Big and Small Preschool Worksheets
Understanding the concept of size—big vs. small—is one of those foundational preschool skills that sneaks its way into all kinds of early learning. These Big and Small preschool worksheets make it super easy to reinforce that idea without feeling like a boring lesson. And the best part? Your kids get to bust out their crayons and show off their coloring skills while they’re at it. One worksheet focuses on animals, the other on shapes, and both will have your little ones practicing visual discrimination without even realizing they’re working.
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Why Teach Preschoolers About Big and Small?
Teaching preschoolers about size isn’t just about being able to say something is “huge” or “tiny.” It’s actually one of the earliest math and critical thinking skills they develop. When kids compare sizes, they’re learning to observe, describe, sort, and classify—skills that lay the groundwork for understanding measurement, geometry, and even reading comprehension later on. Plus, kids naturally love pointing out what’s bigger or smaller (especially if it involves snacks or toys), so you’re leaning into something they already enjoy.
What Supplies Do I Need?
Just the basics! Here’s your list:
- Crayons (specifically red, blue, green, and purple)
- Printed copies of both worksheets
- Optional: laminator if you want to reuse with dry-erase markers
What Do I Need to Do to Prep for This Activity?
Not much, which is the beauty of it. Just:
- Print the two worksheets.
- Lay out the right crayon colors.
- Give your preschooler a quick rundown of what “biggest” and “smallest” mean if they’re new to the concept.
Optional prep for reuse: laminate the worksheets and use dry-erase markers instead of crayons.
How Do I Use This Activity?
Worksheet 1 (Animals):
Each of the five boxes contains four animals. Ask your child to color the biggest animal red and the smallest animal blue in each box.
Worksheet 2 (Shapes):
Same concept, different objects. This time, they’ll color the biggest shape green and the smallest shape purple.
Remind them to look carefully before coloring—some of those animals and shapes are close in size, so it’s a fun little challenge!
Bonus Ideas to Make It More Fun or Educational
- Read a book like Big Bug by Henry Cole alongside this activity.
- Use real objects like blocks, stuffed animals, or snacks to compare sizes before (or after) the worksheet.
- Turn it into a game: “Can you find something bigger than your shoe? Smaller than your hand?”
Adaptations for Different Skill Level
- Younger kiddos or beginners: Just do one or two boxes at a time. Model the activity together before handing over the crayons.
- Older or more advanced learners: Have them explain why they chose their answers. You can also introduce terms like “medium” or “in-between” for more comparison practice.
- Fine motor practice: Let them cut and sort pictures of big and small objects from magazines.
More Preschool Resources
Preschool Sorting Big and Small with Ocean Animals
Dinosaur Cutting and Tracing Printables
Preschool Color Scavenger Hunt
Grab these great Preschool Big and Small Worksheets 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.