6 Math Programs for Preschoolers to Use at Home

Looking for the best math programs for preschoolers? Here's a quick guide to six great options that make learning math fun and engaging at home. These programs focus on interactive activities, personalized lessons, and real-world connections to help young learners build essential math skills.

Top Picks:

1. Funexpected Math (Ages 3–7): Math basics, logical thinking, spatial skills, algorithms, and early coding with 10,000+ tasks and an AI tutor.

2. Mathseeds (Ages 3–9): Game-based lessons, map progression, printable worksheets.

3. SplashLearn (PreK–5): Adaptive learning, 6,500+ activities, visual and hands-on games.

4. Little Minds at Work (PreK): 35-week curriculum, hands-on tasks, group activities, movement integration.

5. Zero to Three (Ages 2.5–4): Everyday math activities, six key domains like counting and patterns.

6. IXL (PreK–12): 4,500+ skills, adaptive learning, real-time diagnostics.

Quick Comparison Table:

Each program brings something different to the table, depending on your child’s age, interests, and learning preferences. Whether you're looking for playful exploration, structured practice, or enrichment in specific skill areas, there's a resource to match your goals. The key is to find a tool that sparks curiosity and keeps math engaging from the start. Let the fun in math learning begin!

1. Funexpected Math

Funexpected Math is a mobile learning app designed for kids aged 3 to 7. With its playful space theme and lively characters, it turns early math learning into an exciting adventure.

The curriculum evolves as children grow, tailoring activities to their developmental stage and the zone of proximal development. The program is structured around specific age groups, aligning with early math research to focus on age-appropriate skills:

The learning experience includes a rich mix of activity types — from interactive games and creative puzzles to adaptive numeracy drills, logic-based experiments, and engaging word problems. Children explore concepts through hands-on manipulation, visual storytelling, and structured challenges that support both independent discovery and guided learning.

Eric Wilson, a STEM teacher from Academy at the Lakes in Florida, shared his thoughts:

"This app provides an engaging math learning experience without being too much of a game or nothing more than a digital worksheet. The kids love Funexpected and often ask if they can play during free time" .

Research shows that with just two 15-minute sessions a week, children can achieve in six months what typically takes 18 months to learn. Two 15-minute sessions a week with Funexpected Math are enough to see the progress soon [2].

A standout feature is the platform's personalized AI tutor, which adjusts to each child's learning pace, age, and knowledge level. It offers guiding questions, introduces math terminology, and provides helpful hints at the right moments [2].

Example from the Advanced Program for ages 3–4

Funexpected Math has also gained recognition for its quality, earning several prestigious awards such as Best Original Learning App at the Kidscreen 2025 Awards, Best Math Learning Solution from the EdTech Breakthrough Awards, Best Visual Design at the Webby Awards, and more. Here’s a snapshot of what the platform offers:

• Over 10,000 interactive tasks

• 675 structured lessons

• Coverage of more than 50 mathematical topics

• 6 unique learning tracks

• Support for 16 different languages

• A learning environment that encourages mistakes as part of the process, boosting confidence

A subscription costs $10.99/month or $64.99/year, giving families full access to 10,000+ tasks, an AI-powered tutor, 675 adaptive lessons, and regular progress reports. A 7-day free trial is also available to explore the platform before committing [3].

One parent, Violetta from Italy, praised the program, saying:

"This is the most beautifully designed learning app I've seen. It introduces math in such an intuitive and imaginative way!" [2].

Funexpected Math is more than just an app - it's a gateway to building a strong foundation in math while keeping learning fun and engaging.

2. Mathseeds

Mathseeds is an interactive digital platform designed to make early math learning both structured and fun. It teaches foundational math skills through lessons that feel more like games, keeping young learners engaged while building their confidence in math.

The program caters to various grade levels, offering age-appropriate content:

Mathseeds uses a colorful, map-based progression system where lessons unlock as children advance. Each lesson is packed with engaging elements like songs, animations, and drag-and-drop exercises, making math concepts easier to grasp for young learners.

Kindergarten teacher Betsy M. praises the program, saying:

"Finally, a math program that is both kid‐friendly and academically sound. I've been searching for years and am happy to say that Mathseeds will be used by my kindergarteners daily–they love it and their teacher does too." [4]

Mathseeds offers flexible pricing plans to fit different needs (USD prices approximate):

• Math Only: $6.77/month or $54.28/year ($4.52/month equivalent)

• Reading & Math Bundle: $13.56/month or $108.57/year ($9.05/month equivalent)

This flexibility makes it easier for families to choose a plan that works best for them. The lessons often place math concepts in relatable, everyday settings like playgrounds, kitchens, or shopping trips [5].

Parent Laurine shares her experience:

"Great program!! My child loved the characters and looked forward to his lessons every day. He mastered the concepts quickly and has retained them. Highly recommend to parents of young children." [6]

To complement the digital lessons, Mathseeds also provides printable worksheets for offline practice, giving kids additional opportunities to reinforce their learning [7].

