News
It's National Numeracy Day on 20 May: Find out what's on!
20 Apr 2026
There’s only one month to go until National Numeracy Day on Wednesday 20 May 2026!
Read on to find out what’s in store this year – we’ve got something for everyone, and it’s all free.
National Numeracy Day is run by independent charity National Numeracy and a host of pioneering businesses and organisations.
This year we’re bringing people together across schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods with our brand-new theme, ‘Count on Your Community’, celebrating how we all use numbers to support each other in everyday life.
There’s already plenty to get started with, in our free toolkits. There are packages for Early Years & Primary, Secondary, and supporting adults – just take your pick!
Here's what's coming up this National Numeracy Day...
For schools and children
From classrooms to communities, this year’s activities help children see how numbers are used by the people around them every day:
- On the day itself we’ll have a Live Lesson with Times Tables Rock Stars and Rotimi Merriman-Johnson, aka Mr MoneyJar.
Starting at 09:30 on 20 May (and available on demand afterwards) Times Tables Rock Stars will be hosting a fun national game of ‘Would You Rather’ for primary schools, exploring savvy spending and how we make money choices in our families and communities.
- From BBC CBeebies Numberblocks we’ll be having a fabulous karaoke song and worksheets, helping younger children see numbers in the world around them.
- Ambassador Bobby Seagull and Susan Okereke will be creating some lesson starter videos and lesson plans for primary and secondary schools, connecting classroom maths to real-life situations in children’s communities.
- Children can get creative in our Number Heroes drawing competition –this year we’re asking children the question: How do people use numbers in your neighbourhood, club or community? Maybe they want to draw a shopkeeper or paramedic, talk about using bus timetables, or save up their pocket money for some new football boots. We want to see and hear all about the places they’ve spotted numbers in everyday life around them. There are six prize bundles worth £1,000+ for schools up for grabs, as well as vouchers for the individual winners and runners-up.
For adults
Whether at home, at work or in your local area, National Numeracy Day is all about building number confidence together:
- At the heart of National Numeracy Day is the Big Number Natter, a nationwide invitation to connect with others and share how we really feel about numbers. Building number confidence starts with having open conversations in our communities. We have Big Number Natters happening all around the country, including one run by the Specialist Adviser for Mathematics to the Scottish Government, community hubs in Hull, Maths Confidence Cafes in Nottingham and many more.
How you take part is up to you: Number Natters can be five minutes or thirty, in big groups or just around the kitchen table – the aim is simply to get people talking about numbers in a way that feels open, supportive and human. If you would like some free Number Natter resources to get you started, including a simple session plan, talking points and posters, you can sign up for a free toolkit.
- Your 1-hour Number Confidence Reset: at 12:30 on the 20 May we are offering a free live webinar with National Numeracy’s training team. We’ll be exploring feelings around maths, understanding maths anxiety, and sharing practical ways to improve skills and confidence with numbers at home and for your community. It’s for any adults who want to find out more about how to improve their skills and confidence with numbers, to support themselves, their families and their community.
- The National Numeracy Challenge: our free learning tool is available year-round, and what better time to give it a go than National Numeracy Day? It’s an easy-to-use website where you can improve your confidence with numbers, in your own time and at your own pace.
It adapts to your level and gives you a tailored learning hub to help with the areas you want to work on. And it’s all about the maths we need every day – when managing money, supporting our children, or making decisions in our daily life. It’s about building confidence for real-life situations we all share. There’s no algebra or trigonometry! Give it a go here.
So, what are you waiting for?
Join thousands of people across the UK and be part of a National Numeracy Day that puts community at its heart. Because when we build number confidence together, everyone benefits.
Register now for our mailing list to get updates on all of the above, as well as access to heaps of free resources and activities.
