Free Counting Number Puzzles for 1 to 5

If your little ones need to practice beginning numbers these counting number puzzles for 1 to 5 are a fun way to do it!

Numbers one to five

These numbers are a real focus in Kindergarten. Kids generally learn numbers by rote counting, but in Kinder we want to be sure kids have a solid foundation… to be sure they really know what these numbers represent.

So we like to present numbers in different ways – with random numbers of objects, tally marks, ten frames, fingers, counting claps or jumps, the list is only limited by our imaginations.

We want kids to be able to look at a group of objects and immediately know how many there are without counting (subitizing) and we want them to be able to add and subtract fluently (that is, quickly and confidently) within 1-5.

Counting number puzzles

Download these puzzles from the link at the bottom of this post.

• Print off the ones you wish to use – either colour or black and white
• Use card to make them last longer!
• Cut on the black lines to separate all the pieces
• Have a little ziploc bag, or other easy storage, ready for the pieces.

Using these number puzzles

• Mix up the puzzles so children can put them back together.
• Or put magnets on the back and leave the pieces on a nearby whiteboard or baking tray so they’re in easy reach.
• Find all the similar cards, for example tally marks or ten frame pieces and line them up in ascending or descending order.
• Pick up two random pieces and add the numbers together.
• Give each child their own puzzle to cut out and glue into a math / counting book

Download here!

Click on the following highlighted link to download your COUNTING NUMBER PUZZLES 1-5. As soon as you click, they will be sent to your downloads folder or other device equivalent.

Looking for more free number activities?

• Write and Count 1-10
• Over 100 ways to count!
• Lots of skip counting puzzles

Want to help develop fluency within 5?

These card games are a fun way to practice addition and subtraction over and over without noticing! You’ll find them in my TPT STORE. There are ideas for making the games easier or more difficult, too, according to your learners’ needs.