Numbers & counting games and activities
for ESL kids lessons
Games and activities for teaching “Numbers & counting” to ESL kids
Bingo
Prepare enough bingo grids for all of your students and numbers on pieces of paper. The teacher randomly calls out the numbers and the students cross out the numbers on their Bingo grids. The winner is the first to either get a line or full house.
Blind toss
Have students sit down in a circle. Place a mat on the floor with numbers and a flashcard (target vocabulary) on each number. Taking turns, each student gets blindfolded and tosses a beanbag so as to hit a number. S/he must call out that word the same number of times as the number indicates, for example:
“4-dog”, then “Dog, Dog, Dog, Dog!” and the student gets the equal points (4).
At the end, the student with the most points wins! Good for memorizing vocabulary since they are repeating words. (Submitted by Salvador Domingo)
Buzz
A counting game. Have the students sit in a circle. The students pass the ball around while counting (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.). When the number reaches 7 the student holding the ball must say “buzz”. Any number with a 7 in it must be “buzz” (7, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, etc.) and any multiple of 7 must be “buzz” (14, 21, 28, 35, 42, etc.). If a student says a number instead of buzz (or makes any other mistake) they are out of the game. The last student standing is the winner.
Count-off
This game requires at least 10 kids or more. They stand in a circle or in lines. Gesture to one child and he or she says, “1.” Then move down the lines or around the circle counting up to 20. After 20 restart at 1. For a higher level, choose kids at random. If they’re too slow or get the wrong number, they’re out. Makes a great elimination game. (Submitted by Michael J. Lopez)
Number board scramble
This is an easy game for practicing numbers. The teacher writes numbers on the blackboard in a scramble here and there, but low enough that the students can reach.
Split students into two teams and have a player from each team stand in front of the board. The teacher calls out a number – the person that is able to find and circle it first wins a point for their team. Then another 2 players have a go.
Even more challenging – have four teams all looking for the same number. The kids just love it! (Submitted by Susie)
Number codes
Cut out some squares and write numbers from 0-9 on them (do about 4 sets of 0-9). Put the numbers in a box and then instruct the students to take out the numbers and place them in a line as you call them out. Then check that the number code is the same as you called out. This also works well for phone numbers.
Number group game
Play some music and have your students walk around the classroom. Stop the music suddenly and call out a number (up to the number of in your class). The students must quickly get together in a group of that number. Any who didn’t make it sit out until the next round.
Numbers & counting lesson plans
We also have a FREE lesson plans on numbers and counting which include games and activities as well as other lesson materials.
- Click to download our Numbers 1-10 lesson plan.
- Click to download our Numbers 1-20 lesson plan.
Numbers & counting songs
We have song available for download focusing on numbers and counting:
