LITTLE BUD KIDS House of Number Buddies Maths Game, a Number
LITTLE BUD KIDS House of Number Buddies Maths Game, a Number Bonds Maths Toy with Number Rods and Addition & Subtraction Flash Cards, Montessori Material for Kids 4-8 years old
HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU MAKE A NUMBER?
Non-toxic, naturally-sourced, and lab tested for child safety
Our wooden game set is safe and non-toxic, and certified by TÜV SÜD, a global regulatory compliance company, to exceed toy safety regulations in Canada, the US, U.K., EU, Australia, and New Zealand. This includes SOR 2011-17 & 18, ASTM F963, UK EN-71, EN-71, and AUS/NZ ISO 8124.
We only use water-based paints and finishes on our wood toys. This set is skillfully made with repurposed rubberwood, a hardwood that is durable and beautiful.
Small-Business Touch
Little Bud Kids is a woman-owned, family-run business based in California, USA. All our toys are both kid and parent-tested and approved prior to production. We take pride in personally designing toys that are versatile, natural, and grow with your child. Thank you for shopping small!
CONTENTS
- 1 Wooden Game Box with Lid
- 2 Sets of Double-sided Wooden Rods #s 1-10
- 1 Set of Number Cubes 0-20 and + – = Signs 1 Addition /
- 1 Addition / Subtraction Grid Game Board
- 50 Game Cards
- 1 Play Instruction Sheet with Addition Control Chart
- 5-page Sampler Number Bonds Worksheet Download
- Point Tracker Sheet Download
| Dimensions: | 24.38 x 21.59 x 5.33 cm; 1.05 Kilograms |
| Material: | Wood |
| Colour: | English |
| Pack Quantity: | 98 |
| Batteries Required: | No |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Assembly: | No |
| Dimensions: | 24.38 x 21.59 x 5.33 cm; 1.05 Kilograms |
| Material: | Wood |
| Quantity: | 98 |
| Reference: | 224.E |
We had a lot of trouble finding a numbers game that would be fun for our very bright 3 year old great nephew and his mum thinks this will stretch his mind and won’t find it too easy.
I love this product! I have purchased other Little Buds items and like the rest they are all well made, thoughtful and helpful in the classroom. It has made doing small group instruction for numbers and addition very visual!
There aren’t a whole lot of instructions and the instructions that are included are a bit vague. But this is basically a physical representation of numbers that helps them count, add, subtract, etc. If you subscribe to the every little bit helps school of thought this is good! Approaching the same problem in a different angle with different ways of learning can be useful.
If you’re in the school of thought that is trying to maximize your bang for the buck, i think you might be disappointed. This is not THE answer to helping them learn to add, but it can be part of it.
My kiddo does not seek this out to play with and when we bring it out he’s kind of lukewarm about it. I don’t know what is the best way to learn, but he’s more interested in the numberblocks show, and there’s a similar toy as this that is tied into the show.
All that said, I think every little bit helps, so this gets 4 stars.
My nephew has loved playing with the blocks and starting to understand the concept of numbers. He is a little younger than recommended, but will be using this for years to come
I would caution you to be aware that this set does contain small pieces. I’m thinking in particular of the number and operation cubes, but this is true also of the shortest rods. If a baby or toddler tried sticking these pieces in their mouth, it could be very dangerous, so you will definitely want to keep these materials away from the very young. However, when used as intended by children working on counting, addition and subtraction, and number families, this could be an outstanding item for your home, or as a classroom center.
There’s a lot to appreciate here. The rods are labeled with Arabic numerals, with the number word written out, and with a series of lines breaking them down visually into their constituent parts. Every five spaces, a bold line occurs, rather like in the concept of tally marks or a five-frame, so you can learn to see the total at a glance. For example, the seven rod would be delineated into five squares, then a bold line, and then two more squares. Depending on your skill set, you could count on from five, or you could add the two to the five, but either way is the same result, of course. The even numbers are differentiated from the odd by being a lighter color of wood or stain, which is a helpful visual clue. Well-thought out details like these occur throughout.
The set seems very complete, as well, with two of every way to make 10, except that the pair of fives appears only once. In other words, there’s 4 and 6, but also 6 and 4, so you can represent both with rods at the same time. No need to take one demonstration apart in order to rearrange the pieces to show another way. Besides the rods themselves, you also get cubes for 0 through 20, and relevant symbols (+,-,=). The rods and cubes can be used in conjunction with the sturdy, good-quality board printed with a grid extending to twenty squares long and ten deep. This is helpful for seeing how the aforementioned 7 rod appears against a ten count, for instance, and it also gives you a way of being sure that your rods are all lined up correctly with one another, which is vital when you’re comparing numbers or number families. If not properly aligned, a 4 and 3 rod could look equal to an eight rod, but they’re not and it’s a simple mistake to avoid. If the rods always begin flush against the first vertical line on the board, and any subsequent rod or cube in that total is flush against the first piece, there shouldn’t be any confusion just because something wasn’t straight or got bumped. With the grid, you would see that right away.
