A Fun Subitising Game for EYFS: Feed the Monster!

Get ready for some monster-munching fun! “Feed the Monster” is a free and exciting online maths game designed to help young children practice their counting and number recognition skills in a way they’ll absolutely love. If you’re looking for a fun learning game for your EYFS child, you’ve found it!

This game helps children develop a crucial early maths skill called subitising—the ability to instantly recognise a small number of objects without needing to count them. By rolling a die and feeding the hungry monster the correct number of snacks, children build number sense in a playful, low-pressure environment.

How to Play

1. Roll the Die: Click the “Roll Die” button to see how many snacks the monster wants to eat.
2. Feed the Monster: Click (or tap on a mobile device) on the red snacks to feed them to the monster, one by one.
3. Count Carefully: Make sure you feed the monster the exact number shown on the die!
4. Well Done!: When the monster has been fed the right amount, you get to roll again!

Learning Objectives & Curriculum Links

“Feed the Monster” is more than just a fun distraction; it’s a valuable educational tool that directly supports key learning goals within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

• Target Age Group: This game is perfectly suited for children aged 3-5 (Nursery and Reception). It’s an ideal activity for children who are becoming confident counters and are ready to develop their instant number recognition skills.
• Key Maths Focus:
  • Subitising: This is the core skill of the game. By repeatedly seeing the dot patterns on the die, children learn to recognise the quantity instantly, a key objective in the EYFS curriculum.
  • Counting and Cardinality: The game reinforces that the last number in a count represents the total number of items. Children must match their count of the snacks to the number on the die.
  • Number Recognition: The game helps children connect the dot patterns on a die (a pictorial representation) to a specific number value.

Tips for Teachers and Parents

This interactive subitising game is a fantastic resource for building number sense in a fun and motivating way.

• For Teachers: Use “Feed the Monster” on an interactive whiteboard for a quick, whole-class “maths meeting” activity. It’s excellent for practicing subitising and getting children to call out the number on the die as a group. It also works perfectly as an independent learning station on tablets.
• For Parents: Playing this game at home is a wonderful way to turn screen time into learning time. Talk about the numbers on the die with your child. You can ask questions like, “What number did you roll?” and “How many snacks does the monster need now?” to reinforce their learning as they play.

We hope you have a great time feeding the hungry monster! Be sure to check out our other free online maths games for primary-aged children.