By Colin FosterUpdated November 2026
Learning Resources makes a wide range of learning resources educational toys, and the MathLink Cubes set is one of the brand’s most recognized hands-on math tools. This review looks at the 100-cube version listed for ages 5 and up. It is best suited to kindergarten-age children and homeschool families who want a concrete way to teach counting, addition, subtraction, patterns, and early fractions. It is less useful for toddlers who still mouth small objects, and for families who want a screen-based or self-correcting game. Parents of younger preschoolers may find the Learning Resources counting and sorting sets a better starting point before moving to linking cubes.
Learning Resources MathLink Cubes, Homeschool, Educational Counting Toy, Math Cubes, Linking Cubes, Early Math Skills, Math Manipulatives, Set of 100 Cubes, STEM Toys, Ages 5+
Product Overview
The Learning Resources MathLink Cubes set is a collection of interlocking plastic cubes that snap together on all faces. Each cube has a numeral or dot pattern on its sides, so a child can build a tower, count the connected units, and see how a number breaks into parts. The set is marketed as a math manipulative for early math skills, and the listing is aimed at homeschool and classroom use as well as at home play.
Manipulatives like these have a long history in early math instruction. The core idea is that a child who can physically group, separate, and rebuild a set of objects is building a mental model of quantity that a worksheet alone rarely provides. If you are new to the idea, the guide to Learning Toys for Kindergarten: 5 Best Picks Compared for Home Learning (2026) explains how these tools fit into a home kindergarten routine.
Because the set contains 100 cubes, it offers enough pieces for real grouping activities, such as making ten-sticks or building arrays for multiplication. That is one of its main selling points over smaller counting kits. It also works well for open-ended building, which lets a child move from simple matching to pattern-making without changing materials.
Key Features & Specifications
The table below lists only the details stated in the product name and the widely known characteristics of this model. Check the current Amazon listing for exact dimensions and packaging before purchasing.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product type | Interlocking math linking cubes (math manipulatives) |
| Quantity | Set of 100 cubes |
| Recommended age | 5 years and up (per listing) |
| Intended use | Homeschool, classroom, and home early math |
| Skills addressed | Counting, number sense, addition, subtraction, patterns, early multiplication concepts |
| Category | STEM and educational counting toys |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large 100-cube count supports grouping into tens and building arrays.
- Cubes snap on all sides, so children can build flat rows, towers, and 2D shapes.
- Numerals and dot patterns on the faces reinforce number recognition during play.
- Works across several years of learning, from basic counting to early multiplication.
- Suitable for both homeschool lesson plans and free play at home.
- Durable plastic that owners often describe as holding up to repeated snapping and separating.
Cons
- The listed age of 5+ means it is not appropriate for toddlers or children who still mouth objects.
- Storage requires a container with enough room, since loose cubes spread quickly.
- Requires an adult to set up activities and guide the learning; it does not teach on its own.
- Some owners report that snapping cubes together can take more hand strength for younger children.
Performance Analysis
Performance for a manipulative set is less about speed or battery life and more about how well it supports a learning sequence. Based on the specifications and on common patterns in owner feedback, the set performs best in three areas.
Counting and number sense. Because each cube can be counted and then joined, a child can point to each unit, say its number, and then see the total. Owners often describe this as the step that turns counting from a memorized chant into a concrete quantity. Start with towers of 1 through 10, then ask the child to build a tower with a specific number and check it by counting.
Addition and subtraction. Build two towers, then snap them together. Ask how many cubes there are now. For subtraction, break a tower apart and ask how many remain. Keep the numbers under 20 for the first few weeks, and use the cubes as a visible check before moving to written equations.
Early multiplication and grouping. Making rows of 5 or 10 and asking how many rows are needed for a total is a simple introduction to multiplication. Owners who teach older kindergartners often use the set to build rectangles and count the squares, which connects to area later on.
The main limitation is that the set teaches only what the adult sets up. It does not give immediate feedback the way some electronic learning toys do. For guidance on comparing electronic and hands-on options, see 4 Best Electronic Learning Educational Toys for Preschoolers (2026).
Who Should Buy This Product?
Good fit: Homeschool families teaching kindergarten or first-grade math, parents of 5- to 7-year-olds who need a concrete way to show addition and subtraction, and classroom teachers who want a shared set for small-group work. Families who already use math games at home will also find the 100-cube count useful for building larger projects.
Skip it if: Your child is under 5 or still puts objects in their mouth, you want a self-correcting app or screen game, or you need a counting toy for a toddler. A younger child may do better with larger counting pieces, and the Top 5 Learning Toys for Kindergarten: Compared for Home Learning (2026) guide covers options that suit that stage.
Buying Guide
Before you buy a set of math manipulatives, think about the age range, the number of pieces, and how you plan to store and use them. Here are the factors that matter most.
- Match the age range to your child’s hands and habits. Snapping cubes requires fine motor control. If your child is still learning to pinch and grip, a larger-piece counting set may be a better first step.
- Count the pieces you need. A set of 100 supports grouping into tens. Smaller sets work for basic counting but limit building projects.
- Plan storage before opening the box. A shallow bin with a lid keeps cubes from scattering. Some families use a fabric bag for travel.
- Decide on structured or open play. If you are teaching a set curriculum, look for sets that include activity cards. If you prefer free exploration, the basic cube set is enough.
- Check that the set fits your learning goals. Linking cubes are strongest for counting, addition, subtraction, and patterns. For letters or reading, choose a different tool.
If you want alternatives, two well-known options are worth comparing. The Learning Resources counting toy designed for toddlers ages 18 months and up suits children who are just starting to sort and count.
Learning ResourcesCounting Toys for Toddlers 1-3, Preschool Manipulatives, Toddler Sorting Toys, Math Counters, Color Matching Toys Counting Crayons, Color Sorting Toys, Ages 18 Months+
For a preschool-stage counting set with animal figures and number recognition, the Learning Resources Montessori counting cows set is another option, and it targets fine motor skills as well as number work.
Learning ResourcesMontessori Toys for Toddlers, Animals Counting Toy, Preschool Number Recognition, Fine Motor Skills, Math Manipulatives Snap-n-Learn Counting Cows
If you are building a broader toy collection, the guide to Learning Toys for Pre K: 6 Best Picks for Preschool Skills at Home and Top Preschool Learning Toys: 7 Best Picks Compared (2026) can help you plan a balanced set of tools.
FAQ
What age is the MathLink Cubes set designed for?
The listing recommends ages 5 and up. Children younger than that may still be developing the grip strength needed to snap cubes together, and the small pieces are not suitable for children who mouth objects.
How many cubes come in the set?
The product name describes a set of 100 cubes. That count is enough for grouping into tens, building towers up to 100, and making simple arrays.
Can I use these cubes for multiplication?
Yes, in an early sense. Building equal rows and counting the total introduces the idea of repeated addition, which is the foundation of multiplication. Formal multiplication facts are usually taught later with other materials.
Do I need an adult to use the set?
Not always, but most families get more out of the set when an adult asks questions, sets challenges, and checks the counting. Free play still builds spatial and pattern skills.
How should I store the cubes?
Use a shallow bin with a secure lid or a fabric bag. Keeping the cubes together in one place makes cleanup faster and helps prevent loss.
Are these good for homeschool math?
Many homeschool families use linking cubes as a hands-on tool alongside a math program. They work well for number sense, place value, and early operations.
Is this set a good choice for classroom use?
Teachers often use manipulatives in small groups or centers. The 100-cube count gives enough pieces for a few students to work together on the same problem.
Final Verdict
The Learning Resources MathLink Cubes set is a strong, practical choice for families and teachers who want a concrete way to teach early math. Its 100-cube count, snap-together design, and number markings make it useful from basic counting through early multiplication. The main caution is the 5+ age recommendation, which means younger children are better served by simpler counting toys. If your child is in the right age range and you plan to use the set regularly with a clear learning goal, it is worth considering. If you need a toy for a toddler or a self-checking screen game, look elsewhere.
Related reading
- Top 7 Learning Resources Numberblocks Toys for Preschool Math
- Learning Resources STEM Toys: 7 Picks and How to Choose Them
About Colin Foster
Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our early learning at home guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
