Counting Cups: Number Sense Made Easy for Home and School

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Counting Cups Number Sense Activities

📝 This post, Counting Cups Number Sense Made Easy, was originally published in 2012 and has been updated with new information and resources.

I love the simplicity of this idea. All you need are some small paper cups and a permanent marker, and you have a math tool that can be used in so many different ways!

I originally created these Counting Cups for some simple number and counting practice, but once I started playing around with them, I realized just how many math skills we could practice with the same set of cups. Number order, missing numbers, counting, skip counting, addition, subtraction, and even a little problem solving can all be practiced with this one simple set of materials.

The best part is that you can easily change the numbers on the cups to match what your students are working on.

Make Your Counting Cups

Materials: small paper cups and a permanent marker

Write the numbers 0–10 on the cups, one number on each cup. You can also have students create their own set, which gives them a little extra number-writing practice before you even begin.

For more of a challenge, create another set numbered 11–20 or continue with even larger numbers.

Put the Numbers in Order

Mix up the cups and have students arrange them in numerical order. Start with 0–10 and then extend the activity to larger numbers as students are ready.

Find the Missing Number

Arrange the cups in numerical order, but secretly remove one or two. Students determine which numbers are missing and put the correct cups back into place.

Match Numbers and Quantities

Choose several cups and give students a pile of small counters such as pom-poms, cubes, buttons, or beans. Students read the numeral on each cup and place the matching number of counters with it.

Count Backward

Have students arrange the cups in reverse order from 10 to 0. With a larger set of cups, students can practice counting backward from other starting numbers too.

Practice Skip Counting

Use only the cups needed for the skip-counting pattern you’re practicing. Students can arrange the cups to count by 2s, 3s, 5s, or other numbers.

For example:

You can also start at a different number. Beginning with 1 when counting by 2s creates:

What’s the Number?

Stack the cups in random order with the numbers hidden. One player looks at the number on the top cup without showing anyone else and gives clues until another player guesses the number.

Clues might include:

My number is between 4 and 8.

My number is greater than 5 but less than 7.

My number is even.

If I had 7 apples and ate 1, this is how many would be left.

Practice Addition and Subtraction

Turn the cups so the numbers aren’t visible and mix them up. Students choose two cups, reveal the numbers, and use them to create an addition or subtraction problem.

For subtraction, students can put the larger number first. Older students could even use the same activity for multiplication.

Addition Surprise

This one adds a little surprise to the math practice! Place a few counters underneath each numbered cup. Students choose a cup, read the number, and then lift it to discover the hidden counters.

They add the number on the cup to the number of counters underneath.

For example, if a student chooses the 1 cup and finds 3 counters underneath:

1 + 3 = 4

How Many More?

Set up the cups just as you did for Addition Surprise, but this time place fewer counters under each cup than the number shown on it.

Students lift the cup, count the hidden objects, and determine how many more are needed to make the number on the cup.

For example, if a student chooses the 4 cup and finds 3 counters underneath, they determine that 1 more is needed:

3 + 1 = 4

So Many Ways to Use Number Sense Counting Cups

That’s what I love about Counting Cups—one set of numbered cups can be used to practice so many different math skills. Start with ordering and counting, then change the activities as students are ready for skip counting, addition, subtraction, and finding missing numbers.

Keep the cups together, and you have an easy activity to pull out for math centers, early finishers, partner work, or whenever students need a little extra practice. They’re also easy to make and use at home with your own kiddos for some quick math practice.