The present study was conducted to address the academic problems among fifth-grade students at Moallem Farhangshahr Elementary School, located in Amol. The research examined the lack of interest among students when participating in classroom mathematics activities, their tendency to avoid completing homework assignments, and boredom or fatigue during math lessons. The study aimed to guide students toward overcoming these challenges and create interest in learning mathematics. This research had a qualitative type and was designed as action research. Data were collected through observation, interviews (with parents, students, and colleagues), initial assessment, completing the questionnaires, and evaluations, participation in polls via the SHAD application, completing the checklists, students’ notes, and database searches. The collected data revealed several causes, including math-related fear, weak educational knowledge, outdated instructional methods, low self-esteem, and a lack of engagement from previous years. In the next phase, appropriate solutions were proposed (e.g. correcting parental behavior, using games in teaching lessons, assigning lower homework, playful and indirect methods for assessing math, creating motivation, and rewarding after positive class participation and practice of textbook exercises throughout the 2023–2024 school year. The results indicated that students who, at the beginning of the school year and the past years, had difficulties in math tasks and frequently made excuses and received evaluations labeled “More effort needed” or “Fair” often achieved “Good” or “Very good” ratings, while the number of those with “More effort needed” or “Fair” rates significantly declined. The research results indicated that students who learned math content via games experienced more in-depth learning. By using the play-based method, educators can teach a wide range of mathematical content without causing frustration among students, making the learning enjoyable. As a result, students developed a stronger interest in mathematics and became more enthusiastic and actively involved in the learning process.

Game Mathematics Interest