Mini Minds Hub · Free printable

Cushion Hop Number Game: Free Printable Game for Ages 2 to 4

  • ForAges 2 to 4
  • StageEarly Years
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Cushion Hop Number Game is a free printable game for ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Children hear a number, find the cushion with that number and hop to it. It practises recognising numbers 1 to 10, listening, and moving with control. One to four children can play.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the game. Page 2 is for the grown-up, with notes on how to use it, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

This is a listening and moving game. The sheet includes cards to cut out and use, and the numbers 1 to 10 appear on it. Cushions go on a soft floor, and the number cards help children tell the cushions apart. A caller says a number. The child listens, finds the matching written number and hops to that cushion. Players take turns, and children can swap roles and become the caller.

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How to set up the game

Cut out the cards

An adult cuts out the cards. Small children should not use scissors for this. Keep the cards together so none go missing.

Lay out the cushions

Put the cushions on a soft floor, such as carpet, with space between them. Match each cushion to a number card so children can find it by looking.

Clear the space

Move hard furniture, toys and anything with sharp corners out of the way. Take off slippery socks. Keep the game away from stairs.

Call and hop

The caller says one number clearly. The child finds the cushion, hops to it and stands still for a moment. Then it is the next player's turn.

Why play with numbers and movement?

Young children learn numbers best when they can see, hear and do something with them. Saying a number, spotting it written down and moving towards it all help the number feel real. A game like this turns a flat symbol on a page into something a child can find, name and act on.

Hopping also gives children a reason to practise balance and control. These skills develop with lots of play. Short, cheerful rounds work well. Let the child choose when to stop, and celebrate effort as much as getting it right.

Adults should supervise throughout. Place cushions on a soft, non slip floor and keep them well apart. Clear hard furniture and sharp corners from the space. If a cushion slides, stop and reset it before the next hop. Children can hop in their own way, and stepping is fine too.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Number recognition 1 to 10
  • Careful listening
  • Hopping and balance
  • Taking turns
  • Following simple rules

This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.

Framework Subject or area Strand Year
Early Years Foundation Stage Mathematics Number Ages 3 to 4

What children will be able to do

  • I can say numbers from 1 to 10.
  • I can find the number I am asked for.
  • I can hop and balance with care.

Ideas to help your child play

  • Say it and show itHold up the number card as you say the number. Hearing and seeing it together helps children link the sound to the symbol.
  • Slow it downCall one number at a time and wait. Give your child time to look before they move.
  • Use a pointing fingerLet children point to the right cushion first, then hop. This separates finding the number from the movement.
  • Celebrate effortCheer for trying and for careful balancing, not only for speed. Children stay keen when the game feels friendly.

Key words

  • NumberA word and a symbol that tells us how many. Children can say it, see it and count it.
  • HopJump on one foot and land on the same foot.
  • BalanceKeeping your body steady so you do not wobble or fall.
  • CallerThe person who says the number out loud for others to find.
  • ListenKeep very quiet and pay attention to the sound so you can hear what is said.
  • MatchFind two things that go together, such as a spoken number and the same number on a cushion.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is the game. Keep page 2 for the grown-up. An adult cuts out the cards.
  2. Set out the cushions on a soft floor with space between them. Place the number cards so each cushion has its own number.
  3. Play the first round together. Call a number, point to the cards and let your child choose a cushion. Talk about what they see.
  4. Take turns. One person calls and the others hop. Swap roles so your child gets to be the caller too.
  5. Stop while it is still fun. Come back another day, because repeating a familiar game builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Start with 1 to 5 and call one number at a time. Hold up the matching card as you speak. Let your child walk to the cushion first and hop later. Cheer every try, and add more numbers when they feel confident.

To stretch confident children

Call two numbers in a row and ask your child to hop to both cushions in order. Or ask them to find the number that is one more than the one you called. Let them be the caller and test you.

Make it a game

Play a gentle freeze game. Walk around the room while a grown-up counts out loud. When the counting stops, the caller shouts a number and everyone hops to that cushion and holds still. Take turns being the caller.

Talk about it

  • Which number did you hop to? How did you know it was the right one?
  • Can you find the cushion with the biggest number?
  • What does the number you called look like? Can you draw it in the air?
  • How did you keep your balance when you hopped?
  • Can you call a number for me to find? Which one will you choose?
  • Which cushion was the hardest to find? Why do you think that was?

Take it off the page

Number stepping stones

Draw numbers on paper plates or sheets of paper and lay them on the floor. Call a number and let your child step or hop to it. Use a soft, non slip floor.

Number hunt at home

Look for numbers around the house, such as on a clock, a door or a book. Say each number together and talk about where you found it.

Count the hops

Hop slowly and count each hop out loud. Stop at a number you choose together. Then try again and stop at a different one.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit with your child for the first round, then let them lead. Keep rounds short and stop while it is fun. Say the numbers clearly, show the cards and praise careful hopping as well as correct choices.

Teachers

Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher activity or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, cutting and laying out cushions. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups. Check it against your own plans.

Home educators

Pair it with everyday number talk, such as counting stairs or steps on a walk. It suits mixed ages, because older brothers and sisters can be the caller. Print it again whenever you want to repeat the game.

Where this fits in your child's learning

Before this game, children often hear numbers in songs, rhymes and counting while playing. They notice quantities in everyday life. Joining in with counting aloud and pointing at objects helps lay the groundwork for recognising number symbols.

After this game, children can move on to counting objects carefully, matching numbers to amounts and spotting numbers in the world around them. Those steps lead naturally into early number work in Reception, where children begin to explore number patterns and relationships.

Check it worked

Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.

  1. Which number did you hop to?
  2. What number comes after 5?
  3. How did you keep your balance?

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Cushion Hop Number Game for?

It is written for ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Younger children can start with a few numbers and a grown-up calling. Older children can take the caller role and play with more numbers.

What will children practise?

They practise recognising numbers 1 to 10, listening carefully and moving with control. Taking turns and following a simple rule are part of the game too.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group whenever you like.

Is Cushion Hop Number Game suitable for teachers to use in class?

Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher activity or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, cutting out the cards and laying out cushions. Always check the space is safe first.

Is this a screen free activity?

Yes. It is a screen free printable game. You need the printed sheet and some cushions. It works well for quiet times, rainy days and school holidays, and it gets children moving and talking.

Do I need to print in colour?

No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can colour the numbers if they like, but the game works without it.

What if it feels too hard?

Start with 1 to 5 and call one number at a time. Show the matching card as you speak. Let your child point before they hop. Add more numbers when they feel confident.

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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.

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