Egg Carton Counting: A Creative Math Activity for Toddlers

Turning Everyday Items Into a Fun Math Game for Toddlers

Some people see an empty egg carton and toss it in the recycling bin. Others see it and think, That would make an excellent toddler math game. If you’re reading this, you’re officially in the second group (welcome!).

Egg carton counting is a hands-on, engaging way to introduce number recognition, counting skills, and even basic addition practice—all using an item you were probably going to throw away. It’s also part of my Activities with Random Household Objects series, where we turn everyday items into toddler-friendly learning tools. This is Activity #3 in my lineup of activities using an egg carton, and trust me, this one is as easy as it gets.

So, grab an egg carton, some tiny objects (mini rubber ducks, pom-poms, dry beans—whatever you have lying around), and let’s get counting!

Why Egg Carton Counting is a Must-Try

1. No Prep, No Fuss: If you have an egg carton and something small to count, you’re set. No need for a run to the craft store—just grab what you have on hand.
2. Learning Disguised as Play: Toddlers won’t even realize they’re practicing math skills, but you’ll know they’re working on number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, and early addition.
3. Built-In Fine Motor Practice: Picking up small objects and placing them in the right spots helps strengthen those tiny hand muscles, which are essential for future writing and self-care skills.
4. Encourages Independent Learning: Once your child gets the hang of it, they can explore counting and sorting on their own—giving you a few precious moments of quiet (or at least fewer interruptions).

How to Set Up Egg Carton Counting

What You’ll Need:

• An 18-count egg carton (cut in half to create two 3×3 grids)
• A marker
• Small objects for counting (mini rubber ducks, buttons, beads, pom-poms, or even snacks)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep the Egg Carton: Take your 18-count egg carton and cut it in half, so you have two separate 3×3 sections. These will become your counting trays.
2. Label the Spaces: Using a marker, write numbers 1 through 9 inside each egg slot. Keep it simple, or add fun designs around the numbers to make them more visually engaging.
3. Gather Counting Objects: Find small objects for counting. Mini rubber ducks work great, but you can also use pom-poms, dry beans, LEGOs, buttons, or even goldfish crackers (because, let’s be honest, they’ll probably get eaten anyway).
4. Start Counting!: Have your child place the correct number of objects into each numbered slot. Encourage them to count out loud as they go to reinforce number recognition and one-to-one correspondence.

Fun Variations to Keep It Interesting

1. Basic Addition Practice: Once your child is comfortable counting, start introducing simple addition problems. For example: “Can you put three ducks in this space and two ducks in that one? How many ducks do we have in total?” of “If we add one more to the four spot, how many will we have?”
2. Sorting by Color or Type: Mix things up by having your child sort by color or type. For example, if you’re using pom-poms, challenge them to put only blue ones in odd-numbered spaces and red ones in even-numbered spaces.
3. Sensory Play Add-On: Turn this into a sensory experience by hiding the counting objects in a bowl of dry rice or beans. Have your child dig them out and place them in the correct numbered spots.
4. Snack Time Counting: Use small snacks like goldfish crackers, raisins, or cereal pieces as counting objects. Not only does this make the activity extra fun, but it also gives them a built-in snack break (win-win).
5. Outdoor Nature Hunt: Take the egg carton outside and collect natural objects—acorns, pebbles, flower petals—then match them to the numbers in the carton.

The Learning Benefits of Egg Carton Counting

This simple activity goes beyond just keeping your toddler entertained. Here’s what they’re learning while they play:

1. Number Recognition

Seeing and interacting with numbers in a hands-on way helps toddlers recognize and remember them more easily.

2. One-to-One Correspondence

This is an important early math skill—understanding that each number corresponds to a specific quantity.

3. Fine Motor Skills

Placing small objects into the egg carton slots strengthens hand-eye coordination and pincer grasp development.

4. Early Addition and Subtraction

By adding or removing objects, kids start to grasp basic math concepts without even realizing it.

5. Independent Play and Confidence Building

As toddlers master the activity, they gain confidence in their counting abilities and start exploring numbers on their own.

MORE WAYS TO PLAY WITH AN EGG CARTON

If your kids love this egg carton activity (and they definitely will), you’ll want to explore even more ways to play with this everyday item. An egg carton is surprisingly versatile, offering a wealth of creative learning opportunities. Here are a few more ideas to keep the fun going:

1. Egg Carton Color Sticks – Use colored sticks or craft sticks and match them to the corresponding colors in the egg carton for a fun color recognition game.
2. Egg Carton Color Hunt – Find colorful objects around the house and have your child find them and place them in the corresponding sections of the egg carton.
3. Egg Carton Addition – Label each compartment with a simple addition problem (like 1+2, 3+5, etc.). Then, fill each compartment with the correct number of miniature ducks (or other small objects) to represent the sum.
4. Egg Carton Geoboard – Stretch rubber bands across the compartments to create shapes and designs, helping kids practice geometry and fine motor skills.
5. Egg Carton Paint Tray – Use the compartments to hold different paint colors, allowing your child to dip their brush and create a colorful masterpiece.

Simple Activities Using What You Already Have

Egg carton counting is proof that you don’t need fancy supplies or complicated setups to create meaningful learning experiences at home. With a little creativity, everyday household objects can turn into engaging, skill-building activities for your toddler.

This is just Activity #3 in my Activities with Random Household Objects series—stay tuned for more simple, hands-on ways to make learning fun!

Mini Counting Ducks

Black Permanent Markers