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Maths Adventures

Alien planet maths quest: counting

A story-led junior maths adventure using strange number systems and gravity jumps to count objects, compare amounts and spot missing numbers.

Quick answer

Counting is the first step in maths, and it helps us find out how many things we have. On an alien planet, counting helps us understand strange number systems and jump from place to place using gravity!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count objects in different ways, compare amounts, and spot missing numbers in a fun alien adventure.

Why this matters

Counting is the foundation of all maths. Whether you're sharing snacks with friends, building with LEGO, or exploring an alien planet, counting helps you understand how many things you have. On an alien planet, counting helps you understand how gravity works and how to jump from place to place.

How it works

Counting is simple: you look at objects one by one and say numbers in order. For example, if you see 3 stars, you count them: 1, 2, 3. You can count anything – stars, rocks, aliens, or even your toys. When you're on an alien planet, you might count how many gravity jumps you need to make to get to a new place. If you can jump 3 times in one direction and then 2 more times in another direction, you’ve jumped 5 times in total.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you're on an alien planet and you find some strange rocks. You count them:
  • First rock – 1
  • Second rock – 2
  • Third rock – 3
  • Fourth rock – 4
  • Fifth rock – 5
You have 5 rocks. This is how counting works! You can also compare how many things you have. For example:
  • You have 3 blue aliens
  • Your friend has 5 green aliens
You have fewer aliens than your friend. You can say, “I have 3 aliens, and my friend has 5 aliens. My friend has more aliens.”

Try it as a mini adventure

Alien Planet Counting Quest You are on an alien planet where gravity works differently. To get to the spaceship, you must jump to the next platform. Each platform has a number of rocks. You must count the rocks to know how many jumps you need. 1st platform: 2 rocks – 2 jumps 2nd platform: 4 rocks – 4 jumps 3rd platform: 1 rock – 1 jump 4th platform: 5 rocks – 5 jumps 5th platform: 3 rocks – 3 jumps You need to jump a total of 15 times to reach the spaceship. Challenge: Can you find the missing number in this sequence? 2, 4, ?, 8, 10 Answer: The missing number is 6.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting the same object twice or missing one object.
    Why it happens: It's easy to get confused when counting quickly.
    Fix: Touch each object once and say the number as you count it.
  • Mistake: Forgetting the last number in the count.
    Why it happens: Kids sometimes get excited and forget to finish counting.
    Fix: Count slowly and check your last number at the end.
  • Mistake: Thinking that counting is only for numbers 1 to 10.
    Why it happens: Kids often only learn counting up to 10.
    Fix: Practice counting higher numbers like 20 or 50 to get used to bigger numbers.

Parent and carer guide

Counting is one of the most important skills for young children. Here’s how you can help:
  • Count everything with your child: steps, toys, stars, or cars.
  • Use your child's interests: if they like dinosaurs, count dinosaur toys or pictures.
  • Play counting games: say a number and ask your child to show that many fingers.
  • Encourage them to count backwards: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
  • Don’t worry if they skip numbers or make mistakes – it’s part of learning.

Practice questions

  1. How many apples are in the basket if you count them: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5?
  2. Which number comes after 7 in counting?
  3. Count the stars: 1, 2, 3, 4. How many stars are there?
  4. How many clouds are there if you count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6?
  5. What number comes before 9?
Answers:
  1. 5 apples
  2. 8
  3. 4 stars
  4. 6 clouds
  5. 8

FAQ

What is counting?

Counting is the process of saying numbers in order to find out how many things you have.

Why is counting important?

Counting helps us understand how many things we have, compare amounts, and solve problems.

How can I practice counting at home?

You can count toys, steps, or snacks. Try counting backwards too!

What are some fun ways to count?

Counting songs, games, or using your fingers can make counting more fun.

Can I count things that are not real?

Yes! You can count imaginary things like aliens or stars in the sky.