3. SplashLearn

SplashLearn offers a digital platform designed to make school math learning fun and interactive. Developed by Pre-K educators, it helps young children build a solid foundation in math through safe, game-based activities.

The platform focuses on key math concepts with targeted activities:

SplashLearn has become a trusted resource in classrooms across the U.S. [8]. Its impact is reflected in the words of Tiffany Taylor, an educator at Ruth Powell Elementary School:

"We absolutely love SplashLearn here in my class and it has now become indispensable. The learning outcomes have been very positive and beyond my expectations, and as for my students, they are more excited about doing math on SplashLearn than most things they do in class." [9]

SplashLearn offers a free version with limited content, as well as a premium subscription that unlocks full access to all activities. The premium plan is available as a monthly subscription for $11.99 or an annual plan for $69.99[10].

Since its launch in 2010, SplashLearn has focused on Pre-K through 5th-grade students, blending educational content with fun elements to make math enjoyable. Parents can easily incorporate SplashLearn into daily routines, like counting steps during a walk or spotting shapes around the house, to reinforce math skills in everyday situations. This seamless integration supports early math development and builds confidence in young learners.

4. Little Minds at Work

Little Minds at Work is an educational resource platform created by teacher Tara West. It offers full-year curriculum materials for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade, covering subjects such as literacy, phonics, science, and math. One of the math programs available through the platform is the KinderMath Curriculum, designed to support foundational math learning in early childhood classrooms.

KinderMath provides a 35-week Pre-K math curriculum designed to turn abstract concepts into something children can grasp and enjoy. Each session lasts 60 minutes and incorporates movement, rhythm, whole-group and small-group activities, as well as hands-on tasks to keep kids engaged.

The program takes a well-rounded approach, including:

Through these activities, children develop critical math skills while learning to think more deeply about numbers. The curriculum uses targeted questions like "How did you figure that out?" and "Can you prove your answer?" to help children articulate their reasoning and build confidence in their problem-solving abilities.

One teacher, Nicki, shared her enthusiasm for the program:

"Tara has thought of and INCLUDED EVERYTHING to make learning math fun and ENGAGING for our little learners from easy to read lesson plans, HANDS-ON DIFFERENTIATED small group plans, PLAY-BASED learning center ideas (using manipulatives many of us already have in our classrooms!), MUSIC and MOVEMENT, and adorable MASCOTS for each unit that the kids will absolutely love!" [11]

The curriculum also includes helpful support materials for the classroom, like vocabulary cards, interactive notebook pages, dramatic play task cards, and manipulative mats. Research supports the effectiveness of classroom routines and hands-on games in building a strong foundation in number sense [12]. By making math fun and interactive, Little Minds at Work helps children take pride in their learning journey.

The KinderMath Curriculum is available for a one-time purchase of $80, which grants lifetime access to all included materials [13].

5. Zero to Three

Zero to Three takes a research-based approach to early math education with its Problem Solvers curriculum and Math4Littles activities. These programs weave math concepts into everyday routines, making learning both natural and engaging.

The Problem Solvers curriculum is built around 22 activities spanning six key math domains:

This structure helps children connect math concepts from guided activities to real-world applications effortlessly.

The Math4Littles program, created with the American Institutes for Research, equips parents with tools to bring math into everyday life. A study involving 358 families found that children whose parents used Math4Littles showed improved quick number recognition. Parents also reported being more involved in math activities and felt more confident about the importance of early math education for their 2- and 3-year-olds [14].

Zero to Three emphasizes the joy of learning math at an early age:

"When young children learn early math skills, it isn't about equations and flashcards - it's all about having fun while helping your little one's brain grow." [15]

To make math part of daily life, Zero to Three introduces activities like Kitchen Mathematics (measuring and counting during cooking), Movement Math (integrating number concepts into physical play), Nature Numbers (exploring math outdoors), and Calendar Connections (reinforcing patterns through daily routines).

Given that preschoolers typically spend just 8 minutes a day on math activities [16], Zero to Three’s integrated methods provide a meaningful way to extend math learning throughout the day.

6. IXL

IXL offers a dynamic and engaging way for preschoolers to dive into math through its extensive digital platform. With a library of over 4,500 math skills, it includes content specifically designed to meet the developmental needs of pre-K learners [17].

Here’s what makes IXL a standout choice for young children:

One of IXL’s tools is its Real-Time Diagnostic system, which evaluates a child’s current math abilities and creates a customized learning path. A study found that students using IXL achieved up to 17 percentile points higher on state tests [21].

The platform keeps activities fun and age-appropriate, offering:

• Fill-in-the-blank challenges

• Drag-and-drop exercises

• Picture-based counting games

• Shape recognition activities

To keep preschoolers motivated, IXL uses a reward system where kids can earn virtual medals and badges for mastering skills [22].

Pricing: IXL offers flexible subscription options for families. Access to math only starts at $9.95/month or $79/year. Plans that include additional subjects are also available for an additional cost.

