Counting Snowballs Winter Math Activity

Number games are a fun way to help kids with number recognition and counting. The more hands-on we can make them the more fun kids will have, and  the more likely they are to remember the content. This counting snowballs winter math activity was quick to put together and both my preschooler and kindergartener can use it in different ways. Here I am presenting it in two ways so you can choose the option that best meets your needs. First we’ll make a quick DIY math busy bag, and then we’ll take a look at a free printable option if you’d rather print and play instead.

FIND EVEN MORE SNOWMAN THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE LESSON PLANS
FOR HOME PRESCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

Snowman Counting Busy Bag

Busy bags can be a very convenient way to incorporate some hands-on learning time. Whether you use them in the classroom, on the go, or as a component in your home activities, they are handy to have around. Now that Tinker has started preschool outside of the home for two days during the week I am making a few busy bags and learning activities that correspond to the themes they are focusing on in the classroom. That way she can do a little bit of hands-on learning at home too.

To prepare the activity I gathered fifteen white pom poms and six small foam snowmen. We had the snowmen in our craft stash, but you could use any size foam snowmen or even cut out your own paper ones.

Better yet, let your little one make six snowmen to use in the busy bag and incorporate some art and scissor skills!

My preschooler follows these steps for the busy bag activity:

1. Place the snowmen in order from zero to five.

2. Add the appropriate number of snowballs above the snowman’s head.

Once your child is done you can also:

1. Count all the snowballs to see how many there are in all.

2. Compare the amounts. For example show that five is great than four or that one is less than three. At the most advanced level, ask kids to identify  how many more (or less) a certain number is than another (for example, 3 is 2 less than 5).

My kindergartener is focusing on addition right now. This busy bag is easy to use for that as well. She simple chooses two snowmen from the bag. Then she gathers that correct amount of snowballs for each and combines them. Finally she counts to see how many snowballs there are when the two amounts are combined.

Free Printable Snowman Numbers and Number Words

FIND EVEN MORE SNOWMAN THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE LESSON PLANS
FOR HOME PRESCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

If you’d rather print and play instead of creating your own snowmen, grab the free printable snowman numbers.

See How We’re Using This Snowman Counting Printable

In addition to using pom poms, you can switch up the manipulatives you use. Here we added in foam snowflakes and white play dough. Buttons or glass beads would also be great options for loose parts.

The invidual snowmen can be used during guided math groups or one-on-one with children. Try these:

1. Have kids match manipulatives to show the number (or number word) on each snowman.
2. Have kids show different ways to show a number by using two different kinds of manipulatives. For example for the number 6, a child could show 2 snowballs and 4 snowflakes. Do this in small group and discuss the different ways kids come up with to show the same number.
3. Have kids match the number snowman to its matching number word snowman

Kids also enjoy lining up the snowman and creating an organized grid as discussed above in the busy bag section. It’s an excellent way to help them visually see one more and one less.

GET YOUR FREE SNOWMAN COUNTING PRINTABLE

The free printable snowman numbers set includes:

• Individual snowmen with numbers 1 through 10
• Individual snowmen with number words one through ten

MORE SNOWMAN FUN WITH PRINTABLE SNOWMAN THEME LESSON PLANS

Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.

This set currently includes active hands-on learning ideas and the following printables:

1) Measure the Snowman Activity
2) Roll a Snowman Game
3) A to Z Build a Snowman Activity (focusing on uppercase, lowercase, and beginning sounds)
4) Snowman Pattern Cards
5) Roll and Cover Snowman Math Game Boards (focusing on counting sets and number recognition for numbers 1 to 12)
6) 1-20 Snowman Counting Mats
7) My Snowman Emergent Reader
8) 0-35 Snowman Counting and Calendar Number Cards

GET YOUR LESSON PLANS

Home Preschool Snowman Theme Lesson Plans

Preschool Classroom Snowflake Theme Lesson Plans

Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

MORE PRESCHOOL WINTER ACTIVITIES

Visit our winter theme planning guide for more ideas to go along with favorite winter themes.

Originally published January 20, 2015