It's not always easy to find math and number activities that are tailored to really young toddlers, but one activity that works great for this age group is to make a sensory bag. Although I do want to mention that sensory bags are great for a variety of ages and abilities, not just babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Now, numbers are most definitely my oldest son's love language. After all, he has hypernumeracy. And for many young hyperlexic kids, like my son, numbers become an interest or passion after the alphabet (see common interests for hyperlexic kids for more info).
However, when you have a precocious child who learns their numbers and math quite early, it can be challenging to find activities that meet them at their skill level. So definitely feel free to adapt the ideas below as needed!
Anyway, regardless of your child's abilities or skills, here are some math themed sensory bags with numbers to try. They're great for working on counting, math skills, number recognition, fine motor skills, and so much more!
This post was updated on May 28, 2024. New ideas were added and descriptions were included to make it even easier for you to find the perfect math or number themed sensory bag.
Fun Sensory Bags with Numbers to Work on Math Skills
These sensory bags are not only mess free, but, often, the kids can help make them too. So they're super engaging from start to finish.
You can tape these math and number sensory bags to the floor or table. Or switch things up completely and tape it to a vertical surface such as a wall or window. I'm also a big fan of using sensory bags on the light table because it really transforms the experience.
Let's take a closer look at some fun sensory bag ideas to try that work on counting, number recognition, math skills, and more. I've left out shape themed ones here because I really wanted the focus for this list to be numbers, counting, and simple math concepts.
1. Number Tracing Sensory Bag from Child Care Answers (pictured) - I like that kids can use their finger to trace the number. Or, if they like cars, you could race a toy car around the number in the sensory bag.
2. Ten Frame Sensory Bag from Happy Toddler Playtime (pictured) - If you'd like to practice counting, then this sensory bag might be right up your alley. I like that this activity is paired with playing cards.
3. I Spy Math Problems Sensory Bag from Hands On As We Grow - Want a fun way to practice math problems or times tables? No problem! This sensory bag is perfect for that.
4. Tracing Numbers Sensory Bag from Learning 4 Kids - You can trace numbers (or shapes) with this idea. Free printable flip books are included as well.
5. Pom Pom Ice Cream Counting Sensory Bag from Happy Tot Shelf - This sensory bag is a great way to work on fine motor skills and counting. Plus, it's a cute idea for summer learning with its ice cream theme.
6. Foam Number Sensory Bag from Messy Little Monster (pictured) - This post talks about how to make sensory bags in general, but you'll also find an idea that uses foam numbers. And if you have a hyperlexic and hypernumeric child, then I guarantee you have some foam numbers kicking around!
7. Numeration Sensory Bags from De Tout et De Rien - Practice matching numbers with this simple sensory bag idea. Again, works great if you have number manipulatives handy like most parents of hyperlexic and hypernumeric children do.
8. Money Sensory Bag from The Chaos & The Clutter - I like how this one has coins and money confetti. Not sure where you buy money confetti, but it's a cute idea regardless.
9. Squishy Sensory Bag for Tracing Numbers from Hands On As We Grow - A simple idea, but a great one. All you need is an unsharpened pencil and some bags labeled with numbers and filled with aloe vera gel.
10. Simple Number Tracing Sensory Bag from Pocket of Preschool - I love the color of this sensory bag. There's a free printable included so you can practice writing numbers.
11. Apple Seed Counting Sensory Bag from Happy Toddler Playtime - This activity is great for a fall unit and is a great way to work on counting skills.
12. Sensory Bag Number Hunt from Team Cartwright - I like the suggestions for alternative ways to use this sensory bag. I know my son would have loved the idea using the dice!
13. Hot Chocolate Counting Sensory Bag from Happy Toddler Playtime - This sensory bag is adorable. You get to count and add the right number of marshmallows (okay, pom poms) to each cup of hot chocolate. Great for a winter unit!
14. Corn Counting Sensory Bag from Happy Toddler Playtime - Here's a cute idea for a fall or harvest unit. You get to count corn kernels and put them on the right cob of corn.
15. Hungry Unicorn Subtraction Sensory Bag from Kindergarten Worksheets & Games - Want to practice subtraction? Then try this idea that features a hungry unicorn.
16. Number Hunt Sensory Bag from Mothercould - A simple idea that uses hair gel dyed to a dark color and paired with glitter. It looks pretty.
17. Search & Find Sensory Bag with Numbers from Raising Dragons - This one uses an unusual filler instead of the usual hair gel.
18. Sensory Bag Counting from Keep Toddlers Busy - This idea works on counting skills and colors.
19. Conversation Hearts Counting Sensory Bag from Zippi Kids - Here's another counting one, but with a Valentine's Day twist. It uses actual conversation heart candies.
Well, that's it for our list of fun math themed sensory bags with numbers. Which one are you going to try first?
