Free Math Activities for Kids: Count and Collect

Need an easy way to help teach young kids counting skills? Fun math activities are one of the methods I use with my kids as a mom and homeschool teacher. Count and Collect is just one of the many games I've invented to help teach my kids how to count, add, and subtract faster. The great thing about this game is that even if they don't know the facts, they can learn while doing it incorrectly.

Give your child a bag or basket and start the game. Playing Count and Collect is very simple. Ask your child to bring you a particular number of items by collecting them in the basket or bag. For instance, I might say "Bring me three books" and wait for the child to collect them. When the child brings the items, they should be counted aloud. If the child brings the wrong number of items, let them know they did a good job, but need to try again. Repeat this process with different numbers and different items.

Use Count and Collect to teach colors and shapes as well. One variation of this math game allows room for teaching colors and shapes, in addition to counting skills. The games should be played the same way, except you will specify shapes and colors. For instance, you might say " Bring me five yellow things" or "I need three triangles". With repeated practice, I've seen this significantly increase cor and shape skills in kids.

Count and Collect also teaches addition skills. To teach addition skills, first have them bring one set if items and ask how many you will need to make a new number. You might say "Bring me three hats" and the follow up with "How many more hats do I need to make ten?" Your child may not understand this concept in the very beginning. But with practice, it should get better. Once the child understands the concept well, I like to move the learning to worksheets and other methods.

Subtraction skills are a snap with Count and Collect. Teaching subtraction with this game is similar to the addition variation. Instead of asking the child about additional items, ask how many should be taken away. You might say "Bring me seven pennies" and then ask "How many will there be if I take away five?" or "How many should I take away to make three?" Like with the addition, you may have to offer explanations at first. However, in time, you'll see your child getting into the concept.

Practice daily for the best results. This is the most important thing to remember. If you don't practice daily, it's easy for your child to forget. Then, you may have to go back and repeat lessons. Daily practice keeps the lesson active in your child's mind. It also makes it easier to understand what is happening. I recommend sessions of 20 minutes each at least once per day, twice if possible. You should be doing this until your child has mastered counting, adding, and subtracting the items. Also, be sure your child has mastered colors and shapes.

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