Here’s an inexpensive tool that can be used for counting as well as other math activities. These cups are not only quiet to play with, but they develop small motor skills and eye-hand coordination. They're perfect for center work or fun with a friend.
Materials: bathroom cups and permanent marker
Directions: Turn the cups upside down and write numerals 1-20 on the tops (actually bottoms of the cups) and sides of the cups.
Counting
Mix up the cups. Ask the children to put the cups in order.
Matching
Trace around the bottom of one cup 20 times on a file folder as shown. Write the numerals in sequential order from top to bottom and left to right in the circles. Children take the cups and match them up to the appropriate circle on the file folder. Next, sweep the cups off and try to stack them up vertically from 1-20.
Counting
Mix up the cups. Ask the children to put the cups in order.
Matching
Trace around the bottom of one cup 20 times on a file folder as shown. Write the numerals in sequential order from top to bottom and left to right in the circles. Children take the cups and match them up to the appropriate circle on the file folder. Next, sweep the cups off and try to stack them up vertically from 1-20.
Math Facts
Write addition and subtraction facts on the sides of the cups. Write the answer inside on a dot sticker. Children can solve the problem and then check by looking inside the cup.
*Let them use the cup to build a pyramid if they answer correctly.
Counting by Multiples
Make math cups with multiples so children can practice counting by 2's, 5’s, 10’s, and so forth.
Hint! Store bathroom cups in an empty Pringle’s can.