8 Hands-On Kindergarten Math Activities that Engage and Excite

When it’s the weekend, the only math activity I want to engage in is adding up how many hours I can put off being a responsible adult for before I am that parent.

Five seconds into adding that time and beginning to drift into a relaxing daydream, I am abruptly called back to reality with a, “There’s nothing to do!”

Womp womp.

Hey, daydream where I sleep all day and the kids entertain themselves? See you next week!

Sometimes you can live the daydream and sometimes you can’t.

For the days that you can’t – but will take staying at home as a win – read on for some rousing kindergarten math activities.

These hands-on math games will not only engage, excite and pack in a whole lot of brainy math fun, but they will also include a ton of running around to burn off energy.

Which, if you’re adding correctly, will leave you with a bit of time alone when your kids have decided they’ve had enough fun. That’s happened to me a few times (I think).

You may get a taste of that weekend daydream yet!

1. Popsicle stick number hunt

When your babes first wake up, you swear they have the energy that only comes from a thousand slumbers. Help them use it up with this number scavenger hunt.

The use of a timer adds a touch of frenzied fun. Frenzy + a whole lot of scurrying about = less sprightly morning power.

Grab a set of 40 Popsicle sticks and have your child create 4 sets of sticks (numbered 1-10). Then, lean the sticks onto various outdoor objects in your play space.

Play works this way: with timer in hand, call out a number (1-10) and time how long it takes your child to retrieve all 4 corresponding popsicle sticks.

Play until all numbers have been fetched properly recovered and categorized.

2. Reveal and run math activity

Tired of your child leaving the house with mismatched socks? Well, this math activity won’t solve that problem, but it will definitely exercise those paying-attention muscles. You’re welcome.

Grab a set of cards featuring large printed numbers. If these are unavailable, create your own by cutting ten A4 sheets in half and writing a number on each sheet in large bold print (1-20).

Next, grab 20 foam plates and number them 1-20 with a permanent marker.

Play works this way: Have player(s) disperse plates anywhere in the backyard or other outdoor play space. If for you the weekend means you’re looking to be outdoors during daylight as much as Dracula, find an open indoor play space instead.

Next comes the exhilarating part: Choose the focus number and conceal it stealthily by turning it around and placing it at the back of the stack.

Slowly reveal the number by pulling it up, leaving your kids on edge as they try to decipher the number.

Once a child thinks they know which number is being revealed, they can run to find that corresponding number on a paper plate. They only get one shot at guessing and cannot bounce around from plate to plate.

3. Make crispy rice treats

After watching your kids run about for the last two kindergarten math activities, you deserve a treat.

You can share with your kids too, I suppose.

The great thing about making crispy rice treats is that they’re easy and fun to put together, and the process teaches your kiddos about measuring, adding and dividing.

With just three ingredients (1 bag of marshmallows, 3 tablespoons of margarine and 6 cups of crispy rice cereal), you can’t go wrong.

Look here for several treat methods (depending on your cooking comfort level).

No judgment if you microwave these right up!

4. Carnival beanbag toss

Recreate the fun of a carnival (minus the crowds and drain on your pocketbook) with this beanbag toss.

Grab 6 hula-hoops, a permanent marker, a set of 6 foam paper plates and a pair of beanbags.

To set up the activity, use a permanent marker to number the paper plates by 10s, from 10-60. Arrange hula-hoops in a column and place a numbered plate in each (with 10 being placed closest to you and 60 being furthest away).

Alternate turns with your child, trying to get your beanbag in each hula-hoop (in ascending order), working your way up in order until you make it to 60.

For a bonus math challenge, have your child add up their score.

5. Silly math monsters

This pair monster drawing is a great way to co-create a math masterpiece. The use of dice reinforces the skill of recognizing a common arrangement of objects by sight (here, the dots on your die).

You will begin your silly math monster by drawing a giant circle on a blank sheet of paper. The first artist is tasked with adding body parts according to the number they roll on a die.

For example, I may draw a giant eye for my math monster if I roll a “1.” I then hand the paper over to my kindergarten cutie. They roll the die and draw that number of corresponding body parts.

Drawing continues until you decide your artwork is finished, or until you run out of room on your paper.

6. Play dough adding challenge

Grab a pair of dice and a batch of your favorite play-dough.

Practice adding by rolling two dice and recording the numbers on a sheet of paper. Help your child write out a number sentence (also known as an equation), like 2+2=__.

To find the answer, have your kindergartener create the corresponding play dough balls on a clean surface – have him or her match the arrangement for bonus math-mind flexing.

Write the answer in your number sentence and continue on. Repeat 5 times.

7. Paper plate memory

A normally sitting-down game will turn into a lively endeavor as your child uses both brain and running-slash-hopping power to create number matches.

Grab a set of 10 paper plates. Create 2 sets (each set numbered 10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

Shuffle them around before arranging them in two rows in your play space.

Begin creating matches by having your child choose two plates to turn around and reveal.

Each player gets to keep his or her match. The person with the most wins.

8. Silly animal races

Thank your lucky stars the energy-burning kindergarten math activities aren’t over yet!

Get those little ones exercising, laughing and counting with silly animal races.

Create a giant number line  by using chalk to number the sidewalk (or other large outdoor paved area) from 1-30.

Call out an animal movement as your child tries to get to 30.

Call out challenging, but fun and silly movements: a duck waddle, a monkey walk, a bear walk (on all fours), or a bunny hop. Mark how far your child goes each time.

If the number 30 is an easy target, extend your number line as appropriate. To 200? Gosh, that may tire them out too much. I just don’t know…

For more tips, check out these 10 tricks to help your child learn math.