Allow your young learners to play, explore, count and create with these Apple Tree Counting Mats. These vibrant and interactive mats are designed to help students build a strong understanding of numbers from 1 to 10 while having fun with hands-on materials.

As students roll, pinch and shape play dough apples to match a given number, they’ll practise key maths skills such as number recognition, one-to-one correspondence and quantity matching. Each mat features a clear numeral and ten-frame visual, providing helpful scaffolding for early learners as they form their collections.

In addition to supporting number sense, these mats also promote fine motor development. The repeated actions of shaping small apples with play dough help strengthen finger muscles and improve coordination. These are crucial skills that support handwriting, cutting, and everyday tasks like buttoning or using zippers.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Practise counting and creating collections to 10
• ✅ Reinforce number recognition and one-to-one correspondence
• ✅ Support early subitising using ten-frame visuals
• ✅ Develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination

What’s Included

• 10 apple tree-themed counting mats (numbers 1–10)
• Clear numeral and ten-frame display on each mat
• Two versions: full colour and printer-friendly

Materials Needed

• Printed counting mats (laminate or use in write-and-wipe sleeves)
• Play dough in red, green or yellow to make apples
• Optional: tweezers, tongs or pom poms for alternative manipulatives

How to Use

1. Choose a mat with a focus number between 1 and 10
2. Students use play dough to create that many apples
3. Place apples onto the tree graphic or within the ten frame
4. Encourage students to count aloud as they add each apple
5. Repeat with different mats for extended counting practise

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Add to a fine motor station or early finisher tub
• 💡 Use in small group maths rotations for counting practise
• 💡 Create a seasonal maths display with students’ apple creations
• 💡 Pair with apple-themed stories for a cross-curricular experience

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Use a mix of red and green play dough to encourage simple addition and colour sorting
• 💛 Store mats with a small tub of play dough in individual containers for easy grab-and-go use
• 💛 Print a black and white version for students to colour and take home as a DIY maths tool

Apple Tree Counting Mats is a great way to build number sense through multisensory learning while supporting essential motor development. Use again and again for a fun, functional addition to your early years maths toolkit.