This is a great little game for learning to count, learning colours, gross motor skills, exercise, and having a good time. It doesn’t take long and you don’t need a lot of room; a short hallway will do the trick.
I’ve printed off 10 snowmen from a free clipart website (I no longer have the site, as I made these cards 2 years ago, long before this website was ever an idea).I coloured the scarves, top hats and broomsticks, keeping one colour for each snowman. I then glued each snowman to a piece of the same colour of construction paper about A5 size/half ‘letter’ size. I wrote a number on each card as well, covering 1-10. Next I laminated the cards in sticky-backed plastic.
First for the game you review the numbers and/or colours as you and/or your child lay out the card in a row on the floor. Next you can hold hands and jump together from card to card singing to the tune of “10 Little Indians”
“1 little, 2 little, 3 little snowmen
4 little, 5 little, 6 little snowmen
7 little, 8 little, 9 little snowmen
10 little snowmen in a drift”
Then you can practice counting backwards going back the other way jumping from card to card. If the child is a little older, then they can jump on their own.
When it’s time to clear up the cards, you can call out a colour or number and race together to pick up the correct card.This game is so entertaining that when I once took it to a Saturday morning parent and toddler group one of the dads was jumping with both his 2 boys and another girl who was there.
This is very versatile as you can use the same concept for any holiday or season by making a set with the picture of your choosing on it. It’s easily transportable; it doesn’t take up much space and can be easily wiped clean of any dirt or spills when laminated.
Visit our learning about colours page for more ideas on teaching colours to children.
