Games on numbers for kindergarten
Kindergarten Math Games That Make Learning Fun from the Start
Looking for ways to make math fun for young learners? Check out these kindergarten math games! They teach all the basic math skills kindergartners need to master and are sure to engage every kid in the learning process.
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1. Conquer cardinality with penguin dominoes
Kindergarten math students work to master cardinality, understanding that written numerals correspond to the number of items pictured. These free printable penguin dominoes make the concept fun to practice.
Learn more: Playdough to Plato
2. Put together puzzles to gain number sense
Kindergarten math students learn to understand that numbers can be represented in a variety of ways. These free printable puzzles help them practice those skills.
Learn more: Tickled Pink in Primary
3.
This free printable game helps little ones master their numbers from 11 to 20, both as numerals and represented on ten-frames.
Learn more: The Measured Mom
4. Stack cups and count to 100
Kids love stacking things, so they’ll get a kick out of kindergarten math games that make use of stackable cups. This one has them doing it with 100 cups while they count! Turn it into a competition by putting them in teams and timing them to see who can finish the task the fastest.
Learn more: Kindergarten Smorgasboard/100 Cups
5. Visit the skip-counting store
How fun is this? Grab some toys and label them with price tags in increments of 10 cents. Give kids a handful of plastic dimes, and have them count out the amount needed for each “purchase.”
Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Skip Counting Store
6. Have a rubber duck race
In this game, kids race to see who can be the first to get their rubber duckies to 10 (or any number you choose).
They roll a die and lay out tiles to move their duck. The twist? To get to 10 at the end, they must roll the exact number they need—no going over! Kindergarten math games like this one are terrific for practicing counting on, basic addition, and making 10.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Playtime
7. Practice counting on with cards and dice
Remove the face cards from a deck of playing cards and grab a pair of dice. The first player turns over a card and then rolls the dice. The number on the dice indicates how far they “count on” from the card. (For example, a player turns over a three and rolls a four. They say, “Three: four, five, six, seven.”) If the player gets it right, they keep the card, and the other player(s) get a turn.
Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Counting On
8. Skip-count with craft sticks
There are endless ways to use craft sticks in the classroom. For this game, number a series of colorful sticks by fives, as shown. Kids can practice by putting them in order first.
Then, have a student draw a stick and count on by fives from that number to 100—if they draw 75, they then count 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100. If they get it right, they keep the stick, and the next player takes a turn.
Learn more: Simply Kinder
9. Match teen numbers
Once they’ve mastered the numbers 1 to 10, it’s time to understand how those numerals add up to make bigger numbers. These free printable cards show numerals and matching bundles of sticks that deconstruct each teen number into tens and ones.
Learn more: The Kindergarten Connection
10. Compare numbers with dominoes
Kindergartners learn to compare numbers to determine which is larger and which smaller. Stacking math cubes based on the numbers on dominoes is a fun, hands-on way to compare the two numbers side by side, making it easier to see the difference.
Learn more: My Fabulous Class
11. Face off and compare numbers
You’ll need some small toys for this game, as well as polyhedral dice.
Kids roll and place the number of items on their side. Then, they compare the two to see which is bigger.
Learn more: Natalie Lynn Kindergarten
12. Make 10 with two-sided chips
You’ll need counting chips that are a different color on each side for this activity. Kids shake up 10 chips in a cup and pour them out on the table. Then they see how many they have of each color and write that number bond to make 10.
Learn more: First Grade Fairytales
13. Throw snowballs to make 10
Make “snowballs” from paper (or any way you like), then place them in a bucket at one end of the room. Start kids out by having them toss snowballs into another bucket until they reach 10 (or any target number). Then, up the challenge by placing some snowballs in each bucket and have kids figure out how many more they need to toss in to make 10.
Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls—Snowball Math Games
14. Use Uno cards to play addition war
In the card game War, players each flip an Uno card, and the one whose card is greatest takes them both.
In this twist on one of our favorite kindergarten games, players each flip two cards. They then use counting blocks to represent the numbers and count on or add to find the sum. The largest sum wins the hand, and play continues.
