• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Measured Mom

Education resources for parents and teachers

  • About
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • SOR Resources
    • Science of Reading Course
    • Science of Reading Book List
    • Science of Reading Podcast Index
    • Science of Reading Blog & Article Index
    • Science of Reading Fact Sheets
  • Freebies
  • Shop
  • Become a Member
    • Member Login
Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Alphabet
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Math
    • Book Lists
  • Podcast
  • Subscriber Freebies
  • About
  • Membership
  • Contact
  • Alphabet
  • Reading
    • Structured literacy
    • Printable Books
    • Pre-Reading
    • Phonics
    • Sight Words
    • Comprehension
    • Fluency
    • Vocabulary
  • Writing
    • Grammar
    • Handwriting
    • Spelling
    • Writing in Pre-K
    • Writing in K-3
  • Math
    • Counting
    • Number Recognition
    • Addition & Subtraction
    • Colors, Shapes & Patterns
    • Visual Discrimination
    • Time, Money & Measurement
    • Place Value
    • Graphs
    • Multiplication & Division
    • Fractions
    • Problem Solving
  • Book Lists
    • Letter of the Week
    • Early Childhood Themes
    • Pre-Reading Skills
    • Math Concepts
    • Writing Mentor Texts
    • Versions of Familiar Tales
    • Holidays and Seasonal
    • History

PSPKK12328 Comments

Bear counter problem solving activity

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Today I’m sharing a fun problem solving activity for first and second grade. My incoming second grader loved it!

Looking for a fun problem solving activity? Print these 20 free problem solving cards for first and second grade. Great for centers!

I used our red, blue, green, and yellow counting bears for this problem solving activity, but you could use any manipulative in those colors.  Even scraps of colored construction paper would work!  You can also use the printable paper bears in the free download at the end of this post.

Problem solving with bear counters

Looking for a fun problem solving activity? Print these 20 free problem solving cards for first and second grade. Great for centers!

I created a set of twenty problem solving cards.  Then I printed them, cut them apart, punched a hole in the upper left corner, and put them together with a metal ring.

Looking for a fun problem solving activity? Print these 20 free problem solving cards for first and second grade. Great for centers!

Here are some sample cards. Some are easy, like this one:

You have 6 bears.  3 are red. The number of red and blue bears is equal.  How many bears do you have of each color?

Some are a little harder:

You have 9 bears. The first, last, and middle bears are red.  You have a set of three yellow bears after the first bear. The rest of the bears are green. Put your bears in order.

And some will really make your child think!

You have 10 bears.  You have an odd number of green bears.  You have 1 yellow bear and 1 red bear.  Your number of blue bears is one more than the total number of green and yellow bears. What bears do you have?

Looking for a fun problem solving activity? Print these 20 free problem solving cards for first and second grade. Great for centers!

When you print front to back (flipping on the short edge), you’ll find the answers are right on the back. Perfect for self-checking!

Looking for a fun problem solving activity? Print these 20 free problem solving cards for first and second grade. Great for centers!

My Seven loved these, and it was fun to watch her think and work out the problems.  Some of the problems were easy, but others really challenged her.

Looking for a fun problem solving activity? Print these 20 free problem solving cards for first and second grade. Great for centers!

Tips for helping your child solve these problems:

  • If your child is confused and unsure what to do, ask, “What do you know?”  It may be that you will need all four colors. If so, get out one of each color; you know you’ll need at least that much.
  • Have your child start from the beginning. “Let’s go back and read the clues again.”  Stop to check your work after each clue.
  • Encourage your child to use whatever strategy works for her.  She might use her fingers, think in her head, or make a model of the answer with her bears.
  • Before your child flips the card to check her answer, have her read each clue one final time to make sure that she solved the problem correctly.

Looking for a fun problem solving activity? Print these 20 free problem solving cards for first and second grade. Great for centers!

How to use these cards:

  • They’d work great as a classroom center.  Since they’re self checking, children can work without your constant intervention.
  • These would be a great homeschooling math activity for when you are teaching another child.
  • If you’re like me, and neither a teacher nor full-time homeschooler, pull these out after school for some enrichment.
  • Use these as an extension in the classroom for children who breeze through their math work.

Print on card stock (so you can’t see the answer through the card), and be sure to print front to back so that it flips on the short edge.  Enjoy!

Get your free problem solving cards!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR MYSTERY GAMES?

Mystery problem solving activities

$24.00

These problem solving activities are a fun way to reinforce math and literacy skills! With your purchase, you’ll get 50 different problem solving mats with accompanying clue cards.

