Free Printable Spider Web Number Mats for Preschool

While spiders might get a bad rap in the creepy, crawly category, these counting mats are the BEST! These FREE spider web number mats offer multiple ways for young mathematicians to explore numbers explicitly and concretely. All you need to do is print the spider web number playdough mats, laminate, and grab that play dough!

Recommended Grade Level:

Preschool

Kindergarten

• Supply List
• Coordinating Activities

Spider Web Counting Mats Supplies:

• Printer
• Cardstock (optional)
• Laminating film/plastic sleeve (optional)
• Playdough
• Plastic spiders (optional)

Number Recognition with Ten Frames:

BUILDING NUMBER SENSE WITH preschool AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS

PROVIDING MULTI-SENSORY MATH ACTIVITIES HELPS CHILDREN DEVELOP MATH SKILLS:

Number sense refers to a host of math concepts and understandings. In preschool, it is the ability to recognize numbers, count groups of objects, match numbers and quantities, and recognize more/less/bigger/smaller.

Using ten frames helps children “see” each number. Building the numbers on the printable number mats gives a visual representation of each number and how they relate to the others.

Using playdough number mats with ten frames also provides important fine motor activity necessary for learning and practicing number formations.

The spider web counting mats can be placed at the math center for the month of October, or you can work as a whole class. It’s easily differentiated because students can use whatever spider counting mat they are ready for.

Students can practice counting in English and/or Spanish!

In addition to using the number playdough mats (free) to build numbers, you could extend with other Halloween activities or spider activities for preschoolers:

• Use spider rings from the dollar store instead of playdough.
• Sing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.”
• Learn the body parts of a spider.
• Weave yarn webs and make spiders to set upon them.
• Read “The Very Busy Spider,” by Eric Carle.

What Skills Will the Spider Web Preschool Activity Teach?

BUILDING NUMBERS with preschoolers

MAKING NUMBERS ON A TEN FRAME PROMOTES A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF NUMERACY.

• How many squares are on the 10 frame?
• What number does this represent?
• How many squares are empty?
• How many more do you need to fill to make 10?

Materials needed for Spider Counting Preschool Ten Frames:

• Printer
• Cardstock (optional)
• Laminating film/plastic sleeve (optional)
• Playdough
• Plastic spiders (optional)

How To Use The Spider Web Counting Mats

TEN FRAMES with preschoolers

KIDS WILL LOVE THIS CREEPY COUNTING ACTIVITY!

All you need to do is print the number mats and laminate them for longevity.

You have lots of options when it comes to what to place on the counting mat: playdough, plastic spiders, counters, pom poms, fall erasers, dry erase markers, etc.

Children can complete a whole set #1-10, or you can give them one or two numbers to build.

Ask them to trace the large numeral with their finger, or with a dry erase marker. Then they can practice the numeral on the dashed lines provided. They can also practice “reading” the number word on each page.

Extend the Activity:

Sequencing Cards

Use the mats as sequencing cards and see if your child can put the numbers in order from 1-10 or backward from 10-1.

Create a Number Book

Print the pages on regular copy paper. Then use stamps, pencils, or markers to represent each number.

Number Matching

Children can learn Spanish by matching the English number mats with their Spanish counterparts (or vice versa).

Tell Number Stories

Use plastic spiders placed on the ten frame to tell number stories with a partner. “There were 6 hairy spiders, then 2 more crawled into the web. How many in all?”

Counting Skills

Use any ten frame as a tool to practice counting 1-10 or 10-1. Children can point to each square, or place an object on the square while counting.

Play a Game

Create a fun game by laying out the number mats. Then, roll a die (or two). Students must find that number mat and build the appropriate number.