Some kids (and adults too!) have negative feelings about math. It can seem abstract and difficult. But there are lots of fun ways to make it less intimidating. Starting with the very basics, using play and activities there are lots of hands-on counting activities for kids! We’ve done so many activities to teach counting! There are way too many to list them all but here are a few of our themed favorites.
30+ Hands-On Counting Activities
More Counting Activities
Below you’ll find some of the best ideas to include counting skills within other activities like games, crafts, stories and sensory play.
Hands-On Counting Activities and Games
Math Caps: A Math Facts Game from Mosswood Connections
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Easy Preschool Watermelon Counting Game from Homeschool Preschool
Spider Web Number Lacing Activity from Artsy Momma
Fine Motor Activity: Turkey Feather Counting from Artsy Momma
Nuts and Bolts More or Less Game from Preschool Powol Packets
Flower Counting Activity from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
Counting Game for One-to-One Correspondence from Buggy and Buddy
Contact Paper Fall Tree Counting Game from Simple Fun for Kids
Felt Leaf Number Line Activity from Something 2 Offer
Foam Cup Construction with Numbers from Simple Fun for Kids
Simple Montessori Counting Activity from My Mundane and Miraculous Life
100 Items to Use to Count to 100 from Edventures with Kids
Learning to Count with Pipe Cleaners from School Time Snippets
Hands-on Preschool Counting with Rings on Fingers from School Time Snippets
Skip Counting Activities from What Do We Do All Day
Gross Motor Counting Activities
Teach Counting with a Stair Jumping Game from Homeschool Preschool
Teach Counting with Simon Says from Homeschool Preschool
Gross Motor Math Game: Counting Action Dice from Buggy and Buddy
Hands-On Crafts for Counting
Recycled K Cup Frog Craft and Counting Activity from Artsy Momma
Spider Counting Craft from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
Pretend Play for Counting
Preschool Math Activity with Bear Counts from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
Personalized Felt Counting Set with Ten Apples Up On Top from Buggy and Buddy
Pretend Play and Number Recognition from My Mundane and Miraculous Life
Counting 1 to 5 with 5 Little Ducks from Red Ted Art
Hands-On Sensory Activities for Counting
Exploring Numbers with Playdough from Simple Fun for Kids
Dinosaur Sensory Bin: Counting and Math from My Mundane and Miraculous Life
Our Favorite Counting Books:
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Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging resources:
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Easy Product DisplaysCounting Animals on the Farm: Counting book for kids, Learn numbers from 1 to10, Counting AnimalsCounting Crocodiles
Ten Black Dots
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Bright & Early Board Books)
Curious George Learns to Count from 1 to 100 Big Book
Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3
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With a little creativity math doesn’t have to be intimidating at all. These hands-on counting activities are sure to be a hit!