12 Math Activities for Preschoolers
Showing preschoolers how much fun math can be is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Making math a game is the best way to help little learners grow to love numbers and help them recognize that math exists all around them. We’ve gathered several math activities and games for preschoolers that are easy to assemble and super exciting to play.
Apple Tree Counting Cards
This apple tree counting activity reinforces number concepts in multiple ways, all with just a few items. Cut up cardboard into rectangles and use a marker to draw a simple apple tree on each. Draw traceable digits next to each tree, using the numbers 1-10. Poke holes into the trees corresponding with the digit on the cardboard rectangle. Dip several cotton swabs into red paint and cut them in half once dried. Then, let preschoolers poke the red cotton swab “apples” through the holes in the tree. They can also trace the number next to the tree with a dry-erase marker, reinforcing the number on each card.
Sum-It-Up Addition Game
A cardboard egg carton and a few craft supplies is all it takes to create this adding game that can be fun for the whole family. Number the egg carton spaces and fill them with cotton balls. Preschoolers can roll the dice and then add up the two numbers. Remove the cotton ball from the egg carton space with the corresponding number. Little ones will enjoy showing off their adding skills and talking out loud about how they arrive at their answers.
Looking for a way to introduce basic math concepts like “heavy” and “light” to your preschoolers? Download this free and fun “Heavy and Light Experiment” activity from Preschool With a Purpose! Fun and learning with a purpose will be an easy lift for your preschoolers!
Fuzzy Stick Numbers
This counting activity combines fine motor skills by letting preschoolers count out beads to string onto fuzzy sticks with a corresponding number attached to one end. Simply take tiny strips of masking tape and fold over the end of a fuzzy stick, making a flag. Use a marker to write a number on the flag and let kiddos get to work with counting out the beads and sliding them onto the fuzzy stick.
Monster Math Tray
Let preschoolers create wiggle eye monsters while doing simple addition problems with this super cute tray activity. Use cardstock to cut out silly blob shapes (the monsters) and then write simple addition problems across the monster bodies. Place the monsters and a pile of wiggle eyes inside of a small cookie tray to keep organized. Then, preschoolers can place wiggle eyes corresponding with the numbers on top of the monsters, taking it one digit at a time. At the end, kids can count up the total number of wiggle eyes to come up with the answer to the math problem. Preschoolers will feel a sense of accomplishment in finding the answer and a sense of fun in seeing their silly many-eyed monsters coming to life.
Counting Sticks Activity
This stick-counting activity is particularly fun because it can start off with a nature walk scavenger hunt to find as many small sticks as possible. Then, put the sticks in a pile and lay out cups numbered 1-10 (either written right on them or labeled). Instruct preschoolers to count out the number of sticks that matches the number on each cup, placing them inside of it.
Building Numbers With Links
This link-building activity is another game that helps hone those fine motor skills. Write out numbers 1-10 on cardstock, one number per card, and punch a hole on one end of the cardstock. Preschoolers can then use plastic links to create a chain that corresponds with the number on the card. This activity gives students a tangible visual of bigger numbers equaling longer chains.
Fingerprint Counting Printables
Combine art and sensory play with this simple printable fingerprint counting activity. The printable features caterpillars, ladybugs, and flowers all with numbers on them. Preschoolers can finger paint their way through each printable, doting the correct number of fingerprints next to each number.
Snack Math Printables
Who doesn’t love an excuse for a snack? This snack math printable combines sensory and fine motor skills along with number recognition and counting for a fun (and tasty!) math activity. Simply cut out the cards from the printable - each card has a number and corresponding number of circles - and let kids lay out snacks on the circles. Preschoolers will have a blast counting out cereal pieces, berries, fruit flavored gummies, or whatever non-sticky snack food is preferred. Once the game is over, it’s time to eat!
Pizza Counting Activity
Here is another food-related math activity preschoolers are sure to love. This pizza counting activity is super simple, but packs a big learning punch. All you need is a few paper plates, scissors, a marker, and some dot stickers. Cut a paper plate into eight slices and then affix dot stickers to each slice so they number 1-8 (put one dot on one slice, then two dots on the next, etc.). Draw out eight slices onto another paper plate and number them, 1-8. Preschoolers take the dotted slices and place them on top of the corresponding number on the other plate creating a math “pizza” they’ll be thrilled to show off.
Block Tower Math Game
If your classroom or home has a tub full of building blocks, put them to fun use with this block tower math activity. Lay out post-it notes or pieces of cardstock with numbers labeled on each. Then, preschoolers can build block towers to match each number and stack them next to the matching card. It’s low on mess and big on fun! It could also be a color-matching game by drawing the numbers in a specific color and asking preschoolers to sort the blocks and build each tower with the corresponding block color and number.
Pompom Ice Cream Counting Activity
All that is needed to create this imaginative pompom ice cream counting activity is brown and white sheets of paper and a pile of brightly colored craft pompoms. Cut triangles out of the brown paper in the shape of an ice cream cone. Glue the cones to a large sheet of white paper and write numbers on each cone. Have preschoolers place the number of pompoms on top of each cone creating “ice cream” that matches the number written on the cone. Kids don’t need to glue on the pompoms as this can be a game they play over and over.
Whack the Dough Numbers Game
Play dough and dice are all that is needed to play this math game that also includes sensory and fine motor skill development. Have preschoolers create little balls of dough until they have a collection of several. To play, they can roll the dice and pick up the number of dough balls that matches the numbers on the dice. Kiddos can then squish up the dough balls - keep playing until all the small dough balls are flattened. Preschoolers will love a chance to play with the dough and their math skills will improve with each roll of the dice!
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About the Author:
Valerie Williams is a seasoned writer and editor who has spent her career creating content in the parenting and women's wellness spaces. Her bylines include Scary Mommy, SheKnows, Forbes Health, and others. When she's not helping women and families live their best and healthiest lives, she's spending time with her husband and teen kids, walking her dogs, reading, cooking, or attending HIIT classes at the gym.