Just like most things in life, learning can be a bit more fun and engaging if you incorporate games! Montessori math is no different — in fact, even some of the traditional Montessori math lessons have already been gamified. Here are a few other ways to use games when learning about numbers.

Counting Games

Count everything in the wild. Count out loud everything throughout your daily life — the steps as you walk upstairs, trees as you walk past them on the sidewalk, spoonfuls as you serve food, etc. Before long, your child will begin joining you!

Alternate counting. This can be done with a small group or just one child. You start counting (1), then the child says the next number (2), you continue on (3), and the child says the next number (4). Continue as far as you can go!

Sandpaper Numbers Games

The Knock-Knock Game. Take a bunch of the sandpaper numbers that your child has already mastered and turn them all upside down. Knock on one like you’re knocking on a door, then turn it over and name it. Repeat until they’ve all been named.

I Have, Who Has. You need several children for this, but it works if you have a large family or are in a classroom or co-op situation. Pass out the sandpaper numbers, one to each child, and have everyone keep their number a secret. Begin the game by naming your number: “I have [four]. Who has [seven]?” The child who has that number takes their turn: “I have [seven]. Who has [five]?” Continue until all of the numbers have been revealed.

Colored Bead Bars Games

Go shopping. Place price tags on objects around the room, then have the child choose what they want to buy. They can pay you with colored bead bars!

Snake Game. The snake game is a fun way to practice adding to ten. Place several bead bars together, with bars that add up to 10 together. For example, you could have eight and two, then four and six, then five and five. Count the beads until you reach 10, then replace those beads with a 10 bead bar.

Golden Beads Games

Bring Me Game. Name a certain number and the child must bring you that number from the Golden Beads Bank. For example, “Bring me 400,” and the child brings you 4 hundred squares.

Secret Numbers. Write a secret 4 digit number on a slip of paper, then pass it to the child. The child reads the number, makes it with the card material, and then gathers that amount with the Golden Beads.

Numbers in the Wild/Fact Cards. Find cards that list number facts (like how many bones are in a human skeleton, found in my Human Body Bundle), then make that number with the Golden Beads.

The Exchange Game. Gather a whole bunch of golden beads, making sure that you have more than 10 of each unit other than thousands. Start counting them with the unit beads. Stop when you get to 10, gather them all up, take them to the bank, and exchange them with a ten bead bar. Continue counting the units. Then do the same with the tens and the hundreds.

To learn more about Montessori math, check out my e-course: