Ladybug is great at counting out loud, but is still working on forming a concrete understanding of “how many” a certain number truly means. Adding Mice is a quick and fun way for her to begin moving beyond basic number concepts into simple addition. The needed materials are simple and the game requires minimal preparation.
What You’ll Need
- 10 small mice toys or printed images
- Cards with simple equations (ex: 3+4 or 6+1)
- Container of dried beans
How to Play
- Hide the mice in the bowl of beans.
- Place the equation cards face down on the floor.
- Flip over an equation card.
- Search for the needed number of mice.
- Place the mice on the cheese to solve the equation.
Ladybug not only loved finding the mice in the beans, but she also enjoyed hiding them again. This simple adaptation allowed us to also practice some basic mathematical equations. When done hiding, finding, and counting mice, the beans provided a fun and easy medium for gross and fine motor play!
This simple, but fun activity is a fabulous introduction to word problems. Incorporating math into a story board helps children begin to develop an understanding of beginning math and provides them an interesting and applicable method to more fully appreciate the value of mathematics and reasoning. This idea was inspired by Mother Goose Time, a hands-on, play-based preschool curriculum.
Are you home schooling a preschooler?
I’m looking to connect with other parents who are homeschooling preschool and I’d love to hear from you!
As a blog ambassador for Mother Goose Time, I am happy to share preschool curriculum ideas, activities, and crafts with my readers. Mother Goose Time provides our family the opportunity to use their curriculum free of charge in exchange for honest and authentic stories based on our personal experience. 
