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    Home » Learning Activities » Clothespin Math - Preschool Math Activity

    Clothespin Math - Preschool Math Activity

    Published: Sep 30, 2013 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Vicky

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    I was in the grocery store recently and happened upon these brightly colored clothespins. I just loved them and knew I could use them for an activity. You don't need to have colored clothespins for this preschool math activity. Any clothespins you have on hand will work. We love math games and have had fun with Post It Math Games, Number Books and Ice Cream Math Games. What I love about this clothespin math activity is that it requires very little set up time and give kids an opportunity to practice math as well as strengthen fine motor skills.

    Clothespin Math Game - This preschool math activity is easy to make at home and even lets kids practice their fine motor skills.

    You will need:

    • Clothespins
    • 6 paint cups or other sturdy cups
    • Paper
    • Marker
    • Tape
    Simple math game to make with clothespins

    I used six paint cups for this activity. You will need a sturdy cup so that it doesn't tip over when your child clips on the clothespins. On slips of paper write some different numbers. The numbers you use will depend on your child's level. If your child is just starting to count and recognize numbers, then you will want to stick with smaller numerals. We used some bigger numbers. Just make sure you have enough clothespins for all the cups.

    Clothespin sorting

    Your child will be reading the number on the cup and clipping the correct number of clothespins on to the cup.

    Learning numbers with clothespins

    In addition to being a learning game, clothespin math is an opportunity for kids to work on their fine motor skills. Repeatedly opening clothespins

    Fine motor skills practice with kids

    My daughter had a great time with this game. She counted each clothespin as she clipped it on the cup and then when she thought she was done, she went back and counted just to make sure.

    Clothespin math game

    She also had to do a bit of pre-planning. For cups that had larger numbers on them, she needed to make sure to place the clothespins on close together so she would have room for them all.

    Playing with clothespins

    This math activity was a big hit!

    For more preschool math activities that you can make at home check out:

    Color Drop Game
                                  

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emma @ P is for Preschooler

      October 04, 2013 at 9:13 am

      Love those colorful clothespins! This activity is great for math and for fine motor skills! 🙂 Pinning!

    2. Sean Stills

      October 20, 2013 at 10:32 pm

      It is really effective to teach your kids Mathematics in a very colorful ways. She will surely like it and at the same time, she will learn and master her thinking skills that could help her in mathematical problems as she grow older.

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    3. Allison

      December 20, 2015 at 12:48 pm

      Hi. Adorable clothespins! I'm looking at a special project and I think these clothespins would be perfect! Where did you get them? Many thanks and season's blessings to you.
      Allison

    4. Vicky

      December 20, 2015 at 9:20 pm

      Thanks so much Allison! I have updated the post to included links of the products. Hope that helps. Merry Christmas!

    Trackbacks

    1. Fun Activities For Toddlers At Home So Easy You Can Do Them Right Now says:
      March 2, 2017 at 10:54 pm

      […] Mess For Less Clothespin Math: Hit two birds with one stone with this math clothespin activity for toddlers. […]

    2. Clothespin Busy Bags for Fine Motor Strength - The OT Toolbox says:
      March 14, 2022 at 11:57 pm

      […] This Math Clothes Pin Activity by Beauty in the Mess works on math skills while strengthening the hand muscles.     Match […]

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find it at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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