Top Math Competitions for Kids: From Math Kangaroo to AMC 8 and Beyond

Last updated: 11/05/2025

Wondering how to turn your child’s math homework into an exciting adventure? Tired of math feeling like a chore? You are not alone. Math competitions are a secret weapon! They take standard math concepts and turn them into a fun, challenging game. The right first contest can spark a lifelong love for numbers, far beyond the classroom. Let’s unpack this together and find the perfect, zero-pressure starting point for your child.

Popular Math Competitions for Kids and Their Features

Choosing the first competition is the most important step. It needs to be a confidence booster, not a hurdle. We’ve compiled a list of top math competitions for elementary and middle school students, detailing their format, difficulty, and flavor.

Math Kangaroo

Format & Time: Multiple-choice, 75 minutes. Held globally every March.
What it Tests: Focuses on logic, creative thinking, and problem-solving over rote memorization. Questions often involve fun visual puzzles.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Beginner-Friendly).

If you’d like to explore more Math Kangaroo resources, you can find them through WuKong Math, designed to support curious kids at every level.

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Suitable for students worldwide, from grades 1 to 12.

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MOEMS (Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools)

Format & Time: Five monthly contests from November to March, 30 minutes each.
What it Tests: Encourages mathematical creativity and ingenuity. Problems require a written answer (not multiple-choice), demanding detailed calculations.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Intermediate, focused on written solutions).

AMC 8 (American Mathematics Competitions 8)

Format & Time: Multiple-choice, 25 questions, 40 minutes. Held in January.
Target: Students in Grade 8 and below. The first step in the prestigious AMC series.
What it Tests: A broad mix of math topics, including algebra, geometry, and probability. Requires speed and accuracy under pressure.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Challenging, requires preparation).

If you’d like to explore more AMC 8 resources, you can find them through WuKong Math, designed to support curious kids at every level.

Math League Contests

Format & Time: Varies by grade level; typically multiple-choice or short-answer, with a series of contests throughout the school year.
What it Tests: Focuses on curriculum-aligned concepts, but with tricky word problems that require deep understanding.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Intermediate and systematic).

Noetic Learning Math Contest

Format & Time: Short-answer, 20 questions, 45 minutes. Held twice a year (Fall and Spring).
What it Tests: Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Questions are non-routine and engaging.
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Good for building confidence).

Recommended Math Competitions by Grade Level

The secret to a great first experience is matching the contest to your child’s stage of development, not just their skill level.

Grades 1–3: The Fun-First Stage

Recommended: Math Kangaroo, Math League (Primary)

These young grades need competitions that feel like games, not tests. Math Kangaroo’s visual puzzles and multiple-choice format are zero-pressure. They build confidence and show kids math is creative. The emphasis here is participation pins, not high scores.

Grades 3–5: The Skill-Building Stage

Recommended: MOEMS (Division E), Noetic Learning

Students are now ready for a slight challenge. MOEMS, with its 5-question, written-answer format, teaches kids how to show their work and develop mathematical writing. Noetic provides a great, gradual step up in complexity while maintaining a friendly format.

Grades 5–8: The Strategic Stage

Recommended: AMC 8, MOEMS (Division M)

This is where the goals shift toward long-term growth and achievement. The AMC 8 introduces students to the national competitive landscape and the pressure of a timed, standardized test, essential skills for high school. MOEMS M provides sustained, complex problem-solving practice.

Contest	Format	Time	Skills Tested	Difficulty	Best Grades	Differences
Math Kangaroo	Multiple-Choice	75 min	Logic, Visual Puzzles, Intuition	⭐⭐	1–4	Global, 1-time contest.
MOEMS	Short Answer	30 min (x5)	Mathematical Creativity, Number Theory	⭐⭐⭐	4–8	Monthly series, requires written answers.
AMC 8	Multiple-Choice	40 min	Curriculum-Aligned, Speed, Accuracy	⭐⭐⭐⭐	6–8	High national prestige, gateway to advanced contests.
Noetic Learning	Short Answer	45 min	Critical Thinking, Non-Routine Problems	⭐⭐	2–8	Twice a year, good balance of challenge/fun.

Common Myths vs. Facts

Math competition anxiety is real! Let’s clear up some common worries parents have about these programs.

Myth	Fact
“It’s too hard and will crush their confidence.”	Fact: For younger students (K-3), the best competitions focus on fun and participation, not perfection. Low scores in low-stakes contests are actually great learning opportunities. The goal is engagement, not a perfect score.
“They need to be a math genius to compete.”	Fact: Most early competitions are designed to test problem-solving skills, which can be practiced and taught. According to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), early exposure to competition fosters positive attitudes toward challenging tasks.
“It’s just about algebra and geometry.”	Fact: Elementary competitions heavily feature logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and number sense. These are fundamental skills, not advanced topics.

