This page offers a comprehensive collection of hands-on activities using Numicon shapes. These colorful, tactile shapes are a powerful tool for teaching foundational math concepts in a visual and engaging way. The activities are designed to help children in early childhood and primary grades master skills like counting, ordering, addition, and subtraction. By physically manipulating the shapes, kids can build a deep understanding of numbers and their relationships, making math both fun and accessible.

Activities for Numicon Shapes

The following activities use the Numicon shapes from 1 to 10 as a hands-on manipulative for learning.

1. Count the Circles

• Description: The foundational activity for connecting the shape to its numerical value.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Give the child a shape (e.g., the shape for 5). Ask them to count the circles in the shape. You can then have them match the shape to its corresponding number card if you have them.
• Skills Developed: Counting, number recognition, and one-to-one correspondence.

2. Shape Ordering

• Description: An activity to teach number sequencing and the concept of “one more” and “one less.”
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Mix up all the shapes. Ask the child to arrange them in order from smallest to largest, which corresponds to the numbers 1 through 10. As they place each shape, ask them to say the number.
• Skills Developed: Number sequencing, logical ordering, and number sense.

3. Number Bonds to 10

• Description: A classic Numicon activity that visually demonstrates number bonds and addition.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Place the shape for 10 on the table. Ask the child to find two other shapes that fit together perfectly to fill the space of the 10-shape. For example, they might find the shapes for 3 and 7, and say “3 and 7 make 10!”
• Skills Developed: Number bonds, addition, and problem-solving.

4. Simple Addition

• Description: A hands-on way to introduce addition as the combining of two numbers.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Present a simple addition problem (e.g., 2 + 3). Have the child find the shape for 2 and the shape for 3. Then, have them place the two shapes together and find the single shape that is the same size. They will find the shape for 5, visually demonstrating that 2 + 3 = 5.
• Skills Developed: Addition, visual counting, and number bonds.

5. Simple Subtraction

• Description: A visual way to introduce subtraction as “taking away.”
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Start with a shape (e.g., the shape for 8). Say, “We have 8. What if we take away 3?” The child should place the shape for 3 on top of the 8-shape. The uncovered part of the 8-shape shows the answer. They can then count the uncovered circles to find the answer (5).
• Skills Developed: Subtraction, visual counting, and number sense.

6. “What’s the Difference?”

• Description: An activity that teaches subtraction as a form of comparison.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Place two different shapes side-by-side (e.g., 7 and 4). Ask the child to find the shape that fills the gap between the two. They will find the shape for 3, visually demonstrating that the difference between 7 and 4 is 3.
• Skills Developed: Subtraction, comparison, and problem-solving.

7. “What’s Missing?” Game

• Description: A memory and problem-solving game that reinforces number bonds and sequencing.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Arrange a few shapes in order (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 6). Have the child close their eyes, and remove one shape (the 4-shape). When they open their eyes, ask them to identify which number is missing from the sequence.
• Skills Developed: Memory, sequencing, and number recognition.

8. Odd and Even Numbers

• Description: A hands-on way to teach the concept of odd and even numbers through the physical shape of the Numicon pieces.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Have the child look at all the shapes. Explain that the shapes for even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) have a symmetrical, straight top. The shapes for odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) have a little “sticking out” part at the top. The child can sort the shapes into two piles.
• Skills Developed: Number properties, categorization, and visual discrimination.

9. Sorting by Color

• Description: A simple sorting activity that introduces categorization and color recognition.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: Ask the child to sort all the shapes into piles based on their color. This is a good warm-up activity that helps familiarize them with the pieces.
• Skills Developed: Categorization, color recognition, and visual discrimination.

10. “Fill the 10” Game

• Description: A game that specifically practices number bonds to 10 in a fun way.
• Materials: Numicon shapes 1-10.
• Instruction: You place a random shape on the table (e.g., the shape for 4). The child must quickly find the shape that is needed to make a 10 (the shape for 6). This can be played as a speed game.
• Skills Developed: Number bonds, quick recall, and problem-solving.