Using Numberblocks Toys to Build Math Skills

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As a mom and an educator, I am always on the lookout for toys that my son will be excited about, but most of the time he asks for some junky plastic thing related to a show he saw (I blame my husband entirely). On Christmas, he received the Hand2Mind Numberblocks MathLink Cubes Set and despite other flashy toys he received, this Numberblocks “toy” was his absolute favorite.

Math manipulatives, such as snap cubes, have been popular with educators for years, and having taught in the classroom and worked with homeschoolers, I always recommend hands-on materials for working with counting, addition, subtraction, and more. What makes these snap cubes different? This set is specifically designed to go with the show Numberblocks (which can be seen on Netflix and all over YouTube). The show incorporates a lot of memorable songs and clear descriptions (in a great British accent). The set comes with enough snap cubes to create the numbers 0-10, face plates, stickers, numberlings (the numbers that attach to the top of each stack), character cards, activity cards, detailed instructions and episode notes.

Depending on the age of your child, I strongly recommend having an adult affix the stickers on the Numberblocks using the guides provided. Once the stickers are attached, step back and watch the magic happen.

The show (and the toy) starts out very simply. Each number is represented by a “character” – with a distinct color, face, and even a voice/personality. The Numberblock “One” is made out of one red cube, “Two” is made out of two orange cubes, etc. Making and counting each number is a great way for young children to use the toy. The show is repetitive, but not in an obvious way. Episodes build on each other gradually.

Numbers greater than 2 can be “formed” in different ways. It took a very short time for my son to realize that 6 can be made up of 5 and 1, 4 and 2, 3 and 3, or 6 (and 0). Since the cubes are able to snap together, it’s easy for children to manipulate the ways the numbers are formed, thereby giving them real-world experience with number composition and decomposition. Kids can use the activity cards with the manipulatives while they watch the episodes, but it isn’t necessary.

The episodes delve into many early math concepts, including number bonds, evens and odds, counting by 2’s, conservation of number, subitizing, partitioning, ordinal numbers, multiplication (repeated addition), and more. The episodes appeal to children ages 3-6. My son, a Kindergartner, was primed and ready to fully embrace Numberblocks, but the show and toy definitely appeal to younger children, while providing more advanced children the opportunity to extend their knowledge to numbers up to one million. It’s a great series.

Dr. Karyn Purvis stated that, “Scientists have recently discovered that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain – unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10-20 repetitions.” This definitely feels true for this product. My son’s math skills absolutely took off with this “toy.” He played with this toy independently, while occasionally asking me a math-related question like, “Mommy, does three 3’s equal 9?” and “Is a million bigger than a billion?” It wasn’t long before he was begging for the next iteration of the toy (11-20). He’s been able to reach math concepts above his grade level while having a great time.

Of course like any show-turned-toy commercial product, there are many other types of “merch” available, like the Hand2Mind Number Blocks Action Figures, plushies, and more, but for longevity and number skills, the original Hand2Mind Numberblocks MathLink Cubes Set is definitely the best value for your dollar.

This is truly an educational toy that doesn’t “feel” educational but will get your kid talking about, thinking about, and LOVING math. While regular “old school” snap cubes might seem like they would be more versatile, the amount of time and energy your child will spend with this Numberblocks set is absolutely worth the investment.