Nature-Themed Math Hands-On Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten

As we explore the great outdoors, we can’t help but notice the beauty of nature and the wonders it holds. From the towering trees to the tiny insects, nature is full of math concepts waiting to be discovered. In this post, I’ll show you how to bring math learning into the classroom and into the great outdoors with our nature-themed math hands-on activities.

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Math in Nature

As we explore the natural world, we can find numerous opportunities to observe and apply math concepts. Here are some examples of how children can easily observe math concepts in nature:

Patterns in Nature

animals that hibernate montessori nature free printables pegs cards tracing print fall winter
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  • Leaf patterns on trees: Observe the repeating patterns of leaves on a tree branch. How many leaves are there? How are they arranged?
  • Butterfly patterns: Watch the patterns of butterflies as they fly. How many wings do they have? Are they symmetrical?
  • Flower patterns: Explore the patterns of flowers in a garden or meadow. How many petals do they have? Are they arranged in a specific pattern?

Shapes and Forms

  • Rocks and stones: Collect different shapes and sizes of rocks and stones. How many sides do they have? Are they symmetrical?
  • Leaves: Observe the shapes of leaves on different plants. How many points do they have? Are they curved or straight?
  • Trees: Study the shapes of trees, including their branches, trunks, and leaves. How many branches do they have? Are they evenly spaced?

Numbers and Quantities

  • Counting animals: Observe the number of animals in a field or forest. How many birds are there? How many squirrels are there?
  • Counting flowers: Count the number of flowers in a garden or meadow. How many red flowers are there? How many yellow flowers are there?
  • Measuring distance: Measure the distance between two objects in nature, such as a tree and a rock. How far is it?

Size and Comparison

  • Comparing animal sizes: Observe the sizes of different animals in nature, such as a bird and a rabbit. Which one is bigger? Which one is smaller?
  • Comparing leaf sizes: Collect different types of leaves and compare their sizes. Which one is biggest? Which one is smallest?
  • Comparing tree sizes: Measure the height of different trees. Which one is tallest? Which one is shortest?

Sorting and Categorizing

  • Sorting rocks: Collect different types of rocks and sort them into categories, such as size, shape, color, or texture.
  • Sorting leaves: Collect different types of leaves and sort them into categories, such as shape, color, or size.
  • Categorizing animals: Observe different animals in nature and categorize them by type, such as mammals, birds, or insects.

Math is all around us, even in nature! By exploring and observing the natural world, children can develop important math skills, such as pattern recognition, shape recognition, counting, and comparison. These skills can be applied to various math concepts, making math learning more engaging and enjoyable.

matching numbers activity

Math Printable Pack – A Treasure Trove of Math Fun

Math is not just about numbers and calculations; it’s about developing problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and critical thinking. In early childhood education, math is an essential tool for building a strong foundation for future learning. By introducing math concepts in a fun and interactive way, we can help our students develop a love for math that will last a lifetime. That’s why I am excited to share this comprehensive printable pack that incorporates math hands-on activities with printables, busy book or cards, all with a nature theme!

patterns activity

What’s Included in the Printable Pack

This printable pack is designed to make math learning fun and engaging for kindergarten students. It’s packed with 14 activities that cover essential math concepts, including:

Exploring quantities and patterns
Practicing logical thinking and size discrimination
Counting 1-10
Sorting and categorizing objects using familiar objects

size sorting activity

The pack includes a variety of learning activities designed to help children develop essential math skills, including:

counting activity

Sorting cards (small, medium, large)
“Find a Home” activity cards (bathroom, kitchen, bedroom) with 9 cards per category
Greater than, less than examples
Grouping activity
Matching Numbers and Quantities (numbers 1-10)
“Match Partners That Belong Together” activity
“Complete the Pattern” activity for recognizing patterns in the natural world
“Put Objects in the Right Order” activity for practicing logical thinking
How to Use the Printable Pack

what goes together activity

Setting up the activities is easy! Simply print out the desired activities and gather the necessary materials. You can use real-life objects like toys or blocks to make the activities more engaging.

greater or less activity

Tips for Using the Printable Pack in Your Classroom

Use the activities as a whole group or small group activity to keep students engaged and focused.
Encourage students to use their problem-solving skills and think critically about the math concepts.
Make it hands-on by incorporating manipulatives like playdough or counting blocks.
Use the activities as a review or reinforcement tool for previously learned math concepts.

where it belongs activity

This comprehensive printable pack is perfect for kindergarten teachers and educators, homeschooling parents looking for engaging math activities, and early childhood education professionals seeking math resources. By incorporating these nature-themed math hands-on activities into your preschool or kindergarten curriculum, you’ll be helping your students develop essential math skills in a fun and engaging way.

logical thinking and counting activity

Why Nature-Themed Math Matters

By incorporating nature-themed math activities into your lesson plans, you’re not only teaching your students important math skills, but also helping them develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Our printables feature beautiful, true-to-life clipart images that will capture your students’ attention and inspire them to learn.

Math Pre-K and K Hands-on Activities

$5.50

This printable pack is designed to make math learning fun and engaging for kindergarten students. It’s packed with 14 activities that cover essential math concepts, including quantities, patterns, size discrimination, counting, and logical thinking.

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math hands on activities and printables

About Anastasia - Anastasia is an early childhood teacher and the founder of Montessori Nature - a blog about Montessori living and learning and nature-based explorations. With many years of experience working in a Montessori environment and homeschooling her children, she directed her passion for all things Montessori and nature into creating educational resources. You can learn more here and browse her printables on Teachers Pay Teachers.