45 Math Activities for Preschoolers & Toddlers for Fun

Is it really important to create a positive and enjoyable learning environment for our children? Because when it comes to math, laying the foundation for strong numerical skills doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, everyday experiences and playful activities can significantly foster early math development in toddlers and preschoolers. Before your little one starts formal schooling, they can start on an exciting journey of discovering math through the things they see and do daily.

For toddlers, preschoolers, and kids, learning math can be an enjoyable journey through interactive and engaging maths activities. These activities are designed to spark curiosity, promote hands-on learning, and nurture a love for numbers in children.

In this blog, we present 45 creative and fun-filled math activities suitable for young learners.

1. Counting with Fingers

Toddlers can begin by counting their fingers one by one, identifying numbers up to five. Preschoolers can practice counting using both hands, up to ten or higher. Kids can explore addition and subtraction by folding their fingers to represent numbers.

2. Sorting Shapes

For toddlers, shape sorter toys are an excellent way to foster their early shape recognition and fine motor skills. As they match colorful shapes to corresponding holes, they engage in hands-on learning while having fun. Preschoolers can take their shape-sorting skills to the next level by identifying and categorizing shapes based on their attributes. This activity encourages critical thinking and logical reasoning as they sort shapes into different groups.

3. Number Bingo

Math bingo is an enjoyable and educational activity that can be adapted to suit different age groups. For toddlers, create bingo cards with simple numbers that they can easily recognize and call them out during the game. This interactive experience helps toddlers with number recognition while they enthusiastically mark off the called numbers. Preschoolers can take on a more challenging version of math bingo with larger numbers.

4. Nature Walks

Venture outdoors with your little ones on a captivating nature walk where math and nature unite. For toddlers, count the abundance of fascinating objects like flowers, leaves, and stones that nature has to offer. This hands-on experience introduces them to numbers and ignites their curiosity about the world around them.

5. Playdough Math

Toddlers can roll play dough into balls and count them. Preschoolers can shape play dough into different geometric shapes and count the sides. Kids can create 3D shapes using play dough and learn about their properties. For toddlers, rolling play dough into balls becomes a delightful counting activity. They can count the colorful balls as they play, making math a fun part of their playtime.

6. Fishing with Numbers

Set up a mini fishing game with magnetic numbers in a tub of water for toddlers to catch and identify. Preschoolers can practice basic addition and subtraction by fishing for number pairs that add up or subtract to a given total. Kids can solve multiplication problems using larger numbers in this fun fishing activity.

7. Counting Coins

Introducing young children to the concept of money can be both enjoyable and educational. For toddlers, play becomes a gateway to understanding different coins and their values. Through interactive play with coins, they familiarize themselves with the different shapes, sizes, and denominations, taking their first steps into the world of currency. This activity set the stage for financial literacy for these little wonders.

8. Counting Candies

Take a handful of colorful candies and arrange them as creatively as you can. Then, invite your curious toddler to join the fun and sort the candies based on their colors. As they place each candy in separate bowls, they explore the vibrant world of colors and practice their counting skills. Learning becomes a delightful treat as they engage in this sweet adventure of color recognition and counting!

9. Learning Measurements

For toddlers, comparing the length of different objects is a delightful adventure using non-standard units like blocks or crayons. As they play, they develop a basic understanding of size and proportion. Learning measurements with these playful objects will help them grasp the concepts effortlessly. Incorporating fun ways to teach these basics will be beneficial for them.

10. Number Hopscotch

Draw a number line with chalk and play hopscotch, hopping from one number to another. Preschoolers can practice skip counting while hopping on the number line. Kids can solve simple addition and subtraction problems as they jump from one number to the next.

11. Pizza Play

Who said learning fractions couldn’t be deliciously fun? With paper plates as pizzas, toddlers can embark on a delightful journey of identifying and placing slices to represent fractions. As little chefs, they discover the joy of dividing the pizza into equal parts, mastering the concept of fractions in a playful manner.

12. Gummy Bears

Who knew math could be so much fun with gummy bears? Toddlers can kick off their math journey by sorting these colorful treats by their vibrant hues, and creating simple bar graphs. As they play with the gummy bears, they also begin to grasp the basics of data representation. With gummy bears as their math pals, learning becomes a delicious and engaging journey for young learners.

13. Shape Collages

Nurture your toddler’s imagination with a fantastic art activity! Provide them with a variety of shapes cut out from colored paper and let their creativity run wild as they craft collages on a larger sheet. This hands-on experience familiarizes them with different shapes and encourages fine motor skills. Preschoolers can take their artistic journey to the next level by creating shape-based animal collages using geometric cutouts.

