Subitising is to quickly know how many items are in a small group without counting them. It is important in the development of number sense.

This skill can be developed in young children through games and activities.

Dominoes

Playing dominoes is a fun way to teach and reinforce the link between the iconic dot patterns and the numbers they represent.

Have fun playing dominoes with one child or a small group of children.

If you don’t own a set, print and cut out this free dominoes handout.

Dice Games

Turn rolling a dice into a competition by seeing who can say the number indicated by the pips on the dice first. Roll two dice and see who can say the biggest or smallest number first.

Play dice snap. Roll two dotted dice simultaneously. Shout snap if the amounts on the two dice match. Alternatively, use one die with dots and one with numerals.

Play games using dice such as snakes and ladders. Start with one die and then move on to two.

Fingers

Use fingers for subitising practice and reinforcement. Start with the fingers on one hand, before including the fingers on both.

Hold up fingers, the first to say how many wins. Say a number, the first to hold up the correct number of fingers wins.

Throwing Objects

Throw a number of objects, such as buttons or cubes, onto the floor or table. The first person to say how many there are wins.

This game is more tricky than dice or dominoes as the arrangements of the objects will be random.

Collecting Objects

Challenge children to collect a certain number of small objects. For example, ask them to pick up three pebbles or five blocks.

Ask children to arrange objects on plates: one on the first plate, two on the next plate and so on.

Lego Bricks

15 Fun Maths Arithmetic Games