Sneaky Squirrel Fall Counting Activity
Squirrels can be quite sneaky as they work hard to ferret away acorns for winter. That’s what keeps happening in this fun fall counting activity. That sneaky squirrel keeps stealing the acorns, and your preschoolers will giggle all the while.
It teaches and reinforces math concepts such as counting, one-to-one correspondence, number sense, addition and subtraction concepts, and even subitizing!
Be sure to grab your FREE counting printable at the end of this post and check out our many FREE fall printables for preschoolers, too!
Autumn is the best time of year for preschool lesson planning because after a nice summer break we all have renewed enthusiasm for teaching our little preschoolers! Or is it just me?
As the air crisps and cools, the leaves crunch, and pumpkin spice lattes appear at every coffee shop, it is clear that fall is officially here.
And, there is nothing more exciting to me than planning all my fall themed lessons for my preschoolers.
One of my absolute favorites is this Sneaky Squirrel Fall Counting Activity. I mean, it’s a silly, sneaky squirrel that is stealing our acorns- what’s not to love?
It is a preschool counting activity that teaches WAY more than just counting! It will definitely round out your fall preschool math activities and will likely become a fast favorite.
Don’t forget to grab your copy of this falltastic learning activity at the end of this post!
And…to help you have your BEST fall centers ever, check out my Cozy Autumn Literacy and Math Centers Bundle! It will help make your fall planning a breeze, so you have more time to kick back and enjoy that pumpkin spice latte!
Fall Printables For Preschoolers
What is it about fall that just brings up cozy, nostalgic feelings? It’s such a wonderful season that activates the senses. Your preschoolers will benefit from lots of fall-themed activities.
Embracing this beautiful season and integrating all things fall into your classroom will make the learning so much more meaningful to your preschoolers. And, when learning is meaningful, it sticks!
In an effort to make your fall-themed teaching seamless, I am providing some of my favorite fall printables and activities for your use. Enjoy!
Squirrel Activities for Preschoolers
Squirrel theme in preschool? Hmmmm….this might not be one that you have thought to try, but I emphatically say that you should! How can you not love learning about these silly, furry, scurrying animals that are an iconic part of autumn?
From hibernation to awesome hands-on stem activities, your kids will be so engaged that they won’t even get distracted by, well…um, squirrels.
- Preschool Hibernation Activities for Literacy
- Math Hibernation Activities for Preschoolers
- 20+ Free Printables for Preschool Fall Theme
- Spectacular Fall STEM Challenges that Make Learning Fun
Acorn Activities for Preschool
Acorn activities for preschool tie in so naturally with science and math activities. There are wonderful ways to explore acorns and other seeds in very hands-on ways as well as literacy activities, centers, and more! I wanted to share some of my favorite acorn activities with you so you can bring them to life in your classroom.
Preschoolers love learning all about planting seeds and especially watching them grow! These nuts and seeds printable lesson plans can help teach about a variety of things that grow and is very fall-friendly!
There is nothing that engages the senses in autumn like a Fall Playdough Invitation to Play. You can provide any materials of your choosing, including acorns, leaves, pinecones and more!
Set up a fun fall science center for your preschoolers so they can investigate, explore, and learn about all things fall!
Get your fall theme started with lots of learning and fun! These fall literacy and math centers for preschoolers are packed with adorable pumpkins, pinecones, acorns, leaves and so much more.
Squirrel Picture Books for Preschool
Your preschoolers will go ‘nuts’ for these silly and fabulous squirrel books. Some are funny, some are serious, but all of these squirrel picture books are perfect for preschoolers!
Fall Counting Game for Kindergarten
This squirrel is sneaky and likes to swipe acorns! Your preschooler starts out with ten acorns, but the squirrel might steal a few. Your preschooler has to figure out how many are taken, in addition to how many are left over to put into the wheelbarrow.
What’s Included
This kindergarten counting game comes with one game mat and a page of acorn counting cards to be used with the game. Sneaky Squirrel Ten Frame Math Printable is a free counting game you can download at the end of this post.
Additional Materials
- Acrylic acorn table scatter (or buttons, or other fake acorns, or other math counter)
- Heavy cardstock
- Laminator (optional, but recommended for durability)
The Set Up
First, you will need to set up the game:
Print out the game on heavy cardstock and laminate for added durability. Cut apart the number cards and place them in pile.
Now you are ready to invite your preschoolers to play!
How to Play Sneaky Squirrel Counting Game
Give each preschooler a set of ten acorns and a copy of the squirrel worksheet mat. Keeping everything on a food tray will help your preschooler keep to his own space as well as keep the acorns in one spot, too.
Place the acrylic acorns (or buttons) on the ten frame, covering the acorns that are already there. (This is to help your preschooler understand that they always start with ten.)
- Draw a number card and identify the number. If your preschooler doesn’t know the number, then count the acorns on the card.
- The squirrel then steals the same number of acorns as on the number card. Count that number of acorns and place them on the tree stump next to the squirrel.
- Now ask how many acorns are remaining on the ten frame. Invite your preschooler to count them. Those acorns then become the preschooler’s and get placed in the wheelbarrow.
- Finally, have your preschooler repeat how many acorns they started with, how many the squirrel stole, and how many was left over for them.
- Repeat the above steps.
Fall Counting Activities for Preschoolers
Apples and pumpkins and turkeys, oh my! Fall on into some exciting autumn-themed counting activities for your preschoolers.
- Apple Counting Activity for Preschoolers with FREE Printables
- Teach Twice the Math with FREE These Pumpkin Counting Cards
- Thanksgiving Ten Frame Counting Cards
- Fall Counting Activity – 3 Part Puzzles
SQUIRREL PRINTABLES FOR PRESCHOOLERS
If you are getting squirrely for some new squirrel preschool lessons, scurry on over for some awesome activities, including an adorable class book. Your preschoolers will love it!
Want the Sneaky Squirrel Fall Printable for Preschoolers?
You can teach preschool by practicing counting and number recognition in the same fall themed activity, and even work those fine motor skill too! Just fill out the form below and it will be sent to your email.
More Fall Printables for Preschoolers
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
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