Learn more: Planning Playtime—Addition Game
15. Roll and add for fluency within 5
Kindergarten math students work to become fluent in adding and subtracting within 5. This free printable board game makes it fun!
Learn more: Liz’s Early Learning Spot
16. Get four in a row and learn place value
This customizable game helps teach the early place-value concept of tens plus ones. Get it for free at the link.
Learn more: Two Boys and a Dad
17. Bowl and subtract within 10
Set up a toy bowling pin set (or make one from plastic bottles or toilet-paper tubes). Kids bowl and see how many pins they knock down, subtracting that number from 10. Then they repeat, this time subtracting from the previous answer.
First to get to zero wins!
Learn more: Planning Playtime—Subtraction Worksheets
18. Get off my boat!
So simple, so engaging, so fun! Use tape to outline a boat shape on the floor (or try this outside with sidewalk chalk). Let some kids board the “boat,” then make some get off. Use those numbers to write a subtraction number sentence and solve the equation!
Learn more: Kindergarten Smorgasboard—Get Off My Boat!
19. Drive and compare numbers to music
Prep for this game by using dot markers on paper plates as shown (visit the link below for more examples). Each kid takes a plate then uses it to “drive” around the room as you play music. When the music stops, they find a nearby partner and compare what they see on each other’s plates (e.g., “8 dots is more than 4 dots. 1 green dot is less than 4 green dots.” Then start the music up and repeat!
20. Build a weigh station
Use a hanger and plastic cups to build a super-simple weigh station.
Kids will love dropping items into the cups to see which weighs more or less. Turn it into a game by having them try to guess which object weighs more first or how many of one item equals another.
21. Battle it out in ribbon war
Looking for kindergarten math games that teach non-standard measurement? This idea is fun and easy. Cut colorful ribbons into a variety of lengths and place them in a bag. Each student pulls a ribbon from the bag. Then, put students in pairs and have them compare their ribbons to identify the longer one. The student with the longer ribbon keeps both, and the game continues.
22. Hold a shape scavenger hunt
Kindergarten math students are learning to recognize shapes in their environment and also to categorize and sort. This scavenger hunt does it all! Send them out to find objects in the room that match the shapes. Then count and compare to see how many you have in each category.
Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls—Shape Scavenger Hunt
23.
Hop along a shapes mazeUse sidewalk chalk to lay out a shape maze on the playground or driveway. Choose a shape and hop from one to the next, or call out a different shape for every jump!
Learn more: Creative Family Fun—Shape Maze
24. Make a match to learn shapes
Grab these free printable memory cards at the link. Then play and learn the basic shapes.
Learn more: Life Over C’s
25. Guess the mystery shapes
Work on geometry terms like “sides” and “vertices” when you sort shapes using these attributes. Start by placing 3D shapes into paper bags and asking students questions like “The shape in this bag has 4 sides. What could it be?”
Learn more: Susan Jones Teaching
Love these kindergarten math games? You’ll also enjoy these 50 Kindergarten Math Word Problems of the Day!
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15 Best Number Games And Activities For Kindergarten Kids
Inculcate the love for numbers in your little one and watch them create magic with them.
Image: Shutterstock
Learning numbers can be challenging for many children. However, children learn better when they are taught through play and rhymes. So, we have compiled some number games for kindergarten kids that can help children get acquainted with maths, counting, and numbers.
Playing along to number-based nursery rhymes like “One, two, buckle my shoe…” and “Five little speckled frogs” would make any toddler sing along and have fun while learning. We have included ways you can help children learn their numbers better without getting nervous. So, read on to find out more about number-based learning games.
Counting And Number Activities For Kindergarten
The following list has 15 easy number games and activities that you can try with things in your house. All you need is a little preparation, and you’re set to give the kid a numbers lesson.
1. Number Train
Image: iStock
Kids love trains and are fascinated by them. In this activity, we make trains with blocks, straws, tape, or anything else that can be stacked in a line to make a train.
This activity works well with a group of kids.
You will need: Colored wooden blocks (different shapes), a ruler scale or tape, space to play
What to do:
The objective of the game is to stack a specific (train of three, four, or five) number of blocks horizontally on the floor, to make a train.
- Start by demonstrating the activity. Ask the kids to pick a number under 10. Then stack as many blocks as the number they choose.
- Next, give each child a set of blocks or make teams if you have fewer sets of building blocks.
- Give them a number and ask them to make a train like you did. So if the number is four, they have to make a train with four blocks. If it is eight, then they use eight blocks.
- Repeat the game as many times as you can.
What kids learn:
Number sense and counting are the two things that kids learn with this activity.
Quick tip
If the kid understands odd and even numbers, ask them to make a train with those numbers.
For example, you can ask them to make a train with three odd numbers or four even numbers.
Related: 15 Best Group Games For Kids
2. Find The Number And Pop A Bubble
Bubble wraps are not toys, but we love playing with them, don’t we? This activity uses bubble wrap to learn numbers and have a little fun.
Please note that bubble wrap is not a toy. Kids should not be allowed to play with bubble wraps without adult supervision.
You will need: A small sheet of bubble wrap (preferably cut in squares) – use one with larger bubbles to be able to write, a gel pen or marker
What you do:
- Write numbers from one, two, and so on, randomly over the bubbles using a marker or a sketch pen. You can repeat some numbers if you want.
- Now give the bubble wrap sheet to your child. When you call out a number, the child has to point to the bubble with that number on it, call it out loud, and then pop it!
- Repeat until you pop all the bubbles.
This can also be used for math practice for older kids.
What kids learn:
Number recognition
Point to consider
If the children know simple single number addition, ask them to pop the bubble showing the answer to an addition problem such as 3+4 or 2+5.
3. Number Hunt
Image: Shutterstock
Number Hunt is similar to treasure hunt, except it involves small slips with numbers written on them. This innovative counting game can be a fun group game for kindergarteners.
You will need: Slips of paper or post-its, a pen
What you do:
Prepare for the hunt beforehand. Cut a sheet of paper into small pieces that you can hang with a thread. You could also use post-its instead.
- Write a number, from one to 20, on each piece of paper. Do not repeat a number.
- Stick the papers at different places randomly, around the house.
Put them in places where the child is likely to find them. - Set a timer for ten minutes and ask the kid to search for all the 20 slips of paper.
- Each time he finds one, he reads the number on it aloud.
What kids learn:
Number recognition
Quick tip
You can schedule a match between two kids to test their number recognition abilities. The one who wins can get a prize and encourage other kids to work hard.
Related: 20 Indoor And Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas For Kids
4. Tracing numbers
Image: Shutterstock
Identifying the number is the first step. The next is to be able to recreate it on paper. One of the best and most effective ways to teach that to a kid is to let them trace the numbers.
You will need: Papers or charts, marker, pencil
What you do:
- On the paper or a chart, write the numbers you want the child to practice in a big font.
- Give enough space between the two numbers so that the numbers do not overlap when the child traces them.
What kids learn:
Writing digits and number recognition
Do remember
After the child traces one number, ask them casually what number comes next or before it. It will make you gauge how familiar they are with counting.
5. Counting with Cups
If you run out of things to count, use Styrofoam or paper cups to teach numbers. The best part is you can reuse the cups several times for the activity.
You will need: White paper cups (11), marker pen, small objects like beads, beans, or pasta (55)
What you do:
- Number the cups from zero to 11. Make sure that the digit is visible on the surface of the cup.
- Give the cups to your child and ask to arrange them in order from the smallest number to the biggest.
- Now give them the 55 beans and ask them to locate the number written on each cup and put that number of beans in the cup.
- Once your child is done putting the beans in the cup, let them empty each cup and see if they placed the right number of beans in each cup.
What kids learn:
Counting, number recognition, and one-to-one correspondence
Related: 23 Fun Circle Time Activities For Preschoolers And Toddlers
6. Paint By Number Art
Image: Shutterstock
Another way to teach your little one about numbers is through painting by numbers activity. The activity needs the child to focus on the numbers and identify them correctly to get the picture right.
