Do your kids like to play? I thought so!
Here are some fun, hands-on math activities for a St. Patrick’s Day theme in your pre-k or kindergarten classroom.
Pot-O-Gold 1:1 Game
This first game is a fun twist on a classic that will keep your kids engaged and on-task as they practice their 1:1 counting skills with “gold.”
Prep
First, spray paint some lima beans gold and let them dry.
Next, give each child in your small group one plastic ice cube tray and a mini candy cauldron full of lima beans. I found the candy cauldrons at my local party supply store.
To Play
Students will take turns rolling the foam die and counting the corresponding number of “gold pieces” into their ice cube tray.
Purpose
This hands-on game will help young children in your preschool or kindergarten classroom develop one to one correspondence skills.
This skill is listed in the Common Core State Standards as follows: Math.Content.K.CC.B.4a When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object.
Pot-O-Gold Counting Game
What could be more fun than playing with pennies? I bet you have tons of pennies lying around just waiting to be put to use, I know I do!
Prep
Put a container of pennies in the middle of your small group table.
Give each child a mini candy cauldron. Students will take turns rolling the foam die and placing the corresponding number of pennies in their pot.
This activity supports the same skill listed above.
Picking up pennies and lima beans also has an additional bonus, it will help develop fine motor skills!
St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Play with Numbers
Remember my post about alphabet sensory play? This is a similar activity focusing on numbers to go with your St. Patrick’s Day theme.
Prep
First, I colored my rice green; see the previous link for directions if you’re not familiar with this process.
Next, I spray painted magnetic numbers with gold spray paint.
When the rice and numbers were dry I hid the numbers in the rice.
The printable mat is attached to a metal cookie sheet from the dollar store so the numbers will stick. Get your copy of the free printable number mat below!
To Play
Students will hunt for numbers in the rice and place them on the matching number on the mat.
You can use one dish tub of rice per child in your small group or pair them up for cooperative play.
Click on the picture below to download the free Pot of Gold Number Hunt Mat
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