Number Sense Games for Kids

What Is Number Sense?

Number sense is the intuitive understanding and familiarity with numbers and their relationships. It goes beyond rote memorization and involves grasping the magnitude, order, and basic arithmetic operations of numbers.

A strong number sense helps children to make estimations, compare quantities, and apply mathematical principles in their everyday lives with confidence. 

Example: When kids divide a pizza among friends, number sense helps them estimate fair shares and distribute slices equally. They may compare prices while shopping, mentally calculate change, or gauge how many toys can fit in a box without counting each one.

In essence, number sense refers to an individual's capacity to grasp, relate, and establish connections with numbers. It is a broad topic that covers a wide range of concepts or number skills such as a deep understanding of numbers, their relationships, number recognition, counting, writing numbers, skip counting, understanding place values, and working with different types of numbers.

What Are Numbers?

Numbers are fundamental symbols used to represent quantities or values. They play a crucial role in mathematics and our daily lives.

​​Numbers are essential tools in various aspects of life, from simple tasks like counting money or measuring ingredients in a recipe to complex applications in engineering, finance, and science. Proficiency in numbers empowers children to make informed decisions, solve problems, and navigate the world with confidence. 

What Are the Different Types of Numbers?

• Whole Numbers: Whole numbers are used for representing quantities without fractions or decimal value.
  Whole numbers = {0, 1, 2, 3,...}
• Natural Numbers: Natural numbers are most commonly used for counting. They are also called counting numbers. Natural numbers start from 1.
  Natural Numbers = N = {1, 2, 3,...} 
• Integers: Integers include positive integers, negative integers, and 0.
  Integers = Z = {..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3…} 
  0 is neither positive nor negative. It is simply an integer.
  Integers that are divisible by 2 are called Even integers. Integers that are not divisible by 2 are called Odd integers. Learn more with Even and Odd Numbers Games and engage your child in a fun and educational math adventure!
• Fractions: Fractions are numbers representing parts of a whole, written as \(\frac{a}{b}\), where a and b are whole numbers, \(b\neq 0\). Here,  'a' is the numerator and 'b' is the denominator.
  For example, in the given diagram, the pink shaded portion represents the fraction \(\frac{6}{8}\), meaning 6 parts of 8.

• Decimals: Decimals are numbers with a whole number part and a fractional part separated by a decimal point. Decimals can be terminating and non-terminating. Non-terminating decimals are further classified as recurring and non-recurring.
• Rational Numbers: Rational numbers are the numbers of the form \(\frac{p}{q}\), where p and q are integers, \(q \neq 0\).
  All fractions, terminating decimals, repeating decimals, or numbers that can be expressed in the rational form are rational numbers. 
• Irrational Numbers: Irrational numbers are numbers that cannot be expressed in the rational form \(\frac{p}{q}\), where p and q are integers, \(q \neq 0\). Example: \(\sqrt{2}\) , π, etc.
  Numbers with non-terminating and non-repeating decimal expansion are irrational numbers.
• Real Numbers: Real numbers encompass all rational and irrational numbers.
  Moving beyond real numbers, we encounter complex numbers, which are part of advanced math studies.

What Are Different Number Sense Skills and Components?

Number sense includes vital skills that help children comprehend, connect, and work with numbers proficiently. Let's explore some of these essential abilities for a clearer understanding.

Number Recognition

Number recognition refers to the ability to identify and name numbers accurately. It is a fundamental skill that forms the basis for mathematical understanding. Children with strong number recognition can recognize numerals and associate them with quantities, which is crucial for counting, adding, and subtracting. 

Check out Number Recognition Games and get a better idea about this skill! 

Number Sequence

Number sequence refers to the ordered arrangement of numbers, typically in ascending or descending order. It is a fundamental concept that helps children comprehend numerical patterns, count fluently, and identify missing numbers. 

Explore Number Sequence Games and become a number sequence pro!

Counting

Counting is the basic skill of numbering things in order, like counting the fingers on your hand or the objects in your room. It's an important step for learning math and helps with adding and subtracting numbers later on. 

Engage your child in fun Counting Games and activities to strengthen this skill and instill a love for math from an early age. Explore our exciting counting games now!

Writing Numbers

Writing numbers is the ability to represent numerical symbols accurately on paper or digitally. This crucial skill lays the groundwork for mathematical expression and communication. By practicing writing numbers, children build confidence in expressing quantities, and it paves the way for more complex mathematical concepts. 

Encourage your child to master this skill with our engaging Writing Numbers Games, which include fun activities like tracing numbers to build confidence in numerical expression. Start the learning adventure today!

