50 Outdoor Number Activities On A Budget PRINT READY 1

MARTIN WILLIAMS
50 Outdoor Number Activities On A Budget

First published by Early Impact 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Martin Williams
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or

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Martin Williams asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of

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Contents
Foreword iv
1 Number Stones 1
2 Outdoor Board Games 10
3 Bubbles Games 20
4 Classic Outdoor Activities 29
5 Washing Lines 43
6 Ten Frames 53
7 Parachute Games 62
8 Number Lines And Number Frames 69
9 Ball Games 83
10 Conclusion 89
About the Author 91
Also by Martin Williams 93
Foreword
I’ve written this book in the most no-nonsense way I can. No fluff, very little
theory, and just a huge emphasis on showcasing pretty much all the ideas you
need to teach the whole number curriculum outside.
What I’m always asked most about is how to teach number outside.
I think everyone understands the why.
We know that outside learning consolidates and expands skills in a way that is
not possible inside. We also know things should be bigger, that you should use
the space, that you should get children moving, and that all this really helps
make learning multi-sensory, engaging, and effective.
However, the question is how.
What does it look like? What resources do you need? What activities work
best? How do I get started?
This book answers all these questions (and hopefully a few more).
I have taught children between the ages of 3 to 5 for the last ten years, and in
that time I have tried out hundreds, probably thousands of outdoor number
activities.
Only the cream of the crop have made it to this guide!
iv
These are the ones that really stand out, that children ‘get’ both mentally and
emotionally, and that they want to try.
Enticing children is the massive target. If they actually want to do the activities
then everything normally follows from there. Making everything as child-
friendly and as engaging as possible is high up on the list throughout this
book.
Another massive barrier, it seems for many educational settings, is budget.

Lots of outdoor equipment costs a fortune, and is just not practical to purchase,
particularly in these crazy economic times.
This is the other huge emphasis of this book.
Pretty much everything in it costs I would say no more than a grand total of
$50 or £50 (depending where you live). All you need is a few sticks, stones,
superglue, paint, and a few random loose parts, and you are ready to go.
Some of the activities take only seconds prepare. Some take a bit longer, and I
have to say some do take a little bit of DIY to get started. However, I have only
included things that when built will last a lifetime. There is no laminating, no
fragile resources, no things that are going to fall to pieces after the first few
goes.
It is good solid stuff, that once made, can be used for years.
I also suggest many simple alternatives throughout the book. You could make
a board-game out of a piece of wood painted, or you could just chalk it on the
floor. There are quick hacks and ninja tips throughout (I promise).
Keeping things cheap does not decrease the quality. Far from it. Many of the
best early learning activities are completely free. We live on a beautiful planet,
abundant in all sorts of magical resources that you can harness simply and
v
often for free.
These games can also be done in whatever outside space you have, and I know
this varies wildly from setting to setting. Whether you have five acres, or one
patio area, you can get stuck into these either way.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a bag of leaves, twigs and paint, and let’s
go…
vi
1
Number Stones
There are few things cheaper or more plentiful than stones.
Pebbles of different kinds are a beautiful and natural resource that children
love to move around, stack, order, and do all sorts of things with.
I bought a huge bag of white sparkly stones from a hardware shop, but
whatever type of stone you use will work just fine.
After you get some stones, the next step is to write or draw something on them.
You could use a permanent marker pen (and this would make it extremely
quick to set up).
For longer lasting results use acrylic paint. If anything is painted in this book
I have used acrylic paint. Its massive advantage is that it lasts pretty much
permanently. If you are going to keep the stones outside all the time, then you
can glaze them with PVA glue as well. This will resist years of rainfall.
Also, many of the activities that I’m about to describe can be done with
substitutes for stones. In particular you can use:
i) Wooden slices with numbers or marks painted on. (These are good if you
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50 OUTDOOR NUMBER ACTIVITIES ON A BUDGET
are concerned you have a child that will throw the stones)
ii) Things like conkers or corks could work OK as well (as more of a temporary
resource)
iii) Wooden spoons
However, for long-lasting results, it is definitely best to go with stones.
I have created quite an array of different types of number stones, but you can
start as simply as you like. They can definitely be used inside as well, if you
wish.
OK, here are the games…
1. Sets Of 1-10 Stones
These are a simple way to start with number stones, as there are so many ways
that they can be used.
To set them up, all you do is paint some stones with acrylic paint. The number
stones I have are a repeating pattern. Half are yellow and half are white, and I
have created them in such a way as to create a visual pattern:
2
NUMBER STONES
Number stones in a repeating pattern of colors
This is good for starting the process of children visualizing odd and even
numbers.
OK, but what do you do when you’ve got them?
Some good ideas include:

i) Putting them in order
ii) Finding objects outside, and labeling how many you have. (For example,
find five sticks and put a number five next to them)
iii) Creating stories. For this have a bag of these stones, and take one out. It
could be a ‘three’ for example. Make up a story, such as ‘One day three horses
went through the woods.’ Then pick out another number and keep going.
iv) Use them on number lines, such as the DIY line above
3
2. Matching Numeral To Quan ty Stones
Another beautiful way to set up stones is to create ones with different

quantities of images on them.
It could be something really simple like spots. You could have stones with one
to ten spots on, for example.
I have created some bug stones, and the children really love them. Here they
are:
Beautiful number bug stones
They are just permanent marker line drawings, with a little bit of acrylic paint.
4
NUMBER STONES
These are fantastic for:

i) Storytelling again – e.g. ‘One butterfly went on an adventure. It found
eight worms.’
ii) Great for matching quantity to the number stones
iii) Great for ordering again
iv) Beautiful for using in small-world play. Children like to feed the bugs
food for example, and look after them!
3. Animal Stones
Another versatile type of number stone you can create is ones with patterns
on, and a nice simple one is to make the stones look like different animals that
have patterned skin.
For example, here are some tiger and zebra stones:
5
Patterned tiger and zebra stones
Other good patterns are things like:

i) Ladybirds (red with black spots)
ii) Leopards (yellow with black spots)
iii) Giraffes (yellow with brown patches)
iv) And any other animal you can think of that has colored markings on their
skin
There are many uses for stones like this.
Although it is not strictly a number activity, using them for patterns is a great
way to start. Color patterns sow the seeds of number patterns later on, and
one definitely leads to the other.
These stones are also excellent for simple counting. How many have you got?
6
NUMBER STONES
How many stripes or spots?
You can use them in games on the floor, such as tic tac toe (noughts and
crosses), or homemade board games on number lines (more about this later).
4. 2s, 5s And 10s Stones
For more skillful or older children, a good way of extending play with number
stones is to use them to count in a range of different ways.
Creating some stones with multiplication tables on is good for this, for example
stones that support counting in 2s, 5s or 10s. Of course, you could go beyond
this and create stones that count in 3s, 4s, 6s, and whatever else you like as
well.
These stones are good for manipulating and moving around, and this really
helps develop a range of skills, such as:
i) Order the stones forwards or backwards
ii) Label things with the stones. This could be something like hand-prints
in paint or mud. For example, six hand-prints could be labelled with six five-
stones to find out how many fingers there are altogether.
iii) Draw pictures and label. It could be something like lots of stick-men in a
row drawn in chalk on the floor. Using the two-stones, work out how many
legs the stick-men have altogether
Here are what my ten stones look like:
7
5.Teen Stones (And Beyond)
Of course there are many ways of challenging and extending children beyond
the simple 1-10 number stones.
You can create stones to twenty, or one hundred, or whatever you want.
Having some tens, hundreds, and thousands stones could be an interesting
experiment.
Here are some simple teen stones:
8
NUMBER STONES
Magical teen stones
Great again for a multitude of skills such as ordering, labelling, matching

