Every kid learns at their own pace, but counting up to 10 by age three or 100 by age four is a common developmental benchmark.
By turning number learning into a hands-on play activity, let’s see if we can’t aim a little higher? From the very beginnings of numbers recognition, to advanced sequences (like counting by 5s), and basic math operations (like addition and subtraction).
Get an age-appropriate numbers learning toy to take your preschooler “From Zero to Elementary”.
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Best Toys That Teach Preschool Numbers (Age 3-4)
(01) Gladfolk Maple / Walnut Solid Wood Number Blocks in Canvas Carry Bag
(02) Melissa & Doug Self-Correcting Wooden Number Puzzles and Storage Box
(03) Blue Ginko “Wood + Felt Balls” Preschool Number Sorting & Tracing Tray
(04) New Sky Enterprises Montessori Numerical Rods Preschool Early Development Toy
(05) Montessori & Me Reversible Wooden Numbers & Shapes Tracing Board with Stylus
(06) Busy People Easy-Carry Natural Wood Number Puzzle for Babies, Toddlers & Preschool
(07) Woodinout Eco-Friendly Natural Wood Numbers 0-9 Puzzle for Preschoolers
(08) Wolves Woodworks “Pegs & Tiles” 1-10 Montessori Counting Box Set
(09) Everwood Friends Maplewood Number Tracing Tiles (Learn to Write Numbers)
(10) Smiling Tree Toys Solid Hardwood Numbers Counting Building Blocks
(11) Three Wood Shop “One to Ten” Oak Wood Tracing Board with Felt Puff Counters
(12) SumBlox “3D Number Builder” 1-10 Beechwood Stacking Numbers
(13) EdX Education Math Manipulative “Plastic Linking Cubes” Classroom Learning Supplies
(14) Carson Dellosa Pre-K Two-Sided Number Flash Cards 0-25 (Deck of 54)
(15) School Zone Preschool & Kindergarten Object-Counting 0-25 Number Flashcards (Deck of 54)
(01) Gladfolk Maple / Walnut Solid Wood Number Blocks in Canvas Carry Bag
Gladfolk on Etsy (Maple, Walnut)
Introducing numbers to children as a game will make it easier for them to understand, rather than simply memorize. Having a set of wooden numbers at home can be a great learning tool. We can present the numbers individually so they can identify the shape with the phonetics, practice the sequence of pieces in numerical order, practice math problems, monetary amounts, count small toys and place the number that corresponds to the amount in front of them. Children are very visual, and this type of tool is widely used in Montessori methodology to facilitate mathematical understanding.
The basic set includes 10 numbers from 0 to 9 and comes with a cloth bag for storage. The set can be expanded to double or triple the amount of the same number sequence and can also include the symbols for math problems.
All numbers are handmade, made of maple wood or walnut wood (choose one of the two options), have rounded tips to avoid injury to young children, and the approximate size of each piece is 2.25 inches, perfect for early manipulation and fine motor skills.
This resource can be introduced to children as young as 2.5 years old.
(02) Melissa & Doug Self-Correcting Wooden Number Puzzles and Storage Box
I am a big fan of puzzles for children, especially if you combine the process of self-correction of pieces with mathematical learning. This set includes 40 cards divided into two groups. One is formed by the numbers from 1 to 20, and the other by elements and illustrations that represent the quantity of the number in question.
For example, a child who has in his hand the card corresponding to the number 2, will have to search among all the pieces, elements that only have 2 units drawn (2 baseballs), and join both pieces of the puzzle. This type of resources besides presenting the quantity associated with the number, encourages problem solving and fine motor skills, because each piece fits only with the correct answer.
The game is made of wood, with bright non-toxic colors, and has a wooden box for storage. This resource is designed for children from 4 years old.
(03) Blue Ginko “Wood + Felt Balls” Preschool Number Sorting & Tracing Tray
Blue Ginko on Amazon and Etsy
The number sorting trays is a Montessori tool that allows in an interactive and visual way, to conceptualize the concepts of quantity.
It comes divided into small squares with the numbers engraved from 1 to 10. It can be raised by asking the child to follow the shape of the number with his fingers or with the wooden pencil included to develop muscle memory. It can be used to give visual concept of quantity, because it includes 60 plush balls, to be placed in each slot, with the respective quantity.
