Earlier this weekend, I told my seven-year-old I was trying to think of new, easy, and fun ideas for preschoolers to share with our community. He immediately declared that he knew just what to do. He got to work after rolling out the white paper roll and collecting the Halloween mini-erasers. We introduce you to Collect the Pumpkins, a preschool Halloween counting game.
RELATED: I have a brilliant collection of Halloween Activities for Kids that you will not want to miss.
What is Collect the Pumpkins?
Collect the Pumpkins is a DIY board game and fun math activity for preschoolers that you can set up in less than five minutes. (I share the step-by-step instructions below.) It is a simple way for children to review number sense and counting with hands-on manipulatives.
We all know worksheets are overused. Save this post right now so you can return to it. It makes a terrific Breakfast Invitation to begin the day with play!
RELATED: Our family enjoys spending time together playing board games. We started playing games around four and are still going strong in the preteen years. Here are my favorite family board games that I actually enjoy playing!
Seasonal Activity Cards
Better than a spice latte, you’ll love these 20 low-prep activities for the changing seasons.
- 5 fall activities
- 5 Halloween activities
- 5 winter activities
- 5 celebration ideas (Hello, New Year!)
Plus, a PDF calendar that has everything organized.
Supplies
First, what supplies are needed for this easy (and FUN!) activity? Here at Days with Grey, I like to keep supplies simple and find ways to reuse your favorite materials for many activities. You can see my favorite activity supplies here. I also have this collection of fun Halloween Supplies that you can use a lot in October.
Days with Grey participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Halloween Mini Erasers
Oooh, how I adore these. We count, graph, freeze, and use them for many fun activities. $1 at Target.
Large Foam Dice
Large foam dice are another supply that is very useful for toddlers, preschoolers, and even kindergarteners!
White Paper Roll
A white paper roll is a staple for many hands-on activities for kids.
Markers
Do I keep a 40-pack for myself? I sure do. Not all of us can remember to put back the caps. IYKYK
How to set up
Setting up activities for kids should never take long. I like to aim for under five minutes. This easy idea promises a super quick set-up.
- Tape the white paper roll to the tabletop.
- Using a black marker, make a simple path.
- Add the pumpkins, skeletons, and cat mini erasers to the DIY board game.
- Leave a few spaces blank.
- Write start at the start.
- Write finish at the finish.
- Write what happens when you land on the mini-eraser figure. (See below.)
RELATED: Does your family enjoy pumpkins? Check out these pumpkin crafts for kids.
How to play
Each player takes turns rolling the die and moving their place holder the total amount of spaces.
Players can follow the following game rules when they land on a space:
- Collect the pumpkin when you land on the pumpkin eraser.
- Take a pumpkin from another player when you land on a skeleton.
- Get a pumpkin from anywhere on the board when you land on a cat mini eraser.
What your child is learning
When your child learns through fun games, they are more receptive to trying new things. (They are relaxed and enjoying themselves.) Counting games for preschoolers don’t have to be boring!
When children play dice, they practice number recognition and counting.
As a former teacher, here are a few tips to help your child:
- Invite your child to touch the dots as they count.
- Ask your child to count how many pumpkins they have as the game continues.
- Ask your child who has the MOST pumpkins.
- Chat about who has the LEAST amount of pumpkins.
What I observed as my child plays
Math concepts popped up everywhere when I played this pumpkin counting game with my child.
He subtracted the pumpkins and called out the new total amount when we took them away. When he needed space to reach a pumpkin, he would chat about how many more spaces he needed. It was a mathematical sensation!
Okay, now you’re ready to set this up in your home! Who’s first?
Leave a Comment