Skip to the guide
PricesMy accountPlay

BRITISH ENGLISH · DISCOVER TOGETHER

Counting games for preschoolers: from objects to first sums

Early counting connects each number word to an object and then to the size of the whole group. Girafoufou lets children touch objects, compare groups and recognise numerals before exploring parts of numbers and first sums.

Try it together
INSIDE THE ENGLISH GAMETwo chicks ready to count by touch in the English game
Two chicks ready to count by touch in the English game

Quantities before written calculations

Start by counting the actual objects. Later activities connect quantities with numerals and show numbers in different ways, such as hands and dominoes. A child who can say a long number sequence may still enjoy practising with a small group.

Follow the idea across activities

Counting to three is a focused first activity. Number bonds split a whole into parts, while addition joins groups together. The clock activities introduce whole hours. These are separate small challenges; knowing the numeral 3 does not automatically mean understanding all uses of three.

SIDE BY SIDE

Start by touching the objects

  1. Listen to the counting instruction.
  2. Touch each object once.
  3. Say the total together when the group is complete.

This first touch-counting level uses groups of two and three. Later levels introduce larger groups.

Try a counting activity

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

PUT THE SCREEN DOWN

Set places at the table

You will need: Three large spoons and three places at a table.

  1. Give each place one spoon.
  2. Count the spoons as you put them down.
  3. Move a spoon without adding or removing any and notice that the total stays the same.

Keep this activity using your browser’s Print menu, or share it by email. No sign-up needed.

Girafoufou · https://www.girafoufou.com/en/learning-games/counting

Questions
from parents.

Does the game introduce addition?

Yes. Later number activities show pictured groups with the plus sign. First practise seeing and counting the groups; the activity is not a timed arithmetic test.

Carry the idea a little further.

FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 3 year olds: look, touch and explore

Count three objects, match pictures and explore a talking picture book. Calm learning games for three-year-olds, with simple ideas to try off screen.

Explore FOR GROWN-UPS

Learning games for 5 year olds: first words and number bonds

Try blending short words, number bonds and early addition at five. See what Girafoufou offers, how to help and when to choose an easier activity.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Counting to 3: touch each object, then say how many

Try a first counting game with two and three objects. See how to help without answering for your child, then make a teddy tea party off screen.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Telling the time games: start with the whole hour

Look at an analogue clock, notice its hands and start with whole hours. A gentle way to explore time together, with a paper-clock activity for home.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Number bonds games: two parts, one whole

Explore doubles, fingers and dominoes to see how numbers split into parts. Try a gentle number game, then investigate the same idea with five toys.

Explore TRY IT TOGETHER

Addition games for kids: join two groups and count

Put two groups together and explore what the plus sign means. A first addition game with pictures, followed by a simple toy-car activity off screen.

Explore

About this guide

Product guide by the Girafoufou team. Updated . The activities described here are checked against the English game.

Educational context, not an endorsement of Girafoufou:

Privacy · Tell us about an error

Lire la page correspondante en français ↗

A small discovery.
Then time to play.

The discovery games are free to try without a card or account. Full family access is paid. Check Prices for the current plans in pounds; changing between French and British English does not require another purchase.

Try Girafoufou