10 Activities to Prepare Your Child for Math.

math Jan 30, 2025

If you are wanting to prepare your child for school or math then you may want to consider trying some fun games at home. These games are no-prep and so easy to spontaneously play. I even like to play these games on long car rides or out in public while waiting in lines.

So here are my top 10 Easy, no-prep Montessori pre-math games.

1. Patterns

Being able to recognize patterns is a very important math skill. You can practice this by using pens and making a line of dots with different color patterns. For example: Blue, green, blue, green then having the child draw the dot that would be next in the pattern. You can also use playdough, balls, legos, any toy that is the same and has different colors.

2. Sort and Classify Objects

Encourage your child to group toys by color, size, or shape. Sorting helps develop critical thinking and categorization skills, which are essential for math.

3. Play with Blocks and Puzzles

Building with blocks improves spatial awareness, problem-solving, and shape recognition. Puzzles help with logic and pattern recognition, both of which are key math skills.

4. Sing Counting Songs and Rhymes

Songs like “Five Little Ducks” and “Ten in the Bed” make learning numbers fun and memorable. Music helps reinforce counting and number sequencing.

5. More and less

Get multiples of the same object that are all the same for example: balls, Pom poms, blocks, crayons…etc. Put a smaller amount in one bowl or box, then put a larger amount in the other. Make it obvious at first which one has more and less. Ask the child, “Which bowl has more crayons?” Or “Which bowl has less?” Practice with different objects and different amounts.

6. Hide and Seek

Exposure to numbers is key for retention. Playing hide and seek is a fun way to repeat counting. Close your eyes and have the child hide while you count to 10 loudly so they can hear. Then find the child. If the child wants to take a turn seeking then help them count.

7. Play Board Games with Dice

Games like Chutes and Ladders, Uno, or Dominoes introduce number recognition, counting, and strategic thinking. Rolling dice helps children associate numbers with quantity.

8. Matching Memory Game

The child can learn to match numbers without knowing what the numbers are. You can use uno cards and play a memory matching game by placing the cards upside down and taking turns flipping two over to find a match. Whoever finds the most matches wins.

9. Odd One Out

This game is another way to help children recognize patterns and categorize objects. Get items from around the house. 3 items that are similar and one that is not. For example 3 kitchen spatulas and 1 toothbrush. Ask the child if they can guess which item does not belong there.

10. What's Missing Game

Strengthening memory is important step before teaching the child letters. Get 4-5 objects from around the house. Tell the child to remember the objects and have them close their eyes and you take one object away: have the child open their eyes and ask which one is missing.

The best way to prepare your child for math is through play and exploration. By incorporating these activities into everyday life, you’ll help your child develop confidence and a love for math—without making it feel like work. Start small, have fun, and celebrate their progress along the way!