Fun Preschool Math Rainbow Counting Activity
Looking for an exciting way to teach early math skills? This preschool math rainbow counting activity helps children develop number recognition, counting skills, and fine motor strength in a fun and engaging way. Preschool counting activities like this make learning feel like play, helping little ones build confidence with numbers in a stress-free way.
This printable turns counting practice into a creative activity that feels more like play than work. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten, it helps kids build confidence in numbers while strengthening their little hands.
Numbers are easier to understand when kids can see and touch them! This activity encourages preschoolers to practice counting and number sequencing by linking chains together, turning abstract number concepts into something concrete and visual. (Check out this summer number sequencing activity, too).
As they build each chain, they strengthen fine motor muscles and improve hand-eye coordination, which are essential for writing and other daily tasks.
The best part? They’re also developing pattern recognition and problem-solving skills while having fun with colors and numbers! By arranging links in a specific order or following a pattern, children learn to recognize sequences and make predictions—key early math skills that set the foundation for future learning.
Read this: The Big List of Math Activities for Preschoolers.
What Kids Learn with This Activity
This activity helps children develop counting skills, number recognition, and fine motor coordination. It also encourages problem-solving and pattern recognition.
Counting and Number Recognition
Children count each link and build chains based on numbers on the cards. This reinforces counting skills and helps them recognize numbers in order. Try using different colors to highlight number patterns!
Try these other preschool math activities for St. Patrick’s Day.
Fine Motor Development
Using linking chains requires careful hand-eye coordination and finger strength. This strengthens little hands for writing and other fine motor tasks. Try pairing this with other fine motor activities for extra practice!
That said, this linking chains are not 100% necessary for this rainbow counting activity. You can use any kind of counting manipulative.
Rainbow Chain Counting: A Colorful Math Adventure
This activity lets kids learn numbers in a playful, interactive way. The colorful chains make counting exciting and help visual learners thrive!
What’s Included
This printable set provides everything you need to make counting hands-on and fun! It’s perfect for small groups or independent learning.
- Number Cards – Each card displays a rainbow and a numeral.
- Quantity Cards – These cards feature a pot of gold, where the gold coins correspond with the number cards.
Additional Materials
To complete this activity, you’ll need a few extra supplies:
- Single Hole Punch – This is to create a hole in each card so that the lining chains can be attached.
- Linking Chain Manipulatives – Colorful plastic chains for hands-on counting.
- Storage Bin or Bag – To keep materials organized for repeated use.
The Set-Up
Getting started is quick and easy! Just print, cut, and organize!
Use a hole punch to punch a hole in each card, like in the picture below. Then, place the rainbow number cards in one pile and pots of gold in a second pile. Makes sure each pile is mixed up so preschoolers have to work to find the corresponding matches. Finally, be sure to have a bowl of linking chains nearby.
How to Teach Counting Using the Rainbow Chain Printable
Teaching counting with the preschool math rainbow counting activity printable is a fun and interactive way to help preschoolers build number sense. Follow below for how to set up a successful learning experience in your classroom.
1. Introduce the Numbers
- Show the number cards one at a time and have students identify the numbers.
- Ask students to trace the number with their finger or say it aloud to reinforce recognition.
- Tip: If a child struggles, provide visual support by pointing to a classroom number chart.
2. Model the Activity
- Demonstrate how to count out the correct number of linking chains.
- Show how to connect them one by one, emphasizing one-to-one correspondence.
- Tip: Count out loud as you link each chain to encourage verbal counting.
3. Independent or Small Group Practice
- Give each student or small group a set of number cards and linking chains.
- Encourage them to match the correct number of links to each card.
- Walk around the room, providing support and asking questions like, “How many more do you need?”
4. Add Extra Challenges
- Mix Up the Number Cards – Have students build their chains in numerical order instead of matching one card at a time.
- Create Patterns – Challenge students to alternate colors as they link the chains.
- Extend Counting Skills – Older children can count by twos, fives, or tens to create skip-counting chains.
- Number Sequencing – Have preschoolers order their sets of linking chains.
5. Wrap Up and Reflect
- Have students compare their chains to a friend’s and discuss differences in length.
- Ask questions like, “Which number has the most links? Which has the least?”
- Tip: Take a photo of the chains and display them in the classroom as a visual reference for counting.
By using linking chains, this activity strengthens counting skills, fine motor development, and early math confidence—all in a hands-on, engaging way!
More Ways to Use This Rainbow Counting Activity
- Rainbow Sensory Bin – These cards are perfect to add to a rainbow sensory bin. Or, add them to a St. Patrick’s Day sensory bin.
- Skip Counting Practice: Have kids create chains by twos, fives, or tens.
- Number Matching: Use the number cards to match chains to the correct amount.
- Color Sorting: Let kids sort and build chains by color before adding numbers.
- Addition & Subtraction: Build chains to represent simple math problems.
Read this: Rainbow Trees Color Sorting Activity.
More Rainbow Counting Activities
Want more rainbow-themed learning fun? This activity pairs well with color sorting games, rainbow art projects, and weather-themed lessons.
- 6 Rainbow Counting Activities for Preschoolers
- Rainbow Train Counting Game for Kids
- Rainbow Beads Fine Motor and Counting Activity
- Rainbow Counting Number Puzzles
Rainbow Printables for St. Patrick’s Day
Explore other fun preschool math printables that build counting skills, number recognition, and hands-on learning fun.
- 20+ Printable Rainbow Activities for Preschoolers
- Weekly Rainbow Theme Preschool Lesson Plans
- Free Printable Roll A Rainbow Game
Get Your Free Rainbow Chain Fine Motor Math Printable
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FAQ About Rainbow Linking Chain Activity
This activity is ideal for preschoolers and kindergarteners, typically ages 3-6. It provides hands-on counting practice that helps young learners develop number sense and fine motor skills. Depending on their ability, older children can also use it for skip counting or pattern recognition.
Absolutely! Using a variety of colors makes the activity more visually engaging and provides an opportunity to introduce pattern recognition. You can encourage children to create rainbow patterns, group links by color, or use a specific color for each number to reinforce number association.
This activity works well for both individual and group settings. Children can work independently to build their own chains or collaborate with a partner to match numbers and compare chain lengths. In a classroom setting, you can also turn it into a game where children take turns drawing number cards and building chains as a team.
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I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.