Counting and Number Games for Preschoolers: 9 Fun Picks

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Counting and Numbers games for ages 3 to 5. Counting, comparing, and matching games build the number sense your child will use in kindergarten. Use real objects when you can, since touching and moving items helps young children understand quantity.

  • 9 games
  • Ages 3–5
  • 5–30 minutes each
  • Safety tips for every game

Supervise every game. Young children should never be left alone with small objects, water, bubbles, magnets, or craft supplies. Follow product age labels, and stop any game that is not safe or fun for your child.

Quick Picks

Compare the games, then tap a name to jump to the directions.

#GameMain skillAgesPlayersTime
1Number BingoNumber recognition4–52 or more10–15 min
2Roll and CoverCounting3–51 to 410 min
3Number Go FishNumber matching4–52 to 410–15 min
4Feed the MonsterCounting3–51 to 310–15 min
5Number Line JumpCounting3–51 or more10 min
6Parking Lot MatchNumber matching3–51 to 210–15 min
7Which Has More?Comparing numbers4–5210 min
8Quick Look DotsNumber sense4–51 to 25–10 min
9Egg Carton CountingCounting3–51 to 310 min

Why Counting and Numbers Games Help

Counting

Children match one number to one object.

Number recognition

Seeing numbers in play helps them stick.

Comparing

More, less, and same become real ideas.

Math talk

Games give you a chance to ask 'How many?'

9 Counting and Numbers Games

1. Number Bingo

  • Ages 4–5
  • Players: 2 or more
  • 10–15 min
  • Number recognition
  • Counting

What you need

  • Paper and a marker
  • Paper squares or stickers to cover numbers
  • Number cards 1 to 10 in a bag

How to play

  1. Draw a 3 by 3 grid and write numbers from 1 to 10 in the squares, repeating some.
  2. Draw a number card from the bag and say the number.
  3. Your child finds it and covers it with a paper square or sticker.
  4. Call 'Bingo!' for a full row, a full column, or the whole board.
How it helps your child: Builds number recognition and counting, plus attention and turn-taking.
Safety precautions: Use paper squares or stickers instead of small buttons, especially for children who mouth objects, and supervise closely.
Make it easier
Use numbers 1 to 5 on a 2 by 2 board.
Make it harder
Show dots or tally marks instead of the number.

2. Roll and Cover

  • Ages 3–5
  • Players: 1 to 4
  • 10 min
  • Counting
  • Number recognition
  • Turn-taking

What you need

  • A large foam or wooden die (or number cards 1 to 6)
  • A paper with the numbers 1 to 6 for each player
  • Large counters, like big pom-poms or paper circles

How to play

  1. Give each player a paper with the numbers 1 to 6.
  2. Roll the die and count the dots out loud.
  3. Cover the matching number with a counter.
  4. Keep playing until every number is covered.
How it helps your child: Teaches counting dots, matching numbers to amounts, and turn-taking.
Safety precautions: Use a large die and large counters that can't be swallowed. Roll on a table or rug so the die doesn't bounce away and cause a trip.
Make it easier
Use a die with only 1 to 3 dots.
Make it harder
Cover the number that is one more than the number rolled.

3. Number Go Fish

  • Ages 4–5
  • Players: 2 to 4
  • 10–15 min
  • Number matching
  • Asking questions

What you need

  • Index cards
  • A marker

How to play

  1. Make pairs of cards with the numbers 1 to 6 (two of each).
  2. Deal 4 cards to each player and put the rest in a pile.
  3. Ask, 'Do you have a 3?' If yes, they give it to you and you make a pair.
  4. If not, say 'Go fish!' and draw a card. The player with the most pairs wins, or just keep playing together.
How it helps your child: Builds number recognition and matching, and early social skills like turn-taking and handling disappointment.
Safety precautions: Play at a table or on a rug and keep paper cards away from mouths. Remind children to be kind when someone wins or loses.
Make it easier
Use only 3 numbers.
Make it harder
Add dot cards to match with the numbers.

4. Feed the Monster

  • Ages 3–5
  • Players: 1 to 3
  • 10–15 min
  • Counting
  • One-to-one correspondence
  • Fine motor

What you need

  • A cardboard box or tissue box with a mouth cut out
  • Large pom-poms or crumpled paper balls for 'food'
  • Number cards 1 to 10
  • Optional: markers to decorate the monster

How to play

  1. Decorate the box as a hungry monster.
  2. Draw a number card.
  3. Your child feeds the monster that many items, counting out loud.
  4. Count again to check. Draw a new card and feed the monster again.
How it helps your child: Builds one-to-one counting and number recognition, plus hand-eye coordination.
Safety precautions: Use pretend food that's too big to swallow, and don't use real food. An adult should cut the mouth opening and smooth any rough edges.
Make it easier
Use numbers 1 to 3.
Make it harder
Ask, 'How many more to make 10?'

5. Number Line Jump

  • Ages 3–5
  • Players: 1 or more
  • 10 min
  • Counting
  • Number order
  • Big movements

What you need

  • Painter's tape or chalk
  • Number cards 0 to 10 or paper plates

How to play

  1. Make a number line on the floor with tape and place a number on each space.
  2. Call a number and have your child jump to it, saying each number as they land.
  3. Try 'Jump to 3, then one more!' to explore adding one.
  4. Let your child call numbers for you.
How it helps your child: Teaches number order, early adding, and big-muscle control.
Safety precautions: Use tape on a clean, non-slippery floor, and wear shoes or non-slip socks. Move furniture and toys out of the way.
Make it easier
Use only 1 to 5.
Make it harder
Ask, 'Start on 4 and jump 2 more. Where do you land?'

