I made these bug jar mats to go with the bug math manipulatives I have in my classroom. Read more to find out how to use these mats and get the free printables below!
This post contains affiliate links.
To find a set of these bugs, they can be purchased through Amazon here: bug math manipulatives or many educational supply catalogs.
While I realize not everyone will have these particular bug manipulatives, I figured it was better to share them than not. There are also several ways to use them even if you don’t have the bug manipulatives. Read more for alternative ideas.
These bug mats can be used to sort by color, sort by bug type, or counting. There are three sets of free printable mats.
Sort Bugs by Color
These mats have jars for each color. Children use the math manipulative bugs to sort by color onto the jar mats.
Sort by Type of Bug
These mats have jars for each type of bug. Kids can sort the bug manipulatives by type of bug.
Counting Bugs
These mats have jars with numbers, and children can use the bug counters to practice counting.
Alternative Ways to Use the Mats
Even if you do not have these bugs math counters, you can still use the set of counting mats. Just check dollar stores and crafts stores for little plastic toy bugs or craft foam bug shapes.
With the counting mats, you could also print and copy these in black and white. Have children either count out the correct amount of bug stickers to stick on the jars or draw the correct amount of bugs. It would be a neat idea to staple them together to make a counting book. If you have a unique way to use these mats, add your own ideas in the comments area below.
I know people will ask, so if you are interested in getting a set of these bug manipulatives, they are made by Learning Resources and there is a set for sale at Amazon.com and in several educational catalogs.
Discount school supply has twice as many for only a few dollars more:) These are great mats. Thanks!
http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=27765&keyword=counters&scategoryid=0&CategorySearch=&Brand=&Price=
Trisha, thanks for the link, but others should note that the bugs at Discount School Supply are NOT quite the same & will not go with the mats for “Sorting Bugs by Type”. They would work with the other two mats.
I have those same bugs! Thanks for posting this!
Great mats, my preschool kids will love them.
I have those bugs too! I love these!
Thanks. You gave me an idea of something similar. my theme is on dogs. I have the dog counters and have made dog houses to go with it. Different roof colors for sorting by color and will also sort by type and by quantity. love it. will post it soon and will link you for my idea. thanks again.
I just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE all your ideas. I have recently returned to teaching preschool after years in elementary
and you are my #1 goto site for new and creative ideas!! I so appreciate you !!!!
Thanks so much, everyone!
I have these exact bugs and will be using your mats this week at Mommy and Me! Thanks so much!
I’m getting ready to do a lesson on bugs and this is a great addition to my set of activities. Thanks!
This Idea is great. I have these bugs in my classroom. This activity will be a great add on to my bug resources kit. Thank you so very much.
Glad you like it, Connie!
This is a fun and educational activity for my preschooler to do at home!
Glad you like it, Renee!
This is a great set of printables! I’ve included them in my weekly Do Something! post. Hope you can stop by and check it out.
I shared these with my 2+ year old granddaughter when we visited last week. She loves them! First I introduced the bugs and we spoke about the colors. Another day we sorted by color. Her mother and father will do sorting by type of bug etc later. I got great photos of her too. 🙂
Thank you!
Thanks, glad you & your granddaughter enjoyed it!
I have these bugs too…I also bought the patterning cards sold for them. These are so cute…thanks for sharing them:))
Thanks Cherine! Glad you can use them!
Thanks for the ideas. My classroom has very limited resources that I can relate to certain themes and into center areas especially in the manipulative and science areas, thanks so much.
Looking forward to more of your ideas.
Thanks, Renee! Glad these are helpful! I enjoy making the games.
I was just wondering if you had a link to the clip art you used to create your mats. I love the idea and would like to convert it into a busy bag using paper bugs. (The plastic are adorable but just too expensive when making 12!) I thought it would be best if the paper bugs matched the bugs pictured on the jars. Thank you!
Hi! The clipart came from clipart.com. I have small set of the plastic bugs and 22 students, but it works well because I use it with small groups or center time. Thanks for visiting!
cool!!
Thanks for sharing. I work with students with moderate disabilities. This will be a great prevocational skill job for them
Thanks so much for the inspiration and freebies Karen! My kiddos had a blast with the pattern block mats. I also adapted your sensory table idea for my kiddos- it’s on my blog if you want to check it out. Have a great weekend!
~Jessica
Fun in PreK-1
I love your printables about bug counting and sorting! I just printed them out and will be laminating them soon for durability and I know my children will love it! It so happen that I have the kind of bugs that you said I should get!
Thanks Karen!
Thanks for the free printables; they are wonderful! I appreciate that they are free because; eventhough I love teaching PreK, we don’t get paid a lot. I left the public system and a big check that, supposedly, paid for my 27+ years of experience because, honestly, my true love is PK. I love the freedom to teach the students what they need and can relate to than teaching to the test. Ugh, that was driving me bonkers!
Just received these bugs today! Thanks for the printables to go with them 🙂
Glad you like them! Thanks!
I love your bugs jars thanks for sharing
Gracias 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing. I have some of these and now I know how to use them in a productive way! I love your ideas!!