I love activities that are easy, fun, and educational. That's a win all the way around. I found some pipe cleaners in my closet and remembered an activity I had seen here using pipe cleaners and beads to reinforce number skills. This Fine Motor Skills Counting Activity is great for little hands and kids who are starting to learn numbers and one to one correspondence as are these Counting Games.
Fine Motor Skills Counting Activity
You will need:
- Pipe cleaners
- Pony beads
- Masking tape
- Marker
This activity took a little preparation on my part. I found some masking tape and made little flags on the pipe cleaners and numbered them 1-10. I gave the girls some beads and showed them how they could look at the number and place the correct amount of beads on the pipe cleaner. We did a few together and counted to check our work.
I have to admit, I was curious about how well the girls would do with this. They are great at number recognition and counting, but this was a lot of both. I also know that B likes to do her own thing, and for her being able to do something and actually doing it are two different things. B also can struggle with fine motor work so I wondered if she would get frustrated with this activity. But she was very patient and determined.
Both girls tired out after doing 8 out of 10 pipe cleaners, which is honestly more than I thought they would do. The twins exhibited some great mathematical thinking during this activity. A was working on her # 9 pipe cleaner and she wanted to see if she had enough beads on it. She counted 6 beads and said, "I just need 3 more." I was shocked that she just seemed to know that.
A proudly shows off her finished work on this fine motor skills counting activity.
Some final notes: You can also use this with the beads matching the color of the pipe cleaners for added color practice. And finally, the beads and pipe cleaners can be found at the dollar store and used for so many other things. Pick some up on your next trip!
If you liked this fine motor skills counting activity, check out:
Big D and Me
I love this activity - As a former elementary math specialist I think it's brillant
Jackie H.
Love it. My oldest used to love the beads on a pipe cleaner but lately he's not interested. I think adding the numeral recognition and counting step would spice it back up for him. Thanks for coming by Ready. Set. Read!
Lisa
What a great idea and awesome for fine motor development! 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog and for the follow!
Many blessings,
Lisa
http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com
Art For Little Hands
What a great idea. I am sure going to do this with my little one soon!
Kellie Hudson Bowling
I love this idea! I have a while before my 11 month old will be able to do this, but I'm making my list of cool activities NOW! Stopping by, and thanks for following me via GFC!
Reese Milania
that's awesome, thanks fror sharing.
Montreal Fashion Moms
What a great idea! Crafty and educational. Love it.
Thanks for checking out our blog! 🙂
~ Montreal Fashion Moms ~
http://montrealfashionmoms.blogspot.com/
Stephanie @ henry happened
I so need to try this with my little one - I'm not sure she would even make it to #8 tho, lol 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog, enjoy the long weekend!!
Katey (Having Fun at Home)
I love this kind of activity! I'm glad to find your blog!
Rachel@I Heart Crafty Things
I LOVE THIS!! I am definitely doing this activity with my preschooler. Thank you for the awesome idea!
Kristy
That is a great idea! I'll have to do this with my god daughter. Thanks for stopping by Kristy's Place. I'm a new follower. 🙂
Amy
What a great idea, and so simple! I think I have everything I need for it already too.
Thanks for following from the hop. I'm following back. Happy Labor day!
Rosann
These are so cute! You display some of the cutest craft ideas on your blog. I definitely need to spend more time surfing around here to see what other cool stuff I can find for my girls to enjoy.
Blessings,
Rosann
Jen
What a great educational activity! Definitely clever and fun!
Tina
Just found you on Bloggy Moms and I LOVE this. I am your newest follower 🙂 Feel free to check out my new blog! I'd love your opinion! You have so many great ideas here 🙂
Vicky
Big D and Me, Thanks, that means a lot coming from someone with your background.
Vicky
Jackie, I think my girls would also like just stringing them like your son. I will have to try that next time.
Vicky
Reese, I am glad you liked it.
Vicky
Lisa, thanks so much!
Vicky
Art for little hands, Have fun!
Vicky
Kellie, you are way ahead of the game. I wish I was so together!
Vicky
Montreal Fashion Moms, We have family in Montreal and love the city!
Vicky
Staphanie, Thanks! Hope you have a great weekend too!
Vicky
Kristy, Hope your God daughter likes it!
Vicky
Katey, thanks so much!
Vicky
Rachel, hope you guys have fun with it. My girls had a blast!
Vicky
Amy, isn't it great to find cool activities for stuff you already have?
Vicky
Rosann, thanks so much! Your comments brightened my day. 🙂
Vicky
Jen, thanks for visiting!
Vicky
Tina, I juts checked out your blog and love it and am now following you on Facebook.
Hines-Sight
Vicky, you always do such a wonderful job coming up with these activities.
Little Lilly Polka Dot Bedtime Blog
Hi Vicky:
WOW what a great idea!! You really have found some good things to write about!!
Wendy 🙂
Tania B
Hi, following you back. Thanks for dropping by Horseshoes!
http://contestsformoi.blogspot.com/
Tania
Vicky
Hines-Sight, thanks for your continued kind words. They make my day!
Vicky
Wendy, thanks so much!
Vicky
Tania, thanks for stopping in.
Irene
You're just so brilliant, Vicky! And you make me want to have kids right now! Haha! I could use all of your creative ideas if I do have one!
