Mega Bloks Tetris is a favorite preschool math activity.
Here, we are mixing sizes and spaces is done with a toy most of us already own. Mega Bloks Tetris is a hands-on math activity for children of many ages.
So, when I first saw this idea on @bare.nutrients, I knew that I needed to add it to our Breakfast Invitations collection. There was something so fascinating about finding the right sizes and shapes to fit into spaces. Talk about a math activity that generates thinking and conversation!
RELATED: Preschool ideas you can set up in a flash on our activity cards.
This preschool math activity was an instant success!
My five-year-old, almost-four-year-old, and 23-month-old each worked differently.
The oldest paid attention to each color and carefully matched the space.
My middle guy filled the space, then knocked them over with plastic lions and tigers. – He typically completes the task and then takes the learning and play into his own hands.
The 23-month-old stacked. He shows up to the Breakfast Invitation with zero expectations. For now, we are simply setting the stage just like we did when we began sensory bins and included him for teamwork.
We have an entire collection of math activities to introduce math concepts through play!
RELATED: Did you know that grasping these blocks helps with pencil grip!
Here is why this math activity is so great!
This math Breakfast Invitation is an introduction to area and volume. It is tracking the space around the blocks and filling the space within.
By the end of Kindergarten, children working on the Common Core will be asked to analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts (e.g., number of sides and vertices/”corners”) and other attributes (e.g., having sides of equal length).
You can begin this conversation now as the Breakfast Invitation unfolds! Keep it light and stop the conversation when your child seems to check out. The idea is to expose them to this way of thinking and see how and where they take it.
How many circles make up the red line here?
How many sides does the blue shape have? Let’s count them.
Is the orange arrangement different than the blue?
RELATED: We also create shape activities with our 2D shapes.
Let’s set up this simple math activity.
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Supplies
- White paper roll – this is the one we use!
- Markers – LOVE this 40 pack of colors
- Mega-Bloks
Mega-Bloks are part of our favorite toy guide for this exact reason! There are endless ways to play.
First, tape the white paper to the table. Organize your blocks to form lines on your paper and outline each formation.
Finally, slide all of the blocks to the left of the paper and invite your child to fill the space.
Increase difficulty by interlocking each design. Simplify this by having fewer spaces to fill.
RELATED: Looking for more math at home? Check out our math toy list.
When will you play this math activity with your preschooler?
