Counting is an essential math concept for preschoolers. Toddlers need to be able to recognize and visualize numbers as well as count sequentially in order to develop the skills necessary to move on to more advanced math concepts. Teaching toddlers how to count at home or preschool is fun and easy, especially when using the cool games and awesome activities below. Here are 45 Cool Counting Games and Awesome Activities for Preschoolers.
1. Parking Cars
This fun activity is great for developing number recognition. Take several toy cars, trucks, or other vehicles and write a number on each of them. Then, make a parking garage on the sidewalk or several pieces of paper and number the parking spots. Kids can then park the numbered cars in the corresponding spots.
Learn More: Empowered Parents
2. Sidewalk Chalk and Water Paint
For this activity, all kids need is sidewalk chalk, water, and a paintbrush. Write numerals on the sidewalk in large font, then have kids trace the numbers with water and a paintbrush over and over again! Children will learn how to write their numbers with ease.
Learn More: Empowered Parents
3. Counting Around the House
This activity is a great practice to send home with preschoolers so they can practice counting at home. Teachers can use the free printable, and students can record the number of doors, windows, etc., that they find at home.
Learn More: Early Learning Ideas
4. Penguin Number Games
The website linked below has several game ideas to work on counting, number recognition, and other basic math concepts. From penguin matching to penguin patterns, kids will have fun practicing math with a cute penguin theme!
Learn More: Boy Mama Teacher Mama
5. Feed the Bird
Kids will adore practicing their counting skills while feeding the bird. Kids will practice counting worms in order to feed the bird the correct amount. A counting mat and worm cards can easily be printed from the website.
Learn More: Steamsational
6. Counting Pizza Party
In this fun, “real world” activity, students will count toppings to complete different pizzas that customers order. This is a gamified version of the activity, but teachers could also make their own pizzas and customer orders for kids to practice.
Learn More: Education
7. Ski Counting
This is another gamified lesson that kids will love. As the character skis down the mountain, the child will have to quickly match the number of snowballs that they jumped over to the visual number on the screen. This helps establish number recognition which is the backbone of math fluency!
Learn More: Education
8. Exploding Numbers
Kids LOVE to craft, which also helps them practice number recognition and counting. A teacher or parent will help cut out numbers and then tape the number shapes to construction paper. Kids can then paint around each number to create a visual explosion!
Learn More: First Palette
9. Counting Caterpillar
This creative craft will help kids learn to count, recognize numbers, and create a sequence. They will make a caterpillar using colorful construction paper and tracing a circular object like a toilet paper roll. Once they make the circles, they will number them and create a chain for their caterpillar.
Learn More: First Palette
10. Apple Tree Number Match
Toddlers can start learning how to match numbers to their symbols using this creative apple tree matching game. Kids will match numbered stickers to their number on the tree. This sticker activity helps to build important math skills.
Learn More: Toddler At Play
11. Trace and Count
This is a great, reusable number project that toddlers will love. Preschoolers will use number cards to place objects. The number of objects fills the number itself. Kids can use household items like buttons or paper clips to practice at home.
Learn More: Modern Preschool
12. Umbrella Counting Craft
Kids will love making this cute umbrella craft, especially on a rainy day! They will start by creating the umbrella with five sections. Then, they will string the corresponding number of beads to that section. So cute, so easy, and so educational!
Learn More: Preschool Play And Learn
13. Flower Power Counting
Teachers or parents can use the printable linked below for their kids to practice counting. They will use their thumbprints to paint the number of leaves on the stem to match the number of the flower. This is an active and fun activity for the busy toddler.
Learn More: Hello Wonderful
14. Frog Hop Game
This is a great movement activity that parents can make at home to help toddlers practice counting. Kids will use lily pads and act like frogs jumping on the lily pads to cross the water. They count as they jump, smiling the whole way!
Learn More: Toddler Approved
15. Fall Leaf Number Hunt
This is a fun, fast-paced activity that helps toddlers build number recognition. They can make the leaves as part of the activity to practice writing their numbers. Then an adult drops the numbered leaves, and the child has to find the number identified by the adult.
Learn More: Toddler Approved
16. Count and Move Song
This song is a great way to motivate kids to get up and move while learning to count. Parents can play this song at home, and teachers can play this at school. The more repetition, the better!
Learn More: Super Simple Songs – Kids Songs
17. Finger Counting
Finger counting helps kids practice using numbers before writing and recognizing written numbers. There is a lot of research that backs up the benefits of finger counting. There are many ways to practice finger counting, but simply having kids show you the number as they count is a great place to start!
Learn More: Stanford.edu
18. Read to Count
Books are a great learning tool for any age level, but toddlers benefit from the visuals that books provide by learning how to count. Kids can read at home or at school, and there are tons of books that focus on teaching kids how to count, such as those in the link.
Learn More: Scholastic
19. Numbers and Colors Grid Game
This game is so easy to recreate at home or at school, and it helps kids familiarize themselves with BOTH counting and colors. Kids will roll the die; then, they have to place that number of colored items on the grid in separate places. Simple and easy, yet effective!
Learn More: Web Archive
20. Counting Seeds Sensory Bin
Using sensory bins is great for preschoolers exploring the world around them. This sensory bin uses beans and mini pots to help kids learn how to count. They will use their hands or a shovel to find the number of “seeds” corresponding to the number for the pot.
Learn More: Fantastic Fun And Learning
21. Counting Practice Board Game
Most board games are a little tricky for preschoolers, but this game takes us back to basics, and it’s free to print. Kids roll the die and count the number of spaces on the board. If they land on the star, they get to keep one of the pieces. Play until the pieces are gone.
