Apple Hide and Seek Ten-Frame Counting Game

Understanding how numbers fit into a group of  is one of the building blocks necessary for counting higher numbers, addition skills, subtraction skills and so much more.

That is why ten-frames are an important part of the counting and number recognition experience.

Ten-frames show kids that there is a limit to this group of numbers. And creates the understanding of groups of ten for learning numbers 11-99.

This simple apple ten-frame hide and seek game is an engaging way to introduce ten-frames to your pre-k and kindergarteners.

Everything is more fun when it’s a game. And if your kids are anything like mine, hide and seek is one of their favorite games.

Bring counting to life by building a story around the activity…

‘The baker went to the apple orchard….

He made apple pies for the king of Applonia (it doesn’t have to be a factual story!)

And a rival baker hid his pies.

Can you help the baker find which ten-frame apple the pies are hiding behind, so that he doesn’t get thrown in the dungeon?”

Preschoolers and kindergarteners thrive on imaginative stories, so that is a great reason to draw their imagination in when working on math and literacy skills. It’s also much easier for them to remember a story about a baker from Applonia than “I worked on identifying numbers using ten-frames in my math lesson”.

Can you really imagine a kindergartener telling her parents that when they ask, “What did you learn today?”

Nah, me neither.

But it takes no more effort to create a fictional story about apples than it does to teach a lesson without it. In fact, it may be easier because the kids will want to hear the details about the story…

How about you? Do you use stories to draw kids into their lessons? Have you found it to be helpful or distracting? I’d love to hear your experience!

How to Use the Ten-Frame Apple Hide and Seek Game

To prepare the Ten-frame Hide and Seek game, simply print and laminate the pieces, with the exception of the optional recording sheet.

Cut apart the ten-frame cards and the miniature apple pies.

Place the apple ten-frame cards in a pocket chart, lay them on a table or lay them on the floor.

I have found that a table top pocket chart works perfectly for this game, but you can you anything that you have available.

Then, hide the apple pies behind the apples and have the kids take turns guessing which apple they are hiding behind. (To save the baker of Applonia, of course.)

Using the optional Number Recording Pages

Take the game up a notch by using the optional number recording pages.

Have the kids cross off the numbers of incorrect guesses. Then, have then write the correct guesses in the boxes at the bottom of the page.

The recording page helps kids work on numeral recognition and number formation along with the ten-frame number recognition needed to make guesses.

Math and Literacy Options for Your Apple Theme

You can pair the Apple Ten-Frame Hide and Seek Game up with some great apple books during your apple theme! By working with a theme approach kids will build real-life connections to the skills they are learning.

Bad Apple: A Tale of FriendshipTen Apples Up On Top!ApplesHello, World! How Do Apples Grow?How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (Dragonfly Books)How Do Apples Grow?