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PSPKK12338 Comments

Outdoor Math Game for Preschoolers: Exploring Size (with printable action cards)

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The predicted rain held off this week, and we’re finally getting outdoors!  Instead of doing math at the table we played an active outdoor math game for preschoolers.

outdoor math game for preschoolers

The other day as the kids played outside I told them to point out things that were large, small, or their same size. I noticed that my Two (almost three) didn’t have a great concept of “very big” and “very small.”  To him, the bicycle was very big.  Very small was a basketball.  I wanted to create a game that would give him lots of practice examining and comparing sizes.

I created a set of action cards to give our game some direction:

action cards

These action cards are, of course, completely optional, but I liked using them for a few reasons:

1) I did my thinking beforehand and didn’t need to think of something on the spot.  I’m sure many of you have way more brain power than I do, but I am seriously beat by the afternoon.

2) It gave my daughter something to read.  This made her happy — and since she’s the oldest, her attitude often leads the way for her little brothers.

3) As the kids took turns choosing action cards, it gave them the feeling that they had some power in the game.

4) It gave the game some direction.  At a few different points both my Two and Four decided to quit playing.  But when they realized it was time to draw another card, they eagerly returned.

5) Okay, I have to say there are some pretty phenomenal mom bloggers out there with nary a printable to be found.  But I can’t help myself.   They’re just so clean, neat, and — well, printed!  I started making them on a manual typewriter when I played school as a kid.  Later I typed my eighth grade study guides on an electric typewriter, and in high school I charged $1 a page to type my friends’ reports on a word processing typewriter.  Now that technology has advanced so much, how can I help myself??

I printed the cards on bright paper, cut them apart, and put them in a container.

children around table with child holding card

The kids took turns drawing a card. My Five read them aloud.

child comparing baseball bat to bike

“Find something smaller than a bike.”

child running around house

“Run around something that is very big.”

children sitting on playset

“Sit on something that is very, very big.”

This game kept us busy for a while.  How did it meet the  needs of each of my kids?  It gave my Five some fun time with Mom.  It was an energy burner for my Four (and he always needs one of those!).  And it was a real learning opportunity for my Two.  By the end of the game his concept of size had really improved.

child walking on sidewalk

And my One enjoyed the action —  while he did his own exploring.

This kind of game is great for spur-of-the-moment outdoor fun or a planned math lesson.

Get your free printable action cards!

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Free Math Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

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Filed Under: Math Tagged With: kindergarten, Pre-K, preschool, measurement

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Reader Interactions

38 Comments

  1. michelle

    July 5, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    hey i’m trying to print this activity> when I click on the download link it comes up error. is this activity no longer available? or can you please email it to me at chelleshell80@yahoo.com

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 7, 2016 at 11:25 am

      Try these tips – usually one of them works! https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-download-free-files/

      Reply to this comment
  2. Jacquie@KCEdventures

    June 11, 2013 at 11:40 am

    I’ll be featuring your great game at our Discover & Explore highlight post today – such a wonderful way to learn math and enjoy some time outside! Thanks for sharing this week!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      June 14, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      Thanks so much, Jacquie!

      Reply to this comment
  3. Pinkoddy

    May 13, 2013 at 7:41 am

    Thank you so much for sharing them on MotivationalMonday they are so great!
    My boy has just learned big and small too so these are just perfect for where he is in learning – and so active and fun.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      May 16, 2013 at 7:12 pm

      So glad to hear from you again – thanks for visiting!

      Reply to this comment
  4. Lindsey Whitney

    May 13, 2013 at 7:28 am

    Visiting from Pinkoddy. I love this game and I agree — having something made up ahead of time is way better than thinking on the spot. Heading to check out your ladybug math now!

    Lindsey @ GrowingKidsMinistry.com

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      May 16, 2013 at 7:12 pm

      Thanks so much for looking around, Lindsey! Come back again 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  5. Marnie

    April 27, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    What a great idea!!! I love anything that makes math fun AND combines movement. Awesome!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      May 5, 2013 at 1:38 pm

      Thanks so much, Marnie! I’m so glad you stopped by.

