Number Mat for School Maths Lab

Quick Answer: A Number Mat is a floor mat marked with numbers that children stand on, step along and jump between during active maths games. Primary classes use the number mat for counting forwards and backwards, skip counting, ordering numbers and acting out simple addition and subtraction.

Maths Through Movement

Young children learn number order faster when they can move through it. On a floor mat, a child standing on 4 who hops forward three steps lands on 7, and the whole class can see 4 + 3 = 7 as a journey. Hopping back models subtraction, and the distance between two numbers becomes the number of steps between them.

Skip counting works the same way. Jumping on every second number gives 2, 4, 6, 8; every fifth gives 5, 10, 15. Children say each number aloud as they land, which links the pattern to the rhythm of the times tables. Teachers can call out a target and ask a child to find the quickest route, such as two jumps of five to get from 0 to 10.

Whether this mat is laid out as a number line or as a grid, and the range of numbers it shows, should be confirmed before ordering. A line suits addition and subtraction journeys, while a grid suits patterns such as counting down a column in tens. Either layout supports group games in which one child moves while the others check.

Applications

• Counting forwards and backwards by stepping along the numbers
• Skip counting in twos, fives and tens with jumps
• Acting out addition and subtraction as journeys
• Finding the number before, after or between given numbers
• Group games where children call targets and check each move

Care & Handling

• Lay the number mat on a flat, dry floor and make sure it does not slide before children jump on it; a non-slip underlay helps on smooth tiles.
• Wipe it with a damp cloth and mild soap after use and let it dry before rolling.
• Roll rather than fold the mat for storage so creases do not form across the numbers.

Specifications

Why Choose LabEquip

Early-years and primary teachers usually keep one or two mats for group rotations in a maths corner or hall. LabEquip lists the mat in its Mathematics School Lab Products range with desk-based number aids such as the Number Fins; ask about layout and size through the LabEquip contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a number mat used for?

It turns counting and simple calculations into movement. Children step, hop or jump between numbers to count, skip count, order numbers and act out addition and subtraction, which helps them remember number order.

How does a mat help with addition and subtraction?

A child stands on the first number and moves forward for addition or backward for subtraction by the second number. For 4 + 3 they hop three steps forward from 4 and land on 7, and the class checks each step.

How is skip counting practised on the mat?

Children jump on every second, fifth or tenth number, saying each number aloud as they land. The rhythm of the jumps matches the pattern of the times tables, such as 5, 10, 15, 20.

Is a number line or a grid layout better?

A number line layout suits counting journeys, addition and subtraction. A grid layout suits patterns such as counting in tens down a column. Many teachers use the line with younger children and grids later.

Is it safe for children to jump on a mat?

Yes, on a flat, dry floor with the mat held in place. Check that it does not slide on tiles, keep other objects clear of the area and let one child move at a time during jumping games.

What age group is the mat designed for?

It is aimed at early-years and lower-primary children who are learning to count, order numbers and add and subtract small numbers. Older children can use it for times-table jumps, and for negative numbers if the mat shows them.

Last Updated: September 2026