Number & Quantity Match-Up! | Numbers 1–20 | 4 Hands-On Counting & Number Recognition Activities 

See It! Count It! Stack It! Build It! 

Make early math learning an exciting, hands-on adventure with Critter Corner's Number & Quantity Match-Up!

Designed for children ages 3–6, this colorful, interactive activity pack helps young learners develop number recognition, counting, number-to-quantity correspondence, and early mathematical thinking through four engaging activities in one!

Children will explore numbers 1–20 with adorable animal friends, colorful counting towers, and printable building cubes as they learn to recognize numbers, count quantities, match representations, and build their own colorful creations.

Unlike traditional worksheets, this resource encourages children to see, touch, count, stack, compare, and create, making abstract number concepts easier to understand through meaningful hands-on play.

And the best part? Printable building cubes are included, so you don't need to purchase expensive counting blocks or manipulatives to get started!

Perfect for preschool, pre-K, kindergarten, homeschool, early math centers, special education, and one-on-one tutoring!

? What's Included?

This 64-page printable early numeracy activity pack includes:

• 20 Number Cards (1–20) – Large, colorful numeral cards that help children recognize and identify numbers.
• 20 Animal Quantity Cards (1–20) – Adorable animal illustrations representing different quantities for counting and matching.
• 20 Counting Cube Tower Cards (1–20) – Colorful cube towers that visually represent each number.
• 32 Individual Printable Building Cubes – Four cubes in each of eight colors: red, dark blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, pink, and light blue.
• Printing & Preparation Instructions – Helpful guidance for preparing and protecting the cards.
• Activity Directions – Four hands-on activities with additional learning ideas.
• Colorful Product Cover – Featuring friendly Critter Corner characters and examples of the activities.

The cards are organized in matching sets so children can connect numerals, quantities, and visual representations of numbers.

? Four Hands-On Math Activities in One!

1. ? SEE IT! – Recognize the Number

Begin by helping children identify and recognize numbers.

Choose a number card and show it to your child or student.

Ask:

"What number do you see?"

Encourage the child to say the number aloud.

For additional practice, have the child trace the number with their finger or arrange the number cards in numerical order.

Skills Developed:

• Numeral identification
• Number recognition
• Number sequencing
• Visual discrimination

2. ? COUNT IT! – Count the Critters

Now it's time to meet the adorable Critter Corner animals!

Spread out the animal quantity cards.

Ask your child to count the animals on each card and find the matching number card.

Encourage children to point to each animal as they count, saying one number for each animal.

For an extra challenge, ask:

"How many animals would there be if we added one more?"

"What if one animal went away?"

Skills Developed:

• Counting
• One-to-one correspondence
• Number-to-quantity matching
• Early addition and subtraction awareness

3. ? STACK IT! – Match the Counting Towers

Take number matching one step further with colorful counting cube towers!

Show your child a counting tower card.

Encourage them to count the cubes from bottom to top and match the correct number card.

For numbers above 10, children can practice recognizing a group of ten and counting the remaining cubes.

For example:

10 + 5 = 15

Children can also compare towers and discuss which represents more or fewer cubes.

Skills Developed:

• Counting
• Number-to-quantity matching
• Comparing quantities
• Grouping by tens
• Early place-value understanding

4. ? BUILD IT! – Build, Count, Create & Discover!

Bring learning to life with the included printable building cubes!

Children can use the colorful cube pieces to recreate the counting towers shown on the cards or build their own arrangements.

Choose a number card and ask your child to build a tower containing the matching number of cubes.

Then count the cubes together to check the answer!

But the fun doesn't stop at counting!

Build It! also encourages children to explore:

Color Recognition – Identify and name the different cube colors.

Pattern Recognition – Create simple repeating color patterns.

Sequencing – Arrange cubes in a particular order and continue the sequence.

Sorting & Classification – Group cubes by color.

Creative Construction – Use the cubes to make different shapes and arrangements.

Skills Developed:

• Number recognition
• Counting
• One-to-one correspondence
• Color recognition
• Pattern recognition
• Sequencing
• Sorting
• Fine motor coordination
• Problem-solving
• Creative thinking

Learning Tip: Children can also use real 3D counting cubes, building blocks, buttons, bottle caps, or other safe manipulatives to complete these activities.

The printable cubes provide an included alternative, while physical manipulatives offer an additional tactile learning experience.

? Meet the Counting Critters!

Children will enjoy counting a variety of friendly animals, including:

• Elephants
• Pandas
• Butterflies
• Bunnies
• Meerkats
• Penguins
• Ladybugs
• Frogs
• Fish
• Sea turtles
• Monkeys
• Ducklings
• Hedgehogs
• Parrots
• Bees
• Squirrels
• Seals
• Foxes
• Chicks
• Kittens

Each animal quantity card features cheerful illustrations that make counting more engaging for young learners.

? Learning Objectives

Number & Quantity Match-Up! helps children develop:

• Number recognition from 1–20
• Counting from 1–20
• One-to-one correspondence
• Number-to-quantity matching
• Numerical sequencing
• Comparing quantities
• Early addition and subtraction awareness
• Grouping by tens
• Early place-value understanding
• Color identification and recognition
• Pattern recognition and continuation
• Sorting and classification
• Visual discrimination
• Fine motor coordination
• Hand-eye coordination
• Independent problem-solving
• Early mathematical confidence

? Perfect For

• Preschool and pre-K classrooms
• Kindergarten math lessons
• Homeschool learning
• Early numeracy centers
• Montessori-inspired learning activities
• Small-group math instruction
• One-on-one tutoring
• Special education activities
• Math intervention
• Independent number practice
• Morning learning stations
• Hands-on math games
• Parent-child learning activities

?️ Printing & Preparation Instructions

This is a digital PDF printable resource, designed for A4 paper.

For best results:

1. Download and save the PDF.
2. Print on A4 paper at 100% / Actual Size.
3. Use high-quality printer settings for bright, clear colors.
4. Print on cardstock for added durability, if desired.
5. Cut along the dotted borders of the number cards, animal quantity cards, counting tower cards, and individual building cubes.
6. Laminate the pieces for longer-lasting use, if desired.
7. Organize the cards into matching sets or store them in separate labeled bags.

Make It Reusable!

Laminating the cards and printable cubes helps protect them from repeated handling, making this a resource that can be enjoyed again and again in classrooms, tutoring sessions, and home learning.

Teacher Tip: Start with numbers 1–5 and gradually introduce larger numbers as children gain confidence.

For beginners, use only the number and animal quantity cards before adding counting towers and building activities.

? More Fun Ways to Play!

Number Hunt – Hide number cards around the room and ask children to find them in numerical order.

Match the Three! – Choose a number card and find its matching animal quantity card and counting tower card.

Memory Match – Place number and animal cards face down and challenge children to find matching pairs.

What's Missing? – Arrange several number cards in order, remove one, and ask children to identify the missing number.

Build & Compare – Create two different cube towers and ask which is taller, shorter, or has more cubes.

Color Pattern Challenge – Use the individual printable cubes to create repeating patterns such as red-blue-red-blue or yellow-green-purple-yellow-green-purple.

Copy My Pattern – Build a color sequence and ask the child to recreate it.

Counting Challenge – Show an animal quantity card and ask the child to create the same quantity using cubes or other manipulatives.

Group by Tens – For numbers 11–20, encourage children to recognize a group of ten and count the additional cubes.

? Why Choose Critter Corner?

At Critter Corner, we believe children learn best when learning feels like play!

Our educational resources combine adorable animal characters, engaging illustrations, practical teaching strategies, and hands-on activities to make learning meaningful and enjoyable.

Number & Quantity Match-Up! transforms early numeracy into a playful experience where children can explore numbers, develop mathematical confidence, and discover the joy of learning through interaction and creativity.

Critter Corner – Where Little Critters Teach Big Lessons!

? Discover More Critter Corner Resources!

Continue the numeracy adventure with other Critter Corner educational materials, including:

• My First Addition Activity – Introduce beginner addition through colorful, hands-on counting activities.
• Number Fun Coloring Book – Practice number recognition and counting through creative coloring activities.
• Benny Bunny's Money Bingo – Explore money recognition and early financial literacy through an entertaining bingo game.
• Printable Math Games & Activities – Discover more interactive ways to practice early mathematical skills.

Explore our growing collection of printable learning games, educational activities, books, and classroom resources designed to help children Read – Learn – Play!

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? Please Note

• This is a digital PDF download. No physical product will be shipped.
• The resource contains 64 printable pages, including the cover and instructions.
• Covers numbers 1–20.
• Includes four hands-on learning activities in one resource.
• Includes 32 printable building cubes in eight colors.
• Designed for A4 printing.
• Scissors, laminating supplies, and physical counting blocks are not included.
• Colors may vary slightly depending on your printer and screen settings.
• For personal and single-classroom use according to the included license.
• Copyright © 2026 Critter Corner. All rights reserved.
• Redistribution, resale, or sharing of the digital files is not permitted.
• Digital purchases are subject to the applicable marketplace's refund policies.

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