numeral to quantity, and all the rest of it.
OK, that’s it for number stones (although there are undoubtedly many more
ways you could think up to use them for mathematics).
We’re now going to get stuck into some outdoor board games…
9
2
Outdoor Board Games
Board games are fantastic for a range of mathematical skills. They encourage:
1. Counting for a purpose
2. Subitizing
3. Recognizing numbers
4. Problem solving
5. Find more/less
All you need to set up your own DIY board games are a piece of chalk to draw
some lines on concrete ground. A dice is good to have, as well as just a few
random found objects, such as stones, twigs, and anything else you think will
work.
Outdoor board games should be big and natural.
Here are some great board games to have a try of:
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OUTDOOR BOARD GAMES
1. Tic Tac Toe (Noughts And Crosses)
This classic of the repertoire is a brilliant game for problem solving and simple
counting, as well as turn taking. You can easily create simple boards on wood
or logs, or just use chalk lines on the floor. You can create a board in about ten
seconds.
Then use any objects you have to hand. It could be painted stones or loose
parts such as pine cones and conkers.
In this picture I created the board from a square of wood painted with
chalkboard paint. The white lines are acrylic paint.
The chalkboard paint means you can pick either using objects or drawing
straight onto the board with chalk.
11
It is good for simple counting and subitizing, as well as thinking ahead.
2. Connect Four
Another classic game from the old days.
If you play this game on the floor it is actually easier to get four in a row than if
you play the standard plastic version. That is basically because you don’t have
to start at the ‘bottom’ of the grid if it’s on the floor. (There is no bottom) You
just put your pieces anywhere.
Create a large board to play on. Once again chalking straight on the ground is
the simplest way of achieving this fast. You need a large grid of approximately
10 by 10 squares, though you could go bigger than this.
If you’re a DIY lover like me, you may want to create a large board with painted
lines on that you can then whizz out whenever you like it. Once again a piece
of wood with lines painted on is all that is required. However, this is definitely
not essential.
Then assemble some players. Unlike the plastic game, you don’t have to
stick to just two players when you play this. You could have 3, 4, or even
potentially more (though I’d probably stick to four as a max so it doesn’t get
too complicated).
Each player needs a pile of their own object. If you had three players, for
example, one could have stones, one conkers, and one shells.
They take it in turn to put one of their stash on a square. The winner is the
person to get four in a row (as you’d probably guessed).
Great for counting, subitizing numbers, tactics and problem solving.
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OUTDOOR BOARD GAMES
3. Racetrack 1-6 Game
This game is particularly good for number recognition.
You need a dice with some numerals on – probably 1 to 6, although you could
use different numbers if that was what you were working on.
A quick note on dice – the outdoor dice that I always use I made myself out of
a wooden fence post that I sawed up. Draw or paint on some numerals or dots.
They will look at bit like this:
DIY wooden dice
So simple, and yet natural and beautiful.
13
Even easier is to find some old wooden building blocks that you don’t need
any more. These make fantastic outdoor dice.
These cheap and natural resources just makes the games so much more
engaging.
Anyway, when you’ve got a dice you will require a board to play on. It will be a
grid that is six boxes horizontally and four vertically, looking something like
this:
I have created a board here using a rectangular piece of wood painted with
chalkboard paint. Once again the chalkboard paint creates an option that the
children can mark-make on the surface if you so desire.
Once again I have painted the lines on with white acrylic paint.
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OUTDOOR BOARD GAMES
Of course just drawing some lines drawn on the ground will be absolutely fine.
You will also require some kind of counter to place on the board (at least 20 of
them). Something like pebbles would be perfect.
Each child that plays (and it could be up to six people) will also need one
counter for themselves this is unique. These could be stones painted different
colors, or a different random object. Whatever works for you!
Here’s how you play – first every child picks which number they think will
‘win’. This is purely guess-work.
If child ‘A’ thinks that 3 will win, they put their counter (e.g. a shell)
underneath number 3 on the board. All the children pick a number in the
same way.
Then the game begins! The idea is that one at a time a child will roll the dice.
Whatever number you get, put a stone in the box above that number. If it is
thrown again, then put a stone in the box above that one.
To see what this looks like in real life, in the picture above, the number 4 has
been thrown twice, and number 1 has just been thrown once. I hope this makes
sense.
Anyway, the winning number is the one to be thrown three times. Then your
counters make it to the end of the board! Whoever picks the winning number
(by pure luck!) is the champion.
You can adapt the game in lots of ways, including:

i) Use a dots dice. This is then good for 1:1 counting, as the children have to
count the dots and then relate that to the correct numeral
ii) Find ‘one more’. This is quite a bit trickier. The idea is that if you roll a 4,
then put a stone on 5. You will have to have the numbers as 2-7 on the board
15
if you use a 1-6 dice

iii) Find ‘one less’. This is basically the same as for one more, but use the
numbers 0-5 on the board (if you use a 1-6 dice anyway)
4. Racetrack 1-12 Game
Buckle up, because this one is quite a bit harder. However, this is a game that
has a vast number of skills involved, including probability and counting on to
add.
Have a racetrack that is a 12 x 4 grid. Have the numbers 1-12 written on the
bottom of the grid.
You will need two dice, ideally a dots dice and a numeral dice.
The general game and set-up is similar to the last one – just with the addition
of an extra dice.
To start with every player predicts which number they think will win. They
use something such as a colored stone to signify this by putting the stone
underneath the number. You could pick two or three numbers each so every
potential winner is taken.
Then you take turns to roll the dice. For example, you might get 3+4. Put
a stone on the first box in the 7 column. Keep going, putting stones in the
columns of the numbers that come up. The ‘winner’ is the first number to
come out 3 times and make it to the top of the grid.
It works well if you use a dots dice and a numeral dice, because then the children
can count on to add.
So if they roll 4 (dots), and the numeral 5, get them to start adding from the
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OUTDOOR BOARD GAMES
numeral. Put their finger on the five, and say ‘five’. Then point to each dot in
turn as they go ‘6,7,8,9.’ This is my number one method to teach adding by
counting on.
This game is also excellent for multiple other things:

1. Calculating
2. Adding
3. Predicting
4. Turn-taking
5. Probability – Numbers 6 and 7 are the two most likely to win. They have
the most combinations of numbers possible. Number 1 can never win as you
can never throw a 1 with two dice. Children may start to get a bit of an idea of
this when they play.
6. Thinking about ‘more’. I.e. how many more a number needs to win.
Realistically I wouldn’t attempt this game with children under the age of 5.
However, for those that can do it, it is a fantastic game because of all the adding
practice that you get, and also the thinking required as well.
5. Number Line Race
This is a great way of exploring a number line.
Have a long number line either chalked on the floor or painted on a piece of
wood, a bit like this:
17
A blank number line game
Once again I used chalkboard paint so they can write numbers on, but this is
not essential. Chalk on the floor is all good.
Each child has one ‘counter’ such as a colored stone.
The idea is that everyone starts at the beginning of the line. The first child
rolls a 1-6 dice. They move their stone along the line to that point (e.g. 5).
Then the other children go. For the next go, you simply keep moving along
the number line. The winner is the person that gets to the end first.
This is good for number recognition, and also problem solving (such as how
far your opponent is ahead of you)
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OUTDOOR BOARD GAMES
6. Blank Number Line Race
This game is a bit trickier, but really gets the children involved and develops
their sense of ownership.
The idea of this is that you create some kind of a blank number line track for
the game, but then the children turn it into a number line of some sort.
With chalk they write directly onto the number line. They could:
i) Just do a standard number line from 0 upwards
ii) Go backwards from a number
iii) Go up in 2s, 5s or 10s
iv) Start at a random number and go up or down
The adult could of course always make the number line for them as well, or
help with the creation of the line.
When they have created the number line, then they play the game in the same
way. All start at one end, and then a child rolls a dice and jumps that number
along the number line. They try to say the number when they land on it.
Then the next child goes.
The trap some of them fall into is rolling a number, and then going straight to
the number, e.g. roll a 6 so put your counter on 6. You will have to encourage
these children that it is take 6 jumps along the line.
This game is great for experiencing a number line in a fun and active context.
Right, that’s pretty much it for outdoor board games. But don’t go anywhere
yet, as coming up is one of the most exciting things known to humankind -
bubbles!
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3
Bubbles Games
Most children are passionately excited by bubbles!
They create that kind of awe and wonder that is a beautiful thing to witness.
Children get that ‘in the zone’ look in their eye, a bit like this:
20
BUBBLES GAMES
(That’s one of my daughters by the way.)
Bubbles spark curiosity, generate talk, and get children moving, communicat-
ing and thinking.
Also, believe it or not, they are brilliant for teaching number!
Of course blowing bubbles out of pots is one thing; bubble wands are great too!
However, there are also a huge variety of bubble activities you can try, many
of them using resources that are either super cheap, or even better – free!
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First, Bubble Mixture
You can buy bubble mixture really cheaply these days.
However, you can also make your own. I use:

1 part washing up liquid
4 parts water
(Optional) Some glycerine
The glycerine is very much an optional extra, but it does apparently help the
bubbles to get a lot bigger. To be honest, though, I never really use it.
To make the perfect bubble mixture here are some pointers:

1. Make it a couple of days before. This allows it to settle.
2. Make sure everything you use to make it is clean – i.e. the bowls, spoons
and everything else. Any dirt will effect the quality of the bubbles
3. Use a washing up liquid that doesn’t smell too fruity, to discourage any
children that may want to drink it. Some washing up liquid smell delicious,
and this is best avoided.
Right, now on with the activities…
1. Blowing Bubbles In A Bowl
Counting something that moves is quite a different skill to counting something

that stays still. Also, some objects are permanent and some only temporary –
they last for a few seconds, then poof they are gone.
Bubbles are great for both of these concepts. They move about and they only
have a short lifespan.
22
BUBBLES GAMES
For this first activity you need some bubble mixture (either bought or home-
made), small bowls and straws. This can also be done in a larger format in a
water tray or big trough (and forget the bowls).
The idea is that the children have a small amount of bubble mixture in a bowl,
and one straw. They blow into the bubble mixture. This makes multiple
bubbles mushroom up out of the bowl.
The idea is that you then pop one bubble at a time and count as they burst.
This is great for 1:1 counting, and cementing in your head that you point as
you say one number.
Simply go ‘1,2,3…’ and keep popping and counting. An excellent strategy for
lower ability children, or those struggling with 1:1. However, pretty much any
children will enjoy and benefit from this.
2. Wait For The Pop
This is similar to the last game, but you don’t pop with your fingers. You
blow the bubbles, and then wait for them to pop by themselves, which they do
relatively frequently. Count the bubbles as they magically pop themselves.
Great for a bit of patience, and self-discipline, as well as fun counting.
3. Fine Motor Pop
In this game, once again blow some bubbles so they mushroom up out of the
bowl. Then use something small to pop the bubbles. Some good things to use
would be:
1. A cocktail stick
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2. A craft or popsicle (lolly) stick

3. A matchstick
4. A pencil
Basically use something small that encourages a pincer grip, or holding the
item between thumb and finger. Excellent for fine motor as well as counting
at the same time.
Simply go round popping the bubbles whilst counting as you do it.
A way to extend this is to pop your friend’s bubbles.
This sounds easy on paper! However, in reality some children get very
precious and territorial over their bubbles, and this game is designed to develop
teamwork and sharing.
The basic idea is that one child blows bubbles, and the other pops and counts.
Then swap over.
You know your children best, and I wouldn’t bother with this sharing activity
if you think it will cause a crisis.
If you think this will be a positive experience, however, then go for it.
4. Bubble Pots
Little mini bubble pots are another excellent resource for a range of bubble
number games.
These are great fun, particularly in the summer or when there is not much
wind outside.
24
BUBBLES GAMES
There are several number games you can do with these. One is very simple:
blow and pop. Blow lots of bubbles into the air, and then pop and count them,
‘1,2,3…’
Another is ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’
This is a team game. Stand in a circle, each with a bubble pot, and everyone
then blows lots of bubbles up into the air in the middle of the circle.
Have several blows, and get loads into the air, before you all start a countdown.
It could be a countdown from 5 or 10, whichever is achievable for your children.
(It could of course be from 20 or potentially higher).
When you get to zero, everyone starts popping as many bubbles as they can
before they hit the ground.
Good for rote counting, discipline, team-work, and so many other skills. You
could also count them as you pop them to get a bit of forwards rote counting
into the mix as well.
5. Dragons
This is one of the ultimate activities ever!
All you need for this are some recycled plastic bottles, and some old socks that
you don’t need any more. Green socks would be perfect, but are not essential.
What you do is cut the bottom off the bottle (the adult does this). Then you
put the sock over the bottle, so that the open end of the bottle is still visible.
Then dip the end of the bottle with the sock on it into some bubble mixture.
25
Then blow through the end!
Loads of frothy bubbles shoot out of the sock in a kind of foam! The idea is
that it is a dragon breathing terrible smoke!
You can really jazz this up by trying some of the following:

1. Use green socks so it really looks like a dragon
2. Stick googly eyes on your dragon
3. It could be a monster or other character
4. Put some paint on the bottom of the sock where the bubbles come out.
Then the bubbles are colored!
5. To make ‘fire’ come out of the dragon’s mouth, put yellow and red paint.
This makes multicolored fire.
What’s this got to do with number?
It’s that you can incorporate measuring length into this activity.
Blow the foam snakes onto the ground and keep on blowing. You can make
incredibly long columns of froth.
Then get some kind of measuring stick or string that has sections on it. Place
it alongside and count the sections.
You could then do some of the following:

i) Record how long each one is in some way
ii) Find out which is longest
iii) Find out how much longer one snake is than another
As well as number, this snake-blowing is a kind of beautiful yoga-like

experience. It’s great for deep-breathing, even though children have no idea
that they are doing this. Here’s a couple of photos of ‘dragons’ to give you an
idea of what they look like:
26
BUBBLES GAMES
A green dragon with an eye drawn on with permanent marker
27
Don’t have any spare green socks? Even a random one will do the job!
So there we go!
These five bubble activities are a real feast of bubble blowing, mathematics,
communication, movement, and all sorts of other skills all thrown in together.
Give some of these games a go, and bring the wonder and curiosity of bubbles
into the lives of your little ones.
Or, just as exciting, why don’t you have a go of some of these classic outdoor
games coming up…
28
4
Classic Outdoor Ac vi es
Now a few games that don’t really belong in any other category. They are
just fantastic games in their own right, all brought together in this one great
mish-mash of a chapter.
1. Stepping Stones
This is an excellent game of cooperation and teamwork.
I use rubber spots for this game with numbers on them. You need one more
spot than you have children, so if you have a team of six children you will
needs 7 spots (with numbers 1 to 7 on). The spots will look something like
this:
29
The children are in a line. The child at the front has all the spots (they have
the second hardest job). The person at the back of the line actually has the
trickiest job of the lot, as they have to bend down and pick the spots up.
The idea is that the floor is now lava. Children love this concept more than
possibly anything else on the face of planet earth, for some reason.
It’s lava, and you cannot stand on it. However, you can stand on the spots that
are the stepping stones over the lava. Phew!
The child at the front finds number 1 and puts it on the floor. They stand on it.
Then they put down number 2 in front of them, and step on that. Then number
3 etc.
As soon as there is a free stepping stone behind them, the others start to
step onto the stones. When number 7 is on the floor, the children should be
30
CLASSIC OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
standing on stones 2 to 7. Then it is the turn of the person at the back to turn
round, bend down, and pick up stepping stone number 1. They then pass it
down the line.
Everyone in the team helps each other to pass the number down to the person
at the front of the line, and the process starts again. Every stepping-stone
that you move now, the person at the back will bend down and pick up the
spare stepping-stone.
I like to get them to say the number as they stand on it. This game is good for
number recognition and ordering.
2. Using Water Spray-Bo les
This is another activity that has about fifty variations in one.
They all surround that fabulous resource – squirty water bottles…
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You could do with a few of these bottles to try these ideas, so children can
carry them out together. Things are always more infectious when there’s a
few people engaged in something at once.
Some great ideas include…
Dice Roll Squirt
All have a squirty bottle each with water in, and one dice between the group.
Roll the dice, and whatever number you get you all squirt that number of times!
If you are feeling brave, you can do a variation of this where you mix a bit
of paint with the water as well. Roll the dice and then squirt that number of
colored blobs onto a big surface on the floor – something like a large sheet of
wall-paper would be perfect.
32
Two children together that had two colors of paint (one each) could potentially
create things like patterns, or you could add. One child could squirt three pink
blobs, and the other four green. How many have you got altogether?
Cup Shooting
They love this. You need some cups for this that have numerals on them. The
idea is to put the cups in a horizontal row.
They are going to be a bit like a coconut shy. Pick a number and then fire your
squirty water bottle at the correct number! You can just try to move them. If
you balance the cups on the edge of something like a plank or a table-top, then
you can fire at the number until it falls off the surface.
Another way to do this one is a bit like vertical ten-pin bowling. You stack up
lots of cups in whatever arrangement the children can manage. Something
like a pyramid would be amazing.
Then fire at the structure with the squirty water, and see how many you can
knock down. Count them, then your friend will rebuild the structure and try
to beat your score.
Squirt Bingo
There are lots of different ways of doing this.
Basically the idea is that you have some kind of grid of numbers or a number
line of numbers on the floor.
Have at least two players, but you could have more, each with a squirty bottle.
Get them to stand in a team first, somewhere a bit away from the grid or
number line.
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One child goes first. Tell them a number, they run to the grid, squirt at the
number, and run back.
Then the next child goes. Shout a number, and they run out and squirt it and
then run back.
Squirty Bottles In General…
The squirty bottles are brilliant for strengthening hands alongside all the great
number games you can do.
Children just enjoy going round squirting stuff, and who can blame them.
Loads of skills are involved in this simple process.
3. Measuring S cks
This is a great way of getting children starting off with measuring in an exciting
way.
You need to find some kind of reasonably robust sticks for this. You can find
sticks in a forest or park, or you could use something like broomsticks. The
broomsticks might actually be better because they would be unbreakable.
Anyway, I used sticks. The idea now is to paint lines onto them. Use acrylic
paint (which is the best for painting anything indoors or out for a permanent
result).
I painted lines at ten centimetre intervals along the sticks.
When I introduce them to the children, I tell them these are the wizard’s
magical measuring staffs. This really jazzes the whole thing up.
34
The ones I made look like this:
Magical wizard staff measuring sticks
From there, it’s simply a case of showing them how to use them. Go round the
outside area and measure things.
It’s a great introduction to non-standard units, and that bit of magic combined
adds an element of mystery and awe to the proceedings (hopefully).
Other ways of creating similar resources are:

i) Use a piece of string with sections on it (pieces of ribbon tied on, or maybe
pieces of tape)
ii) Use something like rope for large-scale measuring
iii) Have the children create their own wizard’s measuring staffs
iv) Get them to enhance them by winding material onto the sticks, or taping
35
things on (like flowers or leaves!)
4. Snowball
This is a fantastic cooperation game that can be played either indoors or out.
Outside it is best done on a dry day that is not too windy.
Have some pieces of scrap paper. You need one piece for each child.
There are many variations, but a simple way to start is to have a number
written on each piece of paper. You need pairs of numbers, so there would be
two ‘3s’, two ‘4s’ and whatever other numbers you had.
You need one piece of paper per child. If you have an odd number of children
then you will have pairs of numbers and an odd one.
If you have an even number of children then you have pairs of numbers and
two odd ones.
The idea is that the children stand in a circle and you give out the pieces of
paper to the children that are playing. Then the fun bit – they scrunch them
up into balls. These are the snowballs.
They throw the snowballs into the middle of the circle. The big rule now is
that they are not allowed to touch their own snowball. Instead they have to
pick up someone else’s.
They all pick up another snowball and unravel it to see the number. Then
they try to find their matching partner. There will be either one or two people
without a partner. They are the champion/s!
This is a great game for many skills, including:
36
i) Cooperation
ii) Eye contact
iii) Standing next to someone who is not your best friend (which is easier
said than done)
iv) Team-work
It is also, of course, brilliant for numeral recognition if you play the version I
have just outlined.
You can also vary the skills involved. For example, you could focus on:
i) Matching 2D shapes
ii) Match numeral to quantity – half the cards have spots on and the other
have numerals on them
iii) It could be addition – half the cards have addition sentences on (like
3+2), and the other lot have the answers (e.g. 5)
iv) Have number bonds – two sets of numbers that all add up to 5 for example
v) Matching colors
5. Transi onal Art With A Dice
This is an example of a loose parts activity that incorporates lots of number

skills.
Have some kind of collection of loose parts, a dice and a portrait frame.
I like to use a ‘tinker tray’ for the loose parts. This could be something like a
muffin tin, or a tray with different compartments. In the different sections
you put lots of loose parts – pompoms, screws, pebbles, corks, feathers, leaves
– whatever you have to hand.
The idea is that you are going to create some kind of picture. Roll the dice and
put that number of an object into the picture frame.
37
You could make a silly face, and they really enjoy doing this. For example, if
you roll a four, put four pompoms on the face for eyes.
The face could have 5 ears, 2 mouths, 4 spiky hairs on its head. Give your
character a name, a voice, a back-story, and all that kind of thing to really
bring it to life.
You could also make:

i) An alien
ii) A picture of different animals. For example, 4 clothes pins (pegs) could
be crocodiles, or three grey stones could be elephants
iii) A building - with lots of different windows, doors, and all that kind of
things
iv) A vehicle - with lots of different wheels, wings, windows etc
v) Or whatever else your imagination comes up with
6. Dice Games
This is an an area of number that could be pretty much a whole book by itself,
but I’ve condensed it down into two activities, both rich with multiple ideas.
To try out these games you need a few different dice.
Once again there are a couple of simple choices in how to make them.
You can create them out of something like wooden blocks, and this would work
really well.
The ones I use I made out of a fence post that I sawed up and sanded down.
(But blocks would be perfect)
There are four main dice I use for which you can try all sorts of exciting games.
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Here are the dice:
There is:
i) A simple numeral dice, with the numbers 1 to 6
ii) A dots dice, again from 1 to 6
iii) There is an ‘action dice’. This is the one of the right. It has actions on
that the children can do. The ones you can see are ‘star jumps’ (the star),
‘stand on tiptoes’ (the pointy toes picture), and ‘jump’ (the legs with arrows
underneath that you can just about get a glimpse of. You can add whatever
other actions you want – clapping, hopping, nodding, twisting.
iv) There is a voices dice. These are different characters, e.g. a ghost, alien,
robot, princess, tiger, T-Rex – anything that has a fun voice to try
For all the pictures and numbers I have just used a permanent marker pen.
Very simple to set up, and will last pretty much a lifetime.
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Here are some games you can do when you have a few dice like these:
Count The Ac ons
Use two dice for this game. One has numbers on (or dots), and the other is the
action dice.
Roll both. The idea is that all the children do the action that is rolled however
many times the number dice says.
So you might roll ‘5’ and ‘star jumps’. Do 5 star jumps!
Roll again. It might be ‘3’ and ‘hop’. Do 3 hops.
You can make it harder in several different ways, such as:

i) Roll three dice – two number dice, and one action. This is an adding game.
Add the two numbers and do the action that quantity of times.
ii) Have actions that involve the children using their mouths. This could be
roaring, or going ‘sh!’ These are much harder because you can’t count with
your mouth. To do 5 roars, for example, you have to roar whilst simultaneously
counting either on your fingers or in your head.
Another good action game is…
Dance Counting
For this you need one number dice, either the dots or the numeral dice. It is
also good if you can have some kind of outdoor source of music.
Roll the dice first, and see what number you get. For example, 4.
Then put some kind of music on. Any kind of funky disco track will work great.
40
Make up any kind of dance routine, but do four of each move to the music,
before going on the next move. For example, do four points with both hands
to the side, then 4 to the other, then 4 up, and finally 4 down.
When you have done a few moves, roll the dice again.
You might get a ‘6’, for example.
Now you are going to try to do the same routine, but with 6 of every move
instead.
Keep going like this, rolling the dice and trying out different numbers of dance
moves. Children start to experience that the larger numbers are much ‘bigger’
than the smaller. You are dancing for ages, for example, when the number is
six, rather than when it is just one.
A version of this game that you can do without music is just roll a dice and then
do that number of different moves. If it was 5, then all do 5 jumps, 5 hops, 5
star jumps etc. The children can pick the moves themselves.
7. Number Dice – Coun ng
Now for some number dice counting games.
This is where the character voices dice really comes into its own!
The simplest way to play is just to roll the dice and see what character you get.
If it’s the ghost then count using your best ghost voice – ‘1, 2, 3 etc’
If it’s the alien, then count like an alien.
This easy game is brilliant for young children who are starting out with rote
41
counting. It is also an extremely boy-friendly activity (although girls will like

it too!).
You can make it harder later on in a variety of ways:

i) Roll a number dice as well as the character voices. Count on from that
number. For example, you might roll ‘6’ and ‘robot’. Count from 6 upwards
like a robot.
ii) Count in 2s, 5s, or 10s
iii) Count backwards from 5, 10 or 20
iv) Roll a number dice, as well as the character dice, and count backwards
from the number using the voice
Silly but effective!
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5
Washing Lines
Children really enjoy pegging things on lines!
I’ve no idea why.
Tap into this enthusiasm and get stuck into some washing line number games.
Washing lines are great for their gross and fine motor skills, as well as
benefiting their communication and teamwork skills.
Over ten years in early education I have used washing lines in all sorts of ways,
and I have also built different types of washing lines.
The simplest way to make a washing line is just to have a piece of string that
goes between two fences, or two walls. That really is all you need.
I have experimented with smaller washing lines as well. These are great for
all sorts of number activities.
To make a mini washing line all you need is a piece of wood for the base. Then
drill two holes in either end. Then you need two pieces of dowel or even pieces
43
of broom handle sawn up. Superglue these into the holes. Then attach some
string across the top.
Right, so you’ve got a washing line (even if it’s just a piece of string). Let’s go
onto the activities you can now do.
1. Coun ng Barbie’s Clothes
This is wonderfully random.
Have a washing line, some of Barbie’s clothes (lol!), some clothes pins (pegs)
and a dice.
There are lots of games possible, but a good simple one to start is the
following…
Roll the dice and peg up that number of clothes. This is a great matching
numeral to quantity game.
Another way to do it is to have two dice. Then it becomes a fun adding game
(e.g. roll both, and put that number of clothes on the line.)
If you were feeling more ambitious you could do something like subtraction.
Put a quantity of clothes on the line and roll a dice to see how many you take
off.
Or, if you had loads of Barbie’s clothes, then you could do the game where you
take turns to peg them on. One person rolls a dice, pegs on that number, then
the next person goes. The ‘winner’ is the person that gets to the end of the
line and can fit no more clothes on.
I might as well give you my full repertoire of clothes on lines games while we
44
WASHING LINES
are here.
Another one they love is when I used to bring in my own clothes and tell them
they were the ‘giant’s clothes’. They always believed it! They look especially
giant-like if you have some baby clothes you can put up alongside them.
Great for talking about size, and ordering through length.
Of course, you don’t necessarily need to use Barbie’s clothes for these activities.
You could use Ken’s!
Or you could try some of the following:

i) Peg up pairs of socks. Good for counting in twos
ii) Peg up clothes in patterns, e.g. red blue red blue
So simple, and all basically free.
2. Loose Parts Objects Hung Up On A Washing Line
Although this is just one activity in this chapter, this could be a whole book on
its own.
Loose parts and washing lines! Definitely a best-seller in the making.
There is something very intriguing for some children in finding random objects
and pegging them up on washing lines.
Some fantastic things to peg up are things like leaves, sticks, wooden slices,
and pompoms.
You could have clothes pins (pegs) with numbers written on pegged up in a
line.
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For things like leaves, you could get the children to write numbers on to them.
You could order the leaves numerically. Or, particularly in Autumn, you can
put the leaves in a pattern – for example red, brown, red, brown. You could
add with the leaves, such as three red add two brown.
Items like sticks are great to find around the setting and try to peg up on the
line. Again you could make patterns, or you could hang them in size order.
Pieces of material could be pegged up in a pattern, or again be used for some

sort of numerical calculation. It could be 5 pieces of blue ribbon, add 3 pieces
of pink.
All of these ideas using random and found materials are really engaging, and
get the children thinking and interacting with their environment all at the
same time.
3. Ordering Numbers
If you have any kind of wood slices with numbers on, or even number cards,
then pegging them up in order on a washing line is a must.
However, even easier is the following…
Use little pieces of card that are folded over to make an upside down ‘v’ shape.
I promise you this is a true ninja tip.
These small sections of card are much easier to place on the line for children
that find it difficult to peg things on. You just place the cards on, and they stay
there.
This is good for making the numbers the focus (not that actual pegging process
taking center stage).
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WASHING LINES
There are many number games you can play with these little pieces of card,
such as:
i) Put some numbers on them. You can order the numbers from 1-5, or 0-10.
ii) Order numbers that are non-consecutive, for example 3, 5, 6 and 9
iii) Find missing numbers. E.g. Have the numbers 1-10 pegged up, but the
6 is missing. What number goes there? To make it easier, have some kind of
number line for the children to refer to
Here is a simple line of ordered numbers using the pieces of card:
If you have two colors of card, e.g. green and orange, then all sorts of other
possibilities are opened up as well. Some of these include:
i) Creating patterns (not ‘number’ I know, but definitely linked)
ii) Number bonds (either to five or ten)
iii) Finding one more or less
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Here’s a pattern:
4. Addi on And Subtrac on
I thought addition and subtraction deserved its own place in this chapter as
there are so many ways you can do it on a number line.
To start with, there are all the fantastic loose parts addition and subtraction
activities you can try.
Get two collections of objects for addition. It could be leaves and daisies, for
example. You could do this activity with something like two dice. Roll the dice,
and see what you get. As an example, three add one. Peg up three leaves on
the washing line and one daisy, something like this:
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WASHING LINES
Loose parts can be used in all sorts of ways to develop number skills on a washing
line
(The answer’s four).
Larger outdoor lines will allow for more extensive calculations and bigger
objects.
You can also use those really large pegs that you can buy for children’s smaller
fingers.
Another way of adding is using the pieces of colored card like we used before.
For example, you could put three orange pieces of card on, and two yellow.
Find out how many there are altogether.
Subtraction just basically operates in the opposite way. Start with four orange
49
pieces of card, for example, then subtract three.
A good subtraction game is ‘start with six’. You start by pegging up six objects
(or pieces of card) on the line. Then roll a dice. Take that number of items off.
How many do you have? It will be anywhere between zero and six.
Children can try to carry out written operations, such as 5+2. They are given
the written calculation, and try to create it with objects.
They could also go the other way and record what they have found as number
calculations, e.g. add three sticks and two leaves, and then record this as 3+2.
Younger children could record the answer either as a numeral or even as dots
or marks.
5. Problem Solving
Washing lines are brilliant for getting young children’s minds whizzing and
whirring into life.
Here are a few examples of problems that can be posed by using a washing
line:
Pegging Up Gloves – Counting How Many Fingers
This is an excellent multi-level activity. You can simply start by pegging up

some gloves and trying to count how many there are. You can also count how
many fingers they have.
It can be extended, however, in different directions. This is a good activity

for getting children to practically count in 5s or 10s. If there are six gloves on
the washing line, you can count in 5s six times, or you can count in 10s three
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WASHING LINES
times.
Number bonds are also possible this way. For number bonds to five, you need
one glove. If you grab some of the fingers, how many fingers are left. For
example, grab two and there are three fingers still showing.
Linking To Songs
Have some pictures that link to a song, ideally one that has numbers or
counting involved in it. Some good examples are:
i) Five little speckled frogs
ii) Five little men in a flying saucer
iii) Ten green bottles
Peg up the pictures, and sing the song! The children take off a picture at the
given moment and try to work out how many are left.
Hanging Objects In Length Order
Hang up something like sticks or clothes in height order. The number focus
comes into it if you measure them with something like measuring sticks or
pieces of string.
Hanging Up Pictures Of Children
Put up, for example, pictures of seven individual children. Then work out
different problems, such as:
i) How many legs do they have altogether?
ii) How many eyes?
iii) How many toes?
Make Ten
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What different ways can they come up with of making ten on the washing line?
52
6
Ten Frames
Ten frames are really popular now in early education, and with good reason.
They provide a really simple framework for children to develop lots of different
mathematics skills, including counting, adding, number bonds, patterns,
creating arrays, and many more!
But how do they work? What’s the big idea? How do you introduce them? How
can you make them? What games can you play with them?
A ten frame is simply a grid of 2 by 5 squares. One of my favorite ten frames I

use in outside learning are these ones that I painted onto logs:
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Our numbers system is based around the number ten.
This is because humans have ten fingers. The number system that the modern
world uses was first an ancient one, originating in India.
If humans had 6 fingers, our number system would have been based around 6.
However, we don’t – we have ten! And so ten is the basis of the number system.
Therefore, it is very important that children begin to understand numbers in
the context of ten.
Ten frames also help to create pictures in the children’s heads – and mathe-
maticians think in pictures!
Ten frames grew out of extensive research in the 1980s.
54
TEN FRAMES
Right, that’s about as far as the theory goes in this book. Let’s dive into the
real good juicy stuff, and stake a look at how to make and use use them for
some quality outdoor learning.
1. Make Ten Frames In Imagina ve Ways
There are all sorts of ten frames you can create. If you can find really interesting
and appealing ways of making them, then the children are much more likely
to want to interact with them.
Some good ideas include:

i) Draw them with permanent marker on whiteboards. Then the children
can draw pictures in the boxes, or write symbols.
ii) Create laminated ones that they can use with counters or loose parts
iii) Make natural ones out of wood slices or logs (my personal favorite).
Here’s a ten frame I painted onto a tree stump:
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iv) Use things like a piece of material or sheet. These are great for picking up
and transporting around outside
v) Use craft (popsicle or lolly) sticks glued together to make a frame. These
56
TEN FRAMES
are excellent to use with things like colored stones or gems to make different
arrays.
vi) Chalk them on the floor
vii) Spray paint them on the grass!
viii) Use egg boxes! You can actually get egg boxes with ten sections which
are perfect. Alternatively, you can cut a larger egg box so that it just has ten.
ix) Use things like ten buckets in a grid
x) Ten plant pots can be put in a ten-frame shape
xi) You can draw them on huge pieces of paper outside
xii) You can cut up things like an old trellis (more of this trellis magic later
on)
Right, so you make some ten-frames in whatever way you like, and now here
are some great games to play with them:
2. Leaves V Stones!
This is probably my number one ten frame game!
You basically need two children for this one, although you could have more
split up into two teams if you wanted.
One child (or team) will have one set of objects, for example pine cones. The
other will have a different set of objects, e.g. stones.
Have a ten frame on the ground. Have a pile of stones about ten yards away
from it in one direction on the ground, and have a pile of pine cones about ten
yards away from it on the opposite side.
Basically, the idea is that you say ‘ready, steady, go!’
The two children run off, get one of their object, and bring it back to the ten
57
frame. They put it on the frame. Then they run back, get another, and bring it
back to the ten frame.
The idea is to keep doing this until the ten frame is full.
If one child has more than five then they have won! There is an element of
healthy competition involved.
Often you get a five-five draw. Sometimes it may be 6-4, or even 7-3.
This active, game-based approach to number bonds really does help get to
‘stick’ the bonds in the children’s heads. They start to see that six goes with
four, and five with five.
In a team game, one child would go first, then the second child, and keep going
like that. The big rule is you can only get one object at a time – no cheating!
3. Explorer Treasure!
In this one the children are like explorers. They travel round outside, find
interesting ‘treasure’ (leaves, sticks, or whatever else they come across) and
bring them back and put them on the ten frame.
It really is that simple.
They can arrange the treasure in lots of different ways.
4. Ten Frame Flash
This is an adult-led game (at least to start with).
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TEN FRAMES
Each person involved has their own ten frame and some objects, and you also
need one sheet to go over the top of the adult’s ten frame.
You put some objects on the ten frame under the sheet so the children can’t
see them.
Each child will be sitting with their own ten-frame.
Then you lift the sheet off the ten-frame for a few seconds, before putting it
back on. The children have to try to copy the array they have seen on the ten
frame.
This is great for visualizing, subitizing, estimating, and counting.
5. Number Bonds, Pa erns, Arrays, And So Much More!
To keep this book down to just 50 games I’ve had to lump a few activities
together. So here you go – a whole handful of ten-frames games you can do
(all in one activity).
This book may be expanded into about 500 Outdoor Number Games in the
future (watch this space for that).
Anyway, probably the best way to get acquainted with ten-frames is quite
simply to explore them. Children finding objects outside and putting them on
the frame gets them visualizing number in all sorts of ways. The frames may
end up looking something like this:
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After period of exploration has taken place, children will hopefully be ready to
try some more structured ten-frames activities. Some of these could be:
i) Exploring number bonds, e.g. six leaves and four conkers
ii) Adding, such as three leaves and two stones. Even though you are not
filling the whole ten-frame, it still provides an excellent platform to see what
addition calculations look like in the context of ten
iii) Make the number in different ways. For example, how many different
ways can you find of making 5
iv) Making patterns – such as stone, leaf, stone, leaf. Once again this is not
directly a number activity, but any experience of patterns they gains really
helps them to understand number patterns later on
v) Young children may just pile up loads of objects onto a ten-frame, and
this really is not a total disaster. It is starting the process, and we’ve all got to
start somewhere
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TEN FRAMES
A Teeny Weeny Bit More On Ten-Frames…
Ten-frames are very versatile and can be used by children of quite a range of
ages. I think you can probably start when children are about three, and keep
going in more complex ways up to at least seven, and possibly beyond.
Here is a rough timeline of how they can be used over this period:
3-4 years – Introduce the ten frame, explore different ways of making a
number, and maybe practically explore ways of filling them up with objects
5-6 years – Explore number bonds in a more structured way; introduce adding;
patterns; subetizing; estimating
7 years – Mental visualization of number bonds; adding; subtracting; more

