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    Home » Math Activities

    Published: Apr 27, 2019 · Modified: Feb 7, 2024 by Fynn · All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post may contain affiliate links.

    Paper Clips Flower and Leaves Counting

    Paper Clips Flower and Leaves Counting
    Jump to:
    • The Best Way Children Learn
    • How to adapt this activity for children of different ages 
    • More Flower Theme Learning Activities

    The Best Way Children Learn

    I always love to create activities that are hands on because that’s just how children learn best! The children use paper clips as petals or leaves for their flowers and this adds such a fun context to this cute counting activity. As the children push each paper clip, they get to do one to one correspondence counting and work their little fingers at the same time. 

    Paper Clips Flower 1 to 1 Correspondence Counting

    Related: What’s one to one correspondence counting and how can we encourage this higher order counting in kids?

    How to adapt this activity for children of different ages 

    We have done this activity with both my 3yo and 5yo. Here are some ways I changed the activity to cater to the learning needs and fine motor skills of my children:

    1) Paper Clip Flower Petal Counting

    Paper Clips Flower 1 to 1 Correspondence Counting

    This is great for preschoolers who have good fine motor skills and are learning to count. To set up this activity, attach a cardboard circle to a popsicle stick. Write numbers 1 to 10 around the cardboard circle. Set out 10 paper clips and invite your child to push a paper clip onto the cardboard circle at each number, starting at 1.

    2) Paper Clip Leaves Counting

    Push the paper clips into the popsicle sticks as leaves for the flowers. This variation is a good for young preschoolers who find pushing paper clips onto the cardboard circle challenging. My 3yo finds it easier to push paper clips into popsicle sticks. 

    To set up this activity, attach a flower cutout to a popsicle stick. I made mine using a scallop flower punch. Write numbers 1 to 5 on each flower. Invite your child to push paper clips onto the popsicle stick as leaves according to the numbers on the flowers.

    1 to 1 correspondence counting with paper clip leaves

    Related: Monster Eyes Counting is another cute and hands on activity to practice counting.

    3) Paper Clip Flower Petal Addition / Subtraction

    This variation is great for the kindergarteners. Challenge them to solve some simple addition/subtraction problems and push in the corresponding number of paper clips based on the answers. To set up this activity, attach some cardboard circles to popsicle sticks. Write the simple addition/subtraction problems on the cardboard circles. Invite your child to solve the math problems and push paper clips onto the cardboard circle based on the answers.

    TIP: No paper clips at home? Wooden clothespins are a good alternative.

    Clothespin Flower 1 to 1 Correspondence Counting

    Related: Learn more about developing number sense in your child, and build a strong foundation for early math.

    More Flower Theme Learning Activities

    Looking for more flower theme learning activities? Our garden learning shelf is full of hands-on garden themed activities for toddlers and preschoolers.

    Another great activity for practising one to one correspondence counting is this Flower Counting Box, and this Counting Flowers Printable Activity.

    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>>

    Pin these ideas for later!

    Paper Clips Flower 1 to 1 Correspondence Counting
    Paper Clips Leaves 1 to 1 Correspondence Counting

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    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.

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    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!

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