For example, we ask the child to take 2 balls and place them where the number 2 is, and so on with all the numbers, this gives them a visual understanding of quantity.
It also works on fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, sensoriality with the plush balls and concentration.
The entire board is made of wood with a length of 15.95×8.15 inches, and can be used with children as young as 3 years old.
(04) New Sky Enterprises Montessori Numerical Rods Preschool Early Development Toy
The red and blue rods of Montessori methodology initiate the little ones in the recognition of the numbers from 1 to 10 in a natural and intuitive way.
This set includes 10 red and blue rods that gradually increase in diameter to teach children in a visual way, the difference between a small and large number. Remember that Maria Montessori states that children learn faster and better, if we bring abstract concepts to practical life. In fact, mathematics brought to tangible concepts, is more interesting to children, as it is still raised in traditional education.
The whole resource is made of wood, comes in a box for storage and has 10 cards with the numbers from 1 to 10 to relate the rods to each of them.
This game can be introduced to children from 3 and a half years old.
(05) Montessori & Me Reversible Wooden Numbers & Shapes Tracing Board with Stylus
This dual Montessori tracing board allows children to follow with their fingers or with a wooden pencil the shape of the numbers from 0 to 9 and on the other side, they can follow 6 types of geometric figures, to give them some knowledge about geometry.
Practicing tracing with the fingers is a sensory way of recognizing shapes and elements, besides preparing the hand to have the posture and muscle memory at the time of writing.
In addition, this type of resource allows to teach the chronology of the first numbers, and to name the shapes that are often present in their toys.
The board is made of natural ecological wood, and has a length of 8 x 5 x 0.6 inches.
This resource is suitable for children from 3 years old.
(06) Busy People Easy-Carry Natural Wood Number Puzzle for Babies, Toddlers & Preschool
A wooden puzzle with the numbers from 1 to 10, can represent many activities for children from 3 years old. The board comes with holes to fit the 10 numbers. They are large enough to fit the hands of the youngest children. It can be used as a puzzle, as a guide to learn the chronology of numbers, as a sensory resource to train the hands with the pencil grip, as a memory game and to develop logical thinking because all the numbers are in order.
It is handmade of natural ecological wood and the size of the board is 12.2×4.7 inches (31.7х12.4 cm). It can be ordered with the numbers in wood color, or choose from a wide range of colors.
(07) Woodinout Eco-Friendly Natural Wood Numbers 0-9 Puzzle for Preschoolers
A variation of the Montessori number puzzles is this board option with the numbers 0 to 9. Perfect to start with children as young as 2 and a half years old. The numbers are thick and large enough to be manipulated by small hands. It can improve motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and allow for early number recognition.
Handmade with natural wood and eco-friendly paint finish, it is 6×10 inches long and each number measures 2.7 inches.
(08) Wolves Woodworks “Pegs & Tiles” 1-10 Montessori Counting Box Set
A very educational set in the best Montessori style to teach counting and numbers from 1 to 10. Each board comes with the image of the number and holes with the amount associated with the number in question.
The purpose of this resource is to understand the counting, because the child must insert as many cylinders to the board, as holes are found. It also practices fine motor skills, because of the dexterity required to insert the cylinders, logical thinking, and hand-eye coordination.
The set is made of wood, and comes with 10 cards with the pre-recorded numbers from 1 to 10, plus holes related to the amount, and also brings 54 cylinders to insert into the boards. This resource is suitable for children from 3 years old.
(09) Everwood Friends Maplewood Number Tracing Tiles (Learn to Write Numbers)
The tracing mozaics are an excellent resource for children to keep track of numbers with their fingers or wooden pencils. As they are individual pieces, they can be shared among several children and work at the same time in solving the problem, and support each other with hand movements.
The whole set is made of natural wood, with non-toxic finish, includes 10 boards with the numbers from 0 to 9, and can be ordered with a central guide line that will support children in muscle memory skills. If not desired with the lines, it can be ordered with a smooth finish.
