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Sandcastles, Ice Cream, and... Maths?” 9 Fun Ways to Keep Little Minds Busy This Summer

The summer holidays are here — long, sunny (hopefully!) days and lots of time to play.

But between beach trips and snack time, there’s a surprising opportunity hiding in your summer plans...


Early maths fun!

Now, we’re not talking about worksheets or number drills. We’re talking about games, giggles, and pirate-style adventures that sneak in real learning while your child is just having fun.

Here are 9 simple ways to explore maths in the summer sunshine — Captain Number style


1. Sandcastle Shapes

At the beach or in a sandpit, challenge your child to:

  • Build a triangle tower

  • Make a square castle wall

  • Count how many buckets tall your sandcastle is

💡 Maths skill: shape recognition, counting, measurement


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2. Ice Cream Shop Role Play

Set up a pretend “ice cream stand” with toys or real cones. Let your child:

  • Take orders (e.g., “2 strawberry, 1 vanilla”)

  • Count the scoops

  • “Charge” money and give pretend change

💡 Maths skill: addition, number recognition, early money sense



3. Pirate Treasure Hunt

Create a simple map around the garden or house:

  • Draw ‘X’ marks the spot

  • Hide numbers or shapes as clues

  • Solve a mini riddle at each stop

💡 Maths skill: sequencing, logic, following directions



4. Sorting Picnic Snacks

Give your child a pile of picnic bits (crackers, fruit, etc.) and ask:

  • “Can you group all the red ones?”

  • “Which ones are circles?”

  • “Can we make a snack pattern?”

💡 Maths skill: sorting, patterns, visual reasoning



5. Foamy Number Fun

In the paddling pool or bath, write numbers on foam or use toys.

  • Count the toys in the water

  • Scoop out all the even numbers

  • Match the number to the right number of splashes

💡 Maths skill: number recognition, counting, even/odd awareness



6. Nature Maths Trail

On a walk, play:

  • “Can you find 5 round things?”

  • “What’s the biggest leaf?”

  • “Let’s make a pattern with sticks and stones!”

💡 Maths skill: size comparison, estimation, sorting



7. Melting Race

Freeze toys or numbers in ice cubes and:

  • Time how long each one takes to melt

  • Guess which will melt fastest

  • Compare sizes of ice blocks

💡 Maths skill: time, prediction, comparison



8. Dice Games on the Go

Keep a pair of dice in your bag. In the car or café, try:

  • Roll and build a tower with that many blocks

  • Add the two numbers

  • Find something nearby with the same number

💡 Maths skill: subitising (recognising small quantities), addition, counting on



9. Box Building Bonanza

Save up cardboard boxes and challenge your child to:

  • Build a robot, rocket, or fort

  • Talk about sizes, shapes, and how to balance

💡 Maths skill: spatial thinking, geometry, estimation



Let Kids Lead the Way

At Captain Number, we believe the best learning happens when children are playing, imagining, and moving.

This summer, follow your child’s curiosity — and don’t worry if they don’t “get it right.” It’s all about exploration, not perfection.

And the bonus? They’ll be building maths skills without even realising it. 💛


Curious about what maths looks like without worksheets?

Come try a free Captain Number session in Chelmsford and see how maths, movement, and imagination can come together for 2 to 5-year-olds.

 
 
 

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