10 Easy Ideas for Counting Bears

Counting bears are probably the most classic hands on manipulative of all time. These little cuties are SO versatile and can be used for so many different types of activities and learning concepts! The other great thing is that these can grow WITH your child through their education! The set that we have isn't available on Amazon anymore, but here is a similar set of COUNTING BEARS (not affiliate, just linking to be helpful).

I've collaborated with my sweet friend I made over on Instagram, Alissa from @the_nurturing_nester to bring you some fun and EASY at home ideas that you can try out with these bears!

Speaking of *internet friends* I'm so grateful for the opportunity to connect with like minded homeschool mamas who are such a light in this world! You can tap Alissa's photo and it will link you to her profile. She has so many good ideas that she shares with her 3 littles (toddler-Kindergarten age).

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Idea #1 Counting Bear Sensory Bin

Simple set up with Froot Loops as the sensory bin base, but this could be changed to whatever you have on hand (rice, beans, sand, etc).

🌈 Add colored cups, the bears and tongs! Perfect for fine motor practice, scooping, pouring, and sorting colors!

Idea #2 Bear Freeze + Rescue

Add food coloring to each ice cube slot, add water and coordinating bear, freeze, let your kiddos “rescue the bears” once you remove them from the freezer. Tip: place into a shallow dish, pan or bin. Offer warm water squirt bottles, pipettes, and salt for rescuing!

Idea #3 Bears in a Line

Add colored masking tape/washi tape to a table. Invite your child to roll the die, count, and then sort that many bears of one color!

Idea #4 Bear Houses

Provide your child with blocks or magnetic tiles and bears. Tell them their job is to build houses for all of the bears to live with their family.

Idea #5 Toddler Notebook Idea

Draw out circles, one of each color. Have your child sort by color. For preschoolers, add numbers to the circles for a sorting challenge.

Idea #6 Teddy Bear STEM

Provide your little one with cups, popsicle sticks and counting bears. Challenge them to build a structure that keeps the bears off the ground!

*Credit: Alissa @the_nurturing_nester

Idea #7 Non Standard Measuring

Introduce measurement to your little learners at an early age by teaching them to measure with objects. These bears are perfect for lining them up to compare and contrast the length of items around the house or classroom! *Credit: Alissa @the_nurturing_nester

Idea #8 Teddy Bear STOMP pt 1

Use the bear to segment each part of a CVC (consonant/vowel/consant) word and walk the line underneath to blend the letters together. A fun twist to reading in those early stages.

*Credit: Alissa @the_nurturing_nester

Idea #8 Teddy Bear STOMP pt 2

This one goes hand and hand with the previous, but takes it to the next level of reading. Is your little one past the "sounding out stage" but is reading full blown sentences? Use the same context, but have them stomp the bear on top of each word as they track to read!

*Credit: Alissa @the_nurturing_nester

Idea #9 Teddy Bear Patterns

Use dot markers (draw circles, or use stickers) to create a pattern. Use the bears to mimic the pattern. For older kids, you could extend this by leaving a "blank" to tell what comes next!

*Credit: Alissa @the_nurturing_nester

Idea #10 Counting Bear Classic Math

Write out some addition equations for your child. For each addend (the numbers of the equation), write them in different colors so they know what color bear to count out. Use mathematic rich vocabulary to use this as a very basic introductory to addition. Even Mr. 4.5 was successful using this method of adding!

For added support for those still learning to write their numbers, you can add a number line at the top of the paper so that they can reference it.

I hope that these easy at home ideas are helpful to you! If you give any of these a try let me know! I love to see your littles in action! Last, I want to say again, THANK YOU to my dear friend, Alissa for partnering with me on this round up of ideas! What house hold item should we do next? Send me an email ourblessedhomeschoolblog@gmail.com or message me on Instagram!