I set up a little counting activity for my girls today with number cards, crayons, and linking cubes. Nothing fancy, just a few things we already had at home.

My youngest worked on numbers 1–5 with crayons, matching the number of crayons to each card. My oldest started with the same numbers using linking cubes, but she quickly told me 1–5 was too easy. 😂 She wanted more numbers, so I brought out 6–10 and let her keep going.

I loved watching them work on the same idea at their own levels. It reminded me that I don’t always need to plan two completely different activities to teach both of my girls.

What we used

• Number cards labeled 1–10 (you can start with just 1–5)
• Crayons for counting and matching
• Colorful linking cubes for the older child’s counting challenge
• A clear table or floor space to spread everything out

That’s it! If you don’t have number cards, you can write large numbers on pieces of paper. And you can swap the counting materials for other age-appropriate objects you already have.

How we did our counting activity

1. Start with numbers 1–5. I laid out the number cards so my youngest could see them one at a time.
2. Count with crayons. She matched crayons to the numbers, practicing putting the right amount with each card.
3. Try a different material. My oldest used linking cubes to count and build groups for each number.
4. Follow their lead. When my oldest told me 1–5 was too easy, I gave her cards 6–10 rather than asking her to repeat something she already felt comfortable doing.
5. Count together if needed. You can point to each crayon or cube as you count, then let your child try independently.

My youngest was happy working through the first five numbers. We kept her part of the activity simple so she could focus on recognizing each number and counting the crayons.

Meanwhile, my oldest had moved on to numbers 6–10. She was much more interested once the activity felt like a challenge again.

What this activity helps children practice

• Number recognition: noticing and naming written numbers
• One-to-one counting: touching or moving one object for each number spoken
• Matching quantities: making a set that matches the number on a card
• Fine motor skills: picking up crayons and connecting cubes
• Learning at their own pace: staying with smaller numbers or trying bigger ones when ready

Easy ways to adapt it for different ages

For a child who is just beginning to count, try only cards 1–3. You can work up to 5 once they’re comfortable. Use large, easy-to-hold objects and keep it playful.

For a child who is ready for more, add cards 6–10. You can also hide a card and ask which number is missing, or have your child make a group of objects before showing them the matching number.

The best part is that neither child needs to finish at the same time or reach the same number. They can both enjoy the activity in their own way.

A quick safety note

Small linking cubes can be a choking hazard for younger children, especially if they still put things in their mouths. Save small pieces for children who can use them safely with close supervision. For toddlers, choose large, age-appropriate blocks or other oversized counting objects instead. Check crayons for broken pieces, too.

My favorite takeaway

Sometimes the easiest activities end up being the ones I remember most. This one started with five number cards and turned into a little lesson in following my girls’ interests. My youngest got to practice her numbers, and my oldest got to ask for more when she was ready.

If you’re homeschooling more than one child, I hope this gives you an easy activity to try without having to prepare two separate lessons. 💕

Looking for another simple activity? You might also like our DIY sensory bin and muffin tin sorting activity.