Numberbundle Mathematical Activity Boxes Review (age 3-7)

Numberbundles are 'mathematical activity boxes supporting the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum for children aged 3-7'. The boxes are sent out to subscribers on a monthly basis although you can buy them individually, and each one contains different activities around a common theme. Children use the box with their adult, because learning together teaches everyone so much more than working alone.

My young boys are 5 and 7, and we have been sent a couple of the Numberbundle boxes released recently to review.

My 5 year old has been sent a box with the theme of Money, which ties in with what he's up to at school in Year 1. There are 7 different activities including an easy recipe, a 'shop', playing with coins and familiarising yourself with them, cleaning coins with science, a craft activity and counting activities.

My son was incredibly excited by the play money and keen to find out what all of the activities were. Almost immediately he decided we didn't have enough 1p's and I added a handful of small change, which he continued to play with all afternoon.

The pack has definitely increased my son's understanding of money. He didn't view any of the activities we tried as 'work' - which he refuses to do out of school. It was definitely play, initiated by him, and he enjoyed it. The variation in activities means that although my son doesn't currently want to participate in craft, he still has plenty to try.

My 7 year old has been sent a box with the theme of Time. This was the box for children in Year 2, aged 6-7. Again 7 activities, this time with a larger variety of really nicely prepared resources - laminated cards and clock faces etc. As with his younger brother's pack, his activities included a simple recipe, a science based activity and craft activity.

My son is just learning to tell the time at school, so this is perfect. By playing with clock faces he has really grasped the concept of the circle being in quarters, and having a 'half past' and we were able to take pride in that together. He loves craft and spent hours cutting very carefully to make our own cubes (dice) from sheets of stiff paper.

As someone who has written and delivered teaching and training courses I can see the work that has gone into each Numberbundle to make it interesting and exciting and varied. There is something for everyone, and it's all fun, so children don't realise that they're learning, and they learn so much more.

The supporting paperwork is really easy to understand and gives the adults a good idea of exactly what their child is learning through the activities, and where it fits in with their schoolwork. There is always room to expand on the games and activities, or adapt them to suit your own preferences, but we found the activities perfectly suited to the boy's ages.

Numberbundle boxes are a fantastic way for you to spend some time relaxing and chatting with your child, learning about them as you help to teach them.  I think they are especially good for parents who feel they want to support their child's learning and keep in touch with their child's progress, but don't know where to start...

A Numberbundle subscription costs £16.99/month + £2.80 UK postage (international postage is available), opt out at any time. There are 4 different Numberbundle age ranges, corresponding with Preschool, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (age 3-7). Each box has a theme and is put together by hand to order.

Numberbundle very kindly offered a Numberbundle box as a giveaway prize for one of my readers. The giveaway is over. 

For all of my current giveaways and advice regarding Gleam, please visit my giveaways page...