Melissa and Doug Magnetic Numbers

OUT OF ORDER: Help kids to line up the magnets in numerical order. Have them close their eyes while you switch a few of the numbers. Have kids figure out what's out of order and fix the number line.

PATTERN POWER: Create a color pattern with three magnets. Have kids repeat the color pattern with other magnets.

TRACE & PLACE: Give kids a piece of paper and have them trace the number magnets to create familiar numbers, such as their birthday, address, ZIP code, or phone number. Have kids color in the numbers and decorate and add details, such as two stars next a number two, a smiley face inside a zero, or they might draw a picture of their house if they traced their address. Have them use the number magnets they traced to display the paper on the fridge or another magnetic surface!

MAKING MATH: Use the numbers and symbols to create simple math equations. Help kids read the problems and demonstrate them using common objects like blocks, crayons, or even stuffed animals. For instance, you could demonstrate 1+3=4 by stacking three blocks on top of one block, then counting all the blocks in the tower.