Simple board games help preschoolers practice counting, number recognition, and turn-taking in a low-pressure, social way. These games work especially well when math is woven into playtime instead of taught as a lesson.
Below are our favorite board and tabletop games for early math learning, with tips on how to use each one intentionally at home.
Fun Picks for Early Math
🐔 Count Your Chickens!
What it teaches: Counting, one-to-one correspondence, cooperation
How to play:
Players work together to move Mother Hen around the board, counting spaces and collecting chicks before reaching the coop.
Play-based tip:
Count each move out loud together and emphasize teamwork instead of winning. This removes pressure and builds confidence with numbers.
🔢 Zingo! Numbers & Counting
What it teaches: Number recognition, matching, counting
How to play:
Slide the Zingo dispenser to reveal number tiles and match them to your board.
Play-based tip:
Before placing a tile, name the number and count the objects on the card. Fast-paced games are great for visual learners.
🔐 Number Learning Locks
What it teaches: Number recognition, quantity matching, fine motor skills
How to play:
Children match each lock to the correct key by identifying the number, word, or dot pattern on the lock. Once matched, they unlock and open it.
Play-based tip:
Encourage your child to say the number out loud before trying a key. If unlocking feels tricky, that’s okay — the resistance is what strengthens finger muscles and builds patience. Start with just a few locks at a time to keep it inviting and frustration-free.
🧠 Numberblocks Memory Match
What it teaches: Number recognition, memory, focus
How to play:
Flip cards to find matching number pairs or quantities.
Play-based tip:
For younger preschoolers, play with the cards face up first. Say the number aloud every time a card is turned.
🔍 Boggle Jr. Numbers
What it teaches: Number identification, visual scanning
How to play:
Use prompts to find and match numbers on the grid.
Play-based tip:
Focus on finding numbers, not speed. Tracing numbers with fingers before placing pieces adds a sensory element.
🔢 Learning Journey Counting & Sorting Number Game
What it teaches: One-to-one correspondence, counting, sorting, early number recognition
How to play:
This self-correcting number game invites children to match the correct number of objects or counters to the number shown on a card. Simply draw a number card and place the matching quantity of objects in the designated area — the game design lets children check their own work.
Play-based tip:
Encourage children to count the objects slowly as they place each one. Let them know it’s okay to count multiple times — repetition builds confidence. This game also works well as an independent station while you narrate or play alongside.
🏰 Numberblocks: Race to Pattern Palace
What it teaches: Counting, pattern recognition
How to play:
Move pieces along the board while matching number and pattern prompts.
Play-based tip:
Let children describe what they see (“This one has three blocks!”). Language builds math understanding.
🐱 Pete the Cat Match It! Counting Tin
What it teaches: Counting, matching, number awareness
How to play:
Match number cards with the correct quantity images.
Play-based tip:
Use this as a warm-up before other number activities or during short play breaks.
🌈 Want the Full Preschool Learning Plan?
These board games are a bonus extension of our play-based preschool curriculum. If you’d like a full month of intentional, developmentally appropriate activities — including number play, fine motor work, sensory experiences, and guided videos — you can:
- Sign up to receive monthly curriculum updates
- Access our free preschool plans
- Explore the February Preschool Curriculum