Buy Now

Free Math Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get printables for counting, addition and subtraction, measuring, problem solving, and more!

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Problem Solving, Math Tagged With: first grade, second grade, problem solving

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

Place value mat Collecting coins game 3D shape games
Free letter B book of rhymes and songs
Color sorting mat

Reader Interactions

28 Comments

  1. Leanne

    August 7, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    I feel like I’ve hit a gold mine of beautiful resources for my family! Thanks so much!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      August 16, 2019 at 7:10 am

      I’m so glad you can use these, Leanne!

      Reply to this comment
  2. Valentina

    June 25, 2017 at 7:12 am

    They’re beautiful, thanks for sharing.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      July 1, 2017 at 6:53 am

      You’re welcome, Valentina!

      Reply to this comment
    • Helen

      August 4, 2022 at 2:36 pm

      I am looking in particular for the counting bears graph sheet. Would be thrilled to get a link.

      Reply to this comment
      • Heather Groth, Customer Support

        August 7, 2022 at 3:11 pm

        Hi Helen! We no longer have this resource, but you can find other simple graphing activities at this link, https://www.themeasuredmom.com/7-ways-to-make-a-graph-with-kids/. Thanks!

        Reply to this comment
  3. Beth

    August 25, 2016 at 11:10 am

    Having found your website recently, your information has been instrumental in helping me teach my son. So I want to thank you for everything you’ve done. Whenever I’ve hit an obstacle and can’t seem to explain something to him in a way he understands, your website has helped me tremendously. But now I have one more obstacle and I can’t find anything on your website to help me with this, so I thought I’d ask you here. I’m having trouble getting my almost 6 1/2 year old to understand the concept of counting onward instead of starting at 1 every time. We will have some objects in two separate bowls and we are trying to make 7. The first bowl has 4 objects in it, so he writes “4 + ” = 7 on his paper. Then I ask him to count the remaining objects in the other bowl, which is 3, and every time he starts at 1 instead of 5. I have tried to tell him, “You already 4 objects, so you don’t start at 1, you start at the number that comes after 1.” But so far, there is no understanding of what I’m saying. Help!?

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 25, 2016 at 11:40 am

      Hi, Beth! I don’t have any counting on posts yet, but This Reading Mama has a super helpful one! I think you’ll find some good strategies here: http://thisreadingmama.com/counting-on-activities-printables/

      Reply to this comment
  4. Jody

    September 2, 2015 at 10:53 am

    I just discovered these this morning-printed, cut, laminated, and we ran through a few this morning for problem solving..they are amazing!!!! Thank you so much for creating and sharing these. Do you or could you have more in the works?

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      September 11, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      I’m so glad you can use them, Jody! I would love to create more of these, but right now I’m working on some early learning projects and just don’t have time. I would expect more of this type of thing in the future, but we have a new baby coming in a few months, which will really slow me down. 🙂 So… not any time soon, I’m afraid!

      Reply to this comment
  5. betsy mcNally

    August 11, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    Anna- I have been a huge fan of your site for some time now. I am a Veteran Kindergarten teacher of 18 years and have been a stay at home mom since 2010 with my son Kyle. He was diagnosed with Autism at 2 and 1/2 and I have been home working with him ( along with a great B to 3 team and preschool team to prepare him for kindergarten ( which will be here in 3 weeks!) I began tutoring a few years ago and have been able to tutor children ages 3-7 of all different abilities and levels and find your website so helpful and filled with such amazing activities! I refer to this site multiple times a week and cannot express my gratitude for these amazing gifts. I hope to one day create something like this, which I know you I am sure have taken years to produce this site. I am wondering, do you ever travel and give live workshops or present anywhere? It would be an honor to meet you someday and go to one of your workshops. Thank you again, your ideas and games are doing wonders for the young minds that I teach! Best- Betsy McNally

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 12, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      Hi Betsy! Thank you so much for your kind words. I did a lot of presenting at teacher’s conferences when I was a single teacher, but I have had to decline offers since having children. We don’t have grandparents nearby, and it would be very hard to find childcare/transportation for our children if I would be out of town (and for my husband to continue working, ha!). Also, I often have a newborn, which makes it somewhat impossible for me to be gone. It’s a dream of mine though – so you never know. But I think it would be a long ways out!

      Reply to this comment
  6. Irena

    August 3, 2015 at 1:46 am

    Thank you for sharing. My son with ASD found this enjoyable and it’s great with teaching data processing skills.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 12, 2015 at 9:18 pm

      I’m so glad to hear that, Irena!

