7 Fun Math Games to Play with Preschoolers at Home
Early Childhood Education
Mar 6, 2025
Explore 7 engaging math games for preschoolers that turn everyday moments into fun learning experiences using simple household items.
Teaching math to preschoolers doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. For example, the Number Clap game is incredibly easy and fun for preschoolers.
Number Clap: A Fun Counting Game for Preschoolers
However, if you need something slightly more complex, here are 7 simple games, that can turn everyday moments into playful learning experiences. No fancy tools needed - just items you already have at home! Here’s a quick rundown:
Find Shapes Around the House: Spot circles, squares, and triangles in everyday objects.
Stack and Count Cups: Use plastic cups to teach counting, sequencing, and basic math.
Make Pictures with Shapes: Create art with cut-out shapes while learning geometry.
Jump and Count Hopscotch: Combine movement and counting with this classic game.
Group and Count Snacks: Use snacks to teach sorting, counting, and patterns.
Compare Sizes with Toys: Introduce measurement by comparing toy sizes.
Games in Quality Mobile Apps: Interactive app-based challenges for early math skills.
These activities build foundational math skills like counting, spatial awareness, and problem-solving - all while keeping kids engaged and having fun. Plus, they’re easy to fit into your daily routine.
Let’s dive into the details of each game and how you can start today!
1. Find Shapes Around the House
Turn your home into a fun shape-hunting adventure! This simple activity helps preschoolers build spatial awareness and recognize shapes - key skills that support early math development. Studies show that kids with strong spatial skills in preschool often excel in math later on [3]. Here’s how to get started:
Steps to Try:
Start with Everyday Shapes
Focus on three common shapes that are easy to find around the house:
Circles: Spot plates, clock faces, cookies, or coins. Squares: Look for floor tiles, pizza boxes, or building blocks. Triangles: Notice pizza slices, musical instruments, or tortilla chips.
Make It a Game Turn it into an "I Spy" game during your daily routine. Take turns pointing out shapes and ask questions like, "What makes this a triangle?" This not only makes it fun but also encourages critical thinking [2].
"Helping your child think and talk about shapes at an early age will have a profound impact on their education in the early years." – ABSee Me [4]
Take It Further:
Ask your child to draw or group objects by shape.
Use smaller items to create new shapes together.
Compare shapes of different sizes to explore similarities.
Shape recognition is a building block for math and literacy skills [4]. For example, during breakfast, point out the circular cereal pieces, or while folding laundry, highlight the rectangular towels. These little moments make learning feel natural and fun.
No extra materials are needed, so you can easily adapt this activity to any setting!
2. Stack and Count Cups
Turn usual kitchen cups into a fun way to teach preschoolers counting, number recognition, and even basic addition.
What You’ll Need
Grab 10 sturdy, child-safe plastic cups. Use colored markers to label them with numbers 1 through 10 [6].
How to Play
Number Recognition Game
Lay the cups out on a flat surface. Ask your child to arrange them in order from 1 to 10. This activity is great for helping kids recognize numbers and understand sequencing.
Sticker Counting
Add stickers to each cup to match its number (one sticker on cup 1, two on cup 2, and so on). This helps connect numbers to their quantities in a fun, visual way.
Want to keep things interesting? There’s room to mix it up.
Safety First
Always keep an eye on your child during play. Use cups that are free of harmful chemicals [7], replace any damaged ones, and have kids sit while playing to help prevent accidents.
Level Up the Challenge
For older preschoolers, add some twists:
Build pyramid stacks with the cups.
Time how quickly they can arrange the cups.
Practice basic addition by combining numbers.
Sort cups by both number and color for an extra layer of complexity.
3. Make Pictures with Shapes
Turn simple shapes into art while teaching basic geometry concepts.
What You'll Need
Construction paper in different colors
Scissors
Glue stick
Background paper
Setting Up the Activity
Cut out different shapes from construction paper - circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, and ovals. Use a variety of colors to make the activity more engaging.
"Understanding and working with shapes helps children develop spatial awareness, understand basic math concepts and improve motor skills." - SHICHIDA at Home [8]
Ideas for Shape Pictures
These examples not only encourage creativity but also provide opportunities to talk about shapes and their properties.
Adding an Educational Twist
While your child is creating their artwork, guide the learning by asking questions like:
What is the name of this shape?
How many shapes are in your picture?
Which shapes are bigger or smaller?
How do these shapes fit together to make your picture?
"The best crafts also teach. Of course, every craft has something to teach our kids, but this one happens to be a little more academic than most. It is an interactive way to teach shapes, colors, and sizes." - In the Bag Kids' Crafts [9]
Taking It a Step Further
Want to challenge your child even more? Try these ideas:
Build 3D collages with items from around the house
Use pipe cleaners to form shapes
Incorporate seasonal themes into the designs
Encourage storytelling about the artwork they create
4. Jump and Count Hopscotch
Turn a classic game into a fun way for preschoolers to practice counting and recognizing numbers. By combining movement and play, kids can learn while staying active.
What You'll Need
Painter's tape (for indoor play)
Chalk (for outdoor play)
A bean bag or soft sock
Optional: Number Hopscotch Cards
Permanent marker
Scissors
Setting Up the Game
Use painter's tape indoors or chalk outdoors to create a hopscotch grid. Make sure the numbers 1–10 are clearly visible and sized appropriately for preschoolers.
"Number Hopscotch combines a child's favorite game with learning. By playing, children build fundamental skills necessary for addition, such as remembering a number and then counting by one to get to their answer." - SightWords.com [11]
Game Variations
You can tweak the game to match your child’s skill level:
Making It Educational
Encourage your child to count out loud while hopping.
Leave some spaces blank to help them think about sequences.
Practice counting both forward and backward.
Adjusting for Different Ages
For younger kids, start with a smaller grid (like numbers 1-5) and add more as they gain confidence. Older or more experienced players can try:
Hopping on one foot
Counting by twos
Using different shapes for the hopscotch spaces
"Hopscotch is such a fun and versatile game that can be adapted and modified to fit different locations, preferences, and ability levels." - Fit and Fun Playscapes [12]
This version of hopscotch keeps kids engaged while integrating math practice into their playtime.
Indoor Setup Tip
A KiwiCo test with a 4-year-old showed that leaving a hopscotch grid on the kitchen floor can encourage spontaneous play [10].
5. Group and Count Snacks
Snack time can double as a fun math lesson! Use everyday treats to teach counting, sorting, and basic number skills. It’s a playful way to combine learning with something kids already enjoy.
What You'll Need
Small, countable snacks (like Cheerios, Fruit Loops, M&Ms, Jelly Beans or Goldfish crackers)
Paper plates or sorting mats
Optional: Small bowls for grouping
Optional: Number cards (1–10)
Everyday snacks, much like household items, can turn into exciting learning tools for preschoolers.
Basic Counting Activities
Start simple by counting snacks together. Begin with 1–5 pieces and gradually increase as your child gets more confident. Arrange the snacks in small groups, and encourage your child to count aloud while pointing to each piece.
With these activities, counting becomes both interactive and delicious.
Making Math Tasty
Snacks aren’t just for eating - they’re a great way to make math more engaging. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation has shown that early math skills are strong indicators of future academic success, even more so than early reading ability [15].
"Kids love snacks, so let's use snacks! When adding snack foods, math instantly becomes more hands-on and interesting (& tasty too!). Kids are more motivated and engaged with a task when it involves something they like and already know." - Up & Away in Pre-K [14]
Creative Counting Games
Fruit Snack Grid: Draw a grid with numbers and empty circles. Have your child place snacks in the spaces to match the numbers [13].
Rainbow Sorting: Use colorful snacks like M&Ms or Fruit Loops to:
Sort by color
Count each group
Compare groups to see which has more or fewer pieces
Create simple patterns
These activities make math lessons practical, fun, and easy to follow.
Expert Tips
Use small portions to avoid waste.
Let kids eat the snacks after completing tasks as a reward.
Talk about shapes and colors while sorting.
Introduce basic addition by combining groups of snacks.
Safety Note
Always supervise snack activities closely. Choose snacks that are age-appropriate and avoid choking hazards. Make sure kids wash their hands before handling food.
6. Compare Sizes with Toys
Turn playtime into a fun way to learn about measurement. Just like counting and sorting games, comparing sizes helps kids understand math concepts through hands-on activities.
What You'll Need
A variety of toys in different sizes
Measuring tape or a ruler
Building blocks
Size Comparison Activities
Basic Size Sorting
Line up three sizes of the same toy (like toy cars) in order from smallest to largest. This simple activity helps kids grasp measurement ideas.