complex patterns; estimating; mental calculating
OK! Brace yourself, because it’s time to unleash the parachute games…
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7
Parachute Games
What can be more simple, cheap and fun than a humble parachute?
Also, instead of a parachute all of these games coming up could be played with
a giant bed-sheet, or a large piece of elastic.
Anyway, whatever item you are able to use, be it parachute, sheet, or elastic,
the games and the skills involved will be largely the same.
1. Number Bond Bounce
All you need for this is something like beanbags. Alternatively, use sponge
balls.
I would start with five beanbags on the parachute for number bonds to five. If
you want to do number bonds to ten then use ten beanbags.
Stand in a circle, holding the parachute. You simply all bounce the beanbags
up and down for a few seconds. Hopefully a few will fly off the parachute.
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PARACHUTE GAMES
Then stop and all count how many beanbags are left on the parachute. If there
are three on the parachute, for example, ask the children how many are on
the floor? Then go and find out.
Put the beanbags back on and repeat. If you do this a few times over a couple
of sessions, some children will start to know straight away that 1 goes with 4,
and 2 goes with 3 etc.
You can really jazz this up with a song or a chant! Something like the following
as you are bouncing will be fantastic:
Which number bond will show?

Bounce, bounce, bounce. Here we go!
Little fun ditties and chants like this are far from obligatory, but do help the
children with engagement and focus.
2. Number Clock
Have some number cards. With the parachute on the floor, place the numbers
around it so they look at bit like a clock (they do not have to be in order, but
just in a clock-face shape if this makes sense!) It will look a bit like this…
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Everyone stands up, holding the parachute.
If you have any way of having music outside, then put some music on. The
children walk round in a circle, so the parachute is rotating with them.
Then stop the music. Whenever this happens, the children freeze. Whatever
number they are standing next to, they say that number. It’s as simple as that!
If you have no outdoor music source, just get them to rotate and shout ‘freeze’
at any given moment.
There are so many ways to jazz this one up!
Probably my number one way is to use silly voices. Pick a voice for them to
use. It could be a T-Rex voice, for example. When they stop next to a number
next time, they say the number like a T-Rex, e.g. ‘8!’ (imagine the scariest
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PARACHUTE GAMES
T-Rex voice ever)
Other good voices are:

i) A Witch
ii) A princess
iii) A zombie
iv) A ghost
v) A lion
vi) An alien
This really adds to the enjoyment of the activity.
Another voice they find very amusing is your ‘fast’ voice. This basically means
that when you stop next to a number, you say it again and again in your quickest
voice, for example, ‘three three three three three…’ etc
A harder way to play the game is to find one more than the number. So you
might stop next to five, but say ‘six’.
You could also find one less.
It can also be extended for number bonds (though this is quite a bit harder just
to warn you). If you are finding number bonds to five, then have the numbers
from 0 to 5 repeating around the circle. Children stop next to a number, and
try to say the other number that will combine with it to make 5. An example
would be this: stop next to 3, so you would need to add 2 to make 5. I wouldn’t
really try this with children under the age of 5 realistically (just as a warning!).
3. 5 Li le Monkeys Jumping On The Bed
I have chosen this little monkeys song as an example of a counting song you
could use, although you could choose many others.
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However, the monkeys song does work well for the game.
You need something to be the 5 little monkeys. It could be monkey puppets or

toys, or you could just use something like beanbags to represent them.
Throw one at a time of whatever it is onto the parachute, and count them
-1,2,3.. as you go. Then bounce them to the beat of the music as you sing:
5 Cheeky monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped its head
We phoned the doctor and the doctor said,
‘No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
Take one off and count how many you have got left.
Repeat the song, taking one off each time. Great for learning the language of
‘one less’, and beginning to calculate in simple ways.
4. Bounce Count
This is a really simple concept.
You just get something like a large rubber ball, a beachball, or a beanbag.
Bounce it high into the air and say ‘one’. Then when it lands, bounce it again
and say ‘two’.
Keep counting! Great for 1:1 counting and practising rote counting as well.
Top tip – Always try to count past ten (because some children think the
numbers stop at this point)
66
PARACHUTE GAMES
5. Number Dive
You need a few number cards for this game.
Everyone stands up and holds the parachute. Place the number cards under
the parachute on the floor. Then pick someone to go first.
The idea is that you all then go ‘1,2,3, Lift!’ Everyone lifts the parachute so
that it goes mushrooming up into the air.
Then shout a number. The child you have picked will quickly dive under the
parachute, and get the number and bring it back out to safety. Then pick
another child and repeat again.
When they have mastered this way of playing it, the slightly more challenging
way is for the children to pick the next person to find a number, and also to
shout the number that they are going to select. Whenever you have just had a
go retrieving a number, you become the person that will shout what to get.
Like pretty much all these games, there are ways of making this game harder,
which include:
i) Play the ‘one more’ version. A child will find ‘one more than four’ for
example
ii) Try one less
iii) Shout out calculations. It could be ‘three add two’, and the child goes
under and tries to find the answer.
A word of warning is to give them some thinking time if you try harder versions
of the game such as this. Tell the child the problem before you start the process
of raising the parachute. This reduces stress, and gives them a fighting chance
of working out the answer using whatever mental strategies they like.
67
This Number Dive game can also be adapted for different concepts. You could
have 2D shapes under the parachute, for example. You could link this to
number with statements like ‘Find a shape with three side’, or ‘Find one with
four corners.’
6. Roll The Number Coopera on
For this you require something like rubber discs with numbers on. Put these
on the parachute, ideally towards the outer edge and spaced out. Rubber discs
work well for this if you have them, as they don’t slide around the chute that
much (which is what you want in this game).
Then, with everyone holding the parachute, put a rubber ball onto it. Call out
a number, e.g. ‘5’. The idea is that everyone cooperates to roll the ball onto
that number disc. Then call another number, and everyone helps to steer the
ball again by lifting or dropping their bit of the parachute.
There are many ways of playing this. You could:

i) Go in order – start at zero or one and work your way up
ii) Find one more of a number. E.g. ‘Roll the ball onto one more than three.’
iii) Find one less
iv) Give them simple mental calculations – such as ‘four subtract two.’
68
8
Number Lines And Number Frames
This chapter is great for anyone that likes a bit of mild DIY. And I really do
mean mild. A few planks of wood, a bit of superglue, a lick of paint, and hey
presto – you’ll have some great resources that will last for years, and can be
used repeatedly.
Number lines are something that children get to understand by using. The
more practical and exciting the number lines you can construct, and also the
ways you can find to use them, the more children will start to walk around
with their own private number line in their head. This is definitely the end
goal.
Mathematicians think in pictures.
The more visual you can make early number experiences, the more these
pictures will be stacking up in their minds.
All the resources in this chapter work well because:

1. They are visual
2. They allow for problem solving
3. They allow for manipulation of physical objects
69
4. They can be used again and again, often in different ways
I’m going to have a look first at number lines, and then some different frames
and models that you can use to explore number in many ways.
This chapter is very visual, so I’ve included lots of pictures to really set the
scene. Here we go…
1. Number Lines
These are super simple, and anyone can make many types of number lines (I
promise).
The easiest way to make one is to get a plank of wood. Then you paint lines
along it to divide it into sections. It really is that simple.
I also made some excellent ones out of some old baseboards (skirting boards).
They looked a bit like this:
70
NUMBER LINES AND NUMBER FRAMES
It’s just a long board with red stripes running all down it.
This number line has got ten sections. It’s good for putting things like loose
parts onto it (such as the leaves and twigs in the picture).
It’s great for:

i) Making patterns
ii) Arranging things in order, for example wood slices with numbers on, or
the number stones in order
iii) Creating number bonds (for example with six twigs and four stones)
2. Number Lines With Curtain Hooks
These are brilliant (even if I do say so myself). Please have a go of these.
71
You need some kind of plank of wood, or I used baseboards (skirting boards)
again. You can get off-cuts of things planks and thin boards extremely cheaply
in many DIY stores.
Find some old curtain hooks from somewhere, and then you superglue them
onto the piece of wood you have. It will look something like this:
A number line with five curtain hooks
This is just a short one with five curtain hooks. I also have number lines with
ten hooks on, and you could make bigger, and have twenty (or beyond).
The beauty of the curtain hooks is that they are brilliant for putting things
in Found objects are brilliant, things like pebbles, nuts, leaves, twigs, and all
that kind of thing.
72
You can also use things like number stones, gems, wood slices, pompoms, and
just about any other loose part you could think of that is small enough to fit in
the hook.
They are so simple, but make an excellent introduction to a number line and
how to use one in a play-based way.
Some things you can do with them include:

i) To start with, and for very young children, just putting things into them is
a great way to get going. For example, the number line might end up looking
a bit like this:
ii) Creating patterns with a range of objects is a good one

iii) Putting numbered objects in order works well. Here are the number
stones on a long number line with ten curtain hooks:
73
iv) Number bonds can also be attempted in a range of ways – objects, stones
etc
v) Counting forwards or backwards on a number line
vi) You can start at different points and order numbers either forwards or
back. For example, place the numeral three number stone at the start of the
number line, and order the stones up to thirteen
3. Number Lines Using Hooks
Another way to create number lines is to screw some hooks into a fence or a
pallet stuck to the fence (or something else along those lines).
Then you have something with numbers on that also have hooks in that you
can hang up.
74
Something like wood slices with numbers painted on would be perfect.
Or you could use wooden building blocks with numbers on.
Mini-drawstring bags are a good one to hang from the hooks, and the children
could fill these with pebbles or leaves.
4. Addi on Triangles
These are great for exploring number bonds, so I wouldn’t use them before
children are at this point. They are based on the part-part-whole model used
in Singapore Mathematics.
To create these, I painted a thin piece of square wood with chalkboard paint,
and then white acrylic paint lines. You want three circles in a triangle, with
lines joining then so that it looks like this:
75
The idea is that you start with a collection of objects in the top circle. It could
be patterned stones like the ones in the picture. Or you could use leaves, twigs,
pebbles, or any of that kind of thing.
The idea is that you split up the initial quantity of objects into the two lower
circles. So, for example, in the picture I have split up five into two and three.
There are all sorts of combinations you can create. The beauty of having a
chalkboard paint surface is that you can write the calculations on as you find
them with chalk (‘3+2’ for example).
You can find bonds of any number, it doesn’t just need to be 5 or 10. There is
just as much value in doing this for six.
You could do this in a much larger way as well. You could chalk huge addition
triangles on the floor with chalk.
76
You could also use something like buckets for the three circles, with lines
drawn between them.
Like all these activities, the way I have demonstrated in this book is only a
starting point, and can be adapted in many ways.
5. 2 Sets For Addi on
This is another good game when children are beginning to add. You can use
painted stones, or just found objects from the area.
The really simple idea here is that you have two sections of some kind of frame.
It could be two circles painted next to each other on something like a log. Or
you could draw two on the floor with chalk. Or you could create something
like this:
77
A simple 2-part adding frame
This is just part of a garden trellis that has been cut up. There are many more
trellis ideas coming next (so watch this space).
Anyway, the idea of this simple two-box or two-circle structure is to have a

go of adding.
You put one quantity of objects in one section, and one in the other. For
example, we have the leaves above (3+1). Find out how many you have
altogether!
The simplest way is to count them all starting with one. More sophisticated is
to recognize one of the numbers (for example, ‘3’ in the picture above), and
count on from that ‘3,4’. This does not happen overnight, however! Counting
on is a long and arduous process for most children that takes a good amount
78
of time to develop and then sustain.
This simple game can be adapted in all sorts of ways, such as:
i) Have two buckets
ii) Have two other kind of containers you can find, such as plant pots or egg
cups
iii) Make the gathering of objects into a race or competition
iv) Record the calculations
v) Find number bonds of a number
6. Trellis Magic!
This is multiple ideas in one, and definitely worth a try if either you, or
someone you know, don’t mind a few minutes of sawing wood to set the
activities up.
You need a wooden trellis for this. Ideally find one that is large and has square
sections.
All you do is saw up the trellis into different frames.
You could create a ten-frame like we saw earlier:
79
Here’s a gorgeous example with a number bond to ten with patterned number
stones.
A simpler version of the ten-frame is its smaller partner, the five-frame:
80
Of course five-frames an excellent tool to help children experience numbers

in the context of five, and to aid the exploration of adding, number bonds,
patterns, and all that kind of thing. In this picture we have three green leaves,
add two brown.
Two-part addition frames are good for simple adding by combining, as we

saw in the activity before.
Another one that children like to use is a two by two grid. This is good with
numbers underneath it, and they try to match the numbers to the quantities.
A simple way to do it is to chalk the numbers 1 to 4 into the four different
slots, one number per square. Children put the right number of objects into
the square.
The four-frames look a bit like this:
81
Good for simple collecting and gathering games.
You could make a number line with a trellis, by sawing it up into one long
section. Then you can experiment with all the number activities we had a look
at a few moments ago.
If you are going to all the trouble of sawing up a trellis, I would say you might
as well make a bit of everything - ten-frames, five-frames, number lines, the
whole lot.
These frames last for years, even out in the rain, and are a brilliant and robust
structure to help children learn about mathematics in many interesting ways.
82
9
Ball Games
All sorts of counting and number skills can really be brought to life with ball
games.
Here are some great examples:
1. Have Shirts Or S ckers With Numbers
Have shirts with numbers on that the children wear. If you don’t have anything
like this, you can write numbers on stickers and they stick them on their tops.
Stand in a circle with one ball.
The first child says a number that someone else is wearing and throws the ball
to them. That person says ‘thank you’ (that’s the tricky bit, I promise you!).
Then that person chooses someone else, says their number and throws it to
them.
This game can be done as a rolling game, if they are struggling with catching.
Roll the ball to the next person and they stop it.
83
It could also potentially be done with a balloon.
Great for numeral recognition in a fun context.
2. Write Numbers On The Balls
Having a load of balls with numbers on means there are many games you can
do.
You can put stickers on the balls if you don’t want them to have permanent
numbers on. Or if you don’t mind that then draw them straight on with
permanent marker.
A good practical tip is to write the number on both sides of the ball. This means
the number will be visible on both sides, which really helps the children see
what numeral is on the ball when they are moving during games.
Anyway, here is a selection of games to try…
Number Goal
Have some kind of goal. Line up the balls, say a number, and kick that ball
into the goal. Then say another number and repeat.
A good way is you have to go in order, start with ball one, score, then move on
to ball two.
Another good way is go in order against the clock. Have a timer, such as a
one-minute egg-timer. Try to score with each ball in order in the time-limit.
You can also do number problems set by an adult. Say something like ‘One
less than 6’ and they kick the right ball into the goal.
84
BALL GAMES
Number Catch
This is best done with children when they are able to catch with two hands
with a reasonable level of consistency.
You can do the easier version where you sit and roll it to each other.
Sit or stand in a circle. Roll or throw a ball around the circle.
Start with one ball. The idea is to say the number on the ball when you catch it.
Then add a second ball to the mix, and a third, so there will be three going
around the circle. Keep on saying the number when you stop or catch it.
Again this could be a rolling game or a throwing game, depending on the skills
of the children.
Start with one ball, but you want to quickly extend it to at least two and
hopefully more.
A top tip – you must say the name of the person that you are throwing to. This
gives them a chance to at least be looking.
If you have two or three balls going at once there is lots of communication and
teamwork required.
3. Pass The Number Balls
There are lots of passing games that you can do with balls with numbers on.
These are particularly good for numeral recognition.
85
The children sit in a circle, and pass the balls round. When they are holding a
ball they say the number that is written on it, before passing the ball to the
next person.
This game is good because even if you don’t recognize all the numbers, you
can listen to the person next to you and copy what they have said. Hopefully
in this way you are absorbing what the numbers are in some way.
For those that know the numbers already, it is great for speed and quick
recognition practice.
There are many ways to jazz it up, such as:

i) Every so often shout ‘change’. Then the balls will change direction.
ii) Have one ball going one way round the circle, and one going the other
way
iii) Try to get as many number balls all the way around the circle as you can
in thirty seconds
4. Golf
Golf is a fantastic sport to inspire children, and is simply done in different