14. Blocks Set

Nurture your toddler’s imagination with a fantastic art activity! Provide them with a variety of shapes cut out from colored paper and let their creativity run wild as they craft collages on a larger sheet. This hands-on experience familiarizes them with different shapes and encourages fine motor skills. Preschoolers can take their artistic journey to the next level by creating shape-based animal collages using geometric cutouts.

15. Math Puzzles

Puzzles are a fantastic way to introduce young minds to the wonders of numbers and logic. Introduce toddlers to simple number puzzles with large pieces for easy manipulation. Preschoolers can solve jigsaw puzzles that form shapes or pictures related to numbers and counting. Kids can engage in challenging Sudoku puzzles to enhance their logical reasoning.

16. Shape Hunt

Toddlers can identify basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles around the house or during a walk. Preschoolers can go on a shape scavenger hunt, searching for objects that match specific shapes. Kids can create shape collages using cut-outs from magazines or colored paper.

17. Number Lines

Use chalk to create a number line in the backyard or on the sidewalk for toddlers to hop and count. Preschoolers can practice addition and subtraction while moving along the outdoor number line. Kids can play number line games with friends, competing to solve math problems the fastest.

18. Storytime

Read math-related storybooks to toddlers, incorporating counting, shapes, or simple math concepts into the narrative. Preschoolers can enjoy interactive math storybooks that involve solving problems or puzzles. Kids can read age-appropriate math-themed novels or mysteries with engaging mathematical challenges.

19. Cookie Cutters

Use various cookie cutters to create shapes from dough, letting toddlers identify each shape. Preschoolers can arrange the shapes to form patterns or pictures on the baking sheet. Kids can experiment with different geometric shapes using cookie cutters. This will be a fun way to learn shapes and numbers.

20. Addition and Subtraction Printables

These colorful worksheets feature simple and engaging activities that help toddlers grasp the basics of addition and subtraction. From counting and adding objects to solving simple subtraction problems, each printable is thoughtfully crafted to suit their early math abilities. With these printables, your toddler will not only strengthen their number skills but also develop a love for learning math from a young age.

21. Counting with Stickers

Toddlers can stick stickers on paper while counting them one by one. Preschoolers can create sticker patterns or use stickers to illustrate simple addition and subtraction problems. Kids can design sticker graphs, representing data with different stickers for each category.

22. Fraction Art

Let toddlers explore fractions by dividing a circular piece of paper into sections and coloring them differently. Preschoolers can create fraction art with various shapes and colors, understanding fractions as parts of a whole. Kids can design complex fraction artworks with intricate patterns and multiple shapes.

23. Math Treasure Hunt

Create a treasure hunt with clues related to math problems that lead toddlers to hidden treasures. Preschoolers can solve more complex math riddles and equations to follow the trail. Kids can design their treasure hunts for friends or family, incorporating challenging math problems.

24. Time Telling

Teaching toddlers time-telling can be an exciting and rewarding experience. As young minds are naturally curious about the world around them, introducing them to the concept of time opens up a new realm of understanding. Start with basic concepts like morning, afternoon, and evening to help them grasp the idea of different times of the day.

25. Number Towers

Use building blocks to create towers with numbers written on each block for toddlers to stack in ascending or descending order. Preschoolers can add or subtract numbers on the blocks to form the correct sequence. Kids can compete in timed challenges, building number towers as fast as possible.

26. Ball Toss Game

The ball toss game is a wonderful and interactive way to teach counting to toddlers. Gather softballs or plush toys and set up a designated tossing area. Encourage your little ones to take turns tossing the balls into a container, like a basket or a box, while counting each successful toss out loud.

27. Counting Ice Cream Sprinkles

Counting ice cream sprinkles is a delightful activity that engages your little one in both learning and creativity. As they add colorful sprinkles to their ice cream masterpiece, they get to practice counting in a fun and interactive way. This activity helps them develop their counting skills and encourages their imagination to create the most delicious ice cream treat.

28. Counting Raindrops With Sticky Notes

Counting Raindrops is an easy and enjoyable math activity using Post-it notes. Simply place Post-it notes on a window or any glass surface, and draw raindrop shapes on each note. Encourage your child to count the raindrops by touching and moving the notes.

29. Counting Bottle Caps

Gather some bottle caps and create a colorful counting board to spark your child’s love for numbers. With this engaging hands-on activity, they can practice counting by placing the bottle caps on the board one by one. Not only will they have fun, but they will also develop essential math skills through play.

