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Number Comparison: Greater Than & Less Than Game

Here is a fun way to introduce the math concept of number comparison and recognition of the symbols greater than, less than, and equal to! It is super visual and tactile! Keep reading and discover how easy it is to make your very own math game out of some cardboard and adhesive paper.

An Easy-to-Make DIY or Download Our Free Printable!

Teach your children number comparison and how to use the greater than, less than, and equal to signs! This DIY game using an alligator for the symbols is a fun way to play and learn. 

Plus, for extra busy parents, we wanted to make the process even easier, so we made a free printable version of this game just for you. More on that below! 

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills: Early Math
Ages: 3 Years +
Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Watch the Video to See How to Make the Game!

In this video you’ll see how easy it is to make this game yourself. Using readily available materials, this game is budget-friendly and can be created quickly!

Of course, we know that grown-ups are tight on time, so we’ve created a free printable version of this activity that you can find below.

Watch the Video to See How to Make the Game!

In this video you’ll see how easy it is to make this game yourself. Using readily available materials, this game is budget-friendly and can be created quickly!

Of course, we know that grown-ups are tight on time, so we’ve created a free printable version of this activity that you can find below.

Enjoy Number Comparison With This Fun Game

One of the first concepts that will help children understand addition and subtraction is learning number comparison. 

Before jumping into an activity like this, your child should be able to either count or be able to recognize numbers. If your kiddo is still learning that, we have the perfect DIY counting puzzle for you to make and play!

In this video you’ll see how we played this number comparison game. Use a dice, or randomly select numbers, compare them, and decide whether they are greater than, less than, or equal to! You can also use manipulatives, as we did with small fish charms. They allow younger kids to physically count the quantities first and then compare one from the other!

Materials 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1

From the roll of adhesive dry-erase paper, cut out two rectangles and stick them to your big piece of cardboard.

Step 2

Create your alligator on the two small pieces of cardboard by first coloring 2/3 green and 1/3 white.

Step 3

Use a scissor to make a jagged line for the alligator’s teeth. 

Step 4

Punch a hole in the center of the small cardboard pieces and poke two holes in the center of the big cardboard sheet.

Step 5

Use paper fasteners to secure the alligator to the cardboard while keeping it moveable.

Step 6

To play the game, use a dice or randomly select numbers, write them in the square spots with a dry-erase pen and move the alligator in the correct position. Alternatively, use manipulatives, like fish charms, instead of writing numbers.

Step 1

Use a sharp craft knife to cut out rectangles from one of the pieces of cardboard. Retain these as they will be the pieces for the numbers. Cut out as many pieces as you want.

Step 2

Make the gator. Either use my free printable or use craft sticks to paint a gator with green paint. Add some white paper for teeth and eyes.

Step 3

To make your number pieces: use markers to draw individual numbers on separate pieces of cardboard.

Step 4

Add hook and loop adhesive dots to the back of each cardboard number piece.

Step 5

Place hook and loop adhesive dots on the craft sticks gator mouth.

Step 6

Move the gator’s mouth to make a greater than or less than sign, depending on which number is larger.  

FREE Printable Version of This Number Comparison Activity

Even though we absolutely love this DIY game for number comparison (it is so easy to make and budget-friendly!), we do understand that grown ups are busy and so we wanted to give you a short cut with this FREE printable!

This printable not only comes with the alligator-themed less than, equal to, and greater than symbols, but you’ll also get number flash cards!

For more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

 

Educational Benefits of Learning Number Comparison

This is the perfect game for preschoolers and young grade school children to play. It introduces the concepts of numbers actually representing larger and smaller amounts.

Number comparison, which is a building block of addition and subtraction. If there are 10 people and 5 cupcakes, are there enough cupcakes for everyone?

Using an alligator’s mouth to represent the greater than or less than sign is a visual image that will stick in your child’s mind. 

Through playing this game, kids will be able to understand a number’s relationship with other numbers. This is called number sense.

Understanding the value of numbers and how the represent more or fewer amounts is a skill they will use everyday in real life.

Educational Benefits of Learning Number Comparison

This is the perfect game for preschoolers and young grade school children to play. It introduces the concepts of numbers actually representing larger and smaller amounts.

Number comparison, which is a building block of addition and subtraction. If there are 10 people and 5 cupcakes, are there enough cupcakes for everyone?

Using an alligator’s mouth to represent the greater than or less than sign is a visual image that will stick in your child’s mind. 

Through playing this game, kids will be able to understand a number’s relationship with other numbers. This is called number sense.

Understanding the value of numbers and how the represent more or fewer amounts is a skill they will use everyday in real life.

Explore More Ways to Learn Number Comparison

Here are my top picks for the best games you can buy to teach greater than, less than, and equal to!

Gator Game

The game board version of our DIY! It includes 4 boards and 4 sets of number cards so multiple children can play at once!

Number Comparison Workbook

Great for preschool and kindergarten students who are mastering comparing numbers 1-20. Involves coloring, cutting, and pasting.

Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To Worksheets

This workbook is filled with prompts all about greater than, less than, and equal too, involving counting objects or reading numbers.

Number Comparison Cards

This game involves reading the number cards and determining whether the less than, greater than, or equal too equations whether are incorrect or correct.

What’s Next?

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