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Ordinal Number Games and Activities

📝 This post, Ordinal Number Games, was originally published in 2012 and has been updated with new information and resources.

Teaching ordinal numbers was always one of those math skills that made me smile because my students already knew so much before we ever opened our math books. They knew exactly who was first in line, who came in second during a race at recess, and who was always trying to be first to sharpen a pencil! They used ordinal numbers every day without even realizing it.

The hard part wasn’t understanding what first, second, and third meant. It was learning how to write them. As soon as we started writing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, the questions started. “Why doesn’t every number end the same way?” “How do you know when to use *st* or *th*?” Those little letter endings could be pretty confusing.

I found that the best way to teach ordinal numbers was to build on what my students already knew. We raced, played games, moved around the room, and talked about the order of things happening throughout our day. Before long, reading and writing ordinal numbers started to make a lot more sense.

If you’re looking for fun ordinal number games, classroom activities, and free printables, you’ve come to the right place.

Ordinal Number Race Activities

Ordinal number games are a great way to practice the skill because students are focused on playing instead of thinking about the math they’re learning.

Start by displaying a race and asking questions like, “Who finished first?” “Who came in second?” or “Who finished after the yellow runner?” Once students understand the idea, give each child a runner card. Call out directions such as, “Blue runner, you’re first!”or “Red runner, you’re second!” Students work together to arrange themselves in the correct order, giving everyone a chance to practice ordinal numbers while getting up and moving.

💚 Grab the Ordinal Number Race Activities from TPT here.

Make Your Own Ordinal Number Race

This was always one of my students’ favorite ordinal number activities because every race turned out differently. Since the photos were shuffled before students built their races, no one knew who would finish first or last until the very end. There were always lots of laughs as students compared their finished races!

To prepare, take a photo of each child pretending to run toward a finish line. Add the photos to a document, resize them to about 3 x 3 inches, and print a class set for each student. You’ll also need to print a race page with a start and finish flag. I like enlarging mine to 11 x 17 inches so students have plenty of room to work.

Students begin by cutting apart all of the photos and shuffling them face down. Next, they color the start flag green and the finish flag red so it’s easy to see which direction the race is going. Then they draw one photo at a time and glue each classmate along the race path until everyone has a place.

Once the race is complete, students write the correct ordinal number above each runner’s head—1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. They finish by using a recording sheet to write about the results of their race, practicing ordinal numbers both numerically and in word form.

💚 Grab the FREE Race Activity here.

Making Ordinal Numbers

One of the questions my students asked every year was, “How do you know which ending goes on the number?” Why is it 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but then everything changes to 4th, 5th, and 6th?

Once we looked at the patterns together, those little letter endings weren’t nearly as confusing. This resource walks students through the patterns step by step and then gives them two hands-on activities to practice making ordinal numbers on their own.

💚 Grab Making Ordinal Numbers on TPT.

Ordinal Number Task Cards Around the Room

If your students need a chance to get up and move, this activity is a great way to practice ordinal numbers while taking a break from their seats.

Simply place the 14 task cards around the classroom, give each student a recording sheet, and let them travel from card to card solving each problem. Students use ordinal numbers to determine the correct answers as they work their way around the room.

💚 Grab the Ordinal Number Task Cards Around the Room  here.

Ordinal Number Bingo

Simply hand out a bingo board to each student, call out the ordinal numbers, and have students cover the matching spaces. It’s perfect for a whole-class review, a math center, or a quick activity when you have a few extra minutes.

💚 Grab Ordinal Number Bingo  here.

Free Ordinal Number Signs

I like keeping ordinal number signs displayed near our math wall so students always have a quick reference when they’re reading or writing ordinal numbers. They’re also handy for small-group activities, games, or any time students need a visual reminder.

💚 Download the FREE Ordinal Number Signs here.

More Ordinal Number Games and Activities

If your students need a little more practice—or you simply want to revisit ordinal numbers throughout the year—these activities make it easy to keep the skill fresh during centers, morning work, small groups, or independent practice.

✏️ Popcorn-Themed Ordinal Number Activities — A winter-themed collection featuring a memory game, BUMP, color-by-clue, write-by-clue, and more.

✏️ Meerkat-Themed Ordinal Number Activities — Six easy-prep activities featuring adorable meerkats.

✏️ Ordinal Number Cupcakes — Cupcake-themed pages for reading and writing ordinal numbers.

✏️ Snowfriends Ordinal Numbers — Winter-themed activities for practicing ordinal numbers from 1st through 10th.

✏️ Ordinal Number Activities: Dog Show — Students practice 1st through 6th place with a fun dog show theme.

✏️ Reindeer-Themed Ordinal Numbers — Holiday-themed activities for seasonal ordinal number practice.

✏️ Transportation Ordinal Number Activities — Transportation-themed activities for reading and writing ordinal numbers.

✏️ Ordinal Numbers Word Searches — No-prep word searches for extra review or early finishers.

Wrapping Up with Ordinal Number Games

Teaching ordinal numbers doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes a simple game, a classroom race, or an everyday conversation is all it takes for students to make the connection.

I hope these activities make planning your ordinal number lessons a little easier and give your students lots of opportunities to practice along the way. Happy teaching!