What you need: A painting-by-numbers template, paints or crayons to color
What you do:
- Get two computer prints of the template – pick an easy model, an image with fewer but larger sections that a child can paint easily.
- Sit with the child and tell him what they need to do. Show them by coloring a numbered part of the template.
- Ask the child to pick a number next and check for the corresponding color on the sheet.
- Color the template fully.
What kids learn:
Number recognition
7. Connect The Dots
Image: iStock
As a kid, I loved playing connect the dots. It was the easiest puzzle in the newspaper, and I would always get it right! What I didn’t know then was that this puzzle could also be used to teach kindergarteners about number sequencing!
You will need: Sheets of paper (you can use a white or black board too), a pencil
What you do:
- On a piece of paper, write down the numbers with a dot on top, in a random order or in a sequence, to form a shape such as a circle or a square.
- You can also download connect-the-dot exercise templates as well.
- Ask your child to draw a line starting from number one to number two. Next, ask your child to join the numbers two and three, by extending the line they drew.
- Continue joining the dots until all the numbers are connected, and you get the desired shape.
What kids learn:
Number sequencing, number recognition, fine motor practice making lines
8. Count The Number of Things Inside The House
Image: iStock
This is a simple counting exercise that you can practice with the kid at any time.
You will need: Multiple household items that you can count such as beds, pillows, chairs, doors, etc.
What you do:
- Make a list of things that you can ask your child to count.
- Then ask the kid to go around the house and count the number of those items using their fingers.
- For instance, say “I want you to count the number of windows in our house.” And then wait for the kid to count.
You can repeat with random things such as the number of red (or any other color) items, lights, books on a table, etc.
What kids learn:
Counting numbers, rote counting, one to one correspondence
9. Rock Paper Numbers
Image: iStock
Rock paper scissors is a game we all played as kids. You can play this game with your little boy or girl today, to teach numbers and counting. We call the game Rock Paper and Numbers.
You will need: Nothing but time and energy!
What you do:
The game is a lot of fun when played with a small group of kids.
- The game is played like rock, paper, scissors. Only that instead of rock or paper or scissors, which is just two fingers, you can show a number.
- On the count of three, you and your child can put up as many fingers as you want.
- Then ask the kid to count the number of fingers you are showing and how many he has.
What kids learn:
Subitizing, one to one correspondence
10. Counting With Dice
Image: iStock
A pair of dice can be great tools for teaching kids how to count.
This simple activity can teach them to concentrate and count things.
You will need: A board game
What you do:
- On a sheet of paper or chart, write the numbers from two to 12.
- Ask the child to roll the dice and count the dots facing up and circle the number on the sheet.
What kids learn:
Counting, one-to-one correspondence
Related: 15 Easy Yet Fun Dice Games For Children To Play
11. Count The Cars
Image: Shutterstock
This is a fun outdoor game that you can play with the kid, when on a road trip. In fact, this is one of the best games to play when traveling, for it also boosts the child’s memory power.
You will need: Sit somewhere outdoors, where you can see passing cars.
What you do:
- Ask your child to watch out for a specific colored car – red, blue, or green. Don’t choose a standard color.
- You also pick a color and count every time you see a car in that color.
- Ask the kid to count the total number of red/green/blue colored cars he has seen.
- In the end, compare who has a bigger number.
What kids learn:
Counting, color recognition, comparison of less and greater, and memory/retention
12. Number Puzzle
Image: iStock
A puzzle can also be used to make math fun for kids. You can get a cardboard puzzle or a wooden puzzle toy that can be used several times and by different kids (in a school).
You will need: Number puzzle (bought or made at home)
What you do:
- Get a puzzle with numbers from one to 20.
- Jumble the numbers and ask the child to join the pieces of the puzzle to arrange them in order.
- You can show him how to do it with the first one or two numbers.
What kids learn:
Number sequencing, solving puzzles, number recognition
Related: 15 Best Puzzles For 6-Year-Olds In 2022
13.
Collect Flowers And Count Image: Shutterstock
Want the kid to go out more often and experience the beauty of nature? Take them to a garden to gather flowers. And count too.
You will need: A trip to the garden or flower market
What you do:
- Take your child to a market and ask them to pick a few flowers for the house.
- At home, ask them to sort the flowers – put one variety of flowers together, make separate bunches.
- Now ask your child to count how many flowers of each variety there are.
What kids learn:
Sorting, counting
14. Hopscotch Numbers
Image: iStock
Hopscotch is a game that little children like to play. You can try a simpler version (the English Cat’s Cradle version) of this game for kindergarteners, with smaller circles and squares they can easily jump on to.
You will need: Space to play outdoors – a concrete area preferably, chalk (different colors)
What you do:
- Draw the cat’s cradle version of Hopscotch court – the numbers are written in a sequence, from one to ten.
- Call out the number one and ask your kid to jump on the numbered square.
- You can call the numbers in a sequence or random order, just to see if your child can identify the numbered square.
What kids learn:
Number recognition
15. Match Playing Cards
Image: Shutterstock
Who says playing cards are just for adults? Kids can play with them too, to learn math.
You will need: A deck of playing cards
What you do:
- Sort the cards and take out cards two to ten from all the suits.
- From these, tape the cards of one suit on a wall, in a random order.
- Arrange the rest of the suits on a table nearby, in order.
- Ask the child to pick a card from the deck on the table and slap it on the matching number on the wall!
You can use tape to stick the cards together.
What kids learn:
Number recognition
1.
What are pre-number activities?
Pre-number activities are introduced to children before they are introduced to actual numbers and related activities. These help children learn about the basics of numbers and have fun through different tasks.
2. What are numeracy activities?
Numeracy activities help children understand the basics of mathematics and also allow them to apply these skills in the various domains of life. A few basic numeracy skills include (1):
- Understanding problems with numbers
- Learning addition and subtraction
- Identifying patterns
- Counting objects
3. What is number sense in kindergarten?
Number sense refers to one’s ability to perform basic operations with numbers and also includes a sense of flexibility and fluidity with numbers. Number sense also refers to the understanding of numbers’ relationship with one another. For example, knowing that one number is more or less than another.
Although children entering kindergarten do not usually possess this skill, they can identify small groups of numbers without counting (also known as subitizing), which can be considered a prerequisite for number sense.
Number games for kindergarten kids are an exciting way to teach them about numbers and counting. Games such as number hunt, painting by numbers, and counting flowers are fascinating ways to keep your child engaged and improve their counting and number sense. You could also join in and help them understand the concepts better as you play and bond.
References:
- Numeracy and math skills – babies and toddlers; Raising Children
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/play-learning/learning-ideas/early-numeracy
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Learning numbers - Everything for kindergarten
Didactic games for children | Learning numbers | Card file of didactic games | Mathematics in kindergarten
Didactic game "Name the number and the object." To play the game, you need to print cards with illustrations of numbers and objects corresponding to this number on each specific card.
How to make cards for ...
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The counting of numbers in the subject in kindergarten is used as the basis for conducting classes and didactic games in mathematics in the younger and middle groups. Thanks to such illustrations, children develop visual ...
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Demonstration material for the junior and middle group of kindergarten "Number and number of objects" - these are bright cards for printing on A4 sheets and further use in mathematics classes in ...
Learning numbers | Cards for children | Mathematics in kindergarten | Learning to count
Numbers for the entire sheet of A4 in different colors of the shell and content in the form of various methods for studying numbers in kindergarten. Each picture with a number is adapted for printing on the whole ...
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Comparison of objects and numbers in the form of colorful pictures with demonstration materials in kindergarten.
This card file is useful for conducting mathematical classes in the middle group, when it is necessary to compare the number of items and ...
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Large display cards for learning numbers in kindergarten. Numbers for kindergarten have a colorful design and a bright color of objects corresponding to the numbers. The content below can be downloaded for…
Learning numbers | Mathematics in kindergarten | Educational cards | Learning to count
Material for preschool children to study numbers up to 10 using different methods. It consists of cards with an illustration of a number, the number of objects corresponding to this number, the number of sticks, squares, as well as a finger designation ...
