Make Number Practice Fun: “Find the Mistake” Activity
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If you’ve ever tried practicing numbers with young kids, you know how quickly their attention can fade. But I’ve found that when you add a little mystery or challenge, everything changes.
One of the simplest yet my favorite activities — something I first did with my own kids and now use all the time in my math classes — is what I call the “Find the Mistake” tower game. It’s simple, fun, and works like magic for reinforcing number order and recognition.
🧩 What You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy! Just grab:
LEGO blocks, math link cubes, or any stackable toys
Stickers (or a Sharpie to write numbers directly)
A sense of humor and a little mischief 😉
🎲 How to Play
Write numbers on the blocks (1–10 to start, add on as needed!).
Build a number tower or line — but secretly make a few mistakes! For example: 1 2 4 3 5 6 7 9 8 10
Ask your child to find and fix what’s wrong.
Kids love the challenge of spotting errors. It instantly turns a simple sequencing task into a fun detective game. You’ll be surprised how engaged they become compared to just “putting numbers in order.”
🏃♀️ Add a Twist
Once your child has mastered the basics, make it even more fun! Ask them to build the tower correctly (1–10), then send them on a short “loop” — run to their room, do a silly dance, or grab a toy. While they’re gone, change something in the tower. When they come back, ask: “Hmm… did something happen while you were gone? Can you find what’s different?” They’ll jump right into detective mode!
🎯 Levels of Difficulty
Level 1: “Steal” one piece (easiest)
Level 2: Remove two pieces
Level 3: Swap two or more pieces. Mix it up! Take away, swap, add from another tower, keep it interesting!
***You can add another twist and hide the missing piece somewhere in the room while the kid is gone and then play the "hot/cold game" to practice directions and position words ("to the left of...", "above the..." etc.).
🌟 Why I Love This Activity
It’s quick to set up, encourages attention to detail, and builds a strong sense of number order and recognition. Plus, it keeps kids moving — and that active element makes learning stick even better.
I started using this at home with my own children, and it instantly became a favorite. Now, it’s one of my go-to activities in my math classes with little learners. Give it a try — and watch your child’s confidence with numbers grow, one fun tower at a time!