Comparing and Ordering Numbers

Comparing and ordering numbers involves understanding the relationships between different numerical values. It enables children to identify which numbers are greater, smaller, or equal. This essential skill is crucial for making money decisions, understanding measurements, and solving everyday problems. 

Boost your child's proficiency with our interactive Compare and Order Numbers Games. Start the learning journey now!

Skip Counting

Skip counting is a counting technique where numbers are recited by skipping a certain amount in between. It helps children grasp patterns and count faster, making it easier to perform multiplication and division later on. 

Nurture this skill with our enjoyable Skip Counting Games, boosting mathematical confidence in your child. Make learning fun today!

Place Value

Place values refer to the value of digits based on their position in a number. Understanding place values is essential for reading and writing large numbers, as each digit holds a different place and value. 

Place values play a crucial role in expressing numbers in expanded form (using the value of each digit) and word form (writing numbers in words). Understanding place values enables accurate representations of numerical quantities in different formats.

Example 1: 25

25: Two Tens and Five Ones

Example 2: 461

Strengthen your child's number sense with our interactive Place Values Games, making math learning enjoyable and effective. Embark on the learning journey now!

Progression of Number Sense Concepts across Grades Pre-K to 5

Playful Learning: Math Tools for Number Sense

The kindergarten curriculum introduces visual math tools for a profound understanding of numbers 0 to 9. 

Base 10 Blocks

The comprehension of numbers starts with the digit “1” represented using a finger or a single stick object such as a pencil or a cube/block. For the numbers after 1, the cubes are clubbed together to form 2, 3, 4 and 5. In a similar manner, the number “10” is represented using a tower of ten blocks. With the simultaneous development of counting skills in each grade, the larger numbers in the range of hundred are formed using a grid.

Following image represents the formulation of numbers 1 to 5 and “10” using base-10 blocks.

Counters and Number Charts

Children's language comprehension grows as they identify objects like pins, beads, crayons, and toys with multiple pieces, fostering math sense. Colorful counters, along with picture-based charts, provide effective techniques to learn and comprehend numbers. These counters help children understand numbers and arrangements, facilitating counting practice during preschool activities.

How Can Children Use the Number Sense Skills in Real Life?

Children can confidently apply their number skills to real-life situations, from counting money and comparing prices to problem-solving and budgeting. Here are a few pointers:

• Counting: Children can use counting skills to keep track of items, like counting money or tallying the number of books in a library.
• Comparing: Number sense helps children compare prices while shopping, compare quantities in recipes, or understand the difference in ages of family members.
• Estimating: Number sense enables kids to make quick estimates, such as estimating the cost of groceries or predicting how much time a task will take.
• Problem-Solving: Number sense aids in solving everyday problems, like figuring out how many guests can fit at a table or how many slices of pizza each person can have.
• Budgeting: Children can apply number sense to manage money, budgeting their allowance or saving for a specific purchase.

Importance of Introducing Number Sense Concepts to Kids through Games

• Fun Learning: Number sense math games make learning enjoyable, keeping kids motivated and eager to explore mathematical concepts.
• Real-Life Application: Number sense games provide practical contexts where children can apply their skills to solve everyday problems, fostering better understanding.
• Effective Practice: Interactive math number games offer hands-on experiences, reinforcing number sense concepts effectively and promoting a deeper grasp of math skills.
• Build Confidence: Through games, kids gain confidence in working with numbers, boosting their self-assurance in tackling math challenges inside and outside the classroom.

Learning Number Sense: Number Games vs. Traditional Methods

• Engaging and Motivating: Number games for kids immerse children in interactive challenges and rewards, making learning enjoyable. For example, instead of simply memorizing addition facts, kids can play interactive addition games that engage them in real-life scenarios, promoting a stronger grasp of number relationships.
• Interactive Learning: Math games encourage active participation. Traditional methods often rely on textbook reading, which can get boring and monotonous to children. For instance, children can manipulate virtual base-10 blocks in games to grasp place value concepts, facilitating better comprehension.
• Real-Life Applications: Math games offer practical scenarios where children apply number sense skills, such as budgeting in a virtual store or calculating change in a money-counting game. This hands-on experience enables them to connect math to real-life situations more effectively compared to textbook exercises alone.

What Are 5 Best Number Games Online?

Here are a few amazing learning numbers games by SplashLearn:

• Skip Count by 1’s Game
• Fill in the Missing Numbers Game
• Trace the Number Nineteen Game
• Composing Teen Numbers Game
• Compare to Find More and Less Game