Free Printable Valentine’s Day Number Matching Activity

What Number Math Skills Should I Teach My Preschooler?

Number matching activities for preschoolers, like this cute Valentine’s Day themed one, are great for practicing a variety of number math skills.

• number recognition (identifying and recognizing numbers 0 to 20)
• counting to 20
• comparing numbers (greater than, less than, equal to)
• subitizing

What Is Subitizing?

This preschool activity for number recognition is a wonderful way to practice the skill of subitizing. Subitizing is when you can automatically recognize the number in a set without counting!

Smaller numbers up to 5 or 6 are a great place to start with subitizing. Using a die, or the heart shaped dot and tally cards from this valentine activity for kids are great resources for practicing this skill.

How To Use This Number Recognition Activity For Preschoolers:

Print this valentines preschool math activity onto white card stock. Laminate the pages and assemble the envelopes.

Pick one number to start with, and then once your child feels comfortable with how to play, add more numbers and additional heart cards.

Here is an example of how to play!

Set out the envelope for the number 3. Find the heart tally card, dot card, and number card that match the number 3.

Add in a few other heart cards so that your child has to look through the heart cards and decide which ones go into the envelope with the number 3 on it.

Once they have the hang of the game, add in some extra heart cards and another number envelope. Continue adding hearts and envelopes as your child gets more comfortable.

Chunking the numbers into practice for 1-5, 5-10, 10-15, and 15-20 is a great place to start.

Other Ways To Use This Matching Number Activity For Preschoolers:

• Glue the back of the envelopes onto card stock or construction paper and assemble them into a book. This makes the perfect grab and go counting and sorting activity that also has wonderful fine motor skill practice!
• Glue the envelopes onto a number line or large piece of poster board for a great center activity for your lesson plans.
• Place the envelopes around your classroom or home. Put the heart number cards into a baggie. Have your child draw a card from the bag and walk around the room until they find the envelope with the matching number.
• Write the word form of the numbers onto index cards. Let your child match the written number to the corresponding envelope.
• Practice addition skills. Can your child find two number hearts (addends) that make the number that is on the envelope (sum). Example: If the envelope says 7 they can put in 1 and 6, 2 and 5, or 3 and 4!

More Valentine’s Math Activities You’ll Love:

• Valentine’s Day Roll and Count Math Game
• Valentine’s Day Math Worksheets
• Valentine’s Day Broken Heart Addition Game

Looking for More Valentine’s Math Ideas?

Need More Valentine’s Day Activities?

• Valentine’s Day Theme Slime Recipe
• Valentine’s Alphabet Matching Game
• Valentine’s Day I Spy Counting Game
• Valentine’s Theme Gross Motor Exercises
• Cutie Valentine Cards for Kids