Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Sweet Shop Counting Boxes: Free Printable Worksheet for Ages 2 to 4
- ForAges 2 to 4
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Sweet Shop Counting Boxes is a free printable counting worksheet for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Children hear a number, then draw that many sweets in a box. The numbers go from 1 to 5, and the last box lets them draw their favourite sweet. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
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. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Each box on the sheet has a short instruction, such as drawing a red lollipop or some yellow sweets. The numbers grow from 1 up to 5, and each one has its own colour. Children say the number, draw that many sweets and count them by touch. The last box is open, so they can draw any sweet they like.
- Draw 1 red lollipop
- Draw 2 yellow sweets
- Draw 3 blue sweets
- Draw 4 green sweets
- Draw 5 pink sweets
- Draw your favourite sweet
Ways to build counting skills
Touch and count
Point to each drawing once as you say the numbers. Moving a finger along keeps the counting steady and shows which sweets have been counted.
Say the number first
Read the instruction aloud before your child draws. Hearing the number first gives them a target to aim for.
Count real things
Count steps, spoons, toys or pieces of fruit during the day. Counting everyday things shows children that numbers are useful.
Talk about colours
Ask your child to name the colour as well as the number. Mixing colour words with counting words makes the activity more fun.
How young children learn to count
Learning to count is more than reciting numbers in order. Young children first learn the number words, then learn to match one word to each object. This is called one to one correspondence. It is why touching each item as you count is so useful. Children who rush or skip items often just need to slow down.
Another big step is understanding that the last number you say tells you how many there are. Drawing helps here. When a child draws a set of sweets and counts them back, they link the number word, the written number and the amount. The Early Years Foundation Stage places this kind of practice in the number strand of mathematics.
Counters and buttons are small. Young children can choke on small items, so an adult should stay with them and keep these items away from mouths. Use larger objects for children who still put things in their mouths.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting to 5
- Drawing
- Colours
- Matching numbers to amounts
- Pencil control
Ideas that help with early counting
- One touch for each thingShow your child how to touch each object once as they say a number. This stops them counting one object twice or missing one.
- The last number tells how manyAfter counting, say the last number again as the total. You might say, "So that is how many sweets." Children learn that counting ends in an amount.
- Start with small groupsSmall numbers feel easier and build confidence. Move on to larger numbers only when your child is happy with the smaller ones.
- Talk and repeatShort, friendly chats about what they have drawn help numbers stick. Repeating a familiar activity on another day is a good thing.
Key words
- CountSay the numbers in order, one for each thing you touch.
- NumberA word and a symbol that tell us how many.
- How manyA question that asks for the whole amount.
- ColourWhat we see when we look at something, like red, blue or green.
- DrawMake a picture with a pencil or crayon.
- MoreA bigger amount than another group.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for you.
- Read the first instruction aloud and say the number clearly. Let your child draw the sweets.
- Count each drawing together by touching it. Say the last number again to show how many there are.
- Work through the sheet together the first time and talk about each choice. Read the notes on page 2 for help and stretch ideas.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw dots first in each box, one for each sweet needed, and let your child turn the dots into sweets. Start with the smaller numbers and leave the rest for another day. Count the dots together by touching each one.
To stretch confident children
Ask: how many sweets are in the first two boxes? Let your child count them all together. You could also ask which box has the most sweets, or ask them to draw their favourite sweet again with a number of your choice.
Make it a game
Use real counters or buttons to build each number first, then draw the same amount. An adult should stay close because they are small. Or play shop: you ask for a number of sweets and your child draws or counts them out.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forYour child counts quickly and says numbers without touching each drawing.
Try thisSlow right down. Hold their finger and move it to each sweet in turn, saying one number for each.
Watch forThey draw too many or too few sweets for the number.
Try thisCount the drawings together. Ask, "Is that the number we wanted?" Then add one more or rub one out.
Watch forThey start counting again from one after getting to the end.
Try thisAsk them to put a small mark by each sweet as they count it. This shows them where the counting finishes.
Talk about it
- Which colour of sweet is your favourite today?
- How did you know when to stop drawing?
- Can you count your sweets with your finger?
- Which box has the most sweets? Which has the fewest?
- What would you put in your own sweet shop?
- Can you find something at home that comes in a group of this size?
Take it off the page
Paper sweet shop
Cut or tear coloured paper into sweet shapes. Ask your child to serve you a set number of sweets and count them out as they hand them over.
Playdough sweets
Roll playdough into sweets and put them in paper cake cases, one number in each. Playdough is for playing, not eating. Count each case together.
Colour hunt
Look around the house for things in the colours used on the sheet. Count how many of each you can find and talk about what you notice.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first box, then let them lead. Say the number clearly, count by touching and praise their effort. Stop while it is still fun and come back to it another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a table activity or an early finisher task with Early Years groups. It needs only printing and pencils. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, and the skills listed above can support your planning.
Home educators
Pair it with a trip to a shop, counting books or play with toys. Keep sessions short and relaxed. The sheet is free to print again for brothers and sisters or for repeat practice a few weeks later.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children enjoy rhymes and songs with number words, count steps and toys, and begin to match one word to one object. These everyday experiences give them the language they need to count in small groups.
After this sheet, children can move on to counting larger groups, comparing which group has more or fewer, and matching written numbers to amounts. Over time this leads to early addition and taking away in Reception and Year 1.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Sweet Shop Counting Boxes for?
It is written for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Younger children may need a grown-up to hold the pencil or help with drawing. Older children can work with less help and try the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children count out up to 5 objects and draw them, linking numbers to quantities. They also practise drawing and colours. This fits with the number strand of Early Years Foundation Stage mathematics.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and give page 1 to your child. Say each number, let them draw the sweets, then count each drawing together by touching it. Keep page 2 for yourself, as it has notes and ideas.
- What if it feels too hard?
Draw dots first and let your child turn them into sweets. Start with the smaller numbers, count each dot by touching it and leave the rest for another day. Short, happy sessions work best.
- 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 of children, and come back to it whenever you like.
- How long does it take?
That depends on your child. Keep sessions short and stop while it is still fun. Some children will happily do the whole sheet, and others will do a few boxes and return to it later.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Your child can use coloured pencils or crayons to match the colours named in each instruction, which adds a little extra colour practice.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.