Kumon has helped millions of children build fast, accurate arithmetic, and many parents swear by it. It's also a real commitment: worksheets every day, center visits twice a week (your child does that day's worksheets at a local Kumon center, where an instructor grades them), and a monthly fee per subject.
If you're wondering how much your child needs right now, this may help you decide.
A quick note: we make Bobby's Math Club, and we've done our best to be fair. Prices are typical U.S. ranges as of October 2026 and vary by center, so check with your local Kumon.
How they compare, at a glance
| Feature | Kumon | ⭐ Bobby's Math Club |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 What you'll pay | ~$100–$200/mo per subject, plus a registration fee | Free: unlimited practice |
| ⏱️ Time it takes | 20–30 min of worksheets a day, plus 2 center visits a week | About 5 minutes a day, at home |
| 📚 What your child does | Short, sequenced paper worksheets, moving up a level once each one is fast and accurate | Short practice at just the right level, with every question read aloud, hints a tap away and a kind explanation after mistakes |
| 👪 What it asks of you | Daily worksheet time at home, often with a parent checking, and two trips a week | A few minutes a day; plain-English progress emails come to you |
| 😊 What keeps kids going | Clear levels to work through and the pride of moving ahead | Badges, level-ups and celebrations, with no timer |
| 🎯 Grades | Pre-K through high school | PK-5 |
Where Kumon shines
Kumon's method has been around for decades and is proven at what it sets out to do: fast, accurate arithmetic. Children work through carefully sequenced worksheets every day and move on once they've mastered each level. Most of the work is on paper, and many kids end up well ahead of grade level. Kumon's own guide to how it works describes about 30 minutes of worksheets a day per subject, two days a week at a center and the rest at home.
What it does well
- Builds speed, accuracy and work habits
- Clear, step-by-step progression
- Paper-based and screen-free
- Kids can move well ahead of grade level
Good to know
- Worksheets every day, usually 20–30 minutes
- Parents usually help with the daily packets
- Center visits twice a week
- Priced per subject
What your child gets with Bobby's Math Club
I built Bobby's Math Club, and I use it with my own kids every week. The idea is simple: a few calm minutes, several times a week, at just the right level, so kids want to come back. Spacing practice out over time is one of the U.S. Department of Education's research-backed recommendations for helping learning last.
What it does well
- About 5 minutes a day, at home, at just the right level for your child
- Every question read aloud, with hints a tap away
- No timer, and "I don't know yet" is always an OK answer
- Badges and celebrations, plus plain-English progress emails for you
- Unlimited practice, free forever
Good to know
- It's short practice, not a tutor or a full course
- Made for PK-5
- Practice happens on a phone, tablet or computer, with printable worksheets too
Which fits your family?
- "My child loves routine and wants faster math facts." → Kumon, if daily worksheets fit your week.
- "My child gets upset at homework time." → Bobby's Math Club, to build confidence first.
- "We can't add two drives a week." → Bobby's Math Club, five minutes at home.
- "We're watching the budget." → Bobby's Math Club: unlimited practice is free.
You don't have to choose just one. Some families use Kumon for arithmetic and Bobby's Math Club for a few minutes a day across numbers, problem solving, measurement and geometry.
Questions parents ask
Is Kumon worth it?
Kumon can be a great fit for children who enjoy routine and want faster, more accurate arithmetic, especially when a parent can support the daily worksheets. For children who feel anxious about math, a few calm minutes of practice a day may be a gentler place to start.
How much does Kumon cost?
Kumon typically costs about $100 to $200 a month per subject in the U.S., plus a registration fee. Each center sets its own price.
How much time does Kumon take each day?
Most children spend about 20 to 30 minutes a day on Kumon worksheets, plus two visits a week to the center.
What grades does Kumon cover?
Kumon offers math from Pre-K through high school. Bobby's Math Club covers Pre-K through 5th grade.
What is a good alternative to Kumon?
Bobby's Math Club is a free alternative for Pre-K through 5th grade: about five minutes of practice a day at home, at just the right level, with every question read aloud and plain-English progress emails for parents.
Can my child do Kumon and Bobby's Math Club together?
Yes. Kumon focuses on arithmetic worksheets, and Bobby's Math Club adds a few minutes of practice a day across numbers, problem solving, measurement and geometry.
Kumon is a trademark of its owner. Bobby's Math Club is not affiliated with or endorsed by it.