Playing with Numbers: Having Fun with Math
When my son was just 5 he came up with this one on his own …. Cracker Math! Using Ritz crackers and sliced turkey rolls, he created his own math equation. The fun can really ADD up! There are lots of playful ways you can help your children learn about numbers. Here are a few we have tried …
For the Muffin Tin number sort all you need is a muffin tin and magnetic numbers (actually any numbers would work … you could use foam or even just write them on paper!) I placed the one of each number in its own “muffin cup” and then had my daughter (who was 3 at the time) match up the remaining magnets to the correct cup.
I used an ice cube tray (it just happened to be a Mickey Mouse one!), a washable marker, and (yup, you guessed it …) CHEERIOS. In each space I wrote one number and then had my daughter place that amount of Cheerios in the space. It’s fun, easy, and can include a bit of snacking too!
Using pipe cleaners, duct tape, and beads you can easily create an activity to help kids learn to count AND get a bit of fine-motor skills practice. I’ve seen tons of variations of this activity on Pinterest, but I think it originated from Kids Matter.
Candy Sorting, Counting, and Graphing. We did this activity around Valentine’s Day with Conversation Heart candies, but it could be done with any type of small candy that is different colors and comes in a small package (like M&Ms, Skittles, gummy bears, or Smarties). I used a sheet of aluminum foil just for something different that day, but regular paper would be just fine. All we did is open up the package, sort the candies by color, count how many we had of each color, and then line them up into a graph.
And one of our very favorite ways to have fun with math I posted awhile ago … the Dot Dabber Dice Game. Follow the link for the complete instructions!
For math related reading, check out my post on our Favorite Number Books!
And I still have a TON more that I’d like to try out with my kids, here are some that I’ve found on Pinterest (all located on my Playful Learning pinboard)…
- Counting with Marbles and Bath Mats from Creative Playhouse
- Addition and Subtraction Sorting from The First Grade Parade
- Math with M&Ms from Multilingual Multiage
- Playing Card Math from First Grade School Box
- Domino Addition from First Grade School Box
- 1 Fish, 2 Fish Interactive Printable Placemat from obSEUSSed
- Popsicle Stick Math from education.com
- Easy Ways to Teach Numbers, Counting, and Math from Rhyme Time
- Snack Time Math Activity from Coffee Cups and Crayons
- Ladybug Math Game from Coffee Cups and Crayons
- 20 Preschool Math Activities from In Lieu of Preschool
- Counting Activities for Kids from Mess for Less
- Post It Note Math from Learn Play Imagine
- Princess Addition from Creative Family Fun
- Heart Number Puzzles from Kiwi Crate
- Button Flowers for Basic Counting from Sixty Second Parent
- Numbered Balloon Game from The Activity Mom
- Hands-On Math from Creekside Learning
- Place Value Cups from Look + Listen = Learn
- Counting with Marbles and Flashcards from The Red Kitchen
- Outdoor Number Hunt from Making Boys Men
- Parking Lot Numbers from Little Family Fun
- Pressing the Buttons (homemade “elevator”) from Toddler Approved
- Number Recognition and Following Directions from Rockabye Butterfly
- Pom Pom and Toilet Paper Roll Activity from Work Be Praise
- Clothespin Cards: How Many? from 1+1+1=1
- Button Paper Clip Number Cards from Lessons Learnt Journal
- DIY Number Puzzle from The Iowa Farmer’s Wife
- Grocery Store Math from The Measured Mom
- Making Sums Sweeter from Here Come the Girls
- Learning to Count the Hands On Way from BabyCentre
- Sensory Play Counting Game from BabyCentre
- Garbage Truck and Trash Can Counting from Stir the Wonder
- Cool Maths for Kids from Kiddy Charts
- Easter Egg Matching Activity from Room Mom 101
Follow Laura Hutchison’s board Playful Learning: Math on Pinterest.
Laura Hutchison
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Great round-up, Laura! Can’t wait to dive into some math fun with my littles.
Krissy of B-Inspired Mama recently posted…Awesome Homeschool Preschool Resources from The Weekly Kids Co-Op
Lots of great ideas!! Thanks for compiling this list.
I love these idea’s, my oldest is starting first grade this year and they are really going to be focusing more on math. I can’t wait to try this with her. I would love for you to share this on our Kids Linky party http://wemadethat.blogspot.com/2013/08/we-made-that-linky-50.html