Dinosaur Number Matching Fun for Preschool
Number recognition is a foundational skill for early math development. This preschool number matching activity with a dinosaur theme makes learning numbers fun and engaging! Kids love dinosaur learning activities, and this hands-on review will have them roaring with excitement as they match numbers and practice tracing. It’s a great addition to your classroom centers or homeschool curriculum.
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Number Matching for Preschool
Your littles will stomp their way into number recognition with this Dinosaur number matching activity. It can be used individually or with a partner, as part of a group activity or in a center.
Why is Learning Number Matching Skills Important?
I don’t think it’s any secret that here in the US, we are lagging behind in our math skills. I’m not suggesting that your preschoolers need to have it all figured out by the time their four, but working on early number sense is going to give them the foundation for understanding mathematical concepts.
Matching activities strengthen visual discrimination skills, as children learn to recognize and differentiate between numerals. This ability to visually distinguish between numbers is essential for reading and writing numbers later on. Furthermore, number matching promotes one-to-one correspondence, a key concept in counting.
By physically manipulating number pieces and matching them to corresponding cards, preschoolers gain a concrete understanding of the relationship between a number and its quantity. These skills are not only important for future math success but also for everyday activities like telling time, counting objects, and understanding patterns.
What Supplies Do I Need for this Activity?
- Printable dinosaur number matching cards (download below!)
- Scissors
- Laminator (optional, but recommended for durability)
- Dry erase marker (if you choose to laminate) otherwise a pencil.
What Do I Need to Do to Prep for This Activity?
- Download and print the number matching cards.
- Cut out each dinosaur card and the individual number pieces.
- Laminate the cards and number pieces for added durability. This will allow you to use them again and again!
How Do I Use This Activity?
- Lay out the dinosaur cards and the number pieces.
- Have your preschooler identify the number on each dinosaur card.
- Encourage them to find the matching number piece.
- Have them trace the number on the matching piece with their finger, dry erase marker or pencil.
Related Post: Dinosaur Number Matching Puzzle
Bonus Ideas to Make it More Fun or Educational:
- Dino Sounds: Make dinosaur sounds as you match the numbers!
- Number Stories: Create simple stories about the dinosaurs and the numbers they are holding. “This Triceratops has the number five! He’s bringing five yummy leaves to his friends.”
- Math Manipulatives: Use small dinosaur toys or other math manipulatives to count out the numbers after matching them.
- Sensory Bin: Hide the number pieces in a sensory bin filled with sand or rice for an extra element of fun!
Adaptations for Different Skill Levels
- For younger learners: Start with numbers 1-5 and gradually introduce higher numbers as they progress. You can also have them simply place the number on top without tracing.
- For older learners: Have them write the number on a separate piece of paper after matching it, or create simple addition or subtraction problems using the number cards.
Extra Resources to Go Along with This Activity
There are so many fun activities that you can do to go along with dinosaur themed learning. Using books and manipulatives to extend the learning is just a few.
More Dinosaur themed Preschool Activities
Dinosaur Cut and Paste Number Worksheets
Grab this Dinosaur Number Matching Activity Below!
Angela is the Homeschool Encourager for the Overwhelmed & Under-Caffeinated and the Chaos-to-Confidence Specialist behind Schooling with Grace. With a no-fluff approach, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of heart, she helps homeschool moms cut through the chaos, ditch unrealistic expectations, and teach with confidence.