Learn More: Prekinders
22. Teddy Numbers
This gamified counting activity can be played on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The cute characters and bright colors are engaging and fun for young learners. This game teaches kids to count up to 15 by using the drag-and-drop method.
Learn More: Top Marks
23. Bunny Ride
This counting game can again be played on any smart device. Kids can scan the QR code and get to the game easily. In this game, kids will steer the car to collect carrots for the bunny. This game helps kids learn to count to 50 and recognize all the numbers as they go.
Learn More: PBS Kids
24. Play-Doh Counting
Kids love to play with Play-Doh, and now they can play with purpose using numbered playmats. Kids will use the play mats to make the numbers out of Play-Doh as well as break that number of pieces out of Play-Doh. Once they complete the grid on the mat, they have enough pieces!
Learn More: Teaching 2 and 3-Year-Olds
25. Dump Truck Counting
These counting mats are perfect for the truck or Lego lover. These mats help toddlers count loads of Legos to transport in each truck. This is a great motor practice game and a fun counting activity.
Learn More: The Measured Mom
26. Ice Cream Counting
Kids love ice cream, and this is a great activity to pair with an ice cream treat. Kids use circular items that are found around the house or classroom to demonstrate scoops of ice cream on the counting mat. Using manipulatives also helps build motor skills.
Learn More: Schooltime Snippets
27. Straw and Pom Pom Counting
This is another fun math-focused and motor skill counting activity. Kids will use a straw to move pom poms into numbered cups. They have to move the same number of pom poms printed on the cup.
Learn More: Nurture Store
28. Dinosaur Counting
This is a fun and reusable crafting activity requiring construction paper, dinosaur cut-outs, and clothes pins. Toddlers will use the clothes pins to create dinosaur spikes on the numbered dinosaurs. They have to use the same number of clothes pins as the number on the dinosaur.
Learn More: Glued To My Crafts Blog
29. Counting Crocodiles
This activity uses the book Counting Crocodiles and numbered crocodile cutouts to help toddlers learn how to count and sequence numbers one through ten. Read the book, then help the toddler line up the crocodiles in order!
Learn More: I Heart Crafty Things
30. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Another activity uses a classic kid’s book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Toddlers will make a paper plate mouse with a slit for a mouth and then practice feeding the mouse the number of cookie cutouts; so fun and so easy!
Learn More: The Pinterested Parent
31. Animal Cracker Counting
This is perhaps the EASIEST activity to make on this list, and kids can do it during snack time! Kids will put the number of animal crackers (or other snacks) on the designated number on the mat. Once they get the numbers correct, they can enjoy their snack!
Learn More: I Can Teach My Child
32. Play Store
Kids love to role-play shoppers and store assistants, and this is a great opportunity to team this activity with counting skills. Have the toddler count the number of items that are being “bought,” have them count the cost of the items, etc. There is a myriad of ways to count while playing!
Learn More: Kindercare
33. Make a Recipe
Involving kids in the cooking and/or baking process is another great way to use daily activities as opportunities to teach number recognition, counting skills, and other math skills like measuring. Kids will love spending time in the kitchen as they learn math concepts.
Learn More: Kindercare
34. Paper Bag Counting
Use numbered paper bags to help toddlers learn to count. Toddlers can put any items in the bag to match the number written on the bag. To extend the activity, you can have kids take out the items and count them as they remove each item!
Learn More: Happy Toddler Playtime
35. Uno Dots
Kids can practice counting and number recognition using sticker dots and Uno cards. They will draw an Uno card and place that number of dots in the square. This is an easy activity that is fun and engaging.
Learn More: Happy Toddler Playtime
36. Speaking of Uno…
Play Uno! Uno is a classic card game that families love. Kids can play Uno to learn numbers and colors. As an added bonus, kids will get to spend time making memories with their family and friends.
Learn More: Amazon
37. Counting Dinosaurs Grab Bag
This game helps toddlers work on numbers, counting, colors, and motor skills. They will use the flashcards to determine which color and how many dinosaurs to pick up with the tongs. This active math game is worth every penny!
Learn More: Amazon
38. Magnet Counting
This is another great buy that helps kids use fine motor skills and magnets to learn how to count. This active math game also helps kids practice their colors as they move the magnetic balls into the appropriate cups.
Learn More: Amazon
39. Number/Picture Match
This basic game helps kids recognize numbers and match numbers to the amount shown on a picture card. These matching flashcards can be printed, or kids can make them for an added craft.
Learn More: Learning Without Tears
40. Sing and Sign
This singing and signing activity helps toddlers memorize and show the numbers using movements. Each number has a different corresponding hand movement. This tactile counting activity is a fun and active math game that toddlers will love!
Learn More: Learning Without Tears
41. Roll and Dot the Number
Toddlers will love this fun number recognition and counting game. Kids will roll the dice and then use a sticker to mark off the appropriate number on the paper. Kids can do this individually or make it a fun game similar to Bingo!
Learn More: Fun Learning For Kids
42. Number Strips
Using number strips is another great way for preschoolers to practice counting and to recognize numbers visually. In this activity, they count the number of bears, then use the number strips and sticker dots to show the number of bears.
Learn More: Fun Learning For Kids
43. Number Lines
Number lines are a great resource that can be used for a variety of counting and number sense games and activities. Toddlers can show their understanding of numbers using objects, fingers, food, etc. They can count using the number lines as well!
Learn More: File Folder Fun
44. Building Block Visual Cards
These visual cards are a great way for kids to practice spatial reasoning as well as counting. They use the visual card to imitate the construction using Legos or other similar blocks.
Learn More: File Folder Fun
45. Tangrams
Tangrams use geometric shapes to help toddlers develop number sense and practice their counting skills. This active math game can be used over and over again to build number sense. Toddlers can also practice spatial awareness and colors!
Learn More: Amazon
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