You also receive a deck of color-coded, double-sided cards with challenges of increasing levels of difficulty. These are referred to as quests, rather than problems, and feature concepts like ‘Two buddies are visiting in the 4 house. One of the buddies is 2. Who is 2 visiting with?’ In this example, your child could count on from two to find the difference, or subtract the two from the four. Though they may not need the set to answer, this is a simple example to familiarize them with how to use the materials to find a solution. The reverse of every card shows the answer to the question, so your child could theoretically check their own work, or you could take a glance to make sure you didn’t forget one of the pairs that makes nine, or whatever. The quests are printed on cardstock, and laminated for durability.
Also included are instructions to play a game, suggestions for other ways to interact with the materials, links to a couple of downloads, and a handy addition facts chart. All of this (the rods and cubes, the board, the cards, the papers, everything) fits into a sturdy, modestly sized wooden box, with a top that slides on and off from the side.
The wooden components are all smooth, and without any visible flaws. I found no splinters, rough areas, or misprints. The rods, in particular, are sanded and polished to a silky finish. I did notice a slight odor upon opening the package, but this dissipated within moments, and was never serious to begin with. The quest cards probably wouldn’t hold up well over time if they had to face the heavy use and repeated shuffling of playing cards, but they seem more than adequate to their purpose. In the end, I can’t think of any serious issues or concerns, apart from the possible choking hazard if the pieces fell into the wrong hands. That would be a risk inherent to any similar product, though, so if you’re looking for high quality, well-designed and -stocked set for visual and hands-on early math learning, I strongly recommend this one.
The quality of this learning toy is top notch. I love all the different ways my son can manipulate the blocks to reinforce his basic math skills. I work at a private school and will bring this in as an additional learning tool for my K-3rd grade classroom. Anything to get out of workbooks and hands on material is a plus! This will hold up well with multiple students using it. I’m excited to show them!
So impressed by the versatility of this wonderful learning toy.
As a homeschool mom I always look for resources to enhance learning. My first graders are learning addition and subtraction. They struggled a bit with addition facts, memorizing and trying over and over helped some; but with these wonderful blocks they are now able to have a tactile experience and see addition patterns. This toy invites them to create family facts with the manipulatives in a written form, numerical and also kinesthetic form with the use of unit blocks. I am sure you can use this in multiple other ways: odd and even numbers, regrouping, shapes and abstract play etc.
The blocks are of an amazing quality, I absolutely love the storage box and the instruction cards! Great quality overall.
It is not my first item from this shop. I absolutely love the quality and versatility of all their items.
Montessori way cannot be more beautiful and fun. Absolutely recommended this new product.
I expected my 6 yr old to spend a lot of time with this set, but I kept finding my 10 yr old with it! He really liked fitting the blocks together into the puzzle. Anyways, it is an effective teaching tool and allows you to have good conversations about numbers and their values. The materials are very nice, and will help create core memories!
This Montessori-inspired math toy has been a game-changer in teaching my child core math concepts such as addition, subtraction, and number bonds. The set includes number rods, addition/subtraction flash cards, and a foldable board, making it perfect for on-the-go learning. Not only does it enhance critical thinking and number sense, but it also promotes hands-on learning in a fun and engaging way.
As a homeschool mom of four, I’ve tried many different ways to teach math. This game is an excellent resource. From top to bottom, the game is great. From the quality of the wooden pieces to the endless ways to manipulate the numbers, to the spelling of the numbers, it’s all here in one box. Highly recommend.
Got this for my son to help him better learn addition and subtraction! And this did not disappoint! The quality and the looks of the wooden blocks are really good! The size of the wooden blocks are a bit smaller than I expected but that’s okay so he can easily bring it everywhere. Really love this! Good way for kids to learn math!
I’m not sure whether to call House of Number Buddies a toy or a game because it certainly has elements of both. From the laminated instructions and cards to the sturdy little wooden box it comes in, it’s durable and beautiful enough to become an heirloom toy your family hands down through the generations or a classroom go-to practice manipulative that you bring out for small groups day after day, week after week, year after year. Whether you call it a toy or a game, it’s clearly a labor of love from the good people at Little Bud Kids.
Firstly, playing with this game/toy is not just fun and educational; merely handling the components is a sensory experience in and of itself, and secondly, the same qualities that make it such a lovely little toy/game can also help address multiple modalities of learning. The wooden box it comes in is a little rough to the touch, the finished number sticks are smooth, and the laminated instructions and quest cards are slick. Manipulating the number sticks supports the kinesthetic learner. The bright colors stimulate the visual learner. For the auditory learner, there is reading aloud and the satisfying little clicks and taps one hears when moving the number sticks from the wooden box to the playing board and back.
My only concern about this educational toy/game is that children who are of an age to really enjoy it might not be quite old enough to read the instructions and question cards just yet. I think they’ll really need the help of an adult, or at least a slightly older child, to really get the most out of it until they learn how the game is played.
