Counting Numbers for Kids: Count the Petals
Have some Spring-themed early math fun with this DIY game of “Count the Petals.” This is such a great way to learn counting numbers for kids!
Paper Flowers That Teach Early Math
This fun and easy-to-make game of counting petals on a flower brings the color and spirit of Spring inside while teaching kids early math.
To play, kids count the petals on the paper flowers and “plant” each one in the pot with the corresponding number.
All you need to create this project are some basic craft supplies and glue. If you are in need of craft supplies, be sure to check out our Comprehensive Arts and Crafts Supply List.
Plus, we made things extra easy for busy grown ups with a free printable version of this counting numbers with kids activity. Read on to get it!
Skills: Early Math
Ages: 2 Years +
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
How to Make and Play This Counting Numbers for Kids Game!
This counting numbers for kids game is a fun way to explore early math, using the digits one through eight. Watch the video to first see how to make this game yourself, and then watch to see how a child will engage with this DIY game.
All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.
How to Make and Play This Counting Numbers for Kids Game!
This counting numbers for kids game is a fun way to explore early math, using the digits one through eight. Watch the video to first see how to make this game yourself, and then watch to see how a child will engage with this DIY game.
All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.
A Spring-Themed Way to do Counting with Kids and More!
One of the great things about this game is that you can adapt it to your child’s age and abilities.
For the very young, it is a perfect way to introduce basic counting and number recognition.
Older kids can help make the game, cutting out shapes (with safe scissors, of course), and work on fine motor skills. Or, have some creative fun and draw some faces on those flowers.
This is also a great way to talk about the anatomy of a flower, weather or the four seasons.
Bonus: you can use the pots and soil to plant some easy-to-grow seeds!
Materials
- Glue
- Cardboard Box
- Cups or small planters
- Sensory materials (like dirt or small rocks)
- Glue
- Cardboard Box
- Cups or small planters
- Sensory materials (like dirt or small rocks)
- Craft sticks
- Paper
- Dot stickers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Use a knife to cut circles in your cardboard box, making sure your cups will fit in them.
Step 2
Assign a number to each cup. I used removable dot stickers, but you could also write the number on top of the cardboard for a permanent set up.
Step 3
Fill your planters up with a sensory material. We used potting soil, but you could use sand, rocks, rice, etc.
Step 4
For a final cute touch, use glue to secure a “Count the Petals” sign on your box!
Step 1
Use a knife to cut circles in your cardboard box, making sure your cups will fit in them.
Step 2
Assign a number to each cup. I used removable dot stickers, but you could also write the number on top of the cardboard for a permanent set up.
Step 3
Fill your planters up with a sensory material. We used potting soil, but you could use sand, rocks, rice, etc.
Step 4
For a final cute touch, use glue to secure a “Count the Petals” sign on your box!
Free Printable of This Count the Petals Game
Don’t have time to create this DIY game? No problem! I wanted to make things extra easy for busy grown ups by providing a FREE printable version of this activity!
Just print the pages, cut out the flowers and match the blooms to the corresponding flower pot!
And if you like this, don’t miss our free Number Parking Lot printable and Count the Pizza Topping printable! Counting numbers for kids can be tricky, but this is a fun way to do it!
For more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!
The Educational Benefits of The Count the Petals Game
This educational counting for kids game with flower petals isn’t just a fun and pretty activity, it familiarizes your child with basic math concepts, too.
The first, is rote counting, or counting numbers in sequential order. Depending on your child’s age, you can help with this or not.
Next, is one-to-one correspondence, the idea that every item counted gets a number.
The game can also develop subitizing, or the ability to recognize how many items are in a small set, such as instantly recognizing a group of four.
For little ones, ask them what number comes next as they play; for older kids, you could work in some basic addition.
Sticking the flowers into the individual pots will also help develop fine motor skills, too.
For more ways to explore early math be sure to visit our comprehensive list of activities!
This educational counting for kids game with flower petals isn’t just a fun and pretty activity, it familiarizes your child with basic math concepts, too.
The first, is rote counting, or counting numbers in sequential order. Depending on your child’s age, you can help with this or not.
Next, is one-to-one correspondence, the idea that every item counted gets a number.
The game can also develop subitizing, or the ability to recognize how many items are in a small set, such as instantly recognizing a group of four.
For little ones, ask them what number comes next as they play; for older kids, you could work in some basic addition.
Store-Bought Early Math Games
Here are my top picks for the best early math games you can buy!
If you want something really simple, this is perfect! It’s a puzzle made of wooden numbers.
This activity uses soft pom poms and wooden cupcakes for early counting. It strengthens fine motor skills too.
This wooden puzzle lets your toddler match both the number with the correct amount of shapes.
This count the cookie chips game is a fun way to learn numbers! The game comes with a cute cookie jar too!
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