This Counting Bead Fun activity was inspired by an activities for fine motor skills that my kids did when they were in preschool. This is a very simple activity to set up requiring just a few items which you probably already have at home.
Be sure to also check out these Number Activities for Preschoolers.
Counting Bead Fun
Supplies you will need:
- Paper (I used two sheets of copy paper taped together)
- Tape
- Pipe cleaners cut in half
- Beads
Tape two pieces of copy paper together and write the numbers 1-10 on top. Cut pipe cleaners in half and tape them under each number. Be sure you just tape the top of the pipe cleaner to the paper so your child can still lift it up to insert the beads. Fill up a small cup with the some beads and instruct the kids to place the appropriate number of beads on each pipe cleaner.
Besides helping with counting, this activity also strengthens fine motor skills as little ones work hard to grasp the beads and string them on the pipe cleaner.
Even young kids who aren't counting yet can enjoy counting bead fun.
After your child is done stringing their beads, have them count over the beads and check their work.
As an extension to this activity, you can have your child string the beads on the pipe cleaners in a pattern for example - red, blue, red blue...
Sapana V says
Counting beads is an awesome idea for kids to learn maths easily.