Why Join a Math Competition for Kids?

Participating in a math competition offers benefits far beyond a trophy.

Develops Real-World Logic and Critical Thinking: Competitions train your child to think logically under pressure. This skill is useful everywhere! Think of it like this: they learn how to navigate a crowded grocery store efficiently, not just check out a single item.
Teaches Time Management and Focus: The timed format of contests like the AMC 8 forces students to make quick decisions, manage their time, and learn when to move on from a difficult problem. This is a life skill for tests and projects.
Lays a Foundation for Long-Term Academic Goals: While college admissions are far off, consistent participation in the AMC series (8, 10, 12) demonstrates a sustained passion for STEM subjects, which can be highly valuable later.

Actionable Tips for Families: Your Zero-Pressure Prep Guide

Preparation for math competitions doesn’t have to feel like extra homework, it can be a fun family project! Think of it as building “Kitchen Table Math” habits that slowly grow into Olympiad-level thinking.

1. Start with Everyday Math Moments
Math is everywhere, in cooking, shopping, and even playing board games. Ask questions like, “If each cookie tray holds 6 and we bake 3 trays, how many cookies is that?” Simple, real-life math lays the foundation for logical thinking used in Olympiad problems.

2. Build Problem-Solving Muscles Gradually
Once your child feels comfortable, try short problem sets that spark reasoning rather than memorization. WuKong Math provides guided practice resources that introduce competition-style logic in a playful way.

3. Simulate Contest Conditions at Home
Turn one weekend afternoon into a “mock contest.” Use a timer and let your child experience the fun challenge of solving problems under time pressure. Celebrate effort, not the score, the goal is persistence and strategy.

4. Reflect, Review, and Discuss Together
After each practice, review missed problems together. Ask, “How else could we think about this?” rather than “Why was this wrong?” That’s how children develop flexible thinking — a key skill in Olympiad math.

5. Learn with WuKong Math’s Guidance
When your child is ready to go further, WuKong’s expert instructors can help bridge the gap between everyday problem-solving and advanced Olympiad reasoning. With structured lessons, interactive examples, and personalized coaching, WuKong Math helps students confidently prepare for contests like MOEMS, Math Kangaroo, and AMC 8 , while keeping learning joyful and stress-free

Conclusion

Choosing the right first math competition is about more than scores; it’s about lighting a spark. Whether it’s the fun puzzles of Math Kangaroo or the strategic challenge of AMC 8, the right choice can turn math from a requirement into your child’s favorite hobby. Select an age-appropriate contest, keep the preparation low-stress, and watch as your child’s confidence and logical thinking soar.

FAQ: Your Quick Competition Questions Answered

What’s the easiest math competition for kids?

The Math Kangaroo is often considered the easiest entry point, especially for Grades 1–3. Its focus on fun, visual logic, and multiple-choice format makes it very low-pressure and participation-focused.

How do I register for Math Kangaroo?

Registration is done through the official Math Kangaroo website. Most students register either through their school/learning center (which hosts the event) or through a designated, local open site. The typical registration window is in the late fall/early winter.

What is the biggest difference between MOEMS and AMC 8?

The biggest difference is the format and goal. MOEMS is a five-part, short-answer series focused on creative written problem-solving. AMC 8 is a single, timed, multiple-choice test focused on speed and accuracy under pressure, and it serves as the first step in a national competition track.

Is participating in a math competition good for a college application?

For elementary and middle school students, the immediate goal is skill-building, not college. However, sustained success in the AMC series (AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12) is highly regarded on high school transcripts and demonstrates a deep, independent interest in STEM subjects.

How much math practice is too much?

For K-5 students, keep competition-specific practice to no more than 30-45 minutes a few times a week, and always keep it fun. If it starts feeling like a chore or causing stress, it is too much. The best u0022practiceu0022 is often just engaging in strategic games and puzzles.

Discovering the maths whiz in every child,
that’s what we do.

Suitable for students worldwide, from grades 1 to 12.

Get started free!

James | WuKong Math Teather

Graduated from Columbia University in the United States and has rich practical experience in mathematics competitions’ teaching, including Math Kangaroo, AMC… He teaches students the ways to flexible thinking and quick thinking in sloving math questions, and he is good at inspiring and guiding students to think about mathematical problems and find solutions.