Fun-A-Day!

fun & meaningful learning every day

  • About
    • Terms of Use
    • Printing Help
  • Privacy
  • Newsletter
  • Home
  • Early Learning
    • Preschool Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy
      • Letters & Words
    • Math
    • Music
    • Science
    • Sensory
  • Themes
    • Holidays & Seasons
      • Summer
      • Fall
  • Teacher Tips
  • Free Printables
  • Slime
  • Shop
Home / Early Learning / Math / Fine Motor Number Activity for Preschoolers

Fine Motor Number Activity for Preschoolers

Shared by Mary Catherine 4 Comments

The preschool children have recently been exploring the colorful wooden spools in our fine motor and math center. Based on that interest, I set up a simple “challenge” using those spools. This number activity for preschoolers is very simple to set up, but works on a variety of early learning skills.

Are you following Fun-A-Day’s Math for Kids Pinterest board?

Inviting number activity for preschoolers - love how it works on fine motor skills along with math

Related: Number Activities for Preschoolers

Table of Contents

  • number activity for preschoolers
  • Done-for-You Preschool Resources

number activity for preschoolers

I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Learning goals
I had a few objectives for this fine motor math activity:

  • Number identification (specifically 6 to 10)
  • One-to-one correspondence
  • Fine motor skills

Materials
Dyed wooden spools
Mini tongs
Magnetic numbers

Simple but fun number activity for preschoolers to try today

What we did
I set this number activity up like an invitation to play and explore. I placed the numbers and the spools on a simple woven tray, with the tongs next to it. As the children came into the classroom, a few of them were intrigued by the set up and jumped in. They used the tongs to pick up the spools, transferring the spools from the tray to the tabletop. They continued transferring the spools back and forth for quite some time. Some created their own challenge – to see how many spools they could pick up at once (the record was three, in case you’re wondering).

Having fun with a simple fine motor number activity for preschoolers

I came over after a bit and pointed out the magnetic numbers. Some of the children could identify the numbers, while others are working on that. We counted them, traced them, mixed them up, and reordered them. From there, I decided to challenge the kiddos to build structures using the correct number of spools. A few of us used the mini tongs to manipulate the spools into towers, while most of the kids used their fingers. Their fine motor skills were worked on either way! We took turns building mini towers based on the different numbers we had. One of the children took to making his towers, then counting the spools and asking me to help him make the right number.

Exploring numbers and fine motor skills in a simple number activity for preschoolers

Wooden spools aren’t the only items that would work for this number challenge! Foam blocks, small wooden blocks, cork blocks, etc. would all be great alternatives – anything the children can stack. Additionally, magnetic numbers aren’t necessary either. Calendar number cards, simple number flashcards, or even a white board to write the numbers on would be fine!

Do you have a favorite number activity for preschoolers? I’m always looking for more ideas!

More #TeachECE number activities
Be sure to check out the rest of the Early Childhood Education team:

How can I teach numbers 6-10 and Writing? by The Educators’ Spin On It
Turkey Counting Rhyme by Growing Book by Book
Acorn and Squirrel Clip Cards by Rainy Day Mum
Candy Cane Counting Sticks in Preschool by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Free Printable Counting Game by Life Over C’s

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week, all while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life, can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 is excited to share with you some amazing lesson plans, activity packs, and much more! We offer a wide variety of themes that are frequently used in preschool classrooms, as well as some less common (but super interesting) themes. Click on the images below to learn more about some of my favorite product offerings focused on preschool math concepts!

Digital & printable quantify 0 to 10 4-in-1 activity pack preschool resource cover.
Quantify 0 to 10 4-in-1 Activity Pack
Ice Cream Math Differentiated Number Sense Activities preschool product cover.
Ice Cream Math Differentiated Number Sense
One more one less math games cover
One More One less Math Games

Join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 today for exclusive access to our amazing products. And we even have three different membership options to suit your needs!

Number activity for preschoolers that works on number identification, fine motor skills, and one-to-one correspondence

Filed Under: Math Tagged With: #TeachECE, one-to-one correspondence

Previous article:
« Name Books for Preschool and Kindergarten
Next article:
The Best Gifts for Preschoolers »

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Cerys says

    November 11, 2015 at 8:14 am

    I love this – it would be a fun compliment to the activity I have this week same learning objective but so different activities.

    Reply
  2. Natasha says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:42 am

    Love this! I am a big fan of invitation to play, love to see what they do with the materials. The kid stacking would be my partner cause I like to stack things tall.

    Reply
  3. The Preschool Toolbox says

    November 13, 2015 at 10:09 pm

    I love your wooden spools:) Great way to encourage beginning skills! Nice post!

    Reply
  4. Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says

    November 13, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    Another awesome idea! My 3 year-old will love this.

    Reply
shop button

My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

Past Fun!

Search the Fun!

Fun by Categories!

Copyright ©2023, Fun-A-Day!. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs