• Numbers are everywhere.numbers image by Amer Delibasic from Fotolia.com
  
  Activities for kids help them improve their recognition of numbers. Number activities also help kids improve in their counting and basic operations, such as addition and subtraction. Many everyday activities give the opportunity to practice the use of numbers. Whether in a classroom setting or at home, simple number activities are both entertaining and educational for kids.
  
  

Supermarket Counting

• Counting at the supermarket makes the trip more interesting for the kids and helps them with their counting. The kids can count the items as you place them in the cart. You can also give them a copy of the list and help them cross off each item as it is collected. They can then count to see how many items remain on the list. The supermarket also displays lots of numbers on the prices, aisle signs and on the product containers themselves. Ask the kids to search for as many numbers as possible.
  
  

Number Art

• A drawing of a large number creates the background for a math art project for kids. Let them paint or color the number to add some color to the art. Then have them draw or glue the associated number of items to the picture. For example, they might glue five buttons onto the number 5. Stickers, pictures, beads, craft sticks, pompoms and other craft supplies are all possibilities for objects on the number art. The artwork can also be turned into a number book by stapling the pages together.
  
  

Number Search

• A number search activity helps the kids recognize the look of particular numbers. You need small cards with different numbers written on them. The specific numbers depend on the age of the kids and the type of numbers you're working on. The cards are hidden around the room. The kids then hunt for the numbers. You can customize the activity to focus on certain numbers. For example, you might ask the kids to collect only even numbers while leaving the odd numbers in place. For older kids, give them a basic math problem and have them find the card with the correct answer on it.
  
  

Cap Toss

• A cap toss number activity uses counting in an entertaining format. You'll need coffee cans or small boxes. Mark each container with a different number. The kids then toss bottle caps or other small objects into the containers. The number of objects they toss in the can must match the number written on the outside of the container.