Make math hands-on and fun with the Build an Ancient Calculator – Abacus Kit! Designed for grades 1–3, this interactive kit teaches foundational math skills—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—through the engaging process of building and using an abacus. Kids explore patterns and grouping with 30 colorful beads, gaining a visual understanding of numbers while connecting to ancient counting methods.

Perfect for classrooms, libraries, and enrichment programs, this kit supports math learning through play, promoting motor skills, coordination, and critical thinking.

Build An Ancient Calculator - Abacus Kit

$4.00

Quantity

Grades 1-3
30 beads (3 colors)

Craft sticks, dowels, end caps

Step-by-step assembly video

Printable activity plan & challenge sheets
Understand the history and function of the abacus

Practice counting, patterns, and simple operations

Explore math concepts from Mesopotamia to modern times
Subjects: Math

Skills: Counting, skip counting, basic operations, pattern recognition

Standards: Aligned with Common Core (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
Abacus History Overview

The earliest counting device was the human hand and its fingers, capable of counting up to 10 things. As larger quantities were counted, natural objects like pebbles, sea shells and twigs were used to keep count. Until numbers were invented, counting devices were used to calculate. The abacus is one of many counting devices invented to help count large numbers. Abacus is a Latin word that has its origins in the Greek words abax or abakon (meaning “tablet”).

Videos:

Learning Numbers 1 To 19 On Abacus by Periwinkle (grade 1)

Subtract on the Abacus by Periwinkle (grade 1)

The History of Math by TeacherTube Math

Music:

5 Smiles by Steve Songs (preschool)