Sandpaper Numerals
Sandpaper numerals are the figures 0 to 9 cut from sandpaper on smooth boards, traced and named by children from about 3.5. Sets cost $11.95 to $36.35 at the three US sellers we checked on October 2, 2026. A homemade set takes ten pieces of card, a sheet of fine sandpaper and an evening.
The first lesson with it is Sandpaper Numerals. Not sure your child is ready for it? Two minutes of questions place your child on the sequence.
| Area | Math |
|---|---|
| Used in | |
| From age | 3.5 to 5 years |
| Make it | Easy to make at home |
| Buy it | About $12 to $36 (noted ) |
What the sandpaper numerals are for
The child traces each numeral with two fingers in the direction it's written and says its name. The rough figure on a smooth board keeps the fingers on the line, so the hand learns the shape before it holds a pencil.
Montessori's 1914 box held only the figures 1 to 9, on smooth cards, and she presented them exactly as she did the sandpaper letters. Zero joined later, so current sets have ten boards, usually green.
| Part | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Boards | Ten, one numeral each, 0 to 9 |
| Board size | Alison's are 4 by 4.5 inches; The Montessori Room's 4.75 by 3.5 inches |
| Numerals | Fine sandpaper; print on most sets, cursive at Montessori Outlet |
| Box | Included at Alison's and The Montessori Room; sold separately at Nienhuis |
The lessons that use the sandpaper numerals
Sandpaper Numerals
3.5 to 5 yearsTracing the numerals 0 to 9, cut from sandpaper on smooth boards, while saying each name, so the hand learns the shape of each figure.
Buying one: 4 listings checked October 2, 2026
| Seller and set | Made of | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Montessori OutletSandpaper Numerals, Cursive (510500042)Ten numerals 0 to 9 in cursive. No box. Marked down from $34.95. In stock. | Sandpaper on green board | $11.95 |
| Alison's MontessoriSandpaper Numbers with Wooden Box (M02)Sale price; regular $24.00. Ten numbers 0 to 9 and a wooden box. Boards 4 by 4.5 inches. Made in Thailand. | Wooden boards, sandpaper numerals | $21.60 |
| NienhuisSandpaper Numerals: US VersionTen numerals on smooth green boards. The box is sold separately. | HDF and sand | $36.35 |
| The Montessori RoomSandpaper Numbers with BoxCanadian store. Ten numerals and a box; sold as a budget version. | Coarse sandpaper on green boards | $46.99 CAD |
- Montessori Outlet's $11.95 set is cursive. For print, look at Alison's $21.60 set, which comes with a box; check the photos for the numeral style.
- Nienhuis's $36.35 boards are the finest finish here, but the box is extra.
Making the sandpaper numerals at home
What to gather
- Ten pieces of stiff card or thin board, about 10 by 11 cm
- One sheet of fine sandpaper (150 grit or finer)
- Large numerals 0 to 9 printed in the style you'll teach
- A craft knife, a cutting mat and white glue
- Green paint or paper for the boards, if you want to match the classic look
| Piece | Size and marking | How many |
|---|---|---|
| Boards | About 10 by 11 cm | 10 |
| Numerals | About 7 cm tall, cut from sandpaper | 10 (0 to 9) |
- 1Print the numerals about 7 cm tall, reverse them, and trace them onto the back of the sandpaper.
- 2Cut them out with a craft knife on a mat. Keep the strokes at least 1 cm wide so two fingers fit.
- 3Glue each numeral to the middle of a board, pressing the edges flat.
- 4Let the glue dry under a book overnight.
- 5Trace each one with two fingers to check for lifting corners.
Keeping a full set on the shelf
- Store the boards standing in a box, so the sandpaper faces don't rub together and wear smooth.
- Replace any homemade numeral that starts to lift. A loose edge catches the fingers and spoils the trace.
Questions parents ask about the sandpaper numerals
Print or cursive sandpaper numerals?
Match the style you'll teach for writing. Most sets are print; Montessori Outlet sells cursive.
Can I make sandpaper numerals?
Yes, and it's one of the easier materials to make. The build above takes ten boards, one sheet of fine sandpaper and an evening.
Do I need the box?
No. A box keeps the boards upright, which stops the sandpaper faces wearing against each other, but a shoebox or a small file box does that just as well.
Before the sandpaper numerals, make sure the work before it is solid. The number rods lesson lists the signs that a child is ready to move on.