Isn’t it amazing to think that there is an EXACT number of ant-eaters, shoes, tea bags, and footballs in the world right this moment, we just don’t know what the number is… Caleb is lucky because he can find out exactly how many there are!

Without an Incredible Counting Machine of our own, we have to estimate the numbers and that is something that scientists spend quite a lot of time doing.

Activity 1 – Guess How Many

I wonder if you are good at guessing how many things there are? Below is a sheet of questions with 3 possible answers for each one. Tick the answer you think is correct.

If you click on the picture it will open at a bigger size (click back to return to this page). You can then print it using your web-browser.

Download the answers below.

Activity 2 – Tricky Count Up

Are you good at counting or estimating? How quickly can you figure out how many stars, spots and books there are in the picture below?

You can count them individually or you could use a cunning trick to calculate how many there are based on just counting a few of them. Any ideas?

If you click on the picture it will open at a bigger size (click back to return to this page). You can then print it using your web-browser. You could then cross things off when you have counted them. If you use felt pens to colour the ones you have counted you will end up with a colourful picture you could email back to me!

You can download the answers and possible solutions below.

Activity 3 – Count Creator

Can you come up with your own counting challenge?

It could be like either of the activities above, or something completely different!

Send a scan of your creation to me (ask your parents to send it to me on the email address on About) and I’ll post it on the website – plus you will earn yourself some points!

Your challenge must fit on 1 side of A4 paper. Don’t forget to provide the answers in the email.