I like having several quick and easy learning activities for our daughter to do on a whim. We’ve been focusing on numbers lately. So today, we figured we would share some of our favorite Counting & Number Recognition Activities!
These three number activities are super simple to setup, and they are perfect for quiet time, or independent play. I love to break one of these activities out when I’m busy trying to cook dinner. Our little nugget can practice her numbers at the dining room table, while I keep a watchful eye from the kitchen. π
Pipe Cleaner & Craft Bead Counting
All you need for this numbers activity is a few pipe cleaners, a handful of craft beads, construction paper, scissors, a marker, and a stapler. Start by cutting small rectangles from the construction paper. Fold each rectangle around the top of a pipe cleaner, and staple in place (making a small, square flag). Using the marker, write the numbers of your choosing on the paper flags. Hand the pipe cleaners to your little one, along with a handful of craft beads, and let the counting begin!
This simple activity promotes counting skills, number recognition, and fine motor skills (it takes some serious focus to string those small craft beads onto the pipe cleaners).
I love watching our little nugget complete this activity. She starts with her favorite color of pipe cleaner (obviously), reads the number at the top, and meticulously threads the adequate number of colorful beads onto the pipe cleaner. When she’s finished, she counts the beads again to double check her work. When all of the counting is complete, feel free to transform the beaded pipe cleaners into beautiful bracelets!
Clothespin Number Match
I stumbled across this gem of an idea over on Kristen’s Teacher Gone Mom Instagram account. I immediately grabbed the necessary supplies, and created our very own stack of counting cards. I love breaking these out when we’re looking for a quick and engaging educational activity.
In order to create your own Clothespin Number Match activity, you will need the following supplies: white card stock or note cards, clothespins, round stickers (I used these 1-1/4″ fluorescent stickers that I already had on hand), and a marker.
Start by adhering a random number of stickers to each card (ensuring that each card contains a different number of stickers). Using the marker, write 3-4 different numerical choices on each card (making sure to include the number that matches the total number of stickers on the card). Hand your kiddos the cards and clothespins, and let them get to work!
I love that this simple activity provides ample counting practice, but also requires number recognition skills as well. And I like the added challenge of the various number choices presented on each card. Our daughter counts up the stickers, states each number appearing at the bottom of the card, and then places a clothespin on the number that matches the quantity of stickers above. You just gotta love those quick, easy, and educational activities!
Do-A-Dot Counting
I don’t know about you, but Do-A-Dot markers are pretty popular in our house. π We typically utilize them for artistic projects, but one day I decided to use them for this colorful counting activity!
I cut a large sheet of white paper, from our bulk craft roll, and divided it into 12 sections. Using a marker, I wrote the numbers 1-12 on the paper (one number per section). I grabbed our Do-A-Dot markers, and we sat down at our dining room table for some numbers fun!
Our little nugget selected a Do-A-Dot marker for each number, and carefully applied dots in each section to match the number in that section (i.e. three dots in the 3 section). This required number recognition and counting skills, as well as hand-eye coordination. Once all of the numbered sections were decorated with their matching number of dots, we decided to embark on an additional challenge.
We grabbed a pair of game dice and a marker. Our daughter rolled the dice, counted the number of dots showing, and then drew an “X” in the section of paper that contained that exact number. She rolled until each numbered section on the paper contained a big purple “X.”
What activities do you like to do with your little ones to promote counting and number recognition skills? If you’re interested in more number activities, make sure to check out our Number Buckets post, as well as our Counting Caterpillar post!
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