A and B are so adorable!!! Oh boy, I really want to have kids right now! LOL
Kadie
This is a fantastic idea!! I am going to try this during the week with my son! Thank you for visiting and following my blog! I am happily following you back. You have a great blog I will be back often, I am sure!
Pam
Great idea. Cute kids too!
I stumbled your post!
and followed your blog
http://pmaynardwrites.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-memories-software-giveaway.html
The Purple Lady
very fun blog! I am happy that we are now connected and look forward to being blog buddies 🙂 So glad you enjoyed my poem. I love to write and it is nice to see people other than myself valuing my "work". I hope you will fall in love with All Things Purple and join the conversation from time to time. http://iheartpurplestuff.blogspot.com
K. the Littlest Crafter
What an interesting blog your have here! A lot of great ideas. 🙂
Thanks for your sweet commment and for following my blog!
Miriam
Too cute!!! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
TJ @ MeasuringFlower.com
That's a cute idea! Hey, stumbled your post. 🙂 Thanks for linking up to Stop and Stumble! Have a great day! 😀
Marcia
Hi Vicky,
Love your site! I'm also a teacher.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm now following you back.
Have a great week.
Marcia 🙂 Learning Ideas - Grades k-8
Vicky
Irene, you are so funny and sweet! Thanks for the nice compliments on A and B. You are going be a great mom one day!
Vicky
Kadie, thanks for the kind words.
Vicky
Pam, thanks so much. I have done the same.
Vicky
Purple Lady, thanks you so much for the visit.
Vicky
K, the littlest crafter, That is so nice of you to say!
Vicky
Miriam, So good of you to come by!
Vicky
TJ, that is awesome, thanks I have done the same for you.
Vicky
Marcia, thanks for following!
Kelli
What a super cute idea!! And so simple =) Once we get through the number 10, I am going to try it out =) Thanks for stopping by my blog and following =) I am looking forward to following along with you as well! Have a great week.
Kristy @ Emme & Me
Hi Vicky! Love this idea! Emme is 9 and struggling with her times tables. I think I'll use this with her but have her put a set of blue and a set of red that would equal the number on the pipe cleaner! Thanks for the idea!
Oh, and thanks for poppin by and becoming a follower. Have you seen the rubber ducky party? I've posted free printables for that one too.
Tiff
Great idea! Thanks for following my blog. I'm now following yours!
Bonnie
Hi Vicky, Thanks for Following my Blog!! You are my first! 🙂 I just started blogging about my Preschooler... so stay tuned. Your blog looks awesome as well!! Thanks for the ideas.
Lauralee Moss
Never would have thought of it... but I totally have all these supplies! I'm pretty sure I will be doing it. 🙂
If I do, I'll link back to you and let you know!
Echo
I love the activities you have on here! I've gotta give some of them a try. Following you back. Please stop by my other blog if you have the time.
http://lifeafterkids-echo.blogspot.com/
jennielynn
Following you back! Love the blog!
Normies
Oh my! Your blog ROCKS. Lots of good ideas! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, your new follower!
Janelle
I've been looking at a lot of your blog post and I love your kid-friendly ideas! I'm your newest follower!
If you have time, I would love for you to join my giveaway. I'm giving away a My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software.
http://ofpinksandfairytales.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-my-memories-suite.html
Hope to see you there!
Janelle
Of Pinks and Fairy Tales
Sarah
Hey! I stumbled your post. You stopped by my blog last week, but I'm just getting back to you! I like this activity. That is a difficult fine motor activity for your young ones! I used to teach first grade and can tell you that most of my students would have lost some beads and dropped a ton on the floor! Your daughter is doing algebra! 6 + x = 9. Way to go.
Sunray Gardens
Very cool blog. Looked down through and you have neat ideas. Thanks for stopping by mine and I am following you back. You might like to also follow my brother's blog and he will follow back. http://craigslifeoutdoors.blogspot.com/
Cher Sunray Gardens
Vicky
Kelli, Thanks! Let me know how it goes when you try it.
Vicky
Kristy, thanks I love when someone can expand on something I have done for their own needs. Super idea! Thanks for the prinatbles!
Vicky
Tiff, thanks for popping in!
Vicky
Bonnie, I am proud to be the first!
Vicky
Lauralee, let me know how it goes!
Vicky
Echo, thank you for stopping in!
Vicky
Jennielynn, thanks for the follow!
Vicky
Normies, thanks for the sweet comments!
Vicky
Janelle, thanks so much, I will check it out.
Vicky
Sarah, thanks so much. I am very proud of my girls. 🙂
Vicky
Sunray Gardens, thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!
Vicky
Lara, thanks, I enjoy doing these activities with them.
Lara
Hey, thanks for stopping by simple-homemaking! I remember when my kids were at that age...loved doing creative things with them. You have some great ideas! Keep it up, it is so great for them. 🙂
Lara
http://www.lillarose.biz/proverbs31
Jenny H
Looks like fun! Thanks for stumbling my post last week! I'm finally getting around to returning the favor. New GFC follower, too!
Pixie Mindy
Hi! Thanks for following me at All Mouse. All the Time. I'm so glad I stopped by your site...I WILL be doing this activity in my kindergarten classroom! 🙂
Vicky
Jenny, thanks so much for the stumble!
Vicky
Pixie Mindy, I love you site! I miss my days in Kindergarten.