X Tables
Maths Adventures

Dragon maths quest: counting

A story-led junior maths adventure using hoards, scales and fiery puzzles to count objects, compare amounts and spot missing numbers.

Quick answer

You can count objects, compare amounts, and find missing numbers in a dragon's treasure hoard!

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count objects in a dragon's hoard, compare how many there are, and find missing numbers in a counting sequence. Success signs:
  • You can count up to 100 objects in a dragon's treasure
  • You can say which group has more or fewer items
  • You can find the missing number in a counting pattern
  • You can solve a dragon's counting puzzle

Why this matters

Counting helps you understand how many things you have. It's useful when you're sharing snacks, playing games, or even helping a dragon sort their treasure! When you count, you're learning how numbers work and how they connect to real things. In school, counting helps you learn addition and subtraction. In games, counting helps you keep score. In real life, counting helps you know if you have enough money for a toy or if there are enough cookies for everyone.

How it works

Counting is simple: you look at each object one by one and say a number. Start with one, then two, then three, and so on. When you're counting, you must touch or move each object so you don't count it twice or miss one. You can count forwards (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) or backwards (5, 4, 3, 2, 1). When comparing numbers, you can say which number is bigger or smaller. You can also find missing numbers in a sequence like 2, 4, ?, 8, 10.

Examples you can see

Imagine you're in a dragon's cave. The dragon has a hoard of gold coins. You count them one by one:
  • One coin
  • Two coins
  • Three coins
  • Four coins
  • Five coins
You can see there are five coins. Now, if you have another dragon's hoard with seven coins, you can say that seven is more than five. Let's try a pattern:
  • 2 dragons
  • 4 dragons
  • ? dragons
  • 8 dragons
  • 10 dragons
What number is missing? It's 6 dragons. The pattern is counting by twos.

Try it as a mini adventure

Dragon's Treasure Hunt! You are a brave explorer who finds a dragon's treasure cave. The dragon has left you a puzzle to solve. The dragon says:
  • There are 3 gold bars on the left side of the cave.
  • There are 5 gold bars on the right side of the cave.
  • There are 8 silver coins in the middle.
  • There are 4 magic stones on the floor.
Your mission:
  1. Count the gold bars on the left side
  2. Count the gold bars on the right side
  3. Compare which side has more gold bars
  4. Count all the silver coins
  5. Count all the magic stones
  6. Find the missing number in this pattern: 1, 3, ?, 7, 9

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting the same object twice or missing one object.
    Why it happens: When you're excited or rushing, you might lose track.
    Fix: Touch each object as you count or move it to a different pile.
  • Mistake: Saying "six" instead of "five" when counting 5 objects.
    Why it happens: The last number you say is the answer, not the count.
    Fix: When you're done counting, the last number is how many there are.
  • Mistake: Skipping numbers in a sequence like 2, 4, 6, 9.
    Why it happens: You might not notice the pattern.
    Fix: Look at how the numbers change. Count by twos: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child by:
  • Playing counting games like "Count the toys" or "Count the steps"
  • Using everyday objects like fruits, coins, or blocks for counting practice
  • Encouraging your child to touch or move each object as they count
  • Asking "Which group has more?" or "How many more?" to compare amounts
  • Looking for number patterns in daily life, like house numbers or pages in a book
  • Noticing when your child makes mistakes and gently guiding them to the right answer

Practice questions

  1. Count these stars: ★★★★★★★★★
    Answer: 9 stars
  2. Which group has more? Group A has 6 apples, Group B has 4 apples.
    Answer: Group A has more
  3. Find the missing number: 3, 6, ?, 12, 15
    Answer: 9
  4. Count the dragon eggs: 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚
    Answer: 5 eggs
  5. Which number is missing in this sequence: 10, 8, ?, 4, 2
    Answer: 6

FAQ

What is counting?

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

How can I practice counting at home?

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

Why is counting important?

Counting helps you know how many things you have, share them fairly, and solve problems.

How do I know which number is bigger?

Numbers that come later in counting are bigger. For example, 7 is bigger than 4.

What if I get confused while counting?

It's okay! Try touching each object, counting slowly, or asking someone to help you.