Try out these number games for learning fun.
Number Hunt:
Challenge your child to find an item or a group of items. For example, ask them to find one teddy, two socks, and three balls. Start with one group of items at a time.
Tip: Too tricky? Start by searching for just one item (one teddy bear, one ball, etc.). Then try pairs (two socks, two shoes, etc.)
Hopscotch:
- Use chalk to draw a hopscotch grid on the pavement outside. Then, throw a rock onto one of the numbered squares. Encourage your child to hop through the squares, skipping the square with the stone.
- You can make it extra fun by drawing your grid as a series of numbered circles or zig-zag with numbered squares.
- If your child isn’t counting yet, place the marker on a square and ask them to hop to it. Count their hops out loud as they go. When they get there, you can celebrate that they hopped X number of times!
Is it a Number?
- Coat a cookie sheet with a thin layer of shaving cream.
- Draw a number and a shape with your finger. (Avoid using the number 0 and a circle or oval since they look so similar!).
- Ask your child to identify the number by asking: “Which one is a number?”
- If your child is below the age of 2, you can start by simply drawing a letter OR a shape and asking, “Is it a number?” Then, increase the difficulty by putting the number and shapes side by side.
- When your child gets the answer correct, they get to mush away the shape and the number and play again!
- For extra-messy fun, guide your child’s hand as they draw a shape and a number.
Find a Number
- Write the numbers 1 to 10 on ten individual index cards and then write ten letters on ten more (20 index cards total).
- Turn the cards upside down, and mix them up.
- Ask your child to pick a card, saying, “Let’s see if we can find a number.” If it’s a number, let out a cheer and say, “You found a number!”
- If it’s a letter, you can turn the cards over, and your child gets to try again.
- If it seems a little advanced for your child, start with four cards (two numbers and two letters) and build up from there.
Skills Spotlight:
Numbers, counting, sensory skills, gross motor skills, memory skills
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