(Almost) Effortless Preschool Math Activities

How many times have you set up an activity to do with your kids only to find out that the activity took less time than the actual preparation?

It's frustrating, I know! You want to do fun stuff at home that can also serve as a foundation for future learning so you'll be relieved to know that these playful math ideas for preschoolers are so easy they are (almost) effortless.

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Easy Preschool Math Activities

I've included my cheeky "preparation scale" for all of the preschool math activities. But, clearly, they are all super easy. In fact, they will be even easier if you let your child enjoy the process instead of trying to direct them to a particular end!

Number Matching Game

Gather all the things in you home with numerals or quantities on them for a simple number matching game! Prep Scale: 3

Step Count

Count the stairs whenever you walk up or down. Count the number of steps it takes to cross the room. Count the number of steps it takes to walk around the house. Be sure to compare numbers. You get the idea! Prep Scale: 0

MORE: (Almost) Effortless Literacy Ideas

Number Walk

When you go for a walk, say the house numbers aloud. My older son loved this. Seriously, he always did it. Prep Scale: 0 (Unless its winter and then it's a 10 for getting on all that winter gear.)

Hopscotch

Play hopscotch. You can make a hopscotch layout on your floors with painter's tape or draw one on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. Prep Scale 2.

MORE: 10 Instant Activity Ideas for 2-4 Year-Olds

Abacus

Include a toy abacus in your living space. Kids will engage their fine motor skills while manipulating the beads. Playing with the abacus encourages counting and understanding quantities. Prep Scale: 1

Cards

Play Go Fish. Did you know that Go Fish has all kids of hidden benefits? Or, instead of playing a game, give your child a deck of cards to sort! Prep Scale: 1

Blocks

Build with blocks. Block play is incredibly important. It teaches one to one correspondence, perspective, sorting, problem solving, comparison, symmetry, continuity, balance.... I could go on. Block play is essential for every child! Prep scale: 0 (Clean up scale is up to you.)

Match blocks with their 2D shapes. This teaches kids to look and think carefully! Prep scale: 2

Games

Let kids explore one to one correspondence with the game pieces in your closet. We have lots more ideas of how to repurpose those old game pieces for your preschoolers! Prep Scale: 1

In fact, playing all kinds of games, from board games to ball games, builds math understanding. Prep Scale: varies

MORE: Favorite Supplies for DIY Math Games

Puzzles

Put together puzzles. If you want to do a little more prep, you can make your own puzzles instead of purchasing one. Prep Scale: 1 (unless you make your own)

Counting Objects

Every time you set the table say, "1 plate, 2 plates, 1 cup, 2 cups..." You get the idea. This concept works in a variety of situations. Prep Scale: 0 (or a 10 if you are setting a table for a fancy meal, but you have to do it anyway, right?) Here is a great DIY tool for teaching kids to set the table.

Even better, your child can put away the cutlery counting "1 spoon, 2 forks, ..."

Count small objects like pompoms into an egg carton, beans into numbered circles, or count with error control. Prep Scale: 2

MORE: Sorting activities like these are great for math learning

Read Aloud

Did you know that reading can help with math? And while you don't have to read math books, we have a book list of wonderful math picture books for preschoolers!

Use Kitchen Gadgets

Give kids measuring cups and spoons when they play in the sandbox and bath tub. This can help teach scale and comparison alongside measuring. Prep Scale: 1

MORE: 10 Ways Kids Can Help in the Kitchen

Lacing Cards

Give kids lacing cards and work their fine motor skills at the same time. If you have ready made lacing cards is a Prep Scale: 0 If you want to make your own lacing cards, it's super easy and a Prep Scale 3.

MORE: Lacing Activities for Kids

Go Outside

Patterning is mathematical, and nature is abundant with patterns like the golden spiral and Fibonacci number sequences. While on a hike, kids can count how many butterflies they see, or steps they take, or flowers they wish they could pick!

MORE: Pattern Play for Kids

Or course, there are many, many more effortless ways to lay a good foundation for mathematics.  Take a look at our 25 creative ways to support math learning after school.