A number hunt is a creative way to get preschoolers active and to help them recognize numbers. Cut the numbers 1 through 10 out of card stock and hide them throughout a room. Have the children search for the numbers until they find them all. Help them lay the numbers out on a table or floor, and then place them in chronological order. This game can also be played using fewer numbers. Add intensity to the game by setting a clock or using music for a time limit.
Kids like prizes. The number walk game rewards them with prizes while teaching listening skills and number recognition. Write the numbers 1 to 20, each on a separate piece of paper. Tape the numbers to the floor in a circular pattern. Play music and instruct the kids to walk from number to number. When the music stops, so must the kids. Call out a number. Whoever is standing on that number wins a prize.
Learning how to estimate is a key math skill that kids begin to learn in preschool. The jumping number game teaches number sense, estimation and distance. Using index cards, create a set of challenge cards for the kids to pick from. Draw an object from the room on each card (e.g., a chair, a toy or the window). Use images on the cards since most preschoolers cannot read. Have each child pick out a card. Have the children predict how many jumps it will take to reach their objects. Have each child jump to his object while counting out loud how many jumps it takes.
Adding snacks to a math game makes it even more engaging. For this game, use small, healthy snacks like diced fruits, vegetables, cereal and nuts. Have each child roll a pair of dice. Count the numbers on the dice. Whatever number the child rolled is how many pieces of food she will get to eat. You can also teach early addition and subtraction by using the dice to form equations.