Count and Pick Spring Themed Carrot Patch

Without a doubt doing something is the best way for toddlers and preschoolers to learn, and doing it in a variety of ways as well. This simple maths game for spring is another easy and fun way to learn some basic number sense working on counting, number recognition, number bonds, counting forwards and backwards and even addition and subtraction. Inspired by our Pumpkin Patch Math game we created for autumn play this is inspired by our favourite spring bunny Peter Rabbit. So with about 15 minutes preparation, you can have a little game for number sense that your tot can play throughout the spring.

Find more Maths Game for Toddlers and Preschoolers to support learning to count and number recognition.

Spring Maths Game

This is such a fun and simple spring maths game that you can set up once and then let your toddlers and preschoolers play. It’s easy to adapt and work on different number skills with them depending on their age and ability.

We created with a strong carboard box as I knew it was something I wanted to be reusable as you can use the same idea for numerous different stages of maths.

Looking for another sping maths game – check out our frog counting game for some more spring learning for your toddlers and preschoolers.

Materials needed for your Count and Pick Carrot Patch Maths Game

Cardboard Box

Sticky Tape

Craft Knife, Self Healing Mat and Ruler

Orange Cardstock

Green Pipe-Cleaners

Black Marker Pen

Scissors

Pencil

Preparation – Make your Carrot Patch

Before you can play the maths game with your toddler and preschooler you need to make your carrot patch and carrots.

1. Take a cardboard box and cut a section out to be your patch.
2. Around 2″ from each edge draw a line and score to fold.
3. Fold and cut off the corners so that you have a ‘raised bed’ for your carrots to grow in.
4. Lay your cardboard out flat and cut 10 random slots for your carrots all the way through the box.
5. Fold the side up and sticky tape the corners your ‘raised bed’ is now ready for the carrot to go into.
6. Take your orange card and cut a 2″ strip this will make sure that none of your carrots are too long for the carrot patch and end up wonky!
7. On the strip of orange card draw some carrot shapes you will need 10 in total.
8. Cut out the carrots.
9. Add a little detail with some lines.
10. Take a green pipe-cleaner and cut into 3 sections (you will need 4 pipe-cleaners).
11. Twist the pipe-cleaners into a spring.
12. Then stick to the top of the carrot to form the leaves growing out the top.
13. If you are working on number recognition then write the numbers 1 to 10 on the carrots.

Plant the carrots in the ‘raised bed’ and you are now ready to play.

Playing Count and Pick Carrot Patch Math Game

Objectives of the game

• Work on counting 1 to 10
• Number Recognition 1 to 10
• Fine motor skills

Working on counting out 1 to 1

Ask your child to count out a set number of carrots that they can pick from the carrot patch. E.g. Pick 5 carrots from the carrot patch.

Working on recognition of numbers

Pick the carrots from the carrot patch and work on reading the numbers on the carrots.

For children working on sight words or high frequency words switch the numeral for the number word and get them to read the words to identify the numbers pulled from the carrot patch

Addition

You can start to work on addition – grab a die and then throw it pull up that number of carrots and then roll again. Write a number sentence and then pull the second roll number of carrots up. How many carrots do you have in total!

Number Bond Work

If your child is working on Number Bonds then you can use the carrot patch to work on number bonds. Roll a 10 sided die and pick that number of carrots – ask them to predict how many carrots are left in the carrot patch – check the answer

Adapt this for working on numbers bonds to 5 and 20 by using fewer carrots or adding more carrots to the patch.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

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One of the first book collections that we brought our children when they were born was a set of Beatrix Potter books. I used to sit on the sofa with them as babies and read aloud from the books to them and as they grew older point out the pictures. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the first in her collection of books for children and is a must-have book for children. It’s beautifully illustrated and the story so wonderful to read together.

We have this collection as well as the miniature books that you can see in the image above. I love the miniatures but it’s so nice to sit down with the classic book full of the stories at bedtime and feel like you are following on from night to night.

More Bunny and Peter Rabbit Inspired Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Check out these other activities based on this week’s theme and our featured book.

Lettuce Wraps inspired by Peter Rabbit

Growing Carrots from the Tops