The Best Activities to Teach Counting to Preschoolers 

Here’s my list of the best activities to teach counting to preschoolers. Preschool is usually the year before students enter kindergarten, so they are usually four- and five-year-olds. 

In pre-k, students learn best through play, so it is best to embed these math and reading activities in play-based centers and not just during math time (however, this may vary state by state or the school you work at). I recommend using this activity during math time or a math block and continuing to embed counting to 10 activities through play and exploration activities. 

In preschool, students begin to develop counting to 10, including using one-to-one correspondence and counting and cardinality (the last number said tells you how many). 

These activities will help your student begin to count and quantify numbers up to 10. 

These activities will help students: know the number names and counting sequence, count to tell the number of objects, and compare using more than and less than. 

Count and Sort

Count and sort the number cards. 

Make a Match

Use links to build the number. You can use cubes or small objects if you don’t have links. 

Trace, Build, and Count

Trace the number with your finger, build the number using play dough, and count the number using the five or ten frame. 

Dot Card Match Up

Match the dot cards to the same amount. 

Roll and Remove: Leaves

Students roll the die, count the number of dots, and remove that many small objects from the mat. 

Roll and Remove: Acorns

This activity is similar to the activity above but with acorns. 

Flip, Count, and Show

Flip the card and show the exact amount.

Count and Show It 

Read and show the amount displayed on the jars using small objects. 

Trace and Write Cards 

Trace and write the numerals

Spin, Count, and Find: Finger Counting 

Spin the spinner and cover the same amount. 

Spin, Count, and Find: Dice Counting 

Spin the spinner and cover the same amount. 

Spin, Count, and Find: Five Frame 

Spin the spinner and cover the same amount. 

Bug Counting 

Count and show the same amount. 

Missing Numbers 

Count to figure out the missing number. 

Lunch Match-Up 

Match the cards with the same amount. 

Count and Compare 

Roll the die and say who has more and who has less. 

Grab Roll and Remove here. 

What are your favorite counting activities for preschoolers? Let me know in the comments section below. 

Happy Teaching,

Tee