Thanksgiving Turkeys Counting Mats for Preschoolers
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These super cute Thanksgiving Turkeys Counting Mats are the perfect hands-on activity for Thanksgiving month! They are also fun, engaging, and an effective way for your preschoolers to learn numbers and practice their counting!
This set of mats includes the numbers 0 to 10, and you can get it at the end of this post.
Benefits of the Thanksgiving Turkeys Counting Mats
This activity will allow preschoolers to practice their:
- Number recognition (identifying the number on the mat before counting).
- Number words (writing and/or copying the words).
- Counting abilities (counting the ghosts).
- Number formation and fine motor development (tracing and writing number words).
- Hand-eye coordination and control (placing the manipulatives in the squares).
- Concentration skills (focusing on the different tasks).
- One-to-one correspondence (counting the manipulatives to be added).
- Language development (counting out loud a number sequence).
Setting Up the Thanksgiving Turkeys Counting Mats
To get this low-prep activity, you will need the following materials:
- Thanksgiving Turkeys Counting Mats (found at the bottom of this post).
- White paper or white cardstock.
- Laminator and laminating sheets, or dry-erase pockets.
- Scissors.
- Dry-erase or regular markers, pencils, or crayons.
- Optional: small manipulatives such as mini turkey figurines, mini erasers, buttons, small playdough balls, and bingo chips.
Print each page on white paper for single-use or on white cardstock for multiple uses. Cut out the number tiles, separate them, and laminate everything. You can also place the mats in dry-erase pockets so they are available for years to come. When you are done using the activity, store it on sheet protectors placed in a binder to keep the mats safe.
I always recommend printing out multiple copies and placing them in different centers. That way, you will entice and encourage more preschoolers to use them when they rotate to the various centers.
How to Use The Thanksgiving Turkeys Counting Mats
These mats can be used in many ways, such as:
- Small group activity
- Math center option
- Writing center
- Take-home game
- Quiet area option
Before you place the mats in the different centers, it is recommended to introduce them to your preschoolers first. Circle time might be the perfect time to do this. There is no point in placing them in centers if they don’t know how to use them first. Then explain to your preschoolers that they have to:
- Point and count out loud the turkeys on each counting mat, then place the correct number tile on the dotted squares.
- Then, use a marker to color the correct number of squares on the counting grid or place small manipulatives to represent the number of turkeys on the mat.
- Finally, trace the number word, and copy it next to it using a dry-erase marker.
If you want to use these mats as a one-use activity, the children need to use pencils, regular markers, or crayons. Then, you can also copy the words using magnetic, foam, or wooden letters.
Additional Activities
These are some suggestions you can do to extend the activity further:
- Talk about each number and the different characteristics of the shape of the numbers.
- Talk about small and large numbers, such as number 2 has fewer turkeys than number 5 because it is smaller.
- Ask the children to organize the number tiles from 0 to 10, and vice versa.
- Organize the number tiles from 0 to 10, skipping some numbers, and invite the children to say the missing number.
- Use the number tiles to count by 2s.
Thanksgiving Storybooks
These are some fun books you can use during Thanksgiving month. You can find them at your local library, used bookstore, or on Amazon. Clicking each title will take you directly to Amazon via my affiliate links, saving you time looking for them.
- The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross. This exciting book retells the story of the pilgrims’ voyage across the Atlantic to the first Thanksgiving feast, with colorful, beautiful illustrations that will surely delight your young historians.
- Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks! By Sutherland. This book uses simple text and colorful illustrations to introduce preschoolers to the joy of celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends and to be thankful for everything and every day.
- Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving by Mercer Mayer. Little Critter, a lovely character, brings the Thanksgiving celebration to life with his family as they give thanks.
- Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson. This book offers beautiful illustrations and playful text to tell the story of a Bear who has planned a big dinner to celebrate family and friendship.
- The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing. This fun book tells the story of families coming together to prepare and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.
- Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes. This book uses simple text and striking illustrations to remind kids and adults alike about the little details that make each day enjoyable, and to share the true Thanksgiving spirit in a warm, genuine way.
Pin It for Later
If you are in a rush and don’t have time to read the post and download the printable but want to save it for later, pin it to your Math and Thanksgiving Pinterest boards, so you can have it available when you need it.
I hope that you and your preschoolers enjoy these Thanksgiving Turkeys Counting Mats, and that they help your preschoolers learn or review their numbers and recognition, and expand their counting abilities!
Don’t forget to grab your FREE printable by clicking on the link below.
Are you looking for more FREE Thanksgiving ideas and activities to do at home or in the classroom? If so, check out some of the options below or go to my Thanksgiving activities page HERE.
Be happy, safe, and creative. I wish you well.
Love,
P.D. Please let me know if these mats worked for you, or if you think I need to add or replace something. My goal is to help you in any way I can.
