These apple printable numbers are perfect for exploring one-to-one correspondence and fine motor skills! We use them as part of our preschool apple theme, but I bet the kids would love this activity any time during the year.
Are you following my Apple Theme Pinterest board?
This activity came about after we created a scented apple sensory bin using dyed chickpeas.
I make them with my class every year. And each and every year we’ve made them, the kids have spent hours exploring them.
I’m not even exaggerating . . . hours upon hours! Dyed chickpeas + apple pie spice = magic! So I decided they’d be a great item to use with apple printable numbers.
Related: Apple Taste Test and Graphing
Apple Printable Numbers to Explore Early Math Skills
Be sure to get your free apple printable numbers at the end of this post!
They can be used to practice multiple early math skills in an engaging, fun way.
One-to-One Correspondence with Numbered Apples
An important early math skill is one-to-one correspondence. Basically, it’s being able to match one object with one corresponding object.
While this can be done different ways, we decided to focus on matching quantities of “apples” to numerals printed on apple cards.
You can also use pompoms, buttons, beans, acrylic apples, or other small items with this number activity.
Materials to Use for Apple Numbers Practice
- Scented Tiny Apples from apple sensory bin (click for instructions!)
- Trays
- Bowls
- Kid-Friendly Tweezers
- Apple Printable Numbers (grab them for free at the end of the post)
Set Up for the Numbered Apples Activity
I set up a simple invitation to explore numbers. I placed a tray on one of our classroom tables, then put a bowl full of “tiny apples” on top.
Printable apple numbers cards were added next, followed by some child tweezers. I didn’t even have to invite any children over – they came right over to see what I was doing.
Related: Printable Fall Calendar Numbers
Picking Apples with Apple Number Cards
To start, I explained that the kiddos would be helping me pick apples. The apple printable numbers cards were there to tell them how many apples to pick out of the bowl.
Almost all of the children used the tweezers, simply because the tweezers were out! This gave their fine motor skills a good workout. But never fear if there aren’t more tweezers, the kiddos who used their fingers also had great fine motor practice. They were all focused on adding apples just one at a time.
We went through one card at a time, at first. This helped me to see which numbers the children knew, and it allowed me to assist as needed.
After a handful of children worked with me one-on-one, a group descended on the table. They decided to work together on the apple cards.
The kiddos chose cards one through ten and placed them on the table. One child would call out the number, while others worked together to grab enough apples from the bowl.
Related: Printable Apple Emergent Reader for Preschoolers
Learning Together with Numbered Apples
As you can see in the pictures, some of the amounts weren’t quite right.
Once the children were done with the printable apple numbers, I encouraged them to go back and check each one.
They did so, as a group, and were able to fix the cards that weren’t spot-on the first time. I loved seeing the teamwork, and I really enjoyed observing their process!
All in all, this was a very successful preschool number activity! In addition to the math and fine motor work, it allowed me to assess what each child knew in terms of basic numbers, counting, and pincer grasp.
You can grab your own set of apple printable numbers cards, one through twenty, at the bottom of this post. In doing so, you agree to my terms of use.
Have you tried an apple number activity like this one before?
Related: Apple ABC Free Printable Fine Motor Cards
More Apple Learning Ideas
Save time and get right to the playful learning with done-for-you lesson plans and educational activities for preschoolers from Preschool Teacher 101. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, along with related printables.
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Get Your Apple Printable Numbers Here
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Originally published September 21, 2014. Post updated to include video and more images.
What are you using as the “tiny apples”?
Hi Debbie! I’m using the sensory material we made last week – apple pie scented “tiny apples”. 🙂
These will be great for my apple unit
I think they’re perfect for a unit about apples! We have certainly loved using them. 🙂