10 Fun Ways to Practice Kindergarten Counting

Developing Math Skills through Play

Counting is a fundamental math concept that kindergarten students need to master. It’s essential to make learning fun and engaging to keep young minds interested and excited about math. Here are 10 fun ways to practice kindergarten counting that you can try with your child or students.

1. Counting Games with Blocks

Building blocks are an excellent tool for teaching counting skills. You can use wooden or plastic blocks to create a tower, and then ask your child to count how many blocks are in the tower. To make it more challenging, you can ask them to count the blocks as they add or remove them from the tower.

📝 Note: You can also use other objects like Legos, counting bears, or even fruit to practice counting.

2. Counting Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt with numbers, and have your child search for objects around the house or classroom that match the numbers on the list. For example, “Find 5 toys that are red” or “Find 3 books with a cat on the cover.”

3. Counting Songs and Rhymes

Music and rhymes are great ways to make learning fun. Sing songs like “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” or “Five Little Monkeys” to practice counting. You can also create your own counting rhymes using everyday objects.

4. Counting with Number Lines

Create a number line with numbers 1-10 or 1-20, and have your child move a token or a finger along the line as they count. You can also use a hundreds chart to practice counting by tens.

5. Counting Bingo

Create bingo cards with numbers, and call out numbers for your child to mark on their card. This game is an excellent way to practice recognizing numbers and counting.

6. Counting with Playdough

Make or buy playdough, and have your child create objects using the dough. Then, ask them to count the objects they created. You can also use playdough to practice counting by making a certain number of objects.

7. Counting with Counting Bears

Counting bears are small, plastic bears that come in different colors and are used to practice counting. You can use them to demonstrate addition and subtraction concepts, as well as to practice counting by ones, twos, fives, or tens.

8. Counting Story Time

Read stories that involve counting, such as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” or “Ten in the Bed.” Ask your child to count the objects in the story, and then discuss the story and the counting concepts.

9. Counting with Real-Life Objects

Use real-life objects to practice counting, such as counting the number of spoons in a drawer or the number of toys in a basket. This activity helps children see the relevance of counting in everyday life.

10. Counting Apps and Games

There are many apps and games available that can help practice kindergarten counting. Some popular apps include “Counting Games” and “Math Games.” You can also use online games and websites, such as “PBS Kids” or “ABCya.”

In summary, practicing kindergarten counting can be fun and engaging with the right activities. By incorporating games, songs, and real-life objects, you can help your child or students develop a strong foundation in math and a lifelong love of learning.