“Did you get new blocks?” four-year-old Marlo shouts as she makes a beeline for a table piled high with SumBlox, our newest early math learning tool.

Without waiting for an answer, she begins stacking the blocks into a tower. Suddenly she stops and asks: “Hey! Are these numbers?” 

“Yep, they are number blocks,” I confirm. “There are lots of different ways to play with them.”

Marlo tilts her head, looks at me quizzically for a second, and then begins to arrange the blocks in numerical order. Within minutes, she has another epiphany.

“Every number gets bigger and taller!” she notes with excitement.

Five-year-old Seana joins Marlo at the table.  “These are cool!” she exclaims.

I continue to observe as these two early learners explore our newest playful math tools.

Just when I thought wooden blocks couldn’t get any better, I discovered SumBlox: wooden blocks shaped like the numbers 1 through 10.

But here’s what truly unique about this block set: Each block’s size reflects its numerical value. For example, the #2 block is twice as tall as the #1 block and the #10 block is 10 times as tall as the #1 block.

These simple yet powerful blocks help children spot numerical patterns and understand the relationships between numbers.

It isn’t long before Seana figures out the magic of these blocks.

“When I stack two blocks together to make them add up to 10 and then line up the different stacks, they are all the same height!” she reports.  (See image above.)

Wow! I think to myself. I love how those little brains work!

Seana smiles and I can see her confidence grow as she stacks different sets of numbers. Her number sense is growing as she “plays” with different number block combinations.

Because the blocks are different heights based on the numbers that they represent, they give children a fun, hands-on way to see how numbers work together, like finding different “friends” for each number that add up to the same amount.

As Marlo and Seana continue to play with the SumBlox, they are learning that different combinations of numbers can form the same total—a key early math concept.

When children can physically manipulate number blocks, they can better understand the concept of  “how much” each number represents. For example, when children see that the #3 block is three times taller than the #1 block, they begin to understand that 3 is more than 1—and the size difference helps them see how numbers grow.

This hands-on approach is especially helpful for visual learners who grasp concepts better by seeing and doing rather than by listening to someone explain the concepts. As children arrange the blocks in various combinations, they can start to recognize patterns such as how numbers add up or how removing some blocks makes a smaller number.

Because the blocks are proportional in size to the numbers they represent, children can see how numbers combine in a visual way.

By placing the #4 and #5 blocks next to the #9 block (see image above), children can see that the heights match, which helps them grasp the idea that 4 + 5 is the same as 9.

Children can also explore how to break down the number 10 into different parts, such as 5 + 5 or 6 + 4, and even experiment with more complex combinations such as 5 + 2 + 3 to reach 10.

This “seeing and touching” approach enables young learners to connect with numbers in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Instead of simply knowing what a number looks like, children begin to understand what that number really represents—how numbers relate to each other, how they change, and how they can be combined or broken down.

All of this helps children develop number sense—a key early math skill.

Number sense can be challenging for young learners to grasp because it involves abstract concepts such as quantity and number relationships.

SumBlox makes these concepts a bit less “abstract” by giving children a hands-on opportunity to practice ordering numbers, which helps them gain confidence as they make and correct mistakes.

As the numbers increase in value, the blocks get taller too, offering a visual cue to help kids understand the concepts of “more” and “less.”

This hands-on approach also makes it easier for children to see the relationships between numbers. As they stack and arrange the blocks, they can practice number recognition, counting, addition, and subtraction. Our more advanced and intrepid early math learners can also explore basic multiplication, division, and fractions.

I love how these blocks also help children spot patterns in numbers and understand how numbers relate to each other.

By observing how towers composed of various SumBlox are taller or shorter, children can see how numbers grow in predictable ways. Simple activities such as putting the blocks in order from 1 to 10 help build number recognition skills, while fostering an understanding of the value represented by each number. Children can begin to see that 10 is much bigger than 1, not just by recognizing the number, but by seeing the difference in the size of the blocks.

A SumBlox set offers a powerful, hands-on way for young learners to explore and understand key early math concepts. Through play, children can physically see and feel the relationships between numbers, which helps build a solid foundation for more advanced math learning down the road.

Playful learning truly makes math enjoyable and meaningful for young minds.

Try pairing SumBlox with Ten, Nine, Eight on our Early Math Counts lesson page!

“How many marshmallows would you like with your hot chocolate, Miss?” asks Cody, imitating a waiter in a fine restaurant as he holds out a tray of yellow pompoms.

“Can I have five, please?” Makenzie responds.

“One, two, three, four, five . . . there you go!” says Cody as he counts out the pretend marshmallows with a flourish.

Then he moves on to Zachary, who says, “I’d like seven marshmallows, please.”

“Okay, ” Cody replies. He glances down at his tray to estimate the number of remaining marshmallows. “But I don’t think I have that many.”

Then he starts to count again, plunking the pretend marshmallows one by one into the different sections of his ten frame to keep track. “One, two, three, four, five . . . hmm, that’s all I have.”

Through this simple interaction, Cody and his friends are developing a deeper understanding of numbers and quantities. When children use ten frames in play, they are actively exploring math concepts in a fun, hands-on way. Ten frames help children visualize numbers and grasp concepts such as grouping, patterns, and relationships.

By physically moving the pompoms from the tray to the different sections of the ten frame, they are also engaging in kinesthetic learning, which is a vital part of early childhood development. This physical interaction with numbers reinforces abstract math concepts such as counting, subitizing (recognizing small quantities without counting), and one-to-one correspondence.

At first, a ten frame may simply feel like part of a game—something that the children use to count objects, organize toys, or create patterns. This playful early exposure to ten frames will make these learning tools less intimidating when they are introduced later as part of the formal primary school curriculum.

The use of ten frames in an informal, low-pressure setting also reduces math anxiety and boosts confidence as children become more comfortable with numbers. When the focus is on exploration and play rather than “getting the right answer,” children develop a positive, confident attitude toward math.

The simple act of filling and emptying a ten frame or organizing objects into groups strengthens neural connections that are crucial for brain development. This tactile play builds fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities—all essential for future learning.

When children move objects around in ten frames, they are doing more than practicing math: They are developing foundational skills that will support every aspect of their cognitive development. The more children touch, feel, and explore, the more they learn!

I encourage you to add ten frames to your classroom or home play area and watch as the children engage with them in creative and exciting ways. The best part? You don’t need a formal lesson to get started. Simply let the children explore the ten frames as part of their play and watch how they naturally build basic math skills along the way.

For a story that ties in beautifully with math and the magic of marshmallows, check out The Last Marshmallow by Grace Lin. This charming tale of sharing and counting is perfect for building early math skills through storytelling.

After your book share, check out our “Hot Cocoa Math” lesson plan for a fun and easy way to integrate ten frames into play!