This activity is easy and helpful for any child learning to add. Grab some baskets and tape numbers to them. Then, write...
This activity is easy and helpful for any child learning to add. Grab some baskets and tape numbers to them. Then, write simple addition questions on plastic balls. Invite your child to start adding the numbers together and throwing the ball into the basket with the right answer.
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Count your findings: Have your child count how many balls there are in each basket.
Get competitive: If there are other children around, make it a race.
What you'll need
- 4-5 baskets (e.g. laundry baskets or small bins)
- Dry-erase marker
- Plastic balls (or tape equations onto small soft toys)
- Paper
- Painter’s tape
- Marker
Step by step
Step 1
On the plastic balls, write some simple addition questions and set aside to dry. Have multiple balls use different equations that have the same answer so they end up in the same basket together.
Step 2
Write the answers on small pieces of paper and tape each one to a basket.
Step 3
Explain the rules to your child: solve the math problem, find the basket with the right answer and then throw the ball into the basket.
Step 4
Get adding!
More ideas
️ For older preschoolers: Expand into subtraction, multiplication and division questions.
️ For younger toddlers: Make this one a simple matching game for your younger child and you can also let older children help them.
Playful questions
What numbers do you know?
Can you count to ten for me?
What numbers are on the basket?
How do we add numbers together?
Which basket should this ball go into?
Learning outcomes
Cognitive
Completing simple number operations
Adding and subtracting one from a set