Preschool Math Activity – Egg Carton Counting
This hands on preschool math activity is simple to make using recycled egg cartons. Preschoolers will practice their small motor skills, number recognition skills, and counting skills as they play this counting game. This preschool math activity would make a wonderful math center. Make several of them to accommodate several preschoolers at a time.
What You Need
Empty egg carton
Large dried beans
Scotch tape
Paper with the numbers 1-12 printed in an easy to read font
What To Do
Parent or Teacher Participation – Save your empty egg cartons to create this easy preschool math activity. Print the numbers 1-12 on a piece of paper using a clear, easy to read font with no embellishments. Set the font to size 36. This may vary depending on the font that you use. Hit the tab key between each number to give yourself space to cut out each number. Cut each number out, clipping the corners so that they will fit in each individual egg compartment.
Using scotch tape (or glue if you prefer), attach one number to each egg compartment. Fill the top part of the egg container with dried beans. If possible choose large beans so that small preschool fingers can pick them up easily. Brightly colored beans may be more visible for counting.
Preschooler Participation – Instruct preschoolers to identify the number in each compartment. The first time preschoolers participate in this activity it may be best to identify each number together. Some preschoolers may not be able to recognize the higher numbers. Work with them individually as they participate in this counting activity. Tell preschoolers to count out the correct number of beans to put in each compartment.
Creating a Math Center
Create enough egg carton counting activities for several preschoolers to work at the same time. If you do not already have a math center in your preschool classroom, designate a small table for this purpose. Place one egg carton counting activity at each chair and make them available to your preschool class during center time or free play. Explain to all the preschoolers how to participate in the counting activity as a group before hand.
