Number Sense Games and Activities for Kids: Fun and Educational Counting with Cupcake Liners and Muffin Pans

NUMBER SENSE CUPCAKE ACTIVITY

Ready to sneak some math into playtime? We’re all about making learning fun, and what better way to do that than through cupcakes (well, cupcake tins, but you get it)? This isn’t just any cupcake decoration—this is a chance to build foundational number sense with your little ones while practicing fine motor skills. And if you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to turn an everyday object into an exciting learning experience, so let’s get started!

CUPCAKE LINER COUNTING ACTIVITY

This cupcake liner counting game is a perfect combo of easy, fun, and educational, plus it’s a sneaky way to work on fine motor skills (you’re welcome!). Let’s get counting, shall we?

Materials:

• Cupcake liners
• Permanent marker
• Jumbo tweezers or kid-friendly tongs
• Small objects (cereal pieces, craft pom-poms, buttons, etc.)

How to Play:

1. Grab your cupcake liners and number them using your permanent marker. Start small with 1 to 5, and add more as your little one gets the hang of it.
2. Lay them out on a flat surface—tray, table, whatever works.
3. Give your child some jumbo tweezers (or tongs, or anything that feels exciting to them) and let them go to town, picking up the small objects and counting as they go.
4. The goal? Match the number of objects to the number written in each cupcake liner. Simple, right? Plus, they’re practicing those hand-eye coordination skills, all while counting and learning!

MUFFIN PAN MATH WITH NUMBER FLASHCARDS

Let’s step up the counting game! Muffin tins aren’t just for baking; they’re also perfect for helping little ones understand numbers in an interactive, hands-on way.

Materials:

• Muffin pan
• Jumbo tweezers
• Number flashcards (Use code KATELYN06368 for 25% off!)
• Small objects (counting bears, buttons, beads, or anything that feels like a “counting” object)

How to Play:

1. Lay out your number flashcards, face down, next to the muffin pan.
2. Ask your child to pick one flashcard and identify the number.
3. Have them count the corresponding number of objects using those jumbo tweezers and place them into a section of the muffin pan.
4. Continue with more flashcards and objects to reinforce number recognition and counting skills.

Why This is Great:

• One-to-one correspondence: They’ll get a strong understanding that each number represents a specific quantity.
• Fine motor skills: Using those tweezers (or tongs!) builds hand strength and hand-eye coordination.
• Number recognition: Kids will start to associate the numeral with the quantity it represents.

FINE MOTOR SKILLS + MATH = A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

So why is working on fine motor skills such a big deal in math? Think of it like this: those small muscles in their hands and fingers aren’t just for writing or tying shoes; they’re key players in building math skills too.

Here’s how fine motor skills come into play with these activities:

• Coordination: Picking up and transferring small objects requires precise hand movements, which translates to better math skills (like counting!).
• Spatial awareness: Your child’s ability to fit objects in specific sections of the cupcake liner or muffin tin helps them develop spatial reasoning—an essential skill for math later on.
• Problem-solving: As they count and transfer objects, they’ll need to think about how many more they need to complete a set.
• Confidence: Completing a task successfully boosts confidence. Little math skills now lead to bigger skills later.

MORE WAYS TO PRACTICE ONE-TO-ONE CORRESPONDENCE

Ready for some more number fun? Check out these quick activities to reinforce the one-to-one correspondence concept.

• Number Walk: Take a stroll around the house or backyard and ask your child to collect a certain number of items. Then, count them together.
• Playdough Counting: Roll up some playdough into little balls and use them to represent different quantities. Match each ball with a number on a piece of paper.
• Number Hopscotch: Create a hopscotch grid with numbers written in each section. Call out numbers, and have your child jump to them while saying the number out loud.

LEARNING MADE EASY AND FUN!

Math doesn’t have to be boring, and the cupcake tin counting game and muffin pan math activities prove it. These activities are not only fun and engaging, but they also help your child build essential skills for the future. By adding in fine motor skills, number recognition, and one-to-one correspondence, you’re creating a solid foundation for your preschooler’s math journey. And hey, they’ll remember these fun learning moments forever. So grab a muffin tin, a cupcake liner, and start counting!

Disclaimer: Choking hazard—adult supervision is required! Always be mindful of small objects and supervise your child during these activities. Safety first!

Skillmatics Flashcards – Use Code KATELYN06368 for 25% off!

Jumbo Tweezers

Muffin Pan

Cupcake Liners

Black Permanent Markers