Counting objects and comparing more or less is an important math skill for preschoolers to learn. These plastic apple table scatter make a great math manipulative! This Picking Apples More, Less or Equal Math Game is a fun way to inspire learning in young children and it’s the perfect game to include in an apple or fall preschool themed lesson plans!
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Picking Apples More, Less or Equal Math Game
Supplies:
- Tree Mat (felt or colored paper)
- Glue
- Plastic Apple Table Scatter (found at Michael’s Craft Stores)
- Two cups
- Number Die
How to Prep:
To make this simple math game, first you’ll need to make the tree mat. I made a felt mat by freehand cutting a tree shape and trunk shape out of green and brown felt. Then used hot glue or craft glue to attach it to a white sheet of felt. You could also use green and brown construction paper and a glue the tree onto a white piece of paper using a glue stick.
Once the tree mat has dried you can set up the game! Place at least a dozen red plastic apples on the tree mat with two cups on either side. Don’t forget the number die and the game is ready to play!
How to Play:
This activity can be played by one child alone, with two children or with an adult and child. To play, roll the die once and pick that number of apples off the tree and place them in one cup. Then the other player can roll the die again, taking turns as necessary and pick that number of apples off the tree and place them into the other cup.
Next, an adult can encourage kids to compare the amounts in each cup by asking the questions below.
- Which cup has more apples?
- Which one has less or fewer apples?
- Do the cups have an equal amount of apples?
- How do you know?
Looking for more ways to learn with manipulatives? Check out these related posts:
- Free & Affordable Math Manipulatives
- Hands-On Math using Mini Erasers
- Counting More or Less with Farm Animal Rainbow Counters
- Dinosaur Color Sorting Activity
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[…] Picking Apples – More, Less or Equal Math Game by Stir the Wonder. This apple themed game is a fun way for kindergartener to learn to compare quantity. You’ll need some apple manipulatives, a tree, a couple cups and a die. […]