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 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.
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.
He kept rolling the die and adding to the jar.
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.
Check out some of our other resources!
© 2015 – 2018, Anna G. All rights reserved.
Brenda Shaw says
April 26, 2015 at 9:21 amHi! 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
Anna Geiger says
April 26, 2015 at 12:16 pmHi 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!
Jessica says
January 11, 2019 at 12:25 pmI’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?
Kate Dowling says
January 12, 2019 at 1:58 pmHi Jessica!
This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. After you enter your email address, the file is sent to your email. The screen says something like, “Almost there! Check your inbox.” So if you haven’t found it yet, please go check.
Enjoy your free activity!
Sherrie says
January 23, 2019 at 7:40 pmThank you so much! I was having the same problem. I didn’t realize it was being sent to my e-mail.
Library Lady says
May 18, 2015 at 10:22 amThank 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!
Anna Geiger says
May 23, 2015 at 9:39 amYou’re very welcome – I’m so glad you can use it!
Nicholle says
June 12, 2015 at 3:04 pmThank you. These are just wonderful!
Anna Geiger says
June 24, 2015 at 5:46 pmYou’re very welcome, Nicholle!
Ashley says
October 17, 2015 at 8:58 pmHey, 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!
Anna Geiger says
October 17, 2015 at 9:00 pmThanks for the idea, Ashley! I am planning to work on bug activities in the spring, so I will put this one on my idea list. Have a great weekend!
Anna Geiger says
February 1, 2016 at 7:49 amPlease click on the image that says “Having trouble downloading or printing?” You’ll find a solution there. 🙂
Stacy says
February 1, 2016 at 9:09 amI tried that way too and it gives me an error message when loading the document too.
Anna Geiger says
February 1, 2016 at 9:18 amCould you be more specific? What did you try when you got an error message?
stacy says
February 1, 2016 at 9:23 amThe webpage does not load when I click on the link here or when I go to the site with all options, that link too does not open. Does that help?
carly says
April 3, 2016 at 9:05 amHi I have today tried downloading this great activity but I keep getting an error message which says there is no pdf file or it is corrupted I have tried the troubleshooting tips but these aren’t working to get it either 🙁
Anna Geiger says
April 3, 2016 at 12:20 pmWhat happens when you right click on the download link?
theresa says
April 4, 2016 at 2:14 pmThis is what I’m getting when hitting “here”…
“Couldn’t open PDF
Something’s keeping this PDF from opening.”
Maria says
April 2, 2017 at 12:19 pmM’encanta!
Anna Geiger says
April 2, 2017 at 5:22 pmYou’re very welcome, Maria!
Alyssa says
January 16, 2018 at 4:41 pmHello!
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!
Anna G says
January 16, 2018 at 6:42 pmI emailed you. 🙂
Rebecca says
January 10, 2019 at 11:25 pmI cannot print the bugs in a jar activity. Why?
Anna G says
January 17, 2019 at 1:43 pmIf you can give me more details, maybe I can help – but it may just be a setting on your printer.