Back-to-School Fun: A Quick and Easy Number Ordering Game for Young Learners

Fun and Easy Number Ordering Game for Back-to-School!

As we head into September and gear up for a new school year, I have a fantastic math game that’s perfect for kindergartners and first graders! This engaging and active game will help your students practice ordering numbers and is a great way to add some fun to your back-to-school routines.

What You Need:

Craft sticks: 

Write numbers on them with a marker. Start with numbers 1-10 for younger students, or 1-20 for those ready for a bit more of a challenge.

A soft toy: 

I used a cute apple toy, but feel free to get creative! You could use a friendly fox, a playful dragon, or any small, fun toy to make the game more exciting.

How to Play:

Prepare the Sticks: 

Write numbers on the craft sticks and mix them up.

Distribute the Sticks: 

Give each student or small group a set of sticks.

Start the Game: 

On “go,” students flip their sticks, look at the numbers, and quickly put them in order—either from the smallest to the largest or from the largest to the smallest.

Grab the Toy: 

The first student to correctly order their numbers gets to “grab” the toy (apple or whichever toy you’re using).

Check Accuracy: 

Encourage the class to review and check the winner’s order to make sure everything is correct.

Reset and Play Again: 

Put the toy back in the middle, shuffle the sticks, and play again.

Tips for an Extra Challenge:

Backward Counting: 

As your students get more confident, you can add a twist by asking them to order the numbers from highest to lowest.

Increase the Range: 

Gradually introduce higher numbers to keep the game fresh and challenging.

This game is perfect for a quick math warm-up before your main lesson or as a fun review activity at the end of the day. It’s easy to set up, can be prepped in seconds, and will quickly become a classroom favorite. Enjoy the game and have a fantastic back-to-school season!