7 Activities to Make Learning Numbers Fun at Home
As a parent, you want what's best for your child, and that means making sure they get a good start in life through education. That also means learning the basics, like the alphabet and numbers. Many kids find learning numbers to be a daunting and tedious task. However, there are a number of ways to make learning numbers fun for kids at home! Here are seven activities you can do at home to make learning numbers fun for your little one.
Number Scavenger Hunt
Hide small pieces of paper with numbers around the house and have your child go on a scavenger hunt to find them all. As they find each number, they can put it from least to greatest or vice versa. You can also hide larger pieces of paper with numbers and have them match the numerals to the correct quantity of objects. For example, if they find a piece of paper with the digit "3" on it, they will bring you three objects from around the house.
Balloon Pop Game
Write different numbers on pieces of paper, fold them up, and put them into balloons. Blow up the balloons and tie them off. Then let your child pop the balloons and identify the number inside each one. They can say the numerals out loud, count out that many objects from around the room, or even draw that many stick figures on a piece of paper. This activity is not only great for recognition and counting, but it's also excellent for practicing fine motor skills!
Incorporate treats
Children love sweets, so what better way to make learning numbers more enjoyable than by incorporating tasty treats? Using mini chocolate chips or other small candies, help your child spell out numbers on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper. For an added challenge, write out math problems using numbers and have them use the candies to solve them! Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division can all be practiced with this sweet activity. And when they're finished, they get to eat their work!
Hopscotch
Playing hopscotch is a classic childhood activity that has been around for centuries! Not only is it great exercise, but it's also perfect for learning numbers. Write out numbers in ascending order on the ground with chalk and have your child toss a small stone or bean bag onto each one as they hop along towards the finish line. You can even make it more challenging by having them recite simple math facts as they go or by hopping on one foot or with their eyes closed!
Number picnic
This is a fun activity for an indoor or outdoor picnic! Write out numbers on paper and hide them around the room or yard. As your child finds each number, they can put it in order from least to greatest or vice versa. You can also make it more challenging by having them find numbers that add up to a certain sum or by having them identify odd and even numbers. If you're picnicking outdoors, you can even incorporate nature into the activity by having them find corresponding leaves, sticks, or rocks to match each number.
Number hunt
This is a great activity for kids who are just learning numbers. Write out numerals on small pieces of paper and hide them around the room. As your child finds each number, they can bring it to you and identify what number it is. You can also make it more challenging by having them find numbers in a certain sequence or identify numbers that are greater than or less than a certain number.
Number memory
This one is perfect for youngsters who are starting to learn their numbers but aren't quite ready for addition or subtraction. Write out numerals on small pieces of paper and hide them around the room. As your child finds each number, they can bring it to you and identify what numeral it is. You can then help them match the digits with the correct quantity of objects. For example, if they find the numeral "3", you can help them count out three things from around the room. This is a great way to help them learn one-to-one correspondence!
There are endless ways to make learning numbers fun for your child at home! With a bit of creativity, you can turn simple everyday activities into opportunities for learning and growth. And who knows? Maybe your child will enjoy learning so much that they'll ask to do extra math homework!
Our 'Nifty Numbers' Math Program at Mrs. Myers' Learning Lab encompasses fun, interactive techniques through our small-group classes. All of our certified teachers utilize a multi-sensory approach that keeps students actively engaged throughout each 60-minute class. Learn more about our Math Development Program by visiting our website!
