Last Updated on April 28, 2024 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: Learn how to count! Teach simple counting during your spring theme with this fun butterfly activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Free butterfly counting printable included!
Work on simple counting skills during your butterfly theme with this super simple activity.
Toddlers work on matching the butterflies while young preschoolers can work on counting and number recognition.
A fun way to strengthen math skills!
Learn how to Count with this Fun Butterfly Activity
The butterfly theme is one of our favorites during the spring season.
We order our caterpillars and watch them as they go into the chrysalis stage and then emerge as butterflies.
It’s a favorite every year!
During this theme I like to provide other butterfly activities that build a variety of skills.
For a simple counting activity, I created a puzzle that includes 5 strips, each one numbered.
When the numbers are in numerical order, 2 butterflies will appear.
Setting up this activity:
Download and print the free butterfly counting printable. (Scroll down to find the link.)
I run my printables through my favorite laminator so they will be more durable, but it’s optional.
You could also print on card stock (heavy paper).
Introducing the activity to my younger students:
For toddlers and younger preschoolers who haven’t mastered number recognition yet, use 2 copies of the butterfly printable.
Keep the first copy whole (do not cut apart).
For the second copy, cut apart on the lines to create 5 strips.
Place the strips beside the whole sheet.
For younger children, they might need some help getting started.
They will most likely only look at the similarities of the butterflies as they place the strips on the whole sheet.
Once they’ve done this puzzle a few times, you can hand them a strip and ask what the number on the bottom is.
Can they find the same number on the whole sheet?
How to create more of a challenge:
Once your children master the simpler version of this butterfly counting activity, you can remove the whole sheet, only providing the 5 strips.
Encourage them to put the puzzle in numerical order and then notice the picture that shows up.
In a classroom setting, this can be placed on a tray during centers time, or it could also be fun for a small group of children.
Hand each child a different strip and as you call out their number, they place the strip on the tray, working in numerical order.
A fun way to work on counting skills during the spring butterfly theme!
More Butterfly activities:
Colorful Butterflies with Free Butterfly Template
Click on the photo below for the free pdf download:
Bugs and Butterfly Activity Plans
I’m so excited to be one of the authors of these hands-on activities for toddlers and for preschoolers!
Easy to follow plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Note: This is a digital product. Links to downloads will be sent to you after purchase!
For more information, click on the graphics below:
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