(10) Smiling Tree Toys Solid Hardwood Numbers Counting Building Blocks
A beautiful and durable set of 10 building blocks that can accompany your child from teething through age 4. It is made of organic cherry wood, maple, walnut, camelina oil, and beeswax. It has a design of the numbers 0 to 9 on one side and their representation with shapes on the other.
Shapes include oval, trapezoid, triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, diamond, star, and circle. Blocks are 1.4 inches in diameter, and are lightweight. Suitable for children’s little hands. They will begin by using the blocks to form towers, and later, you can show the engraving of numbers, and their representation in shapes to enter the world of mathematical counting.
(11) Three Wood Shop “One to Ten” Oak Wood Tracing Board with Felt Puff Counters
This tracing board allows you to represent the numbers from 0 to 10, make the guiding movement with both pencil and fingers, and associate each number to a set of plush balls to give visual sense to the quantity.
The advantage of this board is that not only can you place the balls in the holes described below the numbers, but they can also be placed in the center of the board horizontally for individual counting.
Develops children’s ability to write numbers and count through balls.
Includes two wooden pencils and a box with more than 50 felt balls. Felt. The whole set is handmade with oak wood and natural non-toxic finish for the little ones.
(12) SumBlox “3D Number Builder” 1-10 Beechwood Stacking Numbers
This ingenious set of solid wood number blocks, allows children to visually demonstrate the conceptualization of numbers and their respective values. The design of the numbers in shape and size allow them to order the numbers in an increasing order, visualizing in staircase a smaller size (1) to an increasing size until reaching the number 10.
It also allows to teach the first strokes of the sum, or the relationship of small numbers to obtain a larger result. For example, if the number 3 is placed in a column and another 3 on top, and we place next to it the number 6 which is twice as big, the child can “see” that the 6 is obtained by adding twice 3. It is a resource that is widely used in the Montessori methodology, suitable from 3 years old.
The set contains 38 mini building blocks and guide cards, to facilitate the understanding of the game for children and parents.
(13) EdX Education Math Manipulative “Plastic Linking Cubes” Classroom Learning Supplies
These colored cubes are a super fun resource with which children can practice different math and logic activities.
They can make constructions, towers, geometric shapes and practice different mathematical topics such as: counting by units, addition, subtraction, greater than or less than, sequencing colors or geometric shapes, algebra, measurements, and much more…
The math cubes include 10 colors and present shapes on five sides: circle, square, triangle, pentagon and hexagon. They are also a useful resource for practicing pattern making, creativity and fine motor skills.
They fit together on all sides, and measure 0.7 inches. Comes in a set of 100 plastic cubes, and includes an activity guide created by math teachers to get the most out of the product.
(14) Carson Dellosa Pre-K Two-Sided Number Flash Cards 0-25 (Deck of 54)
The counting cards and visual recognition of numbers, is a good way to reinforce to the child the number scale from 1 to 25. They are classified in number by their shape, how each number is written and with elements and illustrations with the numerical quantity.
The game ideas are varied, from showing only the number cards and teaching the mathematical sequence from 1 to 25, matching each number with the corresponding quantity: for example the number 2 with the two fish, forming groups between the number, the quantity and how the number is written, playing to order the numbers from highest to lowest, among others.
The set includes 54 cards, with a bonus of cards with additional games described inside.
I like the cards as a support material for children from 4 years old, when they have previously mastered basic concepts, because it makes it more fun for them to match quantities.
The material of the cards is super resistant and of a larger size than a traditional card, so that it is easy to manipulate with little hands.
(15) School Zone Preschool & Kindergarten Object-Counting 0-25 Number Flashcards (Deck of 54)
A set of number and counting cards with a super colorful design, ideal for children from 4 years old.
This set includes cards with the numbers from 1 to 25, their written form, animals and illustrations alluding to the numerical quantity, and cards with the symbols for addition, subtraction and equals.
You can practice counting in chronological order, you can pair the number with the illustrated quantity and you can teach how to write the number.
You can also play addition or subtraction, involving the number cards and placing the mathematical symbols included in the set.
It is a card game that offers different ways to learn numbers and basic mathematical operations.
The size of each card is 3.0x 5.575 inches, and the material is super strong with a glossy finish.
