If you don't mind using IC's you can make a basic frequency counter from several 4017 decade counters, and a bunch of led's. Attach ten led's to each 4017. This creates columns indicating ones, tens, hundreds, thousands. (Maybe you don't require +1-1 precision? Then omit the ones column of led's.)
Add logic which lights the columns of led's so they give a readout of frequency.
Then reset the array once per second.
This method is as accurate as the device you use for a 1 second timer. It doesn't generate errors due to components heating.