This math game is phenomenal. My daughter has struggled a bit in learning some of her addition and subtraction facts but this set helped show her concepts in a more visual as well as tactile way. She’s catching on a lot faster now and I’m really impressed by how much this game set helps her. The pieces are well made and smoothly finished. I was a little surprised that the numbers/markings aren’t burned or engraved into the wood. That’d have been a nice touch but the printing is nice and clearly done as is. The game board is sturdy cardboard and feels better made than most board game boards on the market today. There’s a lot of cards with a bunch of ways to use the game to enforce math skills and I like how versatile the set is. My daughter is 6 and in first grade but I could see her using this for a few years as her skills grow. It’d be a great gift for any early elementary kid.
This is far beyond what I expected from this kit. Granted, I read through the advertisement and I got a pretty good gist of what to expect but this was still far beyond what I expected!
This is a math game/toy that REALLY exercises the mind. Even for me as the parent, I really had to make sure I understood what was going on. Not because it’s impossible to understand but it does make you think.
Some of these exercises I haven’t seen since I was in school and, the fact that they managed to turn those complex math problems into a game, was/is brilliant!
It gives the idea of hiding veggies in mashed potatoes! Even for child(ren) who love math, this game still makes math easy AND enjoyable at the same time.
I do want to also mention how wonderful the wood is created. The pieces are smooth and very easy to work with. The cards are durable and the game itself is PACKED out with accessories. I rarely say something is worth the purchase but this is one of those products!
I feel like the cards that came with it are a bit random. It shows “number buddies” that go together. For example, what is the number buddy of 3 in a “house” of 7. I don’t understand the numbers they chose though. I only got cards for 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20. Like why do 18 (they had 6 and ?). The answer is 12, but there isn’t a 12 rod. So, you have to do two rods to make the 12, which is confusing I think when they are showing just 2 buddies making the 18. If they wanted to do 18, why choose 6 when if they had chosen 8, the answer could have been 10. I think it would have made more sense to do numbers that used two rods total. There are 9 different styles of problems on the cards that come with this set. I just don’t see any rhyme or reason for the problems they chose. For example, they have 2 cards that ask “Find the two matching Number Buddy rods that fit into House Number…” They only do 14 and 20. Why did they only do these two numbers? If you are trying to teach doubles or even numbers, why not make a card for all of them up to 20? I photographed the cards based on the different questions asked. The cards are color coded by level of difficulty. It comes with a nice laminated instruction/idea booklet.
I do the majority of my shopping on-line and reviews are very important to me when choosing items. I am always honest with my reviews and have been writing them for a long time now to help others like I’ve been helped.
However, the quality can be improved. The lettering and lines on each block is stuck on not painted or burnt into the wood block. Some of the lines are even peeling off already and some lines are thicker than others. That was a little disappointing to see. It makes me feel that these won’t last long if used regularly by little ones to play and learn.
This product is marketed as a Montessori material designed for children aged 4-8 years old, intended to help them develop their mathematical skills. Here are the pros and cons I observed during my evaluation of this product:
Pros:
Educational Value:
The House of Number Buddies is an excellent educational tool for teaching young children foundational math skills. It focuses on number bonds, which is a crucial concept for understanding addition and subtraction. The use of number rods and flash cards adds depth to the learning experience.
Montessori Approach:
The product follows Montessori principles, which emphasize hands-on, experiential learning. This approach encourages independent learning and problem-solving, making it suitable for a wide range of learning styles.
High-Quality Materials:
The number rods and flash cards are well-constructed and durable. They are made from non-toxic materials, ensuring the safety of young learners. The product’s quality materials enhance its longevity.
Visual and Tactile Learning:
The colorful number rods and flash cards appeal to young children’s visual senses. They also provide a tactile element to learning, which helps reinforce mathematical concepts.
Progressive Learning:
The House of Number Buddies offers a progressive learning path, with varying levels of difficulty to challenge and engage children as they advance in their math skills. This adaptability is a big advantage for teachers and parents.
Versatile Learning:
While designed for independent play, this product can also be integrated into classroom lessons or used in small group settings. The versatility allows teachers to tailor its use to their specific educational goals.
Cons:
Limited Age Range:
The House of Number Buddies is designed for children aged 4-8. While it excels within this age range, it may not be suitable for older children or those who require more advanced math instruction.
Limited Scope:
This product primarily focuses on number bonds, addition, and subtraction. While it does an excellent job teaching these concepts, it doesn’t cover a broader range of mathematical topics. This limited scope may not meet the needs of older or more advanced learners.
In conclusion, the LITTLE BUD KIDS House of Number Buddies Math Game is a well-designed educational tool for teaching number bonds, addition, and subtraction to young children. Its Montessori approach, high-quality materials, and progressive learning path make it a valuable resource for parents and teachers. While the price may deter some, the educational value and versatility of this product make it a worthy investment in a child’s mathematical development, especially for those within the recommended age range.
Those that produced this product thought ahead, which I appreciate. All pieces are self-storing in this well constructed wooden box, giving this a big plus, right from the start. I am a visual learner and many are too, so to be able to see how numbers fit together physically is a great tool.
Each wooden piece is nicely rounded and has an appealing finish. It also offers a variety of ways to combine numbers, learning goals, such as addition, without even labeling it directly as such.
Many subjects are not covered in school with the depth necessary for today’s world. However, I believe that this game/learning skill activity is a great beginning tool for math basics. This shoots it out of the park with appeal!