Need a fun learning activity? You got it, friend!

Inside this post, I’ll share exactly how to take a box and turn it into a FUN, hands-on math activity for your kids. Who needs worksheets anyway?!

Ready for some easy fun? Let’s go!

Full disclosure: I’m borderline obsessed with using boxes for activities.

In fact, I flipped over a box and used some poker chips for my kids when they were babies. It’s one of our most popular posts EVER. Simple. Fun. And, EASY to set up!

So, why would I abandon boxes now?

Even though my youngest was a baby when we did the poker chip drop, there’s no reason why I can’t still do tons of cardboard box activities with him as a preschooler.

Why use boxes?

Boxes are my FAVORITE because:

• I always seem to have one.
• I can recycle the box when we’re done.
• Annnnnd, it’s one more excuse for me to buy something on Amazon.

Win/win, friend.

So, now that we BOTH have an excuse to buy more things on Amazon, let’s chat about what’s really going on with this simple but FUN learning activity…

 

What “Learning” is Happening in this Activity?

Aside from counting, here are some basic skills that are being integrated into this simple activity:

• One to one correspondence
• Number sense
• Quantity
• Hand-eye coordination
• Manipulating small objects (golf tees)
• Crossing the midline
• Fine motor development
• Persistence
• Multi-sensory learning
• FUN  *wink*

Okay…But What’s With The Golf Tees?

Besides the fact that I was on my High School golf team and have a lot of tees (HA!), I really wanted to use something the engaged my son’s full body while he counted. Instead of just pointing at the objects to count or circling things on a piece of paper (like a worksheet), Andy had to place and hammer the golf tees in each corresponding hole as he counted.

This is not only SUPER engaging, but he was able to do it over and over again! Just take the tees out and do it again! This learning activity also supports kinesthetic learning or learning by physically moving rather than just listening to or watching a demonstration.

EXAMPLE (because who doesn’t love one of those?!) –>>You can see my son hammering in a golf tee below. What you CAN’T hear is us talking about the numbers while he hammered.

But, what does this learning activity look like at home??

When my three-year-old did this activity, I was sitting right there with him. This isn’t a “sit and watch while they play independently” kind of activity like we also love here at Happily Ever Mom.

Nope.

This is a sit next to each other and enjoy learning together activity.

Here’s how it went…

We pointed to each number and slowly counted.

Then, we noticed the holes in each number.

I was constantly asking questions and “playing dumb” (my favorite teaching tool *wink wink*) by saying things like, “huh, does only one golf tee fit on the number one?? How many golf tees fit on number 2?”

This gave my son MULTIPLE opportunities to count these early numbers (remember, counting 1-3 is a great learning goal for toddlers, and counting 1-5 is early preschool). We’re creating a foundation with this activity so that they can expand and start counting to 10, then 20, then 100 in Kindergarten.

It all starts here. With a box and some golf tees…

Ready to make yours??

Supplies For This Fun Learning Activity

Now, all you need to do is a little prep that takes 5 minutes or less. I promise this looks prettier than it should for how little time it takes to make it!

• A small cardboard box (A shoebox-size box)
• Sharpie/Markers
• A screwdriver – yes, really.
• Golf tees
• Toy hammer or block

Tip: If you don’t have golf tees, q-tips, cut up straws, or craft sticks would work great too!

How to Make This Cute Counting Box

1. Draw numbers with a sharper. You get to make bubble numbers here and color them in, so… you’re welcome.
2. Color in the numbers with markers or highlighters
3. “Stab” the box with a screwdriver to make the holes. Again…yes, really! Make one hole on the “1,” two holes on the “2,” etc. You get the idea.
4. Go back to the section above that says “What does this learning activity look like at home?” and follow the tips.

That’s it!

I won’t tell you that this activity will last an hour….

Although, we DO have some marathon activities around here.

But, I WILL tell you that this little box is an amazing way to expose your child to so much more than “just” counting. Plus, you can “accidentally” lose the box and you’ll be FORCED to buy something on Amazon so you can make another counting box STAT.

Yep.

I see those wheels turning, momma. And, I’m in full support that decision…

Need more Inspiration?

I’ve got you covered!

You can see more Preschool Learning Activities by clicking on the images below. Or, by following our preschool LEARNING board on Pinterest.