ways with a few balls and just a piece of chalk outside.
Draw some giant circles on the floor in chalk. You probably want the circles
to be at least 6 feet wide. These are the golf ‘holes’. It is good to write some
different numbers on these.
There are now many games you can do.
A simple yet fun one is foot-golf. A child will kick a ball towards a hole. They
keep kicking until they get it inside the circle.
86
BALL GAMES
Good skills this develop include:

i) Number recognition
ii) Count your kicks until you get to the hole
iii) Go in order round the ‘golf course’. Start at hole 1, then go to 2 etc
iv) You could have different shapes as the golf holes – there could be a circle,
a triangle and a square, for example
v) Link to number problems for older children. For example, say ‘What is
one more than 6’. They try to kick the ball to hole 7
You don’t need to just kick the balls as well. Children could also:
i) Use something like a wooden block to hit them with
ii) Or a stick
So many possibilities!
5. Rote Coun ng Games
There are multiple rote counting games you can play with just a handful of
rubber or sponge balls. Some of these include:
Circle Count
The children sit in a circle, and you pass around one ball. The first person
holding it says 1, then the next says 2 and so on. Keep going as far as you can
go, and definitely past 10.
For older children you can try this with counting in 2s, 5s or 10s.
Backwards Count
This is a similar idea to the last game. Sit in a circle and pass the ball round,
but this time go backwards. The first person might say 5, or 10 (or 20). Just
87
try whichever type of backwards counting you are targeting.
Face To Face Count
The children sit in pairs with one ball each between them. They pass the ball
between themselves in different ways, saying one number at a time as they
hold the ball. Different ways to count include:
i) Counting forwards (e.g. first child says ‘one’, passes ball, next child says
‘two’, and so on)
ii) Counting on from a given number, e.g. 6
iii) Counting backwards
iv) Counting in 2s, 5s, 10s
v) Counting in silly voices!
88
10
Conclusion
That’s it for the fifty ideas.
Hopefully now you have a good-sized toolkit of exciting number activities

that you can unleash in your outdoors.
Make things big.
Make them visual.
Make them fun, and active, and filled with comedy and interest.
Use all the lovely sticks and stones and leaves you can find, and any other
fantastic natural resources thrown in as well.
If you’ve been inspired by the ideas in this book, then check out our other
books and online courses in the section below. The emphasis of everything we
do is practical ideas!
Every resource is packed full of real-life no-nonsense strategies that are tried
and tested, creative, motivating, and…they work!
89
Good luck putting what you have learned in this book into practice, and best
wishes!
90
About the Author
Martin Williams is the founder of the training company Early Impact. He has
worked in early education in the UK for ten years, teaching children between
the ages of 3 and 5. He is driven by a determination to make early learning
exciting and engaging for both children and adults.
In his work with Early Impact, he has trained thousands of teachers and
practitioners in many of the key areas of education. He has delivered school
improvement projects for authorities, and he has led training for local early
years quality teams.
He blogs and writes about all the educational topics he believes he can
make a difference in, and he is strongly committed to sharing information
and helping others as much as he can. You can find his blog by going to
earlyimpactlearning.com
He is passionate about the ‘practical’ nature of learning both for adults and
children. All of his courses are fast-paced, interactive, and contain a multitude
of real-life resources that attendees try out.
He runs hands-on training courses in face-to-face venues across the North
91
of England and the Midlands, specializing in early phonics, mathematics, fine
motor and mark-making.
He delivers popular online training sessions through Early Impact’s website

which you can find here - earlyimpactlearning.com/online-courses/
92
Also by Mar n Williams
Other books and online training courses include…
93
101 Games To Play Whilst Socially Distancing
The Amazon #1 Bestseller in the UK, with sales
now accelerating around the world.
Attempting social distancing with young chil-

dren raises many questions: how is it possible?
How can we incorporate it into games and
activities? How do we help and support children
with this lack of human connection? These are
the questions that this book answers.
Split into 12 areas of the curriculum, this book offers 101 scintillating games
to play in the context of social distancing for children aged 3-7.
Reviews
Rosie on Amazon
I have been on several of Martin’s courses…and been blown away by all the ideas
and suggestions he has for Early Years. This book is no different!! Superb!
Rosie, Review on Amazon
I am so excited about this book!! This book is a GODSEND. It is so well written and
well structured, so easy to read… I wholeheartedly endorse it. I love the way the
author has included the educational aspects of the game, and appropriate elements
of developmental psychology. Such a handy resource!!
Sunshan, Review on Amazon
94
Loose Parts Play - A Beginner’s Guide
Looking to unleash the powerful learning
potential of loose parts play, but don’t know
how to begin…
Loose parts play offers a magical and wonder-

filled way to deliver learning across the whole
curriculum. But there are many things you need
to know to get started on the correct footing (and many things that will go
wrong if you don’t)…
What is loose parts play? What are its benefits? How do you set it up?
Where do you find ideas? How can it make a real IMPACT?
Bursting with more than 200 practical ideas, activities and provocations,
‘Loose Parts Play – A Beginner’s Guide’ is the perfect handbook for teachers
and parents of children aged 0-5 that are looking to develop an outstanding
loose parts curriculum either at work or at home.
Reviews
I particularly like that this is a child-led approach and that the resources are simple
everyday objects. It is great to see the imagination and creativity it encourages
in our pupils - this is the reason why most of us entered the profession. This is a
brilliant book and I will be digesting its ideas for some time.
Gregg, Review on Amazon
Excellent insight into loose parts play. Explains the purpose and how it can be
used in children 0-5, but also applies to older children too. Accessible for both
teachers and parents, lots of inspiring ideas and examples. Wish I had read this for
my children! Would highly recommend.
Nicky L, Review on Amazon
95
Literacy And Storytelling Magic
Online Video Course
2 Hour Video Course (25 Videos)
At least 100 ideas to develop a love

of literacy and storytelling in children
aged 2-7.
Find out more at earlyimpactlearn-

ing.com/online-courses
101 Games To Play Whilst Socially Distancing

Online Video Course
1.5 Hours Video Course (12 Videos)
+ 1 Ebook (120 pages)
+ 1 Cheat Sheet
101 games to play in the context of social distancing across

the whole curriculum. (Children aged 3-7)
Find out more at earlyimpactlearning.com/online-courses
96
Squiggle, Fiddle, Splat!
Online Video Course
2.5 Hours Video Course (32 Videos)
At least 100 fine motor games and

early writing strategies for children
aged 2-5.
Find out more at earlyimpactlearn-

ing.com/online-courses
97

50 Outdoor Number Activities On A Budget PRINT READY 1

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50 Outdoor Number Activities On A Budget PRINT READY 1

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MARTIN WILLIAMS

50 Outdoor Number Activities On A Budget

Copyright © 2020 by Martin Williams

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or

Martin Williams asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy.

I think everyone understands the why.

However, the question is how.

Only the cream of the crop have made it to this guide!

Another massive barrier, it seems for many educational settings, is budget.

This is the other huge emphasis of this book.

There are few things cheaper or more plentiful than stones.

However, for long-lasting results, it is definitely best to go with stones.

OK, here are the games…

1. Sets Of 1-10 Stones

Number stones in a repeating pattern of colors

OK, but what do you do when you’ve got them?

Some good ideas include:

2. Matching Numeral To Quan ty Stones

Another beautiful way to set up stones is to create ones with different

Beautiful number bug stones

These are fantastic for:

For example, here are some tiger and zebra stones:

Patterned tiger and zebra stones

Other good patterns are things like:

There are many uses for stones like this.

How many stripes or spots?

4. 2s, 5s And 10s Stones

Here are what my ten stones look like:

5.Teen Stones (And Beyond)

Here are some simple teen stones:

Magical teen stones

Great again for a multitude of skills such as ordering, labelling, matching

Outdoor Board Games

Outdoor board games should be big and natural.

Here are some great board games to have a try of:

1. Tic Tac Toe (Noughts And Crosses)

It is good for simple counting and subitizing, as well as thinking ahead.

Another classic game from the old days.

Great for counting, subitizing numbers, tactics and problem solving.

3. Racetrack 1-6 Game

This game is particularly good for number recognition.

DIY wooden dice

So simple, and yet natural and beautiful.

You can adapt the game in lots of ways, including:

if you use a 1-6 dice

4. Racetrack 1-12 Game

This game is also excellent for multiple other things:

5. Number Line Race

This is a great way of exploring a number line.

A blank number line game

Each child has one ‘counter’ such as a colored stone.

6. Blank Number Line Race

Then the next child goes.

Most children are passionately excited by bubbles!

(That’s one of my daughters by the way.)

Also, believe it or not, they are brilliant for teaching number!

First, Bubble Mixture

You can buy bubble mixture really cheaply these days.

However, you can also make your own. I use:

To make the perfect bubble mixture here are some pointers:

Right, now on with the activities…

1. Blowing Bubbles In A Bowl