🔢 Numbers & shapes · Ages 4–5 · about 4 weeks

Numbers to 20

Goal: Count and read numbers to 20, and say the number before and after.

For parents: The teens are tricky because 'eleven' and 'twelve' don't sound like 'ten and one'. Showing 13 as a full ten-frame plus 3 helps enormously.

Do together

  1. Number line hopscotch

    You need: Chalk and a floor or path

    Draw a line of boxes from 1 to 20. Call a number; your child jumps to it. 'Jump to the number after 14!'

  2. Two egg boxes

    You need: Two egg boxes (or cups cut into 10s), small objects

    Fill one box of ten completely, then add more to the second: 'Ten and three is thirteen.'

  3. Missing number

    You need: Number cards 1–20

    Lay them in order. While your child closes their eyes, take one away. Which is missing?

Talk about it

  • What number comes before 16?
  • Which is bigger, 12 or 17?
  • How many more to make 20?

Words to use

  • before
  • after
  • between
  • teen
  • twenty

Play

  • Counting Stars
    Counting
  • Number Train
    Number order
  • Number Match
    Numbers
  • Ten-Frame Fill
    Ten frames
Play these games free

Every game is free for every family until 20 November 2026.

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