Fun Math Activities for Preschoolers

Whether we use it to count the number of books we read, describe the shape of the fruits we eat, or power the trajectory of a ball thrown while playing catch, math is everywhere! It is not only an academic skill, but an essential tool to understand and apply to other aspects of life. Thus, learning to understand and enjoy math is a big step in intellectual development. 

👉 Quick link: Math games and activities from Skillmatics

Here are some reasons you should strengthen your little one’s math skills through fun activities:

Being familiar with numbers is an important step toward learning how to count. Understanding that they represent a particular amount of an object is an important life skill. Thus, practicing counting through fun activities prepares your child to grasp complex concepts in the future.

Math encourages children to seek creative solutions and find more innovative ways of approaching a problem. This also influences the way they engage in problems that are not directly or even remotely related to math.

A big part of math is identifying patterns and organizing information. Through the activities we’ve provided, preschoolers are able to practice comprehending patterns and identifying color combinations while learning math. This also helps in building their sorting skills, which develops their fine motor skills and has many practical implications.

Doing math activities often helps your little one cultivate mental quickness and sharpness  while honing specific math skills like addition and subtraction. Fun activities are also known to promote better information retention, as kids associate learning with rewards and positive experiences.

Additionally, making the learning space fun through interactive and engaging activities has multiple benefits. At home, without the stress of failure or penalties for making mistakes, children can focus on the task at hand. As a result, they are better able to grasp the lessons and learn their practical applications in an enjoyable way. 

There are numerous math activities that can be introduced to preschoolers at home. Here are just a few! 

Understanding number concepts is a big part of math. Understanding that some numbers represent larger quantities than others, or identifying which numbers are odd or even are important concepts to grasp. This includes  understanding how to count objects. For example, knowing that the order or sequence of object placement does not change the total number (if they are placed in a circle or a line, their total remains the same).

Deep Dive by Skillmatics, is an activity that combines many of these concepts for a simple and engaging activity. Your child can learn finger dexterity, fine motor skills, and how to comprehend number sequences. The game also includes marine-themed puzzle pieces that your child can connect as they learn how to count till 30 while exploring the ocean!

Space and geometry are crucial in understanding our relationship with the space that we occupy, and are important concepts for kids to grasp in order to develop an understanding of their environment. From simply having a conversation with them about their surroundings, to helping them make a map of their favorite hangout places, you can make understanding space and geometry exciting and engaging for your little one!  

An activity that can seem monotonous can be transformed into one that your child looks forward to. Counting is an important part of skill development and should be encouraged. Simple activities, such as counting pieces of fruit on a breakfast plate, or counting the number of red cars on the street can pique your child’s curiosity and invite them into the world of counting.
 

Additionally, Skillmatics’ Disco Balloons is a colorful counting activity for preschoolers.

By requiring players to count the number of dots in the balloon frames on Disco’s back and match them with the colorful balloons with the right numbers, the game lets little ones show off their very own flying dinosaur while practicing counting! 

Tap into your child’s curiosity as they dive into a sea of patterns and reasoning-based math activities. These enhance their problem-solving skills and help them recognize patterns that exist around them. Activities include putting together simple ascending number puzzles and tracing a path by joining a pattern of shapes with the same sizes or colors.

Boom Boom Bingo! is an interactive game by Skillmatics in which children can walk and contemplate their next steps by solving fun math problems. They include simple addition or pattern-based riddles, allowing your child to strengthen their analytical and creative abilities.

Classification of objects into categories or sorting them according to specifications has important practical applications. It develops the child’s abilities to understand differences between objects and has real life implications such as understanding how to sort groceries, laundry, and money.

Activities like the Sorting Slide by Skillmatics are a perfect way to introduce classification and sorting to preschoolers. The activity is challenging but simple and allows your child to engage in the activity as they figure out which shape gets sorted into which space on the slide. 

Creating a conducive environment for learning can help your child through the more difficult parts of these activities – here are some ways to do so: 

Focus on your child’s learning rather than on their mistakes. For example, pay more attention and reward them based on how they approach the subject matter rather than on whether they reach the answer. This gives them more confidence to try out their skills and be an independent and confident learner.

Talk to them about their activities and show them their practical implications. This will open conversations regarding their doubts and build their curiosity to learn more as they understand how their lessons can be useful.

Keep the fun and interest intact through these various math activities for preschoolers and introduce them to the exciting and challenging world of numbers.