Free to use at home or in the classroom. Download the PDF above, or use Print to print just the sheets, not this page.
The story
At the heart of Numeria stands the Great Equation: ten glowing crystals numbered 1 to 10. They keep every number in its proper place. The Hushling is a small shadow creature who loves to hide between numbers, and it thinks the whole kingdom would be more fun if numbers could wiggle. Today it has hidden all ten crystals around your home.
Your child is the Number Knight who finds them and puts them back in order. You are Sir One.
Who you play
You are Sir One, the elderly Number Knight with a white beard and a golden 1 on his chest. He is kind, a little dramatic, and he always asks before he tells. His knees are suddenly very old whenever something needs finding. Try his lines:
- “What do you notice?”
- “Something is missing. Can you spot it?”
- “Show me how you know.”
- “My knees have suddenly become extremely old. Perhaps a brave Number Knight should check behind that cushion.”
The Hushling is dramatic and sneaky, not scary. If someone in the house wants to play it, it likes to shout: “No straight lines!”, “No proper paths!”, and “Numbers should wiggle!” A Hushling is confused by kindness, so if your child says thank you or offers it a snack, it gets a little less sneaky.
Get ready (about 5 minutes)
- Press the Print button above. Three sheets come out: the crystals, the Great Equation board, and a certificate.
- Cut the ten crystals apart along the dotted lines. Slicing the sheet into strips first makes it quick.
- Hide the crystals around a room or the yard, low and easy to reach.
- Give your child the board and some tape.
How to play
Tell your child, as Sir One: “The Hushling has hidden the Great Equation. Number Knight, will you find the crystals in order, starting with number 1?”
Your child hunts for crystal 1, says the number out loud, and tapes it onto spot 1 on the board. Then 2, then 3, and so on to 10. If they find a number too early, they keep it safe in a pocket. Ask, “Which numbers do we still need before we can use this one?” That question is where most of the learning happens.
When all ten are on the board, count them together from 1 to 10. Then read the certificate out loud like Sir One naming a new knight: “By the Great Equation, I name you a true Number Knight of Numeria.”
Make it easier or harder
- Ages 3 to 4: Use only crystals 1 to 5. Hide them in plain sight and let your child find them in any order. After each find, count what they have.
- Ages 5 to 6: Play with all ten, found in order.
- Ages 6 to 7: Ask “What comes after 7?” or “Which number comes just before 4?” At the end, count backward from 10 to 1 while pointing at the board.
- Bonus: Make a crystal for zero from a spare piece of paper. In Numeria, zero is a real number too. Where does it go on the board?
Hiding ideas that practice counting
Hide each crystal near something that matches its number. Your child may start to notice the pattern on their own.
- Crystal 1: Hide it by something that stands alone, like a single lamp or one book.
- Crystal 2: Near a pair of anything: shoes, socks, or two cups.
- Crystal 3: By something with three: three stacked cushions, or a three-legged stool.
- Crystal 4: On a chair or table. Count the legs.
- Crystal 5: Near a glove or mitten. Count the fingers.
- Crystal 6: By some dice. A die has six sides.
- Crystal 7: By crayons or a rainbow picture. A rainbow has seven colors.
- Crystal 8: Near a toy spider or octopus. Count the legs.
- Crystal 9: By a stuffed cat. Cats have nine lives, the saying goes.
- Crystal 10: Near the sink. Count ten fingers while washing up.
Talk about it
- Which crystal was the hardest to find?
- What numbers have we found so far?
- Which number is still missing?
The Forest That Forgot to Count
In Chapter 2 the Hushling scrambles the number stones of the Numberwood so no one can follow the paths, and the Number Knights have to put them back in counting order. It is a 23-page story-first adventure with the same simple Number Knights rules, printable challenge and coloring sheets, and a Hushling that is dramatic, silly, and confused by kindness.
More free games for young heroes
- Countingbrook Number Bingo, a printable counting bingo for 1 to 8 players.
- The Fair-Share Market, a printable balance game about more, less, and fair.
- The Bridge of Three Lanterns, a 15 minute counting story you read aloud.