Kids love to learn in a meaningful and engaging way. That is why we created the numbers busy book printable to offer parents and children a chance to make learning fun.
You can get 7 activities, that is half of the busy book, for FREE. It’s an instant download!
But don’t scroll down just yet, bare with me, let me walk you through the activities!
The Numbers Busy Book contains 15 activities and 50 pages that were designed with a specific order in mind, but they can just as easily be used according to the child’s ability or wish.
We propose that you follow this structure:
- use the Tiny Rhyme Book to start learning numbers: pronunciation, order or numbers etc
- use the worksheets from 0 to 9 to help children see the numbers, trace them with their finger, understand how they are written by using manipulatives (play dough, glue and pom poms, buttons) and engage with each number separately
- practice number recognition from 1 to 10 with the colour by number worksheet
- practice counting with the counting caterpillar worksheet and invite children to add the missing numbers
- play a memory matching game to help children associate numbers with groups of objects
- use the learn numbers worksheets from 0 to 10 to start tracing and writing numbers, build them with various manipulatives (pebbles, beads, pom moms, popsicle sticks etc), count, match numbers and groups of objects etc
- practice number groups with the three worksheets proposed
- introduce simple addition with hands on learning activities; we propose three simple addition activities
- learn to spell numbers using the two worksheets provided
Tiny Rhyme Book to learn numbers easily
To encourage your children to learn numbers in a fun and independent way, use this rhyme book for numbers from 1 to 10.
How do I make mine?
It’s very simple. Let me take you through it:
1. Simply cut out the papers on the dotted lines and group them as such:
a. cover pages and the 1 2 page, glue them back to back;
b. 3 4 and 5 6 pages are glued together;
c. simply put this second set (from step b.) inside the first one (from step a.)
2. Fold the pages and staple them.
VOILA, the little book is ready!
Chants and rhymes are an excellent way of improving memory and increasing independence.
For more helpful ways of developing memory skills, play these great memory match games.
Practice 1 to 10 numbers with hands on activities
Print the large number flashcards and gather your art and craft supplies. You could:
- paint the numbers
- use playdough to decorate them
- use glue and buttons/small pom poms to fill in the number shapes
- laminate them and cut them out; use Velcro to attach them on the wall and let your child fill them in with stickers
Colour By Number Printable
Children love colouring so why not combine a favourite activity with a teaching moment? This will make the experience more meaningful and the child more involved.
Word of advice:
Don’t make this into a teaching activity, but rather a playful way of discovering what each object should look like: should we make the bird blue or red? Let’s find out. Where is the secret message telling us just that?
That is the kind of language I would use during the colouring activity.
The Counting Caterpillar
Another simple way to practice numbers for toddlers would be to identify the missing numbers in a sequence. Print the caterpillar worksheet and cut out the numbers.
Glue them in the missing spaces on the caterpillar.
Offer praise and encouragement as much as possible, demonstrate first, and let your child do the activity by himself.
Once you feel they’ve learned their numbers, reduce your support, and only encourage.
To help children practice numbers in an interactive use our Fun Activity Book for kids.
Numbers flashcard game
Prepare the flashcards: You need two sets of matching flashcards: for younger children we suggest to use numbers-pictures flashcards.
You can download for free our numbers and pictures flashcards from our article on visual-spatial activities for kids.
Arrange the flashcards : Separate them into two different categories and place them on the floor, upside down.
Then make two rows: the first set of flashcards in a line above and the other set in another row below.
Fun hands on learning activities for numbers 0 to 10
For each number 0 to 10, there is a worksheet that helps children trace the number, write it, build it using manipulatives, colour it, identity the correct number or count.
As manipulatives you can use small buttons, pebbles, pom poms, play dough, conkers, beads of various sizes, stamps, popsicle sticks and much more.
My son loves this activity as it makes learning so much more than pen and paper.
By adding the sensorial element, learning becomes more meaningful and the child feels more empowered as he can see the visible result of his work and because it allows him to be more creative and in charge.
Practice number groups with two fun activities
There are three worksheets in this busy book that help children count and identity a number of objects with a number.
For the ‘“find and match the number” activity, we started by naming the pictures in the left column (pumpkins, cats, trees, hats, leaves, candies) and then going over the numbers in the right column.
This way you make sure that your child can recognize them. Then, simply solve the exercise, counting the objects on the left and drawing a line to the corresponding number.
The other counting activity “count and write the number” involves animals and colouring, so it’s a winner with many children.
Simply identify the animals count them (colour them while counting so you don’t lose track) and write the number in the box above each animal.
“How Many Leaves Got Blown Away?” is another interactive worksheet to be added to your fantastic toddler’s busy book. Its aim is to help with number recognition.
On the right side of the worksheet, you will see the number which represents how many leaves need to be added on the ‘gusts of wind’.
Simply cut out the little leaves and start counting!
Addition with numbers from 1 to 10
Who doesn’t like ladybirds? They’re probably the cutest insects and part of their charm are their dots. Those dots are also a great opportunity to play and learn.
The game is simple: add the two sets of dots on the ladybirds so that their sum equals the number on its body.
A simple addition activity that will make your little one fall in love with Math!
Apples additions worksheets
On the right side of the worksheet, you can see the sum that needs to be reached by adding the correct number of apples.
Then, looking at the domino tiles, you will notice that only one half has a number of apples.
The aim of the game is for the child to add the other half of the domino so that the number of apples on both halves make up the sum on the right of the paper.
Hands on simple additions
Cut the numbers and get the worksheet ready. With this worksheet, children will get the chance to practice simple addition.
They will need to count the objects and write the correct number in the circle if your child is old enough to write.
What if my child can’t write?
Don’t worry! For younger children we made the number manipulatives, so he/she will simply have to put the cut out numbers in the correct circle.
Spell the numbers from 1 to 10
There are two worksheets to help children learn how to spell numbers from 1 to 10.
After your child becomes confident and has had enough practice with number recognition, counting and simple addition, it is time to teach your little one how to spell numbers.
Isn’t it too difficult?
No, because it is a matter of letter recognition at first, just like you practiced number recognition. Start spelling by using the letters given at first.
Use the worksheet “find the letters and write the numbers” first. Teach children to identity the capital letter that is placed at the beginning of the word.
You repeat the sounds each number word contains and encourage your child to copy the letters seen in the boxes.
Moving to the next stage!
Once your child practiced writing all the numbers, (for several days/weeks) you can move on to the next worksheet, count and write the number.
For this second worksheet children are given the first letter of the word and the number of spaces for the missing letters, but not the actual letters.
Word of advice:
Laminate the worksheets so you erase and write again and again.
Let us know how this busy book can help your child!
Children respond differently to activities, so my advice as a teacher is to trust children and their choices. Observe their preferences and offer more of the same.
Trust children that they know best and simply guide them by offering valuable resources for learning!
This numbers busy book is a great educational resource not only because it was designed by experienced teachers, but also because it was designed having children in mind.
Children who need to make learning meaningful, fun and place them at the centre, not the page in front of them.
With this busy book children can use manipulatives and find creative ways of engaging with numbers.
What is great about this number busy book is that you can laminate it and use it for a long period of time, growing with the child’s abilities and interests.
REMEMBER: You can always add more worksheets, combine it with our Happy Letters Busy Book for more work and fun!
Dear parents, let us know which activities for children liked best and which they didn’t, this will guide us in designing better worksheet for your child!
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Hi. I am Monica, an experienced ESL teacher and early years student, mother to a preschooler and passionate reader.
