Create a number scavenger hunt for your preschoolers. Make a grid of numbers on a piece of paper. Give each child a grid and a crayon. Send the children to look for the numbers in the room, building or take them on a small walk to look for them. They should look for house numbers, car plate numbers, numbers on a calendar, or in books and magazines. Instruct the children to make a mark or color the square on the grid every time they find a number. This game will help children learn to recognize the numbers in everyday situations.
Make cards numbered from one to ten. Place the cards upside down and mix them. Have a child pick two cards and put them in order. Have another child pick a third card and determine where it would go to follow the order from one to ten. Continue until all the cards are in order. This game will help children learn the sequence of numbers.
Take ten paper plates and write a number from one to ten on each one. Give the children small items such as beans, uncooked pasta or beads. Instruct the children to count and put as many items on each plate as the written number says. Give items to the children that are big enough to prevent choking hazards if outside of a classroom environment.
Create memory cards. Write each number from one to ten on a card and on other cards make dots for each number. Instruct the children to turn the cards upside down and match the cards by turning over two at a time. If they don't match have them turn them back down and use their memory to flip cards that match.
Send the children on a treasure hunt. Give the children a list of certain things they need to find in specific amounts, such as three leaves, two pencils and five blocks. Give the children a bag to place their items. Once the children find all the items have them count them to verify they have everything. Give the children a prize for their work.
Instruct the children to make their own counting books. Have them draw each number on a piece of construction paper and draw items to match the numbers, such as circles, smiley faces or blocks. Allow the children to decorate the books as they wish, and tell them to make sheets for the numbers one to ten. Make holes in the sheets using a three-hole punch. Lace the books to finish them.