New schedules and worksheets are up on the fridge, pencils are getting their second sharpening, and for some this year, computer screens are on every morning – all signs that we’ve settled into a new school year. To keep up the school spirit, each week we’ll be rolling out a subject-focused activity that’s fun for all. The best part? These activities are completely screen-free! So put screen-time on pause and have fun together the old-fashioned way.
Pipe Cleaner Math Activity
Numbers and fuzzy pipe cleaners? A duo that is sure to ‘add up’ to some fun learning moments! It only takes a few steps and common household items to put together this tactile math activity.
What you’ll need:
- Paper cups
- Pipe cleaners
- Mini screwdriver
- Permanent marker
- Scissors
Setting Up:
- With the permanent marker, write numbers onto the paper cups.
- Note: Though educational standards vary throughout the country, most kiddos in kindergarten are learning to recognize numbers up to 10. Adjust the number range depending on your little one’s math level.
- Using the screwdriver, poke the same number of holes into the bottom of the cup.
- Cut the pipe cleaners in half.
To play, get your little one to:
- Read the number written on the cup.
- Count out the same number of pipe cleaners.
- Insert the pipe cleaners into the cup’s holes.
- They’ll know they’re correct if there are no extra pipe cleaners or holes!
Bonus! If you have multicolored pipe cleaners, you can also practice sorting with your child by assigning a pipe cleaner color to each cup.
| For older kiddos, you can adapt this activity to work on basic addition and subtraction. Encourage them to add up the numbers from 2 cups, then to count out and insert the same number of pipe cleaners. To practice subtracting, have them remove a few pipe cleaners from a cup and ask them how many remain. With these simple learning tools, you can get creative with how you want to learn with your child! |
No matter how you and your kiddo go about it, we do hope you have ‘sum’ screen-free fun! Follow us on Instagram to find out about our upcoming educational activities.
| Thank you to Planning Playtime for the inspiration! |