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Maths Adventures

Jungle maths quest: counting

A story-led junior maths adventure using bridges, vines and hidden temples to count objects, compare amounts and spot missing numbers.

Quick answer

Counting is the first step in maths, and it helps you know how many things you have. In this jungle adventure, you'll count animals, fruits, and treasures to solve puzzles and find your way through the jungle!

Learning outcome

By the end of this jungle maths quest, you will be able to count objects in a line, group them, and compare how many there are – so you can solve puzzles, find your way through the jungle, and discover hidden treasures! Success signs:
  • You can count from 1 to 20 without skipping or repeating numbers
  • You can match a number to a group of objects
  • You can tell which group has more or fewer things
  • You can find missing numbers in a counting sequence

Why this matters

Counting is the foundation of all maths! It helps you know how many cookies you have, how many friends are coming to your party, or how many steps you need to climb to reach the top of a tree. In the jungle, counting helps you find your way, know how many fruits to collect, and solve puzzles. When you count, you're using your brain to keep track of things – and that’s super useful in life!

How it works

Counting is simple: you look at each object one by one, and say a number out loud. Start with one, then two, then three, and so on. When you finish, the last number you say is how many objects you counted. You can count with your fingers, toys, or even your feet! Here’s how to count like a jungle explorer:
  1. Look at your objects – like leaves or rocks
  2. Point to each one as you count
  3. Use your voice to say the numbers
  4. When you finish, the last number is your total

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are on a jungle quest and you find a tree with five hanging fruits. You count them one by one: 1. One fruit 2. Two fruits 3. Three fruits 4. Four fruits 5. Five fruits That’s how you know there are five fruits on the tree! Now, let’s say you find two groups:
  • Group A: 3 bananas
  • Group B: 5 oranges
You can compare them:
  • Group B has more oranges than Group A
  • Group A has fewer bananas than Group B
You can also count backwards to find missing numbers. For example, if you see:
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. ?
  4. 4
  5. 5
The missing number is 3!

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Jungle Temple Puzzle You are on a jungle quest to find a hidden temple. You must follow a path that has clues with numbers. You find these clues:
  1. Count the number of vines hanging from the tree
  2. Count the number of birds in the sky
  3. Find the missing number in this sequence: 2, 4, ?, 8, 10
  4. Compare the number of flowers and butterflies
You can draw or use toys to help you solve the clues. Let’s see what you find!
  1. There are 6 vines
  2. There are 3 birds
  3. Missing number is 6
  4. There are 5 flowers and 4 butterflies, so there are more flowers
You’ve solved the puzzle and found the way to the temple!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting the same object twice or missing one
    Why it happens: It's easy to get confused when counting quickly or when objects are close together.
    Fix: Point to each object once and count slowly. Use your fingers to help you keep track.
  • Mistake: Not knowing which number is the total
    Why it happens: Some children get excited and forget to say the last number.
    Fix: Always say the last number you counted – that’s how many things there are!
  • Mistake: Confusing "more" and "fewer"
    Why it happens: It’s easy to get mixed up when comparing two groups.
    Fix: Count both groups and compare the numbers. The bigger number means more!

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Playing counting games like “Count how many steps you take” or “Count the toys in your toy box”
  • Using everyday moments like shopping or cooking to count things together
  • Encouraging your child to count out loud and point to each object
  • Practising number sequences like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 – and asking them to find missing numbers
  • Not worrying if they make mistakes – counting is a skill that improves with practice

Practice questions

  1. Count these apples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. How many apples are there?
  2. Which group has more? Group A: 3 birds, Group B: 5 butterflies
  3. What number is missing in this sequence: 1, 3, ?, 7, 9?
  4. Count the number of leaves: 1, 2, 3, 4. How many leaves?
  5. Compare 6 bananas and 4 oranges. Which has more?
Answers:
  1. 5 apples
  2. Group B (5 butterflies) has more
  3. 5
  4. 4 leaves
  5. 6 bananas have more

FAQ

Why do we need to learn to count?
Counting helps you know how many of something you have. It’s useful for sharing, solving puzzles, and understanding the world around you.

Can I count things in the jungle?
Yes! You can count trees, animals, fruits, or even your own steps. Counting helps you explore and solve puzzles in nature.

What if I lose count while counting?
That’s okay! Just start over and count slowly. You can also use your fingers or move objects to help you keep track.

How can I practice counting at home?
You can count your toys, your steps, or the number of cups you need for dinner. Every day is a chance to practice!

What comes after 10 when counting?
After 10 comes 11, then 12, 13, 14, and so on. You can keep counting forever!