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Bugs in a jar counting game

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If you’re doing a preschool insect theme, this math game is the perfect one to put in a learning center or to do at home at your kitchen table.

This bug math game is a fun spring counting activity. Great for a preschool insect theme, too!

This week I’m doing the letter “I” with my preschooler.  I decided to create a simple printable that would help him practice using a die… counting insects for the bug jar.

This bug math game is a fun spring counting activity. Great for a preschool insect theme, too!

First I printed and laminated the jar. Then I printed the bugs, laminated them, and cut them apart. My four-year-old attached a small piece of sticky tack to each one. (Sticky tack works great, by the way!)

My Three rolled the die, counted the dots, and put that many bugs in his jar.

This bug math game is a fun spring counting activity. Great for a preschool insect theme, too!

He kept rolling the die and adding to the jar.

This bug math game is a fun spring counting activity. Great for a preschool insect theme, too!

This sort of activity is great for teaching subitizing: the ability to look at a visual representation of a number (like the dots on a die) and immediately know how many there are, without counting each individual object.

The numbers 1, 2, and 3 were no problem; he knew what those were right away. But for numbers 4 and 5 he had to stop and count the dots. He wanted my help with number 6.

We also got in some counting practice and even the sound of letter I.  “How many /i/, /i/, insects do you need to put in the jar now?”

Such a fun printable for spring!

A tip: If you want to save yourself some time and ink, just print the jar.  You could use counters or pom poms to represent the insects.

Get your free bugs in a jar activity!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

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Reader Interactions

64 Comments

    • Kate Dowling

      Hi Melissa!

      This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. I’m sorry you’re having trouble! I suggest trying a different browser. Anna prefers Google Chrome. I like Firefox. I just tested the link and I received it (using a gmail address and Firefox). Please give it another try. If it still doesn’t work, please send an email to anna (at) the measured mom (dot) com. We’ll be sure to get you your file!

      Reply to this comment

  3. Missy

    I need help. I have turned off my adblocker; I have clicked on the Green Box saying Click Here for Free printable. Nothing is happening. How can I get this awesome insect math game?

    Thank you

    Reply to this comment

    • Anna G

      Please refresh your browser; if that doesn’t work, try a different one. Please comment to let us know what device you’re using and what browsers you’ve tried. Thanks!

      Reply to this comment

  5. Pamela Simpson

    Like so many others, I followed your directions and nothing happens when I click “Here” to get “Bugs in a jar” I registered, found the the game and clicked” here”, nothing! Can it be emailed?

    Reply to this comment

    • Kate Dowling

      Hi Pamela!

      This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. I’m sorry you had trouble! I’m not sure if I understand which step caused trouble for you. Did you enter your email address and then check your email? You should have received an email with a link to click for the game to open up. If you did receive an email and were unable to open the link, please forward the email to Anna at anna(at)themeasuredmom(dot)com. She will be sure you receive your printable!

      Reply to this comment

  6. Nichole Duncan

    I can’t get the bugs in a jar counting game to do anything when I click on get your free printable here. I have subscribed to your website. How can I get this printable for my preschool class?

    Reply to this comment

    • Kate Dowling

      Hi Nichole!

      This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. If the green box is not clickable, please turn off your adblocker. Then you should be able to click on the green box and enter your email address. The file will be sent to you. Thanks!

      Reply to this comment

  8. Alyssa

    Hello!
    I love this activity and would like to incorporate it into my home-based childcare visits I do though my district.
    For my district to print many copies, I do need your permission to do so. If you could please get back to me that would be wonderful.
    Thank you!

    Reply to this comment

  11. Ashley

    Hey, Anna! I love your printables, but most importantly, my KIDS do! Is there any way you could make a roll and build chart to go with this? I would like to get more use out of these CUTE bugs! 3Dinosaurs made a roll and build Easter basket, Chrismas Tree, and Farm that I ADORE as the same game pieces cover an array of ages/activities. I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but the child rolls two dice and adds (or multiplies) a specific game piece based on their answer. Then the child also has to record what they rolled and the answer. I like this as opposed to adding 12 items (or whatever) to the chart at a time. Saved space and allowed the game to run longer, I thought anyway. Just trying to get the most use out of your materials! Thanks so much for all of your hard work!

    Reply to this comment

  13. Library Lady

    Thank you for the free printable, and for thoughtfully including the library in the permissions page! It was nice to know I was safe to use these in my preschool storytimes. Adorable printable! Thanks again!

    Reply to this comment

  14. Brenda Shaw

    Hi! I have been looking all through the site and have been unable to locate the printable for the Bugs in a Jar counting activity. When I click on Free it takes me to the site where it tells me what I can and cannot do. Very frustrated! Would like to use this activity this week with my preschoolers

    Thanks
    Brenda

    Reply to this comment

    • Anna Geiger

      Hi Brenda,
      For all my printables (at least the ones I’ve shared in the last year) you need to click on the word HERE.

      Do you see where it says… “Get your free printable HERE” ? It’s near the bottom of the post.

      Sorry it was confusing!

      Reply to this comment

      • Jessica

        I’m confused. I click where it says ‘click here for free printable’ but it asks me to subscribe first. After I subscribe it just goes back to the list of activities and doesn’t give me to file to print. What I’m I doing wrong?

        Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  23. […] my body a chance to heal, I had a bit of free time. My sister had sent a link to a really creative math game for a preschool insect theme , so I printed it out and re-purposed into a ‘B’ activity for sorting colors and […]

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