice

Social and Executive Functioning

• Turn taking, self-monitoring, and strategic thinking

• Independent center routines that run themselves

Additional Ways to Use These Place Value Cards

Ordering Challenge: Draw five cards and arrange least to greatest.
Place Value Sort: Sort by same hundreds, same tens, or same ones.
Write and Expand: Flip a card, write standard form, then expanded form.
Model It: Represent the number with base-ten blocks or drawings.
Math Journal Talk: “Which place made this number greater and how do you know?”
Speed Centers: Use a timer for quick comparison sprints.

Why Teachers Love This Set

• One resource that fits many skill levels

• Short, high-engagement rounds that keep kids moving

• Easy prep and easy storage

• Works beautifully in math centers, small groups, partner review, early finishers, and homeschool practice

Learning Standards Alignment

Even though this place value activity feels playful, it supports essential standards for comparing and understanding numbers within 100 and within 1,000.

Common Core Math Standards

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.NBT.A.1: Work with numbers 11–19 to gain foundations for place value

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.B.3: Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.1: Understand that the three digits of a three-digit number represent hundreds, tens, and ones

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.4: Compare two three-digit numbers based on meanings of the hundreds, tens, and ones

Texas TEKS

• Kindergarten §111.3.2 Number and Operations: Compose and compare numbers up to 20

• Grade 1 §111.3.2: Use place value to compare and order numbers up to 120

• Grade 2 §111.4.2: Use place value to read, write, and compare numbers up to 1,200

Virginia Standards of Learning

• K.2, 1.1: Count, read, and compare numbers within 100

• 2.1, 2.2: Read, write, and compare numbers to 999 using models and symbols

2022 Texas Pre-K Guidelines

• IV.A.1–3: Demonstrate understanding of number and relationships

• IV.A.7: Use informal strategies to compare quantities and numerals

Quick Teacher Tips

• Print on cardstock and laminate for long-term center use.

• Make multiple copies of a level so several pairs can play at once.

• Color code storage envelopes with the included labels to grab the exact place value game you need during small groups.

If your math block needs an easy win, Place Value Card Games: War! brings instant engagement while building powerful understanding of place value, numbers to 999, and the hundreds place, tens place, and units place. Your students will beg to play again, and you’ll love how much meaningful practice they get every single round.

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places:

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account