Kids can count on this wooden "calculator" for years of play and learning! The Melissa & Doug Abacus is beautifully crafted with a solid hardwood base, and 100 brightly colored wooden beads. The sturdy frame holds 10 thick-coated wires with 10 colorful wooden beads on each -- 100 beads in all. Younger kids can slide the beads back and forth to explore different patterns and colors, while practicing their fine motor skills. Older children can enjoy using the abacus as a visual and hands-on way to learn addition and subtraction and other early math concepts. The beads are sized for little hands, and glide easily across the smooth wires. The counting toy comes with eight extension activities to add to your child's learning experience. With no loose pieces and no mess, it's a great toy to pack in a bag for on-the-go play. The abacus makes a great gift for kids ages three and older for hands-on, screen-free play.