6. Parking Lot Match

  • Ages 3–5
  • Players: 1 to 2
  • 10–15 min
  • Number matching
  • Counting
  • Colors

What you need

  • A large sheet of paper or cardboard
  • A marker
  • Toy cars
  • Number or color cards

How to play

  1. Draw 6 to 10 parking spaces and write a number (or color a square) in each.
  2. Draw a card or call out a number.
  3. Your child drives a car into the matching space.
  4. Try 'Park 3 cars here!' and have your child count them in.
How it helps your child: Combines number and color matching with counting, and builds fine motor skills.
Safety precautions: Keep play on the floor or a table, away from stairs, and use cars bigger than a child's mouth. Roll cars gently.
Make it easier
Match colors only.
Make it harder
Add 'Park 2 more cars' to practice adding.

7. Which Has More?

  • Ages 4–5
  • Players: 2
  • 10 min
  • Comparing numbers
  • Counting

What you need

  • A deck of number cards or dot cards (draw dots on index cards)
  • A table

How to play

  1. Split the cards between two players, face down.
  2. Both players flip a card at the same time.
  3. Compare them: whose card shows more? Say, 'Five is more than three.'
  4. The player with more keeps both cards. Play until the cards run out.
How it helps your child: Teaches comparing amounts and the language of more, less, and same.
Safety precautions: Play at a table. Remind children that winning and losing are both okay, and take a break if frustration builds.
Make it easier
Use dot cards 1 to 5 only.
Make it harder
Flip two cards each and find the greater total (a stretch goal).

8. Quick Look Dots

  • Ages 4–5
  • Players: 1 to 2
  • 5–10 min
  • Number sense
  • Visual counting

What you need

  • Index cards
  • Stickers or a marker for dots
  • Optional: a timer

How to play

  1. Make cards with 1 to 6 dots in different arrangements.
  2. Show a card for about two seconds, then hide it.
  3. Ask, 'How many dots did you see?'
  4. Show it again to count and check, then try another card.
How it helps your child: Builds the ability to recognize small amounts at a glance, a base for number sense.
Safety precautions: Keep stickers out of mouths, and keep the game relaxed. Avoid pressure or racing.
Make it easier
Show the card longer and use 1 to 3 dots.
Make it harder
Use dice patterns up to 6.

9. Egg Carton Counting

  • Ages 3–5
  • Players: 1 to 3
  • 10 min
  • Counting
  • One-to-one correspondence
  • Fine motor

What you need

  • A clean, empty cardboard egg carton (new, never used for eggs, if possible)
  • Large pom-poms or crumpled paper balls
  • Number cards 1 to 12

How to play

  1. Draw a number card.
  2. Place that many items in the carton, one in each cup, and count them out loud.
  3. Ask, 'How many cups are empty?'
  4. Empty the carton and draw a new card.
How it helps your child: Builds one-to-one counting, number recognition, and an early sense of 'how many more.'
Safety precautions: Use a new or very clean carton, since raw egg residue can carry germs. Choose items too big to swallow (bigger than a toilet paper tube) and supervise closely.
Make it easier
Use numbers 1 to 4 and a 6-cup carton.
Make it harder
Ask, 'If you add 2 more, how many will there be?'

Tips for Playing Counting and Numbers Games

  • Touch and count each object once.
  • Start with numbers 1 to 5, then 10.
  • Use real objects, not just cards.
  • Count in everyday moments too.

Safety Basics for All Games

  • Supervise every game. Young children should never be left alone with small objects, water, bubbles, or craft supplies.
  • Watch for small parts. The CPSC advises avoiding toys with small parts for children younger than 3. Use large counters, cards, and game pieces that can’t fit in a child’s mouth, and check for loose pieces before you play.
  • Use only large, child-safe magnets. The CPSC warns that swallowed magnets can cause serious injury, and advises avoiding play sets with small magnets for children under 6.
  • Prevent slips and trips. Clear the play space, tape down paper spots, and wear shoes or non-slip socks for jumping and hopping games.
  • Seal homemade shakers and jars. Fillings like rice, beans, and sand are choking hazards if a lid opens.
  • Keep food and allergies in mind. We use pretend food in these games. If you add real snacks, cut round foods small, and check for allergies, especially at playdates.
  • Stay within arm’s reach near water. This includes bubble solution and any small tub of water.
  • Play fair and kind. Avoid eliminating children from games, praise effort over winning, and stop a game if it leads to teasing.

Pair These Games with More Learning

Counting and Numbers Games FAQs

How high should a preschooler count?

The CDC lists counting to 10 as typical at age 5. Younger children may count to 3 or 5, and that's fine.

Why is one-to-one counting important?

It means saying one number for each object. This is the base for all later math.

What if my child skips numbers?

That's normal. Count slowly together and touch each object as you say the number.

More Game Types

Keep the Learning Going

Pair these games with free printables, easy activities, and our 12-month preschool curriculum.

Free WorksheetsMore Activities

12-month curriculum · Coloring pages · Toys

Sources and Credits

This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice. Always supervise young children and follow product age labels. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk with your child’s doctor or teacher.