Number Recognition Activities

These number recognition activities are great ways to help children of all ages practice learning their numbers. They can be done with any number and are fun and engaging ways to practice the numbers. 

There are three different number recognition ideas for activities listed below. They include a number recognition sensory bin, number recognition crowns, and a fun number-shaped snack. Read on for directions on how to complete all of these as well as some additional suggestions to help children learn their numbers. 

Number Recognition Sensory Bin

To make this sensory bin you will need an empty bin, a sensory filler of choice (I love to use rainbow-colored rice), cut out numbers (I used a Cricut/die-cut machine for these), paper and markers, spoons, scoops, and cups.

Begin by pouring rainbow rice into an empty bin. Fill the bin up about halfway with rice to ensure you have enough to play and dig in but also to prevent it from overflowing or spilling out. 

Cut out numbers of choice. For each number, we want to practice I found it best to do its own bin. I cut out a lot of the number of choice that we are wanting to work on in all different sizes. Then I cut out just a few of each of the other numbers for sorting purposes. 

To cut out the numbers I used my Cricut machine which comes in handy for children’s crafts and projects quite often in our house. You can also choose to draw and cut out, use a different die-cut machine of choice, or print numbers on paper and cut around them to cut them out. 

Sprinkle the cut-out numbers on the top of the rainbow rice. You can also hide some underneath it as well to make the activity a little more difficult for older children. 

On a separate piece of paper on the side label the top with the number of choices. On the second piece of paper label it with the word “not” and the number of choice. Put your two pieces of paper near the sensory bin. 

Add spoons, scoops, bowls, and any other items of choice to the sensory bin and allow little ones to play and sort the numbers as well as scoop and explore.

Number Recognition Crowns

This activity is a great one as it helps with fine motor skills and involves creating a craft as well as allows for creative/pretend number play when finished. It uses materials that you have on hand at home and is quick and easy to make for children of all ages.

The best part is that you can reuse the numbers from the number recognition sensory bin that we created earlier. This way you aren’t spending time cutting more out and you have all different sizes and colors of numbers ready for your project.

To begin you will need to cut a crown shape out of construction paper or computer paper. There is a blank crown template you can find here or you can follow the below directions to create one from scratch.

I simply cut a 2″ strip off of the bottom of a 9×12 inch piece of construction paper (to be put aside and taped/glued onto the sides of the crown base to make the headband part later). Then cut three points into the top of the larger piece that was left. This will be your crown base.

Give little ones a glue stick and the number of choice cut-outs left from the earlier created sensory bin. Give them numbers of all different sizes and colors. Let them glue their numbers on their crowns. Remind them to make sure the number is facing the correct direction. Let them glue on as many of the numbers as desired. 

Let them add any additional embellishments such as stickers, hearts, stars, etc…They can also choose to draw on the number or other decorations if old enough. This could also be a great way to practice writing the numbers if children are at that step.

Attach the set aside 2: strip to one side of the bottom of the crown base. Hold up to the child’s head and measure around to know where to attach the other side of the 2″ strip. Then attach the other side with tape or glue. Allow children to wear their hats around.

Other Ideas for Number Practice and Recognition

*Magnetic numbers on a fridge or garage door

*Dry erase number writing practice

*Hiding numbers around the house and having children find them all (could even use leftover ones from number sensory bin above)

*Using fingers to draw numbers on top of a sensory paint bag

*Making numbers with playdoh

*Writing numbers on a salt tray or in the sand

* Playing UNO, using UNO cards and counting out a specific number of objects to match

*Counting dots on dominos and writing the numbers

*Going on a “”number hunt and finding numbers on environmental print around the house or outside.

If you’re also looking for some other fun sensory bins that have an academic focus be sure to check out this great The Mitten themed sensory bin or The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Bin post as well.