CraftyFileCo planning guide

Printable Number Matching Games for Preschool

Choose preschool number activities by the response required: copy a train sequence, count bugs into a jar or colour from a number key. Demonstrate that response before offering more cards or pieces.

Use the train for ordered matching

The train activity has numbered wagons from one to ten, an engine cutout, matching cards and instructions. Beginner cards use three wagons; other cards use four.

Children choose a card, find the numbered wagons and arrange them in the same order. A4 and US Letter PDFs are included. The listing recommends Actual Size printing, optional cardstock and lamination for repeated use, and adult supervision during cutting.

As a suggested first turn, show how you look from the card to the next wagon. Matching an order on a card is different from counting a collection of objects.

Use bug jars for quantities

The Bug Jar Math activity includes jar mats for numbers one to ten, bug counters, number cards and a ten-frame mat. Colour and black-and-white jar pages are listed, in A4 and US Letter.

Its directions are to choose a jar mat, read the number and place the correct number of bugs inside. Keep the loose counters in a tray so the child can take and return them.

You can work together on one mat before offering more. Use the included how-to page and activity guide for the supplied tasks rather than assuming every sheet is another kind of matching card.

Use colour by number for a paper-and-pencil task

The colour-by-number bundle has ten worksheets, including animal and vehicle themes, supplied as A4 and US Letter PDFs.

Children colour each section according to its number key. This is a different response from arranging train wagons or counting physical paper bugs. Choose it when the child is ready to look between a key and the numbered picture.

Have the colours named by the chosen worksheet available before beginning. The listing does not specify one universal number range for every design, so check the actual page you intend to use.

Choose the starting level by observing

Try this table routine:

1. Name the task in one sentence.
2. Demonstrate one example with the child.
3. Offer a manageable choice of pieces or one worksheet.
4. Let the child explain what they are looking for.
5. Reduce or add choices as needed.

Keep cutting preparation separate from the number task when that helps your group. The listings describe opportunities to practise; they do not establish an age-based result or a timetable for mastering numbers.

By CraftyFileCo · Published 2026-11-07 · Updated 2026-11-07