Number Run Game for Preschool

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Play a rousing Number Run Game with your preschool children to help them practice recognizing and understanding their numbers from 0 to 10. This is a fast-paced game that will have your kids recognizing their numbers in no time.

Getting the heart pumping through exercise is a great way to get bodies warmed up for learning. Exercise does incredible things to the brain and prepares our brains to absorb information.

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Use Exercise When You Get Stuck Learning Numbers

Any time you have a concept that you know your child is ready for developmentally, but they just can’t seem to grasp — try exercise! Look at flashcards while doing jumping jacks. Recite memory work while running laps. Or identify and run to various numbers. To be honest, the possibilities are endless, and this is an incredible way to help kids learn.

In today’s world, many people do not understand the connection between physical activity and brainpower, but there actually was science behind the practice of recess. Our number run game is the perfect example of using exercise to teach.

Other Active Games to Play

Once you’ve finished this game and your kids are quick to recognize the numbers, try some of our other active games. Movement games are perfect when your student is in a learning rut and struggling to move forward. It can be a struggle to get your child involved in active play or exercise, but it’s worth the argument.

• Gross Motor Skills Dice Game. Work on numbers and gross motor skills in this movement game.
• Letter Running Game for Reading Readiness. Use letter manipulatives and have children run around looking for different letters and spelling words.
• Emotions Number Toss. Help your child understand and manage big emotions and practice their numbers at the same time.
• Gross Motor Skills Bulls-Eye Game for Kids.
• Dominoes for the Lawn. Dominoes are so good for number sense and number awareness!

Planning for Game Time

One way to make sure you get your kids up and moving is to schedule game time into your day, every day. I know some moms who have their kids get up at the break of dawn to run laps. That’s certainly one way to get the blood flowing!

It can be really hard to be consistent when adding something new to your daily flow. Pick a time of day when you know you can make this work. You do not have to go outside for game time, but it does help get your kids out in the sunshine and fresh air. Sunshine helps kids sleep!

If you have a specific time of day when your kiddo is grumpy or has way too much energy, that’s the perfect time to have game time inside or outside. If you’ve run out of fun educational games to play, try a little yoga for kids.

Materials for the Number Run Game

Sidewalk Chalk. Besides your bodies, you only need this one item to play this game with your preschool kids. Good sidewalk chalk is worth having around, not just for this game! It’s great for outdoor play all Spring, Summer, and Fall. I like the vibrant colors and angled tips of the Crayola brand.

Instructions for the Number Run Game

1. Find a sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot where you can use sidewalk chalk and have room to run safely.
2. Write a number line 0-10 with the chalk.
3. Next, mark a starting spot where your learner will begin each round at.  The more energy you want your learner to use, the further away you need to mark your start.
4. Then ask your learner to stand on the starting spot.
5. Ask your learners questions about themselves. E.g. How old are you?  How many eyes do you have? What is your bedtime? How many people are in your family?
6. Have your learner say and then run to the correct number and then back to the starting spot.
7. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for as long as you would like to play the game.

Advanced Extensions for the Number Run Game

1. Ask more complex questions that involve basic addition. E.g. Your eyes + your nose?, Your arms + your legs? Etc.
2. Switch up the movement your learner undertakes to get to the number. E.g. run, hop, crawl, etc.