5 M.A.T.H.S. Tips to Make May Half-Term Magical With Your Little One

The May half-term is the perfect time to slow down, connect, and play with your little one. For children aged 2 to 5 years old, learning happens best through fun, hands-on experiences and that includes maths! At Captain Number, we’re passionate about making early maths joyful and engaging.

Here are 5 simple, screen-free activities you can do with your preschooler during the break, each one inspired by a letter in M.A.T.H.S.:

M: Measure Everything!

Grab a tape measure, string, or even your hands to explore size together. How tall is the sofa? Which toy is the longest? Talk about “bigger,” “shorter,” and “taller.” For little learners, this builds number sense and comparison skills through real-world play.

A: Adventure with Numbers

Turn your home or garden into a mini treasure hunt! Give clues like: “Take 3 steps forward, find something with 4 wheels.” Add some pirate flair with hats or maps for a themed maths adventure. It’s a fun way to introduce counting and following directions.

T: Time It!

Preschoolers love a challenge! Use a timer to see how many times they can jump, hop, or clap in 10 seconds. Or race to tidy up toys before the buzzer. It’s a playful way to introduce time and help develop a sense of speed, rhythm, and duration.

H: Hunt for Shapes

Go on a shape safari! Look around the house for circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles. Try drawing shapes with chalk outside, or building them with blocks. This kind of shape recognition is a key early maths skill for little ones.

S: Snack Sorting

My child calls it eatable maths! 😀 Ask your little one to sort snacks by colour, size, or type. How many red grapes? Can they make a pattern with crackers and cheese? Sorting helps preschoolers practise classifying, counting, and pattern-making plus, it’s tasty fun!

Wishing You a Playful Half-Term from Captain Number!

For children aged 2 to 5 years, everyday moments are full of maths magic. With a bit of imagination, you can turn half-term into a joyful learning adventure; no worksheets or screens required!

Oh wait, have you booked your Number Navigator Club with us yet? 🚀 Our Summer Term is now open for booking and spaces are filling fast! Don't miss out on a fun-filled maths adventure designed especially for preschoolers.

See you in the club! 💛

Love from,The Captain Number Crew