How to Make a Mr Men Number Tool Box

If you’re homeschooling young children, you’ll know how valuable it is to have simple, engaging, and reusable resources at your fingertips. That’s exactly why I created our Mr Men Number Tool Box, a fun, hands-on way to teach early number skills in a “grab-and-go” format.

This easy DIY project brings together creativity and learning, helping little learners build confidence in maths through play.

What is a Mr Men Number Tool Box?

A number tool box is a portable collection of activities designed to teach key maths skills. Instead of scrambling for resources each day, everything you need is in one place—ready to go whenever learning happens.

Skills Covered:

• Number recognition
• Counting
• Ordering numbers
• Number bonds
• Writing numbers

This makes it perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early years learners.

How to Make Your Mr Men Number Tool Box

What You’ll Need:

• Ice cream tub
• Thin metal sheet (for magnets)
• Electrical tape
• Strong glue
• Permanent marker
• Foam sheets (self-adhesive works best)
• Magnetic numbers or magnet sheet

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Lid
Trim the metal sheet to fit inside the lid of your tub. Cover sharp edges with electrical tape, then glue it securely in place.

2. Decorate the Box
Use foam sheets to cover the outside. Cut out a simple Mr Men character (we chose Mr Tickle!) and add numbers to label the box.

3. Add a Writing Surface
Include a magnetic or whiteboard-style sheet on top, perfect for practising number writing.

Mr Men Number Tool Box: Number Recognition & Counting Activities

Dice and Counters Game

Children roll a dice, find the matching number, and count out that number of counters.

👉 Extend for older children:

• Roll two dice
• Add the numbers together
• Use counters to find the total (great for number bonds!)

Threading Activity

Create double-sided foam characters:

• One side: character face
• Other side: a number

Add a pipe cleaner through the middle and let children thread beads to match the number.

Mr Men Number Tool Box: Ordering Numbers Activities

1. Number Sticks with Play Dough

• Label sticks 1–10
• Add matching quantities (stickers or drawings)
• Place them in play dough in ascending or descending order

2. Mr Men Number Puzzle

• Create a large character across 10 sticks
• Label each stick 1–10
• Cut them apart and mix up

Children rebuild both:
✔ The character
✔ The number sequence

Writing Numbers Practice

Simply include a whiteboard pen and magnetic numbers.

Children can:

• Choose a number
• Place it on the board
• Copy it independently

This is a simple but powerful way to build confidence in writing numbers.

Why a Mr Men Number Tool Box Works for Homeschooling

This number tool box is:

• Portable – everything in one place
• Reusable – use again and again
• Adaptable – grows with your child
• Engaging – learning through play

It also makes daily maths practice quick and stress-free, just grab the box and start learning!

Hands-On Activity Ideas to Extend Learning

• 🎲 Number Hunt: Hide numbers around the room and match them to counters
• 🧵 Bead Patterns: Create repeating patterns while threading
• 🔢 Build a Number Line: Lay out numbers across the floor
• 🎨 Create Your Own Characters: Let children design their own number characters
• 🛍️ Shop Game: Use numbers for pretend money and counting

Reflection Questions for Parents & Children

Use these to deepen learning:

For Children:

• Can you find a different way to make this number?
• What happens if we add one more?
• Which number is bigger or smaller?
• Can you put these numbers in order without help?

For Parents:

• Which activities did my child engage with most?
• Are they confident recognising numbers or still exploring?
• How can I extend this activity for their level?
• What real-life opportunities can I use to reinforce these skills?

Mr Men Number Tool Box: Final Thoughts

Creating themed learning boxes like this makes homeschooling more joyful, organised, and effective. Over time, you can build a whole collection of “grab-and-go” tool boxes for different subjects and skills.

And honestly, anything that makes maths feel like play is a win!