Game · Year 1

Counting Cards

This is a fun activity that helps with counting and number recognition

Counting Cards
  1. Take the pack of playing cards and remove the Jack, Queen and King, leaving only Ace to 10 of each suit.

    Mix these 40 cards.

    Now, hold the cards face down, ready to deal them to the table.

    Counting Cards – picture 1

  2. Deal cards one at a time to the table, face-up. Like this:

    Counting Cards – picture 1

  3. Each time you deal a card you count out loud: 1, 2…

    Keep dealing and counting.

  4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

    When you get to 10 start again at 1

    If a card turns up that matches the number you are saying you can keep it.

    Then carry on counting.

  5. Here, we counted:

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

    When we got to 7, the Seven of Spades turned up.

    We kept this card and carried on counting again, 8, 9 10, 1, 2, 3, 4…

    Counting Cards – picture 1

  6. A little later we counted:

    … 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

    On 9, the nine of Clubs turned up.

    We kept this card and carried on counting again.

    Counting Cards – picture 1

  7. When you run out of cards, stop.

    Add up the value of your cards (we only collected a 7 and a 9 so scored 16)

    Shuffle the pack and have another go, or let someone else count and deal.

    Who can score the most?