From fun counting games to sensory activities to playing chef, you're going to find so many creative ideas for number identification and improving number sense.
Your kids are going to have a blast as they explore the world of numbers through play.
Check out our list of counting activities too!
25 Fun Number Recognition Activities for Preschoolers
Number Identification
Painted Rock Numbers
Painted rock numbers are super easy to make and great to work with toddlers and preschoolers on number recognition. Take them outside and practice your numbers in nature! Use them in number sense activities, counting, and number order.
Magnetic Fishing Number Game
Kids will be so excited to play this magnetic fishing number game! Cut out some fish shapes, add paperclips, attach a magnet to a string, and you're ready to fish for numbers. Not only can you practice number recognition with this game, but by making the fish different colors, you can add in the color recognition component as well.
Sensory Number Writing Tray
Practice writing numbers in a fun, hands-on way that doesn't involve pencils or crayons! Kids can use this sensory number writing tray to practice number formation or letter formation using their fingers or any other tool that's easy to grasp.
Paper Towel Tube Number Matching
Turn recyclables into a fun number game for the kids. This cardboard tube number matching game from Team Cartwright takes less than five minutes to make. In no time, your toddler or preschooler can begin matching the numbers on the stickers to the numbers on the paper towel tube. Your child will likely ask for this activity again and again!
Number Tracing Worksheets
Grab these cute robot-themed number tracing worksheets from Look, We're Learning. Each worksheet focuses on a different number so that kids can practice their number formation and recognition one digit at a time. Use crayons, pencils, pens, markers, or even fingers to trace over the numbers.
Number Jump
Wiggly kids will love this fun number jump activity from Danya Banya. Learning through play helps kids develop connections faster, and what could be more fun than playing with balloons?
Tortoise Number Identification
Little Ladoo's tortoise number identification activity incorporates scissor skills, crafting, numbers, and sensory work. You'll also find ideas for letters and shapes here, and they're all fantastic activities for an ocean unit.
ASL Number Flashcards
If you'd like your child to learn sign language, these ASL number flashcards from Look, We're Learning are so helpful with number recognition. The card set includes cards for numbers 0-9 with number words, numerals, and ASL signs alone, so there are many different ways to practice.
Number Recognition Activity
This number recognition activity from You've Got This Math is easy to implement. Print the large numbers on cardstock, cut, laminate, and add some clothespins. Ask your child to identify each number and then pin the appropriate number of pegs to the white dots on the numbers.
Gross Motor Number Play
Preschoolers can get their whole bodies involved in this cute gross motor number play activity from Danya Banya. It focuses on numbers 1-12, and the idea is for the child to count as they move square to square. Alternatively, they can "hop" to any number while calling out the word for that number.
Number Bowling
Who's up for a few rounds of number bowling? Have your child call out the number on each pin knocked down! This game by Learn with Play helps reinforce number recognition as well as counting.
School Bus Number Words
Back-to-school season is perfect for this school bus number words activity from ABCs of Literacy. It incorporates counting bears, which are such fun to play with, but you could print off some bears if you don't have them or use any other kind of markers you have.
Ordering Numbers
Apple Counting Game
You can focus on number recognition, counting, or both with this fall-themed apple counting game using chocolates shaped like apples. If your kids do well with the numbers, perhaps they can enjoy one as a treat. Mum deserves a treat, too.
Learn to Count Ladybird Craft
This ladybug counting game is another fantastic number activity for spring and summer. Our printable leaf templates make this very easy to set up in no time at all. After printing and laminating them, you'll need to turn some bottle caps into ladybugs with the appropriate number of dots for each number. Your preschooler will have so much fun with this!
Fine Motor Number Matching Sun Craft
This fine motor sun craft from In the Playroom focuses on number matching and number order. Grasping and pinching the clothespins also gives preschoolers a chance to work on their fine motor skills.
Gross Motor Outdoor Number Activity
Write numbers 0-10 in your driveway, parking lot, or on a sidewalk to set up the course for this fun number run by Home with Hollie. Ask number-related questions for your child to answer and run to that number. Alternatively, you could also use 10-sided dice to choose the number.
Work with Numbers 0-10
Origami Jumping Frog Number Activity
This is a fun craft and number activity in one! Make origami jumping frogs in lots of bright colors for the kids to play with. Set up numbered cupcake liners (lilypads), and encourage the kids to read the number their frog lands on. This number activity can also be used to work on addition as if the frogs land on more than one number you can add up the scores.
Frog Counting Activity
Look at these cute frogs on lilypads just waiting to be counted! This frog counting activity is another fun option for working on number recognition (with the lilypad) and counting skills.
Bird Counting Activity
When spring comes around, celebrate with an adorable bird counting activity featuring a cute bluebird in her nest, waiting for her eggs to be counted. Your child will make the eggs out of blue play dough, of course.
April Showers Number Sense
This April showers number sense game from 123 Homeschool for me is loads of fun. Kids match raindrops with tally marks, ASL signs, dots, and digits to the number word on the umbrella.
Leaf Fine Motor Counting Activity
Incorporate nature into your math lessons with this leaf fine motor counting activity from Kids' Craft Room. It's a lovely idea for fall, but the softer leaves of spring and summer may hold up better to being clipped with a clothespin. It's wonderful for practicing one-to-one number correspondence.
Chef Number Game
Your little kitchen helper will adore this cute number chef game from Learn with Play. The menu determines the number of each "ingredient" to mix in. If you're worried about your kids putting things in their mouths, you could use edible items like berries, nuts, and seeds instead. Snacks paired with learning are always a fun idea!
Listen and Spray Counting Game
Enjoy a lovely morning or afternoon outdoors to play this listen and spray counting game from Fantastic Fun and Learning. Your child will spray off the correct number according to the number of claps (or whistles, or whatever noise you'd like to make). Don't be surprised if a fun water fight ensues, though!
Pumpkin Pie Number Sense
This fall, enjoy some pumpkin pie number sense from 123 Homeschool 4 Me. Kids can enjoy counting to 10 with a cute pumpkin pie theme that goes perfectly with November and Thanksgiving. The pie puzzles are made up of a number, tally marks, pumpkins, and dominoes, so kids can learn to recognize their numbers in various formats.
Work with Numbers 11 and Beyond
Build and Play Math Game
Have a child in kindergarten? Add this build and play math game from Teaching Ideas to your weekend projects. You'll need some rectangular building blocks, a marker to write the numbers, and a large sheet of paper to draw the game board. The kids can then decorate it with stickers before matching their numbers, all the way up to 50!
We hope you've found some tips and tricks here to make number recognition even more fun for the toddlers and preschoolers in your life.
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