Counting Pumpkins Playdough Math Mat

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The lonely scarecrow is standing tall in the pumpkin patch, but the patch is bare! Your student can help add pumpkins to the patch with this interactive Counting Pumpkins Playdough Math Mat. It is a fantastic counting activity for preschool students.

Explore Counting and Number Quantities

The Counting Pumpkins Math Mat and Cards can be used to teach one-to-one correspondence as well as counting.

This activity will help your student beyond the rote reciting of numbers and help your student to actually count the pumpkins as they place them on the mat.

Understanding that each number has a quantity is a skill that gives your student a good math foundation.

Benefits of Hands-on Learning with the Pumpkin Math Mat

The Counting Pumpkins Math Mat uses hands-on learning to help your student understand the meaning of counting. When your student looks at the card, he will have to determine how many pumpkins he needs to make and place on the math mat.

Making and moving the pumpkins will engage multiple areas of his brain while he makes new connections.

This printable includes a math mat and ten cards for numbers 1-10. If your student is new to counting, you can practice counting the pumpkins on the card before making and placing the same number of pumpkins on the math mat.

Hands-on learning also provides these benefits:

It allows students to use their senses to explore new concepts.
It improves fine motor skills.
It allows young learners to make mistakes and problem solve.

Your student can make pumpkins out of playdough for an extra fine motor boost, or you can use a variety of other manipulatives. Suggested manipulatives:

orange playdough
pumpkin candies
orange pompoms
orange buttons

How to Get Started with the Counting Pumpkins Math Mat

The printable math mat is easy to use.

Print the number cards and math mat.
Laminate the mat, or put it in a Dry Erase Sleeve or page protector.
Gather playdough or other manipulatives you want to use.
Turn the cards upside-down. Let your student choose one.
Show your student how to make and place the corresponding number of pumpkins.

If your student is beyond counting 1-10, use the cards to introduce addition. Draw TWO cards, add the numbers, and place those pumpkins on the math mat.