Here is a new set of math play dough mats for a pets theme: Dog Food and Cat Food. The top of each mat says “Put [#] pieces of food in the dog’s bowl.” Or, for the cat, “Put [#] pieces of food in the cat’s bowl.” Children will identify the numeral, and count out that amount of dog or cat food pieces to put in the bowl. Children can create the dog and cat food by rolling pieces of brown play dough into a ball. If you prefer to use something other than play dough, you could use floral flat marbles or pompoms.
I also made a mat that does not have a number, but simply says, “Put some food in the dog’s/cat’s bowl.” This mat is for toddlers who are not ready for counting yet, but need to practice fine motor skills with play dough.
Click these images to download the play dough mats:
Dog Food Play Dough Mats
Dog Food Toddler Mat
Cat Food Play Dough Mats
Cat Food Toddler Mat
About Karen Cox
Hey,
I do this for Clifford week. I buy a box of small dog bones and use those as the counters.
We then use the large jumbo size as paint brushes and paint with them on a dog bone shape.
Thanks for sharing, Hether!
I give my kids the toddler mat in a plastic sleeve and a dice. They have to count out that many “treats” that they roll. Then they write the numeral with a dry erase marker. Older/more advanced kids can add numbers together.