Fun Math Activities

A 5-year-old shocked her mother when she could not figure out a simple addition equation using counters, even though she could complete math worksheets with similar math problems. This child attended a private school that pushed her to succeed, perhaps too quickly. You see, children need plenty of hands-on math activities to understand the correlation of numbers to their quantities. 

Maria Montessori observed that between 3 and a half and 5 years old is the sensitive period for mathematics, during which children can grasp concepts more easily. Closely supervise these math activities when using potential choking hazards with young children. 

Counting Puzzles Math Activities 

Number Matching Math Play Puzzles

Lift-out puzzles or jigsaw puzzles that encourage young children to match numbers with pictures of their corresponding quantities create foundational math activities. 

Sorting by Numbers Math Activities 

Matching Math Play in a Reused Cake Tray

Save and clean trays with compartments from cupcakes, muffins, pastries, or egg boxes (cardboard egg boxes can be sterilized in the microwave for 10 seconds).

Use a permanent marker to write numbers either on the bottom or the same side that will face the child. Ensure that the items you provide for these math activities all fit. Encourage your child to count out and match the numbers with the correct amounts of items. 

Number Card Math Activities

Making Number Cards for Math Activities

I have used both store-bought and DIY cards with large numbers on them. I start by lining up 1-3 or 1-5 number cards and placing the right amount of objects from a set, ideally within the child/children's interests, while counting them aloud. I gradually increase the numbers using the same technique over time. I start with toddlers while they're playing, and they slowly join in after numerous repetitions. 

It's most beneficial for children to move the objects themselves to match the cards while counting. Later, they can use them to create sums again with the corresponding amounts of objects. It's essential that they truly understand what the numbers represent. 

How to Make DIY Math Activity Cards

  1. Print out large numbers 0-9 and math symbols (the font size I used was possibly 56). 
  2. Glue them to cardboard and cut them out to create stencils (they can also be used to make the math play mat below). 
  3. Choose colored paper that contrasts with the base paper/card you plan to use. (I think using one color is ideal)
  4. Draw around the stencils backward and cut them out. 
  5. Cut out the same-sized pieces of paper or card (needed without lamination) as many times as needed. 
  6. Glue them to the paper/card. Laminate with about a cm in between, or maybe contact/stick-back paper may work. 
  7. Cut them out and round the corners (to avoid scratching, when cut normally). 

Math Play Mat 

Pom-pom math play

This math play mat is very useful in teaching young children the correlation between numbers and their quantities. Encourage your child to place small items on each dot while counting. The combination of different learning styles creates pathways in their brain, helping them truly understand this foundational knowledge. Find out how to make this Math Play Mat with math activities that can be done on it by clicking the link. 

For more 3-Year-Old Preschool Activities, click the link.