All Activities
Maths

Hidden Objects Game

Overview

Children listen carefully and imagine what is hidden. They begin to think about numbers in their heads.

Learning Objective
Children learn to count, add, and take away small numbers using objects they cannot see.

Resources needed

  • Container or box
  • Small objects (stones, sticks, bottle caps)

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Show the objects and count them together as you put them into a container.
  2. 2 Close or cover the container so the objects cannot be seen.
  3. 3 Ask: 'How many are inside?' Children show using fingers or say the number.
  4. 4 Add one more object without showing. Ask: 'How many now?'
  5. 5 Repeat by removing objects or adding more.
  6. 6 Open the container and count together to check answers.
  7. 7 Ask children to explain how they worked it out.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use larger numbers for more challenge
  • Let a child lead the activity
  • Use different contexts (food in a pot, animals in a shelter)
More information

Use gestures and fingers alongside spoken numbers. Accept responses in any language.

Allow children to hold the container or touch objects for tactile support.

Notice whether children count on from a number or start from 1 each time. Listen for confident use of 'more' and 'fewer'.

Use any available container (a cupped hand, folded cloth, or upturned bowl) and stones or seeds as objects. No specialist equipment needed.

Children often think the number changes when objects are hidden. Reinforce that hiding does not add or remove — the total stays the same until you physically change it.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 10–15 minutes No prep Small Group, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Counting Addition Subtraction