Free Printable Apple Addition Mats Math Activity
These apple addition mats make learning to add fun and hands-on in preschool and kindergarten. They would be a great addition to your fall math centers!
Apple Addition Mats
We are still enjoying addition mats and this apple version didn’t disappoint. They are super simple to use, require no prep beyond printing and slipping into write and wipe pockets, and are engaging for kids.
Children love the game aspect of rolling dice and also enjoy using dry-erase markers to write on the mats. They are hands-on and give children a chance to explore addition with fun manipulatives.
Changing up the mats and using different kinds of manipulatives ensures that children don’t get bored with these fun addition mats.
Differentiating the Addition Mats
You can use regular dice for numbers 1-6 or make your own and add and subtract numbers 5-10. This is a great way to differentiate the activity for learners at varying levels of ability.
Some might be working on adding numbers 1-3 while others are adding up to 20 and still others could be working on subtraction.
You can make dice by using permanent marker on foam blocks. I wrote one number from 5-10 on each side of the block. You can use any numbers you want. Or just use regular dice that go from 1-6.
I also like to use 10-sided dice to work on adding numbers to the sum of 20. I just change the 0 to a 10 on the dice.
For subtraction, you will also need to make sure that the first dice rolled has numbers that are higher than the second dice rolled. I made a dice in one color that had numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and then I made a dice in another color that had 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4. So I repeated 2 and 3 to fill each side of the cube.
So as you can see, there are lots of ways you can change up these mats to meet the needs of all your students.
Setting Up the Apple Math Activity
Supplies Needed:
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- Apple Addition Mats (button to download is at the bottom of this post)
- Dice or foam cubes
- Apple mini erasers or apple manipulatives
- Permanent marker
- Dry-erase markers
- Write and wipe pockets (optional)
- Print the mats.
- Make dice using permanent marker on foam blocks. I wrote one number from 5-10 on each side of the block. You can use any numbers you want. Or just use regular dice that go from 1-6.
- Slide them into write and wipe pockets. If you choose to laminate, I recommend 5 mil laminating sheets because dry-erase marker comes off of them more easily. Wet-erase markers are also an option.
Using the Apple Addition Mats
Children will roll one dice and place it in the first box at the top.
Then they will put that many apples on the apple trees on the mat.
Next, they will roll the second dice and add that many apples to the trees.
Then they will count up all of the apples to see how many there are in total.
Finally they will write the equation in the spaces at the bottom of the mat.
This can be done over and over again for any period of time, which makes it perfect for math centers!
I hope your kids enjoy this fun way to practice addition and subtraction this fall!
Check out these other apple theme activities!
Apple Spin and Cover Math Game
Apple Tree Number Matching Activity