Parents can enhance their child’s experience by:

• Using the diagnostic tool weekly to stay updated on progress [23]

• Setting growth goals based on diagnostic insights [20]

• Following personalized skill recommendations [20]

• Tracking improvements through the Student Score Chart [20]

Features Comparison

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at the standout features of the math programs we’ve covered:

This table offers a clear overview, complementing the detailed breakdowns provided earlier, to help you weigh the strengths of each program.

Highlights of Each Program

• Funexpected Math blends interactive play with conceptual depth, introducing children to early logic, number sense, spatial reasoning, and even algorithms and early coding. Its adaptive AI tutor and rich visual design help build math confidence through exploration and curiosity-driven tasks. The curriculum goes far beyond the school program and covers topics typical of gifted tests.

• Mathseeds keeps learning lively with its board game-inspired map progression, songs, animations, and printable worksheets. The game-like format makes it ideal for children who respond well to storytelling and reward-based motivation.

• SplashLearn uses adaptive technology and playful visuals to make practice feel like play. It’s especially effective for hands-on and visual learners who benefit from repeated exposure to skills in engaging formats.

• IXL stands out for its structured and sequential skill practice. With over 4,500 math skills and real-time diagnostics, it’s a strong fit for learners who thrive on mastery tracking, clear goals, and consistent routines.

• Little Minds at Work offers a comprehensive, classroom-style math curriculum with a strong emphasis on movement, peer collaboration, and hands-on materials. The KinderMath program is ideal for educators and homeschoolers seeking a full-year, play-based structure.

• Zero to Three brings math into everyday life through songs, routines, and physical play. Its free activities support early development in counting, patterns, spatial awareness, and measurement, making it a great low-pressure introduction for toddlers.

Recommendations

When it comes to choosing a math program for young learners, it’s all about finding one that introduces and nurtures math skills in a way that feels natural and engaging. Here’s a breakdown of some excellent options based on age groups:

Ages 2.5–4

• Zero to Three introduces early math through songs, movement, and everyday routines. It’s a gentle, free option for toddlers just starting their math journey.

• Funexpected Math also works well at this stage, offering visual, play-based tasks that support number sense, shape recognition, and spatial awareness — all tailored to very young learners.

Ages 3–5

• Funexpected Math remains a strong choice with its mix of interactive games, logic puzzles, and adaptive feedback. It balances experimentation with guided learning and builds confidence in core skills.

• Mathseeds uses game-like lessons and map progression to teach counting, number patterns, and simple operations — great for kids who enjoy rewards and structure.

• SplashLearn offers visually engaging games and adaptive pacing, ideal for children who respond well to immediate feedback and playful visuals.

Ages 5–7

• Funexpected Math continues to grow with the child, introducing logic, geometry, and early coding concepts. It adapts the difficulty level and supports deeper problem-solving.

• IXL provides highly structured skill practice, ideal for learners who thrive with clearly defined goals and diagnostic tracking.

• Little Minds at Work offers a full-year, classroom-style curriculum with movement, peer learning, and tactile activities — best suited for group or homeschool settings. These programs cater to different learning preferences, ensuring a good fit for your child’s needs.

Key Selection Factors

When picking a program, keep these points in mind [24]:

• Match the difficulty level and approach to your child’s abilities to prevent frustration while encouraging progress.

• Decide on the content structure: Mastery learning focuses on one topic at a time, while spiral learning revisits topics periodically for reinforcement.

Ultimately, the best program is one that challenges without overwhelming, aligns with your child’s learning style, and lays a strong foundation for math skills.

FAQs

How can I choose the right math program for my preschooler's learning style and needs?

Choosing a math program for your preschooler starts with understanding how they learn best. Does your child respond to visual aids like bright pictures, auditory methods such as songs or verbal instructions, or hands-on activities like puzzles and interactive games? Knowing this can guide you toward a program that aligns with their strengths and keeps them interested.

It’s also important to find a program that moves at your child’s pace. The ideal option will provide just the right amount of challenge - enough to keep them engaged but not so much that it feels overwhelming. Look for programs that include personalized activities and adjust as your child’s skills develop. Bonus points if they use fun elements like games, stories, or playful challenges to make math feel like an adventure.

The goal is to choose a program that combines learning with enjoyment, helping your child build strong early math skills in a way that feels natural and exciting.

Why are math programs with real-world examples and interactive features beneficial for preschoolers?

Math programs that incorporate everyday scenarios and interactive elements make learning math more relatable and enjoyable for preschoolers. By tying concepts to familiar activities - like counting apples at the grocery store or measuring ingredients while baking - kids can see how math fits into their daily lives. This practical approach helps them grasp the importance of math and strengthens their early skills.

Interactive tools, such as games and hands-on activities, add a layer of excitement to the learning process. These features not only make math fun but also accommodate various learning styles, encouraging kids to actively participate and explore. This kind of playful learning builds problem-solving abilities and boosts confidence, keeping young learners eager to engage with math.

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