Use numbered lego blocks to play some fun maths games with kids! Great for recognising numbers, counting, ordering and measuring in a hands-on, kinaesthetic and most importantly, playful, way! 
Welcome to another idea from our Playful Maths series, co-hosted weekly with Debs from Learn with Play at Home! This week we are sharing maths activity ideas using lego and duplo blocks, which lend themselves fantastically to a huge range of mathematical concepts from sorting and matching, to patterning, counting and measuring!
Counting and Measuring with Lego Blocks:
For this simple activity I found 20 lego duplo blocks in various colours and wrote the numerals from 1-20 on the sides of them, using a permanent marker. On an opposing face of each one I drew the corresponding number of dots so that they could be counted to match the correct amount. Then we lay them out on the floor with the numbers showing and set the challenge to out them into a tall tower in the right order.
Can you do it all by yourself? Use the dots to help you if you don’t recognise the numeral!
Cakie had no problem ordering the numerals 1-12 quite easily, then as is often the case with preschool age children, she started to find it more of a challenge to recognise the teen numbers. She automatically began to count the little dots on the sides to help her and was able to correct herself and recount when she missed one. 
After that she took the completed number tower and started to use it to measure with. This was her own idea, probably prompted by the measuring activities we have done in the past such as measuring with handprints and measuring using egg cartons. She laid or stood the tower next to each object then broke off the cubes that weren’t needed and counted how many were left.
She wanted to measure Pop but found she didn’t have nearly enough Lego blocks, so settled for seeing how long her arm was instead and decided to find more blocks later to make a much bigger measuring device!
More games that can be played with the numbered lego blocks:
- count them into blocks of 5 and then 10 and use to count in 5s or 10s (make more to reach 100)
- build them horizontally and use them as a number line to count along with a counting stick, prop or finger
- use them to find matching number bonds to make 10 and then 20
- pick 2 blocks at random and put them next to each other to become and double digit number and read it
- pick 2 blocks at random and add together the totals on their faces, using the dots to count
Now pop over to see Deb’s fantastic Patterning with Lego Blocks activity too. I love how she incorporated toy people into the mix!
What they are learning as they play:
maths: recognising and naming numerals, counting up to 20, counting using 1:1 correspondence, ordering
Cakie: 4.6
Pop: 3.0
Bean: 13 mos
More maths fun with lego!
Lego Pattern Cards in an Egg Carton
Search the Playful Maths archive!
Lots of fun! I actually have a set of megablocks that we just don’t use because we’re always using our duplo so I have no qualms with writing on them. Love how Cakie started measuring with it. Perfect measuring device!
That’s a brilliant idea. Numbering the blocks with dots for them to count.
Kids would love it!
I love this and will definitely try with the boy. Am pinning so I don’t forget!
Should a great idea to encourage math play for children. xx
Same thing here as Deb, lots of megablocks that need some love that can be used!
Pinning it!
I have found the unifix cubes and cuisinaire rods are the most wonderful math materials for kids
When I saw your post on using legos to measure and count with I was very excited! There isn’t a day that goes by that my boys don’t build with legos so I love any learning activity that incorporates them. I finally broke out the sharpie this week and made them to go with our “N” week (for numbers and noodles). Thanks for the fun idea.
http://brainstorminbloom.blogspot.com/2013/05/letter-n-alphabet-single-stem-post.html
Hi there Dear, are you genuinely visiting this website on a regular basis, if so then
you will definitely get good knowledge.
Also visit my web-site Recycling facts
Making Math More Fun – Math Games Package Fun Math Games For School Or Homeschool Education – Printable Board Games, Card Games And Game Sheets For Children. Educational Games Ready For The Classroom Or Home. Makes Math Fun And Easy. Kids, Teachers And Parents All Love These Fun Math Games.
http://tinyurl.com/bzly8me
Awesome activities, as usual, Anna! I featured your post and photo in my Free LEGO Printables and 70+ LEGO Learning Activities post at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/06/20/free-lego-printables-and-70-plus-lego-learning-activities/
Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting
a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
You have done a outstanding job!
Check out my homepage – gold wedding gown (Augustus)
Zhao Qiang? That policeman shouted sound.
Little do not go up, his mother today points back, was almost black gang outlasted the Great Wall Hotel, just below these two play for dinner, to the top and do not know how to lose. Worth eating Over dinner we come to get a few girl guard against shock.
Xu Liu Yiyi also know wronged Union. So head down, do not talk, this time for her body to Xu Meng That is simply impossible. She did this mood ah, women are very particular about this little, like Xu Xiaoya.
You do not like this, how can I now consider these feelings, I beg you do so after we had settled again romance okay?.
Hi there, its pleasant post concerning media print, we all be aware of media
is a great source of information.
Have a look at my blog post … damas dresses (Andrew)
I always used to study article in news papers but now as I am a
user of web thus from now I am using net for
content, thanks to web.
Also visit my blog bridal and Prom