Games with 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.

Play teen-number bingo

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 maze

Use 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 StyrofoamⁱXA solid plastic material often used as packaging material 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 countingⁱXAn infant’s ability to correctly remember and recite the numbers in a correct sequence , 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:

SubitizingⁱXThe ability to recognize the number of objects in a set simply by looking at it and not by counting , 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 2023

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:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

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

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12 games to learn numbers. First Math for Toddlers

From the age of 3, children have no problem remembering a variety of symbols, signs, numbers, letters. The main question of our article is as follows: at what age and how to introduce a child to numbers.

The familiarization process planned in the form of a lesson or a lesson in 9 out of 10 cases will be doomed to failure. The child will quickly lose attention and interest. Start with what is around you. We saw number 1 on the building. Pay attention to the baby, talk about this number.

There are a lot of baby books in which numbers (up to 10) and letters are depicted in the form of funny animals or little men, thus making the learning process exciting and interesting.

The main knowledge base is the first ten.

Involve all means at hand in memorization: pencils, pens, toys, plasticine, paints…

And, of course, there are many games aimed at learning numbers.

Let's get to know them!

1. Coloring with cereals

For this game you will need a piece of paper, a marker and cereals.

#Mom draws the number 1, for example, but does not color it. The kid lays out inside her contour grains of buckwheat, rice or pasta. Informative and useful for #fine motor skills.

2. “Numbers and Nature”

Gather chestnuts, acorns (if the season is in season), leaves… Number all this with a marker and paints. Visual aid is ready! Count aloud with your child the gifts of nature found, and at the same time learn the names of trees from their leaves.

3. Clothespins

For older children, this is a great way to play with clothespins.

Attach a number to each. Lay out the clothespins in the correct order, after showing you how to correctly count to 10.

4.

"Apples on a tree"

For those who are already familiar with numbers, but do not know how to count, the game "count apples" on a tree is perfect. No need to rush to buy expensive books with assignments: you can make everything yourself. Look at the photo and repeat. All you need is plasticine and a sheet of paper.

5. "Constructor"

Do not miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the score during the usual game with the constructor. Look what a wonderful number!

6. "Cartoons"

It is much more fun to learn the basics of mathematics with your favorite characters. Find series that allow you to learn how to count trains, fruits, balls. A huge selection of cartoons for learning numbers. Watch the series, and then consolidate the knowledge gained already with the baby. Ask to count the cubes or name the corresponding number.

7. "Shop"

The classic story game will help you get your child interested and enthusiastic about learning. Some of you are buyers and some are sellers. Print the children's money, numbered by numbers, and quickly sell and buy candy!

8. Living Numbers

Bring the numbers to life by adding eyes to them. You can cut it out of cardboard and guess by touch what it is. Two, three or one?

9. "Children's Domino"

Dominoes are perfect for the game format. For small children, choose images of cars, fruits, flowers: bright and colorful. For older children, the option with dots on the front side of the knuckle is suitable.

10. "Dolls"

Absolutely all girls are crazy about playing with dolls. Project the situation: Barbie came to visit her friend, and she treated her to 3 sweets, they ate 2, count together how much is left?

11. Over/Under

You need to set the table for your birthday. Get your child to help.