Calculonautes is a mental math space game for Android in which a child picks an astronaut helmet, takes off and explores a galaxy. Each grade from Grade 1 (CP) to Grade 5 (CM2) is a planet, and each skill is a station to conquer.
A mission has 10 calculations. While a fuel gauge empties as time goes by, the child earns stars for speed and accuracy. The app comes from Mathovore and is available in English and French.
Get Calculonautes
At a glance
- Platform: Android
- Levels: Grade 1 (CP) to Grade 5 (CM2)
- Content: 5 planets, 50 badges, 12 ranks
- Modes: missions, meteor shower, two-player duel
- Languages: English and French
- Advertising: none
The problem: a child who dislikes practice
Elementary students often resist worksheets of single-digit sums. Worksheets ask them to repeat a skill they already half know, but give no reason to care. A story gives them a reason, because the rocket needs fuel and fuel comes from correct answers.
The skills themselves come from the official French primary curriculum, so they match what a child meets in class, from complements to 10 to simple fractions.
Inside the mental math space game
- 5 planets for Grade 1 to Grade 5, with skills such as doubles and halves, addition and multiplication tables, tens and hundreds, multiplying by 10 or 100, decimals and simple fractions
- Questions drawn at random each time, and harder as the child improves
- Timers, a fuel gauge and personal records on each mission
- Mission of the day: 12 mixed calculations with double experience points
- Meteor shower: destroy the calculations before they hit the base
- Two-player duel on one screen, each player with their own grade
- More than 50 badges and 12 astronaut ranks
If the child makes a mistake, a mental math tip explains how to do it. Finally, a progress screen shows play time, success by type of calculation, strengths and skills to practice.
Who it is for
Calculonautes is for Grade 1 (CP) to Grade 5 (CM2). Because younger children get visual help with dots, fingers, tens and ones, coins and bills, abstract numbers become concrete. For example, parents of a child in Grade 3 (CE2) or Grade 4 (CM1) can use the duel mode to play along and see where the child hesitates.
Teachers looking for a five-minute warm-up can use the mission of the day, since everyone gets the same style of mixed practice.
Take off in a few steps
Because the questions are drawn at random each time, the same mission never repeats exactly. So a child cannot memorize the answers and must actually calculate. As the child improves, the questions become harder, which keeps the challenge fair for a Grade 1 beginner and a Grade 5 student alike. Moreover, the sound effects and badges that burst on screen add a little celebration to each success.
- Install Calculonautes on an Android phone or tablet.
- Choose an astronaut helmet.
- Pick the planet that matches your child’s grade.
- Complete a mission of 10 calculations and collect stars.
- Open the progress screen to see what to practice next.
Connecting the game with school math
After a few missions, look at the topic pages on the Mathovore site, such as Grade 3 math or Grade 4 math. The Google account saves progress, so a child can find it on another device. The game has no advertising and sounds good on both phones and tablets.
Frequently asked questions
What is Calculonautes?
Calculonautes is an Android mental math game set in space. Children from Grade 1 (CP) to Grade 5 (CM2) complete missions of 10 calculations, one planet per grade, with stars, badges and astronaut ranks to earn.
Can two children play together?
Yes. There is a duel mode for two players on the same screen, and each player can choose their own grade. Therefore it works well for siblings, or for a parent and child.
What if my child makes mistakes?
After an error, the app shows a mental math tip that explains how to solve the calculation. Visual aids such as dots, fingers, tens and ones, coins and bills also help younger children.
Is the game available in English?
Yes. The store listing states that it is available in English and in French. Besides, the Google account saves progress and there is no advertising.
