Mitrache Ana
Count and add Penguin
Math Activity: “Feed the Penguin” – Counting and Simple Addition with Numbers and Fish
This hands-on math activity is designed to help young children practice counting, number recognition, and simple addition in a fun and visual way. By using numbers and small fish cutouts placed on a penguin template, children can explore how numbers are formed and how smaller groups can be added together to make a whole.
To prepare the activity, print and cut out the numbers from 1 to 10. Then print and cut out several small fish shapes. You will also need a penguin picture or template, preferably with a large belly area where numbers can be placed. These simple materials immediately attract children’s attention and turn basic math practice into a playful learning experience.
Begin by introducing the penguin and explaining that it is very hungry and needs help counting and eating its fish. Invite the child to choose one number and place it on the penguin’s belly. For example, select the number 10 and place it in the center. This number will represent how many fish the penguin should eat in total.
Next, encourage the child to create two groups of fish. Place one group on the left side of the penguin and another group on the right side. For instance, you can put 9 fish on the left and 1 fish on the right. Ask the child to count each group out loud, touching each fish as they count. This reinforces one-to-one correspondence and helps prevent skipping or double counting.
After counting both groups, guide the child to add them together. You can say: “We have 9 fish here and 1 fish here. Let’s put them together. How many fish does the penguin have in total?” Then help the child count all the fish to discover that 9 and 1 make 10, matching the number on the penguin’s belly. This visual confirmation strengthens their understanding of addition and number composition.
Repeat the activity using different numbers from 1 to 10 and various combinations of fish. For example, for the number 8, children might try 5 and 3, or 4 and 4. Encourage them to explore multiple ways to make the same number. This supports flexible thinking and builds an early foundation for mental math.
This activity can easily be adapted to different levels. Beginners can focus only on counting and matching the correct number of fish to the number on the penguin. More advanced children can be challenged to find all the possible ways to make a certain number or to write the addition sentence (for example, 9 + 1 = 10).
Beyond math skills, the activity also develops fine motor coordination through cutting, placing, and moving the fish. It promotes language development as children explain what they are doing and social skills when completed in pairs or small groups.
Overall, “Feed the Penguin” transforms abstract numbers into concrete, meaningful objects. By seeing, touching, counting, and adding the fish, children gain a deeper understanding of how numbers work, while enjoying a playful and motivating learning experience.
