Free Popsicle Stick Number Mats 1–20 for Kids

What You’ll Need

You only need a few supplies:

• Printed number mats 1–20
• Traditional-size popsicle sticks
• Laminator (optional)
• Extra popsicle sticks for counting activities

You can laminate the mats if you’d like to reuse them regularly.

How to Use the Popsicle Stick Number Mats

Getting started couldn’t be easier. Choose a number mat and place it in front of your child. Show them how to arrange the popsicle sticks to match the number on the page. Encourage them to position the sticks independently, helping when needed. For children who are just beginning to recognise numbers, start with numbers 1–5. As they become more confident, gradually introduce bigger numbers. You can also mix things up by choosing random numbers or working backwards from 20. There’s no need to complete all 20 mats in one sitting. A few numbers at a time is plenty!  

5 Fun Ways to Extend the Learning

Once your child understands how to use the mats, try these additional activities to introduce new challenges.

1. Count and Match

After building a number, ask your child to count out that many extra popsicle sticks. For example, if they’ve built the number 6, encourage them to collect six more sticks and count them aloud. This helps children connect the written numeral with the quantity it represents. For larger numbers, encourage your child to organise the counting sticks into groups of five or ten.

2. What’s the Missing Number?

Lay out three consecutive number mats, such as 4, 5 and 6. Ask your child to close their eyes while you remove one. Can they work out which number is missing? As their confidence grows, try using longer number sequences or working backwards.

3. Introduce Simple Addition and Subtraction

The number mats can also introduce early addition and subtraction. For addition, choose two small numbers, such as 2 and 3. Ask your child to count out two popsicle sticks, then another three. Combine the groups and count how many sticks there are altogether. Can they find the number mat showing the answer? For subtraction, begin with five sticks and take two away. Ask your child how many are left. Keep the numbers small initially, and let your child physically move the sticks to help them understand what is happening.

4. Explore Tally Marks

Since you’ve already got your popsicle sticks out, why not introduce tally marks? Choose a number mat and help your child represent that number using sticks as tally marks. Explain how every fifth tally mark crosses the previous four. Start with numbers 1–5 before introducing larger groups. This introduces another way of representing numbers and gives children additional counting practice.

5. Build Numbers Without the Mat

Ready for an extra challenge? Show your child a number mat and let them examine its shape. Then remove the mat and ask them to recreate the number using their popsicle sticks. They can check their creation against the original afterwards. This encourages children to observe the shape of each numeral and remember how its different parts fit together. Remember that some numbers are easier to build than others. It’s perfectly fine to offer help or return to the mat whenever needed.

Questions to Ask Your Child

As you play, try asking questions that encourage your child to think about numbers and explain their ideas.

• What number are you building?
• How many popsicle sticks did you use?
• Can you find the number that comes before this one?
• What number comes next?
• Can you show me this number using counting sticks?
• What happens if we add one more stick to our counting group?
• Can you think of another way to arrange the sticks?

You don’t need to ask every question. Choose a few that fit naturally into your child’s play and give them plenty of time to explore.

What Are Children Learning?

These number mats offer several learning opportunities in one simple activity.

• Number recognition: Children become familiar with written numerals as they select and identify their number mats.
• Number formation: Building each number helps children explore its shape and the arrangement of its different parts.
• Fine motor skills: Picking up, positioning and arranging popsicle sticks encourages hand control and coordination.
• Early maths: Counting, ordering, addition and subtraction activities help children explore relationships between numbers.
• Problem-solving: Working out how to position the sticks encourages children to experiment and adjust their ideas.

While building numbers helps children explore numeral shapes, it’s also useful to include drawing and tracing activities when they’re ready to practise writing numbers with a pencil.

More Number Activities for Preschoolers

Looking for another way to practise numbers? Try our 1–10 Counting and Tracing Numbers, which also includes an extension for numbers 11–20. You can also explore our Counting Stick Game for Preschoolers for another hands-on activity using popsicle sticks. These activities give children different ways to explore numbers while keeping learning playful. Enjoy building and counting!