30. Little Hearts

Bring the love of learning into your little one’s world with the counting hearts activity. Cut out heart shapes from colorful paper and scatter them around the room. Encourage your toddler to find and count each heart one by one. This is an amazing way to teach counting to your little ones in a fun way.

31. Math Memory Match

Create a math-themed memory match game using cards with numbers, shapes, or math symbols. Preschoolers can match numerical equations with the correct answers or shape cards with corresponding shape names. Kids can design their memory match sets, making the game more challenging by adding more cards.

32. Bottle Bowling

Transform learning into playtime with this amazing counting activity! Gather some plastic bottles and assist your child in arranging them in triangular shape like bowling pins. Let the fun begin as your child rolls a ball and aims to knock down the bottles. After each hit, encourage them to count the fallen bottles.

33. Counting Birthday Caps

Encourage your little one to explore and count each birthday cap one by one. As they play, they not only practice counting but also develop their fine motor skills as they handle the caps. This delightful game adds an extra touch of fun to the birthday festivities and makes learning math an enjoyable part of the celebration.

34. Math At Home

Involve toddlers in household activities like setting the table, sorting laundry, or arranging books to practice counting and sorting. Preschoolers can measure objects around the house using non-standard units or rulers. Kids can estimate and calculate the total number of household items within a specific category, like books, toys, etc.

35. Rolling The Dice

All you need are dices, paper, and a pencil to embark on this exciting activity. Have your children roll the dice and add the numbers together. Encourage other players to take turns, and initially guide your little ones through the game. This activity will amplify their confidence and help them learn numbers in a fun way.

36. Math Charades

Play a math-themed version of charades where toddlers act out numbers, shapes, or basic math operations. Preschoolers can represent more complex mathematical concepts or equations through charades. Kids can engage in team-based math charades, where one team member acts out while others guess the math concept.

37. Measuring Heights

Use a tape measure or a ruler to measure toddlers’ heights and compare them. Preschoolers can measure objects around the house and create a height chart for family members or toys. Kids can explore measurement conversions by comparing heights in various units (for example, feet to meters).

38. Math Hopscotch

Draw a hopscotch grid with math problems instead of numbers for toddlers to solve while hopping. Preschoolers can play math hopscotch with multiplication or division problems. Kids can create their math hopscotch grids, challenging friends and family with their math skills.

39. Money Maths

Introduce toddlers to pretend to play with toy coins and currency, teaching them basic money recognition. Preschoolers can engage in “grocery store” or “shopkeeper” role-play, learning to count money and make change. Kids can practice budgeting and financial planning through more realistic money math scenarios.

40. Geometry with Straws and Playdough

Use straws and playdough to create 2D and 3D shapes for toddlers to recognize and explore. Preschoolers can use straws and connectors to build 3D geometric structures. Kids can design mathematical sculptures using straws and playdough, representing various shapes and mathematical concepts.

41. Math Art Collage

Provide toddlers with colored paper, markers, and other craft materials to create math-themed collages. Preschoolers can use math symbols and equations in their art collages, combining art with mathematical expression. Kids can explore the relationship between math and art, creating complex math art collages with intricate designs.

42. Counting Buttons

Get ready to explore the world of numbers with this delightful counting buttons activity. Grab a bunch of colorful buttons and let your toddler dive into the fun. Spread the buttons out on a flat surface and encourage your little one to count them one by one.

43. Counting Colorful Balloons

Bring the magic of balloons to your toddler’s learning experience with this exciting counting activity. Inflate colorful balloons and scatter them around the room. Encourage your little one to find and count each balloon one by one. This is a fun and interactive way to introduce them to numbers and different colors.

44. Making Bead Bracelets

Transform learning into a creative adventure with bead bracelets! Gather colorful beads and let your little one string them onto a bracelet, one by one. As they play and create their masterpiece, encourage them to count the beads they add. With each bead, they string, your toddler will develop a deeper understanding of numbers in a playful and engaging way.

45. Washi Tape for Teaching Shapes

Bring the magic of shapes to life with the help of colorful washi tape! This versatile and vibrant tape is a fantastic tool for teaching shapes to young learners. Create large shapes on the floor or wall using washi tape, such as circles, squares, triangles, and more. Encourage your children to explore the different shapes by walking or jumping on them.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the importance of fun and learning math activities for toddlers and preschoolers cannot be understated. At this young age, children are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. By incorporating enjoyable math activities into their daily routines, we create a positive and engaging learning environment to spark their interest in numbers and problem-solving.

As children laugh, play, and experiment with math concepts through games, puzzles, and interactive play, they build confidence in their abilities and develop a strong sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

So, let the fun-filled math adventures begin, and watch as these young learners thrive in their mathematical journey!