Demo | Learning numbers | Presentations for children in kindergarten
Presentation "Numbers" for preschoolers in kindergarten, as well as for teachers of preschool educational institutions.
The presentation is made in the form of separate sheets with numbers. Each sheet, except for the image of a large number, contains an illustration ...
Learning numbers | Learning to write | Learning to count
Funny pictures with words of numbers and cards for studying the number of animals corresponding to this number. Each card consists of a colorful picture with animals and a number at the top. The figure is marked with the correct reference ...
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It is very easy to study numbers by the number of objects. Actually, the entire initial process of studying numbers in kindergarten is based on this. Children count objects, points, and then memorize the resulting ...
Getting to know numbers in the game
I have already told you how to introduce numbers to your baby. But still, I am more inclined to believe that the best way to teach something to a preschooler is a game. In addition to interesting exercises, a very effective method of getting to know numbers is the use of special and no less exciting games.
In didactic games for getting to know numbers, the learning task is hidden, and thanks to this, the child solves the game task and learns at the same time. There are many similar games, the most common and simple I would like to bring to your attention. nine0003
"Identify the number by touch."
Many children like this game because of its mystery. It is carried out according to the type of game "Wonderful bag". To play, you will need a set of volumetric numbers (you can use numbers for the magnetic alphabet or make it yourself, for example, from salt dough) and a bag or box. The child puts his hand into the bag and tries to determine by touch what number he is holding. In addition to the fact that the educational task of this game is to fix the external signs of numbers, tactile sensations and fine motor skills of the hands also develop. nine0003
"Make a number."
For this game you will need multi-colored plasticine. The child is asked to make the number he wants (from memory) from plasticine and describe it.
You can make the whole set of numbers from 0 to 9, for example, for Dunno.
"Transformation of numbers".
This game can be classified as a visual game. For her, you will need images of different numbers on paper and drawing tools, it is better to use felt-tip pens or colored pencils, you can also paint. The child is presented with a picture of a number. He must name what number he got. Then the installation is given that this figure is not simple, but magical, you just have to take a closer look and see what the number looks like, who or what is hidden under its guise. Then the child adds some details to the figure and “turns” the figure into some kind of picture. In the picture, an example with the number "2"
Find your number.
For this game you will need cards with numbers from 0 to 9. One set of cards for the child, and the rest of the cards are laid out around the room. The child pulls out a card with a picture of a number and must find as many of the same numbers as possible laid out in the room.
You can complicate the task by introducing another participant into the game, then they will look for numbers for speed, each with their own. For each incorrect figure, a penalty point is awarded, which is then subtracted from the total number of points. nine0003
Find your neighbors.
For this game you will again need number cards. The cards need to be shuffled. The child takes out one card with the image of a number, calls it, then the rest of the cards are laid out. The task of the child from the remaining cards is to find the previous and subsequent numbers. You can also complicate the conditions of the game, introduce a second participant with his own set of cards, then they will look for "neighbors" at speed.
"Perform the move."
You will need two sets of cards. Some cards should show numbers, while others should have a picture indicating some kind of movement, for example, jumping, squatting, steps, etc., you can use the words: jump, sit down, take steps, raise your hands, etc.
Thus, the child pulls out two cards, thanks to one of them he determines what he needs to do, and with the help of the other - how many times. nine0003
"Pick a pair."
This game can be classified as outdoor games. The more participants in the game, the better, so it is very good to play this game with a group of children. A number is attached to each child's clothes. Initially, each participant sees only his own number. Players with the same numbers - a pair. Participants need to find their number among others playing and create a pair. Whoever completes the task the fastest is the winner.
Describe the number.
This game does not require special training. It can be classified as a word game. Any number of participants can play. This game is good on the go to pass the time while traveling. One of the participants thinks of any number from 0 to 9and describe it verbally. The task of the other participants is to guess what number they are talking about.
"Find the same one.
