Number Symbols

 


What does a number look like? If you start to look out for them, numbers are everywhere and we don't think twice about them. When you start to introduce number symbols to the children, you are looking to introduce the digits 0 to 9 with the aim that children begin to recognise them and understand that they represent a count or measurement.

Number Symbols Day to Day

  • Hunt for numbers with your toddler - on buses and taxis and cars, on doors and gates and shop fronts, in shops and at home.
  • Point out numbers in conversation. Ask your child to help you "look for the number 6 bus" or "put 2 plates on the table".
  • Play games that encourage children to recognise numbers. Simple dice games are ideal, especially if you find a dice with numbers rather than dots on it. You will find some dice games in the resources section below.
  • Handle numbers. There are many ways you can do this.
    • Use our Number Lacing Cards (below) both as lacing cards or as fun large laminated numbers to handle and play with. We've got plenty more options below to choose from.
    • Some children find using playdough to form the number shapes helpful for remembering them. If yours might, try printing out our simple Number Playdough Mats below.
    • Buy a set of magnetic numbers and display them on the fridge.
    • Use numbers at bath time! Cut numbers out of craft foam using our Number Templates and play with them in the bath.
    • Or use our number templates to cut numbers out of felt, colourful card, wrapping paper or scrapbook paper and decorate your walls, your fridge, the bedroom...
  • Display numbers. We have many simple number posters, number cards and number lines that you can put up on display. You will find the most appropriate for this stage below.

Here's a fun way to practice number recognition - and kids have been enjoying it for years!

Colour by Number
Colour by Number

Our Resources

Apple Number Posters

Apple Number Posters

Our apple and number posters come in a choice of red or green apples. Chose from one or the other or mix and match to show number patterns such as odds and evens.

Apple Tree Dice Game

Apple Tree Dice Game

This is a fun number recognition game for an adult to play with a child, or for two children. It is easy to learn and quick to play, and there's lots of opportunity for counting too.

Balloons Dice Game

Balloons Dice Game

Balloons is an ideal early learning dice game for little kids. We've got a fun printable and 4 variations to play with different ages.

Digit Cards

Digit Cards

These number illustrations make this set of "digit" cards fun as well as useful! We have the numbers 0 to 9 in this set.

Digit Cards 2

Digit Cards 2

Here is a set of printable digit cards with colourful numbers printing 2 to a page. We've provided alternative numbers too so that you can find your favourite style. Use these cards for counting and matching activities or perhaps as reference on your tables.

Earth Number Posters

Earth Number Posters

These lovely big bright posters show the numbers 1-20 on the earth, making them perfect for Earth Day. We think they would brighten up the classroom any time, though! We have a matching set of Earth Alphabet Posters.

Farmyard Game Board Printable

Farmyard

The more hands-on practice young children have with counting, the easier it becomes to visualize numbers and give meaning to them. This farmyard game makes early learning fun!

Football Number Posters

Football Number Posters

We have the numbers zero through 20 on this set of football number posters. Print them out and display as they are, or take the time to cut out the footballs and maybe laminate them for durability. They make a fun display for soccer mad kids!

Fun Numbers 0-9

Fun Numbers 0-9

Here's a bright, fun, big set of number posters, from 0 to 9. Print them out for display, or run through them on your computer or your whiteboard while the kids count. Of course you could also print onto card and cut out the numbers.

Hand Number Posters

Hand Number Posters

These number posters take children up to 20 and look great on the wall as a frieze. Once they've counted the hands in the posters, how about counting hands in the classroom, the play ground, the shops...

Mix and Match Number Symbol Cards 0 to 10

Mix and Match Number Symbol Cards 0 to 10

This set of mix and match number cards includes the numbers 0 to 10, as well as variations on the 1, 4, 7, 9 and 10 to choose from. Use them with the other mix and match cards in the series, or in simple number and counting activities as mini flash cards.

Mix and Match Number Symbol Cards Quirky Patterned 0 to 10

Mix and Match Number Symbol Cards Quirky Patterned 0 to 10

Numbers don't have to be dull. They can come striped or checked or spotted in all sorts of fun colours! This set - part of our mix and match number card series - includes numbers 0 to 10 and four mathematical operators for when you start doing "sums".

Monkey Number Posters

Monkey Number Posters

Print out the numbers 1 to 20 on the tummies of our funny monkeys - what a fun way to practise counting skills! Each monkey prints onto one page so the pdf file has 20 pages.

