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Pre-K preparation · Early math

Numbers and Counting

Early math is everywhere — on the stairs, at snack time, in the laundry basket. These playful activities help children count, compare and sort without worksheets or pressure.

5–15 minutes per activity

Activities to try

2 minutes, every dayCounting

Count the stairs

You’ll need

  • Stairs, steps or hopscotch squares

How to play

  1. Count out loud together each time you go up or down.
  2. Touch or stomp on each step so one number goes with one step.
  3. Count backward on the way down for fun.

Make it easier: Count only the last three steps.

Add a challenge: Count by jumping two steps at a time (with a grown-up’s hand).

5 minutesCounting objects

Snack plate counting

You’ll need

  • A plate
  • Safe, bite-sized snack pieces appropriate for your child’s age

How to play

  1. Put a small number of snack pieces on a plate.
  2. Touch each piece as you count together.
  3. Ask, “How many?” The last number you said tells how many.
  4. Eat one — how many now?

Make it easier: Start with just two or three pieces.

Add a challenge: Split the snack between two plates — who has more?

Safety: Offer only foods that are safe for your child’s age and chewing skills, and have them sit while eating.

10 minutesMatching & sorting

Sock match-up

You’ll need

  • A pile of clean socks

How to play

  1. Tip the socks onto the floor.
  2. Find pairs together and talk about how you know they match.
  3. Count the pairs when you are finished.

Make it easier: Use only three pairs with very different colors.

Add a challenge: Sort into piles: big socks, little socks, striped socks.

5–10 minutesComparing

More or less?

You’ll need

  • Blocks, buttons or toy cars
  • Two small cups

How to play

  1. Put a few items in each cup.
  2. Tip them out in two lines side by side.
  3. Ask which line has more and which has less. Line them up one-to-one to check.

Things you might say

  • “Which one has more?”
  • “How could we make them the same?”

Make it easier: Make the difference big — two versus six.

Add a challenge: Make them close — four versus five — and count to check.

Safety: Use items larger than a child’s mouth if your child still mouths toys.

5–10 minutesNumbers around us

Number spotters

You’ll need

  • A walk, car ride or grocery trip

How to play

  1. Look for numbers on doors, buses, prices and clocks.
  2. Say each number you see.
  3. Look for your child’s age wherever you can.

Make it easier: Look for just one number, like 3.

Add a challenge: Find numbers in order: first a 1, then a 2, then a 3.

10 minutesSorting

Sorting the shopping

You’ll need

  • Groceries or toys

How to play

  1. Choose a rule together: things that go in the fridge, cans, fruit.
  2. Sort the items into groups.
  3. Count each group. Which group is biggest?

Make it easier: Sort into just two groups.

Add a challenge: Let your child invent the sorting rule and explain it.

Safety: Keep glass jars, sharp items and cleaning products out of the sorting pile.

10 minutesCounting & movement

Dice jump

You’ll need

  • A large die or a paper die you draw on

How to play

  1. Roll the die and count the dots together.
  2. Do that many jumps, claps or spins.
  3. Take turns rolling.

Make it easier: Use a die with only 1, 2 and 3 dots drawn on it.

Add a challenge: Roll two dice and count all the dots.

Everyday counting moments

  • Count grapes (cut lengthwise into quarters), cups or napkins as you set the table.
  • Count down “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” before a transition, like leaving the park.
  • Use words like more, less, first, last, big and small while playing.
  • Sing counting songs and rhymes.
  • Notice patterns: stripes on a shirt, tiles on the floor, clap-clap-stomp.

Sources we checked

We used these public resources to check safety, nutrition and development guidance on this page. Linking to them does not mean these organizations endorse Boogie & Bean World.