Explore outer space and collect different objects to earn space badges as you warp between galaxies with every correct answer. With each successful response, students blast further into the stars—collecting items, visiting new planets, and earning rewards along the way!

In this version, students will look at food-themed images and use subitising to instantly recognise quantities from 0 to 5. This visual number recognition activity supports early numeracy and counting confidence by encouraging students to “see the number” without needing to count each item.

Let’s Explore – Subitising Food Images: Numbers to 5 is a great fit for Foundation and Year 1 students developing number sense. Use it during maths warm-ups, early finisher stations, or independent practice sessions using the QR code.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Recognise quantities from 0 to 5 using subitising
• ✅ Build visual number recognition without counting
• ✅ Strengthen early number sense and one-to-one correspondence
• ✅ Develop speed and confidence with small number sets
• ✅ Engage with numeracy in an interactive, space-themed game

How to Play:

1. Students are shown an image featuring a small group of food items.
2. They must subitise and choose the correct number from a multiple choice list.
3. Each correct answer earns a space object and advances them to a new galaxy.
4. Collected objects contribute to the student’s final badge tally.
5. At the end, students are shown all the space badges they earned during their journey.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as part of Foundation number units focused on subitising and early counting
• 💡 Add to maths rotations for hands-on number recognition practise
• 💡 Great for warm-ups or as a reinforcement task during transition times
• 💡 Pair with a follow-up task using real counters or food-themed manipulatives

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Let students personalise their experience by choosing from six characters before the game begins
• 💛 Select the number of players or teams at the start of the game to suit individual, paired, or group play
• 💛 Send the QR code home for students to play as a homework or revision task

Let’s Explore – Subitising Food Images: Numbers to 5 builds early number sense through quick recognition and visual learning—all wrapped in an exciting space adventure!