• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Happy Tot Shelf

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Find an Activity
  • Activity Membership
  • Learning Space
  • Free Printables
  • About HTS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Find an Activity
    • Activity Membership
    • Learning Space
    • Free Printables
    • About HTS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Math Activities

    Published: Jun 12, 2019 · Modified: Jun 26, 2023 by Fynn · All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Make this Cute Watermelon Puzzle to Teach Preschoolers Fractions

    Inside: A cute watermelon puzzle to teach preschoolers fractions

    A cute watermelon puzzle to teach preschoolers fractions

    Turns out, we don’t have to try too hard to introduce fractions to young children. 

    All around them, they see real-life examples of fractions. 

    When they fold paper.

    When they cut their birthday cake.

    When they make us share our chocolate cookie with them.

    These concrete experiences help children see the meaningful use of mathematics in their life. This is one of the best ways to for children to understand any abstract mathematical concepts.

    Jump to:
    • How do we teach preschoolers fractions?
    • How to teach preschoolers fractions with this watermelon puzzle
    • Making this Nested Watermelon Fraction Puzzle
    • Here are more Early Math Activity Ideas!

    Related: Before introducing abstract math concepts, make sure that your child has built a strong foundation of number sense.

    How do we teach preschoolers fractions?

    We can reinforce the learning by pointing out examples of fractions whenever we encounter them with our children. Use mathematical names like halves and quarters to describe what they see, like "You ate half of your pancake."

    In fact, meal times offer many authentic opportunities for teaching preschoolers fractions. Task your preschooler to pour a drink equally into two cups, break a biscuit into quarters, cut a cake in eight equal parts.

    We can also use toys to provide more hands-on opportunities for our children to explore fractions, like this brilliant Watermelon Fraction Puzzle!

    Watermelon puzzle for preschoolers to learn fractions
    Teach fractions with this DIY watermelon puzzle

    This puzzle encourages children to make a whole watermelon in different combinations. Through playing the puzzle, children get a deeper understanding of fractions as portions of a whole.

    Related: More DIY cardboard puzzle ideas – rainbow puzzle, butterfly life cycle puzzle, parts of a volcano, Christmas Tree puzzle!

    How to teach preschoolers fractions with this watermelon puzzle

    Watch this video to see this watermelon fraction puzzle in action!

    Watermelon cardboard puzzle to teach preschoolers fractions
    This brilliant puzzle shows fractions as portions of a whole.
    • Ask your child to look for equal parts. Challenge them to make a circle with the same equal parts they identified. Talk about how two ½ make a circle, four ¼ make a circle and eight 1/8 also make a circle!
    • Give your child time to put together the nested puzzle. This gives them a good visual of how halves, quarters and one-eights come together to form a whole.
    • Discuss the relative sizes of ½, ¼ or 1/8 of a watermelon. Which fraction is the biggest and which is the smallest?
    • Let your child explore the different ways to complete this watermelon nested puzzle. What combinations of ½, ¼ or 1/8 will form a whole watermelon? This activity helps to lay a strong foundation for teaching equivalent fractions in the future.
    Learn fractions with DIY watermelon puzzle
    Ask your child: What combinations of ½, ¼ or 1/8 will form a whole watermelon?

    Making this Nested Watermelon Fraction Puzzle

    Material List

    • 5 pieces of square cardboard (each 8” by 8”)
    • Paint
    • Penknife and cutting mat
    • Hot glue
    • Black marker

    Here's What to Do

    • Cut circles (each 7” diameter) out of 4 square cardboards to create 4 cardboard frames. Do not cut the last square cardboard. It will be the base of the puzzle.
    Cut circles out of square cardboards

    TIP: Cut the frames slightly bigger so that the circle pieces can fit in easily.

    • Paint watermelons on the circles. Let dry.
    • Use a black markers to add black dots on the watermelon.Cut one watermelon circle into two equal parts, another circle into 4 equal parts and the third circle into 8 equal parts. 
    • Next, stick all the frames onto the base with hot glue. Your puzzle is ready.

    Learning mathematic concepts can be fun and meaningful and totally homemade with this Watermelon Fraction Puzzle!

    Here are more Early Math Activity Ideas!

    Fore more early math activity ideas, try Counting and Addition with Monster Eyes and Learning to Measure with Worms.

    Or if you're ready for a bit more, read more about the math skill of subitising, as well as activities that can help your child develop it.

    Pin this amazing idea for later!

    Watermelon puzzle for preschoolers to learn fractions

    Bonus: Join my mailing list and download this free guide: 9 Simple Ways to Spark a Love of Learning in your Children. Get this guide now>>

    More Math Activities for Kids

    • Counting Flowers Activity for Preschoolers
    • Snail Shapes printable activity for children to learn early math
      Snail Shapes Cut and Match Activity
    • uno card games and activities for children to learn math
      Fun Learning Math Activities with Uno Cards
    • math cardinality examples and activities for preschoolers
      Cardinality Examples and Activities for Preschoolers

    Sharing is caring!

    1471 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    About Fynn

    Fynn is a Math and Science teacher from Singapore, author of The Happy Learning Book for Siblings and founder of Happy Tot Shelf. She helps parents enjoy home learning with their children through her highly popular kids' activity membership, The Happy Learners' Club. Fynn has been featured in various newspapers, websites and on radio shows as an expert in early childhood learning and creative hands-on learning ideas.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. What says

      January 27, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      These are some of the best ways to teach fractions. It presents visual objects and solid facts that cannot be forgotten in learner's mind.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there! I’m Fynn—educator, author, and mom of three. I believe a lifelong love of learning starts at home, and I’m here to help you nurture that spark. Together, let’s create joyful learning experiences that strengthen bonds and inspire curiosity for both you and your little ones!

    More about me →

    Fall Activities for Kids

    • Fun fall theme preschool activities for kids
      10 Fun & Easy Fall Theme Preschool Activities 
    • 10 simple leaf activities for 2 to 5 year old kids
      Leaf Activities for 2 to 5 Year Olds
    • Learning shelf with farm theme activities for children
      15+ Delightful Farm Theme Preschool Activities
    • Halloween ghost theme color matching activity for toddlers
      15+ Halloween Activities for Preschoolers

    Popular Posts

    • Fun number activities for kids
      10 Low Prep Number Activities for Preschoolers to Play at Home 
    • Haircut Number Game - A fun counting and cutting activity for preschoolers
      Haircut Number Game - A fun counting and cutting activity for preschoolers
    • A collage of Singapore theme learning activities for children
      9 Fun Printable Activities for Kids to Learn about Singapore
    • Easy printable phonics activities for preschoolers
      Learn to Read Part 1: Hands-On Phonics Activities for Preschoolers 

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Fynn
    • Meet the HTS Team
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of Use

    Resources

    • Activity Index
    • Activity Membership
    • Free Printable
    • Learning Space Course

    Buy my books

    • Sibling Activity Book
    • Happy Learning Math Books

    Copyright © 2023 Happy Tot Shelf

    1471 shares