If you’re in that stage where your toddler is just starting to understand numbers, this activity is such a sweet and simple way to introduce early counting. My three-year-old is right in that “pre-pre math” phase, where it’s less about getting the answer right and more about building familiarity with numbers, counting, and quantity!
This ice cream-themed pom-pom activity has been one of our favorites lately because it’s hands-on, colorful, and honestly… feels like play, not learning.
What You’ll Need
- White craft paper
- Black marker
- Colored markers
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Pom-poms (various colors)
That’s it. No fancy supplies needed, which I love.
How to Set It Up
- Draw your ice cream cones
On white craft paper, draw 10 ice cream cones using a black marker. - Create the scoops
Cut your toilet paper rolls into small rings. These act as the “ice cream scoops” and sit on top of each cone. - Add numbers + colors
Inside each cone, write a number (1–10) using different colored markers. Each number should be a different color. - Place the scoop rings
Glue or place the toilet paper roll circles on top of each cone to hold the pom-poms.
How to Play
Your toddler will:
- Look at the number inside each cone
- Match the color of the number with the same colored pom-poms
- Place the pom-poms into the “scoop” (toilet paper ring)
- Count as they go
For example, if the number is 7 in blue, they’ll:
- Find blue pom-poms
- Place them into the scoop
- Count each one as they add it
How I Guide My Toddler
At this age, I stay really involved and make it interactive rather than testing her.
If she’s working on a number like 7 and already added 5, I’ll say:
- “You have five in there… how many more do we need?”
- “Let’s count together!”
We count out loud, pause, and think through it together. It’s less about getting it perfect and more about building understanding.
Skills This Activity Builds
This simple setup actually supports so many early math foundations:
- Number recognition
- One-to-one correspondence (counting each item)
- Color matching
- Understanding quantity (“how many”)
- Early problem solving (how many more do we need?)
- Introduction to adding and taking away
It’s truly the beginning of math thinking in a really natural way.
Why I Love This Activity
I love that it uses things we already have at home. Toilet paper rolls and pom-poms go a long way when it comes to toddler activities.
Pom-poms especially are something we reuse constantly for different crafts and learning setups, so it’s worth having a pack on hand.
Most importantly, it keeps my toddler engaged while gently introducing foundational skills without pressure.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in that early toddler stage where you want to start introducing counting, this is such an easy and fun place to begin.
It’s playful, low-prep, and grows with them. You can always adjust the numbers, add more cones, or even turn it into a pretend ice cream shop later on.
Simple activities like this really do add up over time when it comes to building confidence with learning.
