Preschoolers love to knock things down. Why not channel that energy into learning? Play this Math activity with your preschoolers to help them learn their numbers and satisfy their desire to knock stuff over!
To play this exciting preschool math activity you will need something to knock down like a bowling set or canisters from the recycle bin. Then, print off this free number printable and tape the numbers on. Finally, grab some bean bags, soft balls, or rolled up socks and start knock’em down.
I let each child toss 3 bean bags on their turn. If you are doing this with just one child, you could let them throw until they hit all the pins down or they run out of bean bags.
For the younger children, after they knocked as many pins down as they could, I had them identify those numbers. Sometimes I had them count how many they hit. For the more advanced, you could have them add the numbers together.
The older children worked on sequencing by putting the pins back into the right spot in line. Sometimes I would ask them a subtraction or addition equation that represented how many pins they hit.
For example, if they hit 3 out of 6 pins down you could ask, “What is 6 – 3? How many pins are left after you hit 3 pins down?” If you want to do an addition equation, just have them add the number that they hit to the number of pins left on the table. “What is 3 + 3? You hit 3 pins and there are 3 pins left. How many pins are there all together?”
I rewarded them with Popsicle sticks for participation and right answers, but you could use anything. Don’t forget to hoot, holler, and cheer to get your preschooler even more exited about math!
This activity is perfect for ages 1 – 5 and can be changed into a letter activity too! It would make a great Educational Carnival Game! For even more math activity ideas, check out these 9 Math Activities for kids.
What kind of math games do you like play with your preschooler?
If you liked this post, please Like us on Facebook or follow us on Pinterest. Thank you for your support!
I am always looking for ways to introduce learning into the time I spend with my grandkids. The ideas have to be fun to keep up my “image!” This is perfect! I bought some dot-to-dot books, but the just-3 year old needs work on number sequencing before we can into them. I have some plastic bowling pins and will be making this set today. Thank you!
Joyce recently posted…Grandma’s Ghost Gallery
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Alexis @ Persia Lou recently posted…Washi Tape Teacups
You’re right – preschoolers will love anything they can knock down or knock over, and if they learn a little math in the process…all the better! This is a fun idea!
Emma recently posted…Shaving Cream Slide
What a great activity!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Carrie recently posted…Flamingo Friday–The Andean Flamingo