We know preschoolers need lots of physical activity. So why not combine physical activity and a bit of imaginative play with learning? fall– Themed counting games for preschoolers! This squirrel game for preschoolers is a great way to practice counting skills!
Encourage number and counting skills
Mathematical operations, such as counters, can be expensive. But the good news is they don’t have to be! In the fall, nature offers an endless supply of free manipulatives. We have a lot of acorns around our yard, and acorns are our go-to counter in this simple counting game for preschoolers.
This fall-themed feeding and counting game for squirrels develops a variety of skills, including:
- Digit Recognition (1-5)
- Number composition (1-5)
- one-to-one correspondence
- basic arithmetic
Start with a Counting Scavenger Hunt
Check out this research-based, fun learning unit in our course store!
Bundles with 14 of my most popular fall resources, including math and literacy group activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources!
If your nearby play area doesn’t have a large number of acorns, start with a nature scavenger hunt to collect them. My preschooler thinks this is so much fun, like a fall version of an Easter egg hunt. Instruct them to collect a specific number of acorns to add a fun counting challenge.
Feed the squirrel
After collecting the acorn counter, have your children place the acorns around the play area. Use sidewalk chalk and toy squirrelinstruct preschoolers to take turns feeding the squirrel a designated number of acorns.
Encourage them to count the acorns to make sure they have the correct number. How many do they have? Do they need more? How much more do they need?
Of course they actually want to feed toy squirrel!
You could even pair this activity with a book about squirrels, e.g. You are crazy! by Lois Ellert.
Extension for Senior Students
Older preschoolers may be ready to try writing numbers on their own. Place different amounts of acorns into piles and have them count and write the number next to each pile. For those who are prepared, you can also use numbers up to 10 or 20. Finally, you can add basic arithmetic elements to form addition and subtraction sentences, such as “The squirrel had 2 acorns, but he found 2 more. How many acorns does he have now?”
More Fall Squirrel Events
- Squirrel Fall Book and Literacy Activities – Fall is in the air. It’s time to break out your favorite fall read-alouds. hope you have Squirrel jumps, squirrel sleeps In that stack. This is a fun and informative book for preschoolers. There are many ways to develop early literacy skills. Your preschooler can develop their literacy skills with this squirrel activity. This book would also be perfect for a squirrel or forest theme.
- Busy Squirrel Fall Class Book – Help children learn about the new season, enjoy fun stories, and practice their writing and drawing skills with activities related to this book. We even offer free printing for you to use.
- Fall Squirrel Alphabet Game – I love finding fun new ways to practice the alphabet with my preschoolers. This squirrel-themed alphabet game is a great letter recognition activity! Learning to recognize letter names and sounds is an important skill to practice in preschool. Although this is a letter During the activity, this game also includes one-to-one correspondence!
Introduction: Meghan is a former hedge fund professional turned SAHM’s Big M (4 years old), Lil’ M (3 years old) and Baby M (11 months). She writes articles on Playground Parkbench, sharing practical parenting tips, STEM activities for preschoolers, and family finance knowledge. If you liked this article, check out Decorate the Crown with Jewels , a princess-themed counting game for preschoolers. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
More fall ideas