      Reply to this comment
  6. Deb @ Living Montessori Now

    April 27, 2013 at 7:49 am

    You have SO MANY amazing printables! And I love outdoor learning activities. Thanks so much for sharing your action cards! I featured your cards as the Free Printable of the Day at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LivingMontessoriNow (and on Pinterest)

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      April 27, 2013 at 8:01 am

      Thank you so much, Deb! I have been following your blog, but I really don’t know much about Montessori. Do you have a book to recommend for me so I can learn more? I’ve got four kids at home, it needs to be a quick, not-too-deep read 🙂

      Thanks so much for sharing my printable! Funny how I never know which posts will be popular. I was just trying to think of something for letter V — although I admit that “very big and very small” is stretching it!

      Reply to this comment
      • Deb @ Living Montessori Now

        April 27, 2013 at 9:29 am

        One of the books I most often recommend is How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way. I have a review of it here: http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/06/17/how-to-raise-an-amazing-child-the-montessori-way-book-review/. Have a great weekend! 🙂

        Reply to this comment
        • annageig

          May 5, 2013 at 1:35 pm

          Thank you, Deb! I’ve requested it from our library.

          Reply to this comment
  7. Allison

    April 27, 2013 at 12:28 am

    Such an awesome way to learn! This might be my favorite post from you yet. I’m also featuring this on The Sunday Showcase.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      April 27, 2013 at 4:53 am

      Thanks so much!

      Reply to this comment
  8. Rachel

    April 25, 2013 at 3:55 am

    This is fantastic!!!! What a fun game. I LOVE how you are incorporating the outdoors, math, and some exercise and fun all into one activity. Thanks so much for sharing at For the Kids Fridays over at SunScholars. I am featuring your post this week! Come grab a featured button… and I would LOVE to have you back to share with us again soon!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      April 25, 2013 at 5:42 am

      Thanks so much for the feature, Rachel! I’ll be back on Friday 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  9. Coombemill

    April 24, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    What a great way to teach relativities of big and small. Just popping over from It’s Playtime

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      April 24, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply to this comment
  10. jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa

    April 24, 2013 at 8:19 am

    Absolutely love all of the action learning! The hands-on learning and application is so effective with children. And darn it, it’s more fun than sitting inside.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      April 25, 2013 at 5:42 am

      Thanks so much, Jeannine! I visited your site- it looks fantastic! I’m following by e-mail. Can I ask what’s the age difference between you and your sister? (if my daughter ever gets a sister there will be a sizable age gap…)

      Reply to this comment
      • jeannine: waddlee-ah-chaa

        April 30, 2013 at 7:23 am

        My sisters are 10 and 12 years older than me. A bit of a gap! We are very close and have always been extremely supportive of each other. It was fun growing-up with sisters who were always looking out for me. In return, I grew very close to their children. Our ages are all mixed-up but we are one big happy family. 🙂

        Reply to this comment
        • annageig

          May 5, 2013 at 1:32 pm

          So nice to hear from you again, Jeannine! Wow, 10 and 12 years! It’s so inspiring and encouraging to me to hear of siblings who are good friends with that kind of age gap. Growing up, our family was all very close in age (5 kids in 5.5 years – one set of twins), so that’s what I know. I don’t know what God has in mind for my family now. I love stories like yours!

          Reply to this comment
  11. Jill

    April 21, 2013 at 10:39 am

    What a fantastic interactive way to get outside and learn some core math skills for young ones! Thank you for linking up this week to the Hearts for Home Blog Hop. I hope to see you link up next week as well 🙂

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      April 24, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      I’ll be there as often as I can – thanks for hosting, Jill!

      Reply to this comment
  12. Dollie @ Teachers of Good Things

    April 19, 2013 at 10:50 am

    This is the first time I have been on your site and I’m visiting from the Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers. I’m one of the co-host!

    I absolutely love your card idea and know that my 3 year old would love this game, mostly because it includes outside!

    Hope you come back and link up more of your great ideas!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      April 24, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Dollie! I plan to link up to Tender Moments as often as I can. Thanks for hosting!

      Reply to this comment

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