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You are here: Home / Math / 15+ Preschool Math Activities that Can Be Done on a Tray

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15+ Preschool Math Activities that Can Be Done on a Tray

March 8, 2020 by Sheryl Cooper

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Inside: This collection of preschool math activities is filled with playful ways to build counting skills. Each of these ideas can be done on a tray. Free printable activities included!

When we choose math activities for our preschoolers, we look at playful ways to build counting skills.

We also look for activities that can be adapted to a variety of learners, since we have children at many different levels. Some of our preschoolers can count to 20 and beyond, while some are just starting to count to 4.

Math is more than worksheets and flashcards. It’s about exploring numbers and counting, being completely engaged in the fun of numbers.

Make sure to scroll down to find our FREE counting play dough mats and our FREE dot numbers printables!

15+ Preschool Math Activities that Can Be Done on a Tray

15+ Preschool Math Activities that Can Be Done on a Tray

CLICK HERE for math ideas that can easily be done at home!

Setting Up Activity Trays

Before the children arrive, we set up the math activity trays on a table.  We work with our preschoolers to keep the materials on the tray, although, quite honestly, this can be a challenge with younger preschoolers. It’s not uncommon for our younger children to want to pick up the pieces and carry them around the room, often dropping them off in a different center. However, we continue to model how to use the materials and keep them on the trays so that other children can easily work on them as well.

Storing Activity Trays

We store all of our materials in a shared storage closet with the other preschool teachers. We’ve found that storing each activity in a plastic gallon bag (zip top or sliding top) works well. They sit nicely upright in a box on a shelf.

15+ Preschool Math Activities that Can Be Done on a Tray
  • Count flower sticks and sort them into numbered containers.
  • For Montessori educators, try one of these math trays. (Racheous Lovable Learning)
  • Practice writing numbers in salt. (Learn with Play at Home)
  • Develop color and number recognition using play dough.
  • Explore math and numbers on a Reggio-inspired math tray. (And Next Comes L)
15+ Preschool Math Activities that Can Be Done on a Tray
  • Download free watermelon counting cards and count with watermelon seeds. (The Kavanaugh Report)
  • Make your own counting cards for math trays.
  • Cut a pool noodle into pieces for a fun counting and threading activity. (I Can Teach My Child)
  • Use colored squares for a count and match activity. (Learning 4 Kids)
  • Arrange colored gems in a salt tray to make patterns. (The Imagination Tree)
  • Make some numbered cups and use them for sorting and counting. (Teach My Toddlers)
  • Use these free number card printables to use with clothespins. (Tips from a Typical Mom)
  • Learn shapes with pattern blocks (free printables). (Pre-Kinders)
  • Write numbers in a salt tray. (Learn with Play at Home)
  • Count beads on pipe cleaners. (Laughing Kids Learn)
Favorite Preschool Math Toys
15+ Preschool Math Activities that Can Be Done on a Tray

More preschool math activities:

10 Spring Math Activities for Preschoolers

12 of the Best Preschool Winter Math Activities

How to Make Math Fun for Preschoolers

The Ultimate Collection of Preschool Math Activities

Free Math Printables

Click on the photo for the pdf download:

Free toddler preschool dot numbers printables
Free Play Dough Printable Mats for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Make sure to check out more ideas on my Math is Fun! pin board!

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Filed Under: Math, preschool, Preschool Math Tagged With: math, preschoolers, printable

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

Previous Post: « Big Collection of Free Preschool Printables for School and Home
Next Post: The Best Preschool Music for Energetic Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allison

    October 15, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    I just found your blog and I’m excited to follow you!

    • Sheryl

      October 16, 2014 at 3:47 pm

      So happy to have you here, Allison!

      • yvonne

        January 16, 2017 at 7:37 pm

        congratulation on the new face book page and co-author of the book you are working on your work really helps me. thank you.

        • Sheryl Cooper

          January 16, 2017 at 8:34 pm

          Thank you, Yvonne!

  2. Yuliya

    November 24, 2014 at 4:05 am

    Lovely collection! My 2 year old had a period where he loved his math trays, but is now asking for more language based works. When he bounces back to math, I’ll certainly give some a try 🙂

  3. tammy Hakeos

    January 22, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    I teach Head Start 3 year olds. I am very happy to have you and your ideas!
    Keep them coming!!

    • Sheryl Cooper

      January 22, 2017 at 6:25 pm

      Thank you so much, Tammy!

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