25 Fun Number and Counting Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten
Reviewed by Owen Bissell
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Teaching your child to count and how to recognize numbers is an important step in learning foundational math, as it helps build the skills needed for future problem-solving and critical thinking.
Number recognition is the ability to recognize written numerals and understand that combinations of those numerals represent different numbers. Learn more about number recognition here, then try the following engaging number recognition and counting activities with your child to begin building foundational math skills.
Preschool-aged children can focus on activities with numbers 1-5 and possibly up to 10. Kindergarteners and first graders can work on numbers up to 10 and beyond.
25 Number Recognition Activities to Try with Your Preschooler or Kindergartener
1. Color by Number
This classic activity helps kids learn to recognize numerals and practice color recognition at the same time. Check out our free printable color-by-number activities for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.
2. Play Hopscotch
Here’s another classic game that’s perfect for number recognition! Number your squares the traditional way (1 to 10), or use a different set of numbers for more practice.
3. Connect the Dots
Grab our free printable dot-to-dot worksheets, which include options for the numbers 1 to 5, 1 to 10, 1 to 20, and even 1 to 140!
4. Sing Number Songs
There are a lot of wonderful number songs that you can sing with your toddler, both counting songs and those that focus on individual numerals. Check out our catchy ABCmouse Count to 10 song and then try singing along.
5. Trace Numerals
As kids learn to write numerals, tracing is often the first step. They can use their finger or another tool to trace numbers in sand, shaving cream, soap bubbles, and more. Tracing worksheets are another good way to get in some practice. Check out our collection here.
6. Use Flashcards for Matching Games
Number flashcards are terrific for playing a game of memory. Kids can match two numerals together, or match a numeral with a card showing a corresponding set of items. For example, if they pick a card with the number 4, they can match it to the card showing 4 items.
7. Move and Count
Count your steps as you walk, then write the number on the sidewalk with some chalk. Or, see how many times your child can jump up and down in 30 seconds, and have them write down that number. Then, try again to see if they can beat that number. This idea can work with a variety of different physical activities.
8. Run a Number Race
Place two bowls of number cards or magnets at one end of the room. Then, challenge kids to race from one end of the room to grab the number one out of the bowl, then race back to the start. Repeat this with each number in sequence, seeing who can finish first. This makes a fun relay race if you’re playing with more than two people.
9. Craft Clip Cards
Use notecards or cut blank cards from cardboard boxes. Divide them in half and draw a number of dots on the top. On the bottom edge, write several numerals, including the one that matches the number of dots. Give kids clothespins, and ask them to clip each card over the correct numeral. This gives kids counting and number recognition practice.
10. Create Number Collages
Go through old newspapers and magazines, tearing or cutting out numerals wherever you find them. Then, make a collage page for each numeral. You can assemble these into a book for kids to return to again and again.
11. Have Fun With Mini Stickers
Pick up some inexpensive mini stickers, then label pieces of paper with various numerals you’d like to work on. Kids will have fun putting the right number of stickers on each page.
12. Play Go Fish
This classic card game is great for number recognition practice. Use a card set made for the game, or just use any playing cards with the face cards taken out. It’s so much fun kids don’t usually realize they’re learning!
13. Fill Plastic Eggs
Use a permanent marker to write a numeral or number word on the outside of each plastic egg. Kids get a real kick out of opening them up, filling them with the correct number of small objects (try beans, mini erasers, or small crackers), then closing them up again.
14. Post Sticky Notes
Grab a pad of sticky notes and a crayon, then take a trip around your house counting objects. As you do, have your child write the number on the note and attach it to the items. For instance, you might count six cookies in the cookie jar. Write the number six and attach it to the jar.
15. Sort Pom Poms
Give kids some fine motor skill practice along with number recognition work by labeling the wells of a muffin tin with various numbers. Kids use their fingers or large plastic tweezers or tongs to place small pom poms one by one into each section, matching the number of pom poms to the numbers in the muffin tin.
16. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Collect some boxes or bins, and add a number card to each one. Then set a timer, and challenge your child to bring the correct number of a certain kind of item to each bin before time runs out. Example: If the bin is labeled with the number three, your child might put three stuffed animals inside.
17. Swat Number “Flies”
Cut out simple fly shapes from construction paper, and label each with a number. Lay them out and give kids a fly swatter. Then, call out a number and see how fast your child can swat it!
18. Use a Hundreds Chart
A hundreds chart lays out the numbers 1 to 100 in a grid. You can do all sorts of number recognition activities with them. Grab your free printables and get ideas for using them here.
19. Play Number Hide-and-Seek
Hide number magnets or cards around the room, then see how fast your child can find them all and put them in the correct order. They can work individually or in a group for this fun active learning game.
20. Spot the Numbers
This is a good one to play in a car or while you’re waiting at a restaurant. The goal is to be the first to spot the numbers 0 to 9, in the correct order. You might find them on license plates, billboards, menus, price tags, and more depending on where you play.
21-25. Number Recognition Activities: Online Games
Playing games online can help reinforce number recognition. Online math games like the ones offered by ABCmouse can help build the foundational skills preschoolers need. Here are a few options to try for number recognition:
For more tips on teaching kindergarten math concepts, check out our article Key Math Concepts for Kindergarteners: Tips for Teaching. You’ll find effective strategies and additional activities to help your child master essential math skills.
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