      Reply to this comment
  7. Tara Naveen

    January 17, 2015 at 3:40 am

    My baby girl orally she says upto 30 but she won’t find out numbers from 11 to 30..if I ask her to show number 12.. She say 2.. And she had problems in finding out right number..

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      January 19, 2015 at 6:27 am

      Children can count before they recognize the numbers, so this is normal. If you do a lot of counting activities, she’ll get it when she’s ready. You can try playing with my dump truck counting mat and my monster number cards. You’ll find them on the Free Printables page.

      Reply to this comment
  8. Heather Carlson

    August 21, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    I L-O-V-E these and I LOVE Amanda’s idea of keeping them in a purse/car bag. It is so wonderful of you to share, Anna. I have a 3 week old and just don’t have time to come up with ideas that my other kiddos will enjoy – this is PERFECT!!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 21, 2014 at 9:48 pm

      Thanks so much, Amanda, I’m so glad you can use these! I know how hard it is to adjust to life with a new addition… any extra time you have needs to be spent sleeping!

      Reply to this comment
  9. Amanda Boyarshinov

    August 18, 2014 at 11:03 am

    Problem solving is so important. These would be great for parents to print out and keep in a diaper bag or purse (along with some bears) for doctor appointments or while waiting for food at a restaurant!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 20, 2014 at 5:20 am

      Great idea, Amanda! I’ll have to remember that. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  10. Selena @ Look! We're Learning!

    August 18, 2014 at 6:03 am

    We have counting bears, but I was running out of ways to use them. Thanks for these!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 20, 2014 at 5:19 am

      You’re welcome, Selena – thanks for checking it out !

      Reply to this comment
  11. Peggy Hakanson

    August 16, 2014 at 11:38 am

    Great examples of how to teach kids critical thinking skills in applied math!

    I am teaching my 2.5 year old grandson similar problems already. Some children are ready sooner than others, but if adults try showing them earlier, kids will benefit more.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 20, 2014 at 5:19 am

      Yes, this sort of activity can certainly be adapted for younger children as well.

      Reply to this comment
  12. Kain Huber

    August 13, 2014 at 11:45 am

    So nice, thank you! Regards, Karin

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 20, 2014 at 5:19 am

      You’re welcome, Karin!

      Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. Story Problem Poster and Practice Pack - Little Log Cottage School says:
    October 27, 2016 at 5:05 am

    […] Problem Solving Activities for First and Second (The Measured Mom) […]

    Reply to this comment
  2. FREE Math Problem Solving Activity Cards | Free Homeschool Deals © says:
    August 27, 2014 at 6:00 am

    […] Measured Mom has 20 FREE Printable Math Practice Problems for you. Use them to reinforce skills or practice new skills you teach them. They are sure to get […]

    Reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Grade Level Key

  • PS Preschool (ages 2-3 years)
  • PK Pre-K (ages 4-5 years)
  • K Kindergarten
  • 1 1st grade
  • 2 2nd grade
  • 3 3rd grade

Get my book!

Hello, I’m Anna!

Welcome to The Measured Mom. I’m so glad you’re here!

Meet Our Team

Free Math Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get printables for counting, addition and subtraction, measuring, problem solving, and more!

Shop our store!

120 Print and Play Math & Literacy Games for K-2

$18.00

Preschool Math Curriculum for Home

$24.00

Place Value Task Cards for 2nd Grade

$8.00

Shop all resources

Members get more!

The Measured Mom Plus is the perfect online membership for Pre-K to third grade educators.

Learn More

Love Freebies?

Subscribing to our email newsletter is completely free. And when you do, you'll get access to our library of subscriber freebies! Sign up below to get access to a wonderful variety of math and literacy resources.

Listen and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify

Check out these recent podcast episodes:

  • What to say to your child’s teacher when your child is struggling with learning to read – with Michelle Henderson
  • “There’s research for that!” – with Dr. Heidi Anne Mesmer & Dr. Katie Hilden
  • What do students need to learn, and what do only teachers need to know? – with Dr. Devin Kearns
More Episodes

Science of Reading Resources

  • Science of Reading Course
  • Podcast Index
  • Science of Reading Book List
  • Fast Fact Sheets

Popular Freebies

  • Decodable Books
  • Nonfiction Decodable Books
  • Phonics Assessment
  • Phonics Scope & Sequence

Membership

Get instant access to science of reading workshops and over 2000 printable resources!

Become a Member

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33

Copyright © 2025 The Measured Mom •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy & Disclosure Statement  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs