Last Updated on June 1, 2024 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: This fish counting activity for preschool builds simple math skills and can be done in a variety of ways. A fun addition to your summer or ocean theme!
I love using circle time to build a variety of skills, especially when they connect to a fun picture book.
While browsing Amazon, I discovered Ten Little Fish and knew it would be a great addition to our ocean theme.
Not only does it countdown from 10 to 1, but it also engages the children with its rhyming text.
I decided to create a simple printable to go along with the book that also works on one to one correspondence.
This fish counting activity would be perfect to include after the book is read, perhaps as a table activity during centers time.
Fish Counting Activity for Preschool
What you will need:
- Ten Little Fish book
- Fish counting printable activity (scroll down to find free download)
- Small objects (pom poms or buttons work great!)
Circle Time
Before introducing the fish counting printable, gather your children at circle time and explain that you will be reading a book about fish, counting backwards from 10 to 1.
Since we like using props during circle time, I used a magnetic board and some magnetic numbers as a visual.
I stuck the numbers to the board from 10 to 1 and invited the children to count backwards with me.
I then read the book and encouraged the children to figure out what the next number would be as I turned the page.
This is a great way to engage young children at circle time while also working on listening and language skills.
Table Activity
Once the book has been read, place the fish counting printable on a table.
Invite your children to help you count each fish on the page.
Then, have 10 small items available.
Tell the children they will put 1 item on each number as they count.
Using pom poms:
Using buttons:
Extending this Activity for Preschoolers
Once your children have an understanding of the above activity, you can create more of a challenge by tell them to count a specific number of fish, placing an item on each one.
For example, if you say, “Count 3 fish”, they will count 3 of the fish and place an object on top of each one.
For an independent activity, provide dice and let them roll it.
They will need to identify the number on the dice and count that many fish, placing an object on each one.
Use as a Color Page
To strengthen fine motor skills, give each child a copy of the printable to color with markers, crayons, or pencils in your writing center.
More printable activities:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? – Story Time Props
Shapes Symmetry Matching Cards
More free summer printable activities:
Watermelon Count and Clip Cards
