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8 Fun and Easy Math Activities to do with Counting Blocks

I was so excited to find these counting blocks for $1.00 at Target!  They have similar ones at the dollar stores and Michaels too.  We have been playing and learning with them for a few weeks now.

Here are 8 fun and easy math activities that you can do with these:

8 Fun and Easy Math Activities to do with Counting Blocks

The activities have varying learning objectives, but cover a variety of early childhood math standards.  They are pictured in order of difficulty, starting with the easiest and working towards more difficult math concepts. We tried a few activities each day.
If your counted come with a storage bag – great. If not, pack them up after each experience in a ziplock bag or other container.
1. Stack the counters and count how many are in each tower.
Math activity with foam shapes for preschoolers

2. Grab a handful and graph what blocks you have. Discuss least and most.

3. Sort by size, shape or color.  My little ones wanted to stack this math activity too.

4. Make a pattern. ABAB patterns are easiest to make. Challenge your children to create and extend a variety of patterns such as ACB ABC or AABB AABB.

Patterning activity for preschoolers using red and orange foam shapes

5. Copy me.  Set up a challenging build and have the child copy you.  I put 4 stars on the bottom, followed by three circles, two hearts and a square at the top. Then, I knocked it over and asked him to build it just like mine.

math games using foam shapes for preschooler with green stars, yellow circles and red hearts

6.Number circles. In this activity draw circles on a chalk board, white board or pice of paper. Write a number next to each circle. Have the child place the different counting block inside to match the number.

7. Addition.  Draw a large circle. Above the circle write a simple number sentence. Have your child place the correct number of math counters in the circle and add them all together.

8. Make a number using the math counters.  We tried this activity with just the same number of counters as the number called for, but the numbers did not show up. So we made the numbers with a bunch of counters. Write the number in chalk.

TIME SAVER: Math Center Printables

And because I realized I was doing these fun and easy math activities with my boys every day, I decided to make a printable that was easy to use for ALL different types of counters – to help save you time!

It’s a print once, use a million times kind of math center printables.  I found that if you are going to use them for a classroom, print them on card stock and laminate them for multiple year use.

In this math center printable pack there are:

  • Activity Directions
  • Counting
  • Cards with Numbers
  • Counting
  • Cards with Number Words
  • Pattern
  • Number
  • Word Circles
  • Blank Graph
  • Color Sorting Cards
  • Addition
  • Subtraction
  • Sentence Cards
  • Number Cards

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Center-Printables-2064894

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

About Amanda Boyarshinov

K - 12 masters reading teacher, author and mom to 3. Amanda is a National Board Certified teacher with oodles of experience in early childhood education.

Comments

  1. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    What a great deal! (Love the dollar section at Target!) And these activities can work with most math manipulatives.

    Reply

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