Monster Number Posters 0 to 10

Monster Number Posters 0 to 10

This gorgeous colourful monster number posters definitely catch the eye! Each one contains an adorable monster, a big and bold number, and a ten frame with the appropriate number of counters for visualisation and counting practice.

Number Chicks

Number Chicks

Number Chicks is a dice game which helps children with number recognition and includes a fast and fun variation for older kids. You can play it as a pencil and paper game with our printable sheet, or as a file folder or board game using our printable game board.

Number Chunks Puzzles Set 1

Number Chunks Puzzles Set 1

For these interesting puzzles we've created a grid of random numbers and pulled out "chunks" or shapes of numbers for the kids to try to find. They can then colour them in or outline them.

Number Dominoes 1

Number Dominoes 1

The illustrations on these colourful number dominoes are so much fun that we think the kids will enjoy playing with them for hours! Simply print onto card, then back onto craft foam or laminate to make them stronger and more durable if you wish.

Number Dominoes 2

Number Dominoes 2

These colourful number dominoes are fun to play with, and a great way for younger kids to practise their number recognition and matching skills. To make them more suitable for younger children you can stick each one onto craft foam, or laminate them.

Number Flash Cards 1-30

Number Flash Cards 1-30

These fun printable number flash cards come in all sorts of lovely "candy" colours, with big thick borders to make them appealing to the kids. Print them, cut them out and round the corners if you like.

Number Playdough Mats 0 to 9

Number Playdough Mats 0 to 9

Learning numbers is hands-on fun with these colourful playdough mats! We provide a little coloured-in image for inspiration but children should be encouraged to do whatever they like to decorate their number once they have made the shape.

Out and About Spotting Numbers 1 to 10 Poster Set

Out and About Spotting Numbers 1 to 10 Poster Set

This fun poster set includes numbers of all sorts to share with the kids. With 27 different posters to enjoy, you might not want to print them all out - which is why we have also included a pdf slideshow you can watch with the kids on your whiteboard or computer.

Penguin Number Posters

Penguin Number Posters

These penguin number posters would make a great display at home or in the classroom. Counting from 1 to 20, they would look great framing a window or whiteboard, or hang them washing line style across the room.

Pirate Treasure Counting Game

Pirate Treasure Counting Game

Here is a fun pirate themed counting game that helps children to develop their number recognition. It is best printed on card or laminated. You could stick the chest onto a box with a hole cut into it to collect the 'treasure'. 

Instructions:

Playground Numbers 1 to 12 Poster Set

Playground Numbers 1 to 12 Poster Set

We've got these fun yellow numbers - painted onto tarmac - as both a poster set and a pdf slideshow. Flick through them on the whiteboard or computer while chanting the numbers 1 to 12...

Pumpkin Number Posters

Pumpkin Number Posters

These lovely number posters - numbers on pumpkins - make a super autumn / fall display!

Rainbow Number Matching Cards

Rainbow Number Matching Cards

Print out our number matching cards onto cardstock and cut out. Can the kids match the number on the left with the correct numbers of "pots of gold" on the right?

Red Numbers 0-9

Red Numbers 0-9

A printable set of large numbers - simple, red and bold! Great for the classroom as is, or to cut out and use in displays.

Round Number Cards 0 to 20

Round Number Cards 0 to 20

These little round cards can be used for matching and memory games, for learning activities or for display.

Teddy Number Cards

Teddy Number Cards

I just love these teddy number cards and we hope the kids do too! Use these as flashcards, for card games, for counting practice...

Teddy Number Posters

Teddy Number Posters

Print out these teddy number posters to decorate your wall at home or in the classroom. Or use them as giant cards for putting in order, forwards or backwards, from 1 to 20!

Teddy Numbers

Teddy Numbers

Who wouldn't want to count these cute teddy numbers? Print out and cut into cards and you can order them forwards and backwards, stick them on the wall, print an extra copy and play snap, hang them on a washing line...we have even more ideas on our number cards page!

Traffic Jam Number Line

Traffic Jam Number Line

Print out our traffic jam number line and leave it as it is to make a set of simple posters, or cut out the bright, simple cars and create a number line.

Tumbling Monkey Numbers - Large

Tumbling Monkey Numbers - Large

These tumbling monkeys are large enough to make a real impact if you hang them up in the corner of the room! We've got numbers from 0 to 20 in this pdf file, over 21 pages. You could laminate them for durability as they take a little cutting out!

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