Measuring with Blocks
Use blocks to measure toys by lining them up end-to-end. This introduces kids to estimating lengths [17].
Fun Measurement Games
Hide and Compare
Hide three toys of different sizes around the room. As your child finds each toy, ask them to explain why one is bigger or smaller. This boosts observation skills and vocabulary [16].
"One great thing about introducing a new concept is the opportunity to revisit the activity again and again. Children need lots of opportunities to practice a new skill before they master it." - HowToDaycare [16]
Height Detective
Use blocks to measure toy heights and ask questions like:
Which toy is taller?
How many blocks tall is it?
Can you find a shorter toy?
Expert Tips
Use clear terms like "bigger", "smaller", "taller", and "shorter."
Start with two items before comparing more.
Encourage your child to explain their reasoning.
Make measuring part of everyday play.
Safety Considerations
Pick toys that are safe for your child's age and supervise any activities involving small parts or measuring tools.
7. Games in Quality Mobile Apps
Quality math apps like Funexpected Math app helps kids aged 3+ build early math skills through interactive games. Think of it as a digital way to extend hands-on learning at home into a fun, engaging platform for your preschooler.
Key Features
Funexpected Math app offers over 1,000 challenges designed to build skills in various areas:
Getting Started
Just 15 minutes twice a week can lead to noticeable improvement [18]. The app adjusts to each child’s pace and needs, making it suitable for kids with varying skill levels [19]. It blends learning and play, complementing the hands-on activities discussed earlier. Digital versions of classic math toys for preschoolers, like Tangram, Geoboard and more, can also be found within Funexpected Math app.
Learning Through Play
Funexpected Math turns abstract math concepts into something kids can physically interact with. Through digital tutors, animated characters, and trial-and-error exploration, children can learn while having fun and celebrating their progress.
Expert Recognition
The app has received multiple awards, including EdTech Breakthrough, Mom's Choice, Kidscreen 2025 and Webby People's Choice [18]. It is also certified by KidSAFE seal standards.
Educational Impact
Studies show that children using Funexpected Math learn three times faster compared to traditional methods [18].
"As most educators, I'm searching for quality programs to share with my students, and I just found Funexpected Math. I love it and wanted you to know I'm sharing it with my families and all the districts I'm consulting with around the country. Thank you!"
– Iowa School Librarian Leader [18]
Cultural Learning
The app also celebrates cultural diversity with events throughout the year that highlight holidays from around the world. Available in 16 languages, it’s designed for families from all backgrounds[19].
Parent Tips
Set aside regular play sessions.
Join your child during app activities.
Celebrate their milestones and progress.
Let them experiment and learn through trial and error.
Check progress on various topics in the grown-ups section of the app.
Pairing the app’s challenges with daily math-related play helps reinforce the core skills introduced in this guide.
Other Quality Apps to Try with a Preschooler
Each of these apps has its strong points and is suitable for children 3+.
Conclusion
Math games can transform everyday moments into opportunities for preschoolers to learn. Studies highlight that early math skills lay the groundwork for understanding more advanced mathematical concepts later on [1]. By weaving these fun activities into daily routines, parents and caregivers help kids see math as both approachable and enjoyable.
More Than Just Numbers
These seven games go beyond teaching math - they also nurture key life skills:
These skills naturally fit into the rhythm of daily life.
Bringing Math Into Everyday Moments
Using these games during regular activities like mealtime, cleanup, or bedtime creates consistent learning opportunities. Jessica Mercer Young and Kristen E. Reed [20] explain:
"As teachers, it's our job to encourage young children's math learning by providing fun, playful, and developmentally appropriate activities. This helps children experience mathematics in engaging ways and fosters learning by developing positive feelings and attitudes toward math."
Building Success Through Play
When math becomes part of the daily routine, its benefits grow over time. Consistency makes math engaging and reinforces learning. As DREME blog [21] puts it:
"For young children, play and mathematics go together seamlessly and naturally. With simple materials and a little planning, early childhood educators can use games to help spark important mathematical ideas - and help them learn a lot about children's thinking."
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Transform Math Learning for Kids
Explore Funexpected's interactive math program designed for children aged 3-7. Build math fluency, logic, and problem-solving skills through engaging, hands-on activities and a personalized digital tutor.