Counting backwards is an essential skill that helps children develop their number sense and mathematical abilities.
Engaging children in counting backwards activities can make learning enjoyable and effective.
We will explore exciting counting backwards activities that can be incorporated into classrooms, homeschooling routines, or even family game nights.
Countdown Balloon Pop:
Inflate several balloons and write numbers on each one, starting from a high number and counting downwards. Hang the balloons around the room. Ask the children to stand in a circle and take turns choosing a balloon. The child pops the balloon and announces the number on it, counting backwards from the starting point.
Reverse Hopscotch:
Transform the traditional hopscotch game into a counting backwards activity. Draw a hopscotch grid on the ground or use masking tape indoors. Instead of starting from number one and counting forward, the children begin at the highest number and jump backwards, calling out the numbers as they go.
Related: Free Lesson Plan Ideas for Preschool (Printable PDFs)
Backward Number Line:
Create a large number line on a whiteboard or poster board, starting from a high number and counting down to a lower number. Randomly cover some of the numbers with sticky notes or small pieces of paper. Ask the children to take turns removing the covered numbers and saying the missing numbers in reverse order.
Countdown Song:
Teach the children a catchy countdown song that focuses on counting backwards. Start with a high number and sing the song, gradually decreasing the numbers until reaching a lower number or zero. Encourage the children to join in and sing along, using their fingers to represent the decreasing numbers.
Source: preschoolinspirations.com
Countdown Race:
Divide the children into pairs or small teams. Set up a course with markers or cones, and assign each team a starting point and a finish line. Provide the teams with a set of number cards or flashcards, ranging from a high number to a lower number. The teams take turns, with one member holding a card and the other member calling out the number that comes before it. The team that successfully counts backwards and reaches the finish line first wins the race.
Source: momjunction.com
Reverse Puzzle:
Prepare a puzzle by cutting out a picture or an image into several puzzle pieces. Write numbers on the back of each piece, starting from a high number and counting backwards. Mix up the pieces and challenge the children to put the puzzle together in reverse order. As they assemble the puzzle, they will need to think critically and count backwards to determine the correct sequence of the numbers.
Source: mathkidsandchaos.com
Countdown Snack Time:
Gather a variety of snacks such as pretzels, grapes, or crackers. Ask the children to count backward from a high number, and with each count, they can eat one snack item until they reach zero. This activity combines counting backwards with a tasty reward, making it both enjoyable and delicious. It also reinforces number recognition and subtraction skills.
Source: tasteofhome.com
Backward Storytelling:
Encourage the children to create a story in reverse. Start by discussing a familiar story or event and ask them to retell it from the end to the beginning. They can take turns contributing to the story, counting down the events in reverse order.
Source: readingrockets.org
Countdown Art:
Provide the children with art supplies such as markers, crayons, or paints, along with a large piece of paper or canvas. Ask them to create a countdown art piece, where they draw or paint objects or scenes that represent a decreasing number sequence. For example, they could paint twenty balloons and gradually erase or cover one balloon at a time as they count down to zero.
Source: memphis.edu
Reverse Memory Game:
Create a set of cards with numbers written on them, ranging from a high number to a lower number. Shuffle the cards and place them face down in a grid formation. The children take turns flipping two cards over, trying to find a pair of numbers that are consecutive in reverse order. For example, if they flip over cards with the numbers 10 and 9, it would be a match.
Source: proudtobeprimary.com
Countdown Relay:
Divide the children into teams and set up a relay race course with markers or cones. Assign each team a starting point and a series of numbers written on cards or sticky notes in reverse order. The first player in each team starts at the highest number and runs to the next marker, where they pick up the corresponding number card and shout it out. Then, they continue running to the next marker and repeat the process until they reach the finish line.
Source: campbusiness.com
Backward Charades:
Write a variety of activities or actions on slips of paper and place them in a bowl or hat. One player picks a slip and must act out the activity, while the others try to guess what they are doing. The catch is that all the actions must be done in reverse or backward motion. For example, if the slip says “brushing teeth,” the player would act out the action of spitting out the toothpaste and then brushing their teeth in reverse.
Source: kidstir.com
Reverse Number Patterns:
Write a number pattern on the board or a piece of paper but in reverse order. For example, instead of 1, 3, 5, 7, the pattern would be 7, 5, 3, 1. Ask the children to identify the missing numbers and continue the pattern in reverse.
Source: code4coding.com
Countdown Dice Game:
Create a dice game where each player takes turns rolling a pair of dice. The numbers rolled represent a countdown sequence. For example, if a player rolls a 5 and a 2, they would count backwards from 52, saying each number in reverse order until they reach 0. The objective is to reach 0 in the fewest rolls possible.
Source: teachingexpertise.com
Reverse Scavenger Hunt:
Organize a scavenger hunt where the children search for items in reverse order. Provide them with a list of items to find, but instead of starting with the first item, they must find the last item on the list first and work their way backward.
Source: momjunction.com
Reverse Dominoes:
Create a set of dominoes with numbers written on them, starting from a high number and counting down. Shuffle the dominoes and distribute them among the players. The first player starts by placing a domino with a high number facing up. The next player must match the number by placing a domino with the corresponding lower number facing up. The game continues in reverse order, with players taking turns matching the numbers and counting backwards.
Source: busytoddler.com
Backward Beanbag Toss:
Set up a target area using buckets or hoops with numbers written on them, starting from a high number and counting downwards. Assign point values to each target based on the number written on it, with higher numbers having higher point values. The children take turns tossing beanbags into the targets, aiming to score the highest number of points by counting backwards.
Source: learnwithplayathome.com
Reverse Number Line Jump:
Draw a number line on the ground using chalk or tape, starting from a high number and counting down to a lower number. Assign each child a number, to begin with, and instruct them to stand on that number. One at a time, the children take turns jumping backward to the previous number and saying it out loud. For example, if a child starts at 15, they would jump back to 14 and say “14.” This activity promotes physical activity, number recognition, and counting backwards.
Source: childhoodbeckons.com
Countdown Card Game:
Create a deck of cards with numbers written on them, starting from a high number and counting down. Shuffle the cards and distribute them equally among the players. The objective is to get rid of all the cards by placing them in a central pile in descending order. Players take turns placing cards that are one number lower than the previously played card, counting backwards as they go. If a player cannot play a card, they must draw from a central pile. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.
Source: happinessishomemade.net
Reverse Number Hunt:
Hide a set of numbers around the room or outdoor area, starting from a high number and counting down. Provide the children with a list of numbers they need to find in reverse order. They must search for the hidden numbers and write them down in reverse order as they find them.
Source: theimaginationtree.com
