Buzz into number sense with this hands-on, flower-and-bee-themed resource designed to make early counting practice both fun and purposeful! Busy Bees Counting is a playful way to build foundational maths skills using tactile materials and imaginative play.

With colourful flower mats, numbered cloud cards, and adorable bee counters, this activity turns counting into a sensory-rich experience. Using mini tongs and pretend pollen (pom poms or beads), students work to match numbers with quantities in a setting that’s perfect for independent play, small group learning, or early years rotations.

This game not only supports number recognition and one-to-one correspondence, but it also strengthens fine motor skills, encourages the use of mathematical language, and adds a cheerful thematic touch to your maths block. Perfect for kindy and foundation classrooms!

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Practise one-to-one correspondence and counting to 10
• ✅ Recognise and identify numerals
• ✅ Match numbers to quantities using visual and tactile materials
• ✅ Strengthen fine motor control using mini tongs
• ✅ Develop early maths language around numbers and quantities

What’s Included:

• Garden mats featuring numbered flowers
• Cloud cards with numerals for counting prompts
• Bee-themed counters for use with tongs
• Full colour and low-ink print options

Materials Needed:

• Printed and laminated garden mats, bees and cloud cards
• Mini tongs (for fine motor practice)
• Yellow pom poms, beads or counters to act as pollen
• Optional: patty pans or milk lids to place on the flowers
• Storage tub or zip lock bags to keep pieces organised

How to Use:

1. Print, cut, and laminate all parts of the resource for reuse.
2. Attach milk lids or patty pans to each flower for pollen placement.
3. Use mini tongs to add pom poms or beads to the flowers based on the number shown on the cloud cards.
4. Encourage students to count aloud as they add each piece.
5. Rotate cloud cards or challenge students to complete the mat using a set of 5–10 cards.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Include in fine motor or maths rotations for targeted number practice
• 💡 Use during morning tubs or calm starts to gently introduce maths concepts
• 💡 Add a recording sheet where students draw or write the numbers they’ve matched
• 💡 Set up as a counting station during springtime or insect-themed units
• 💡 Have students create their own cloud number cards to extend the game

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Store each mat and its matching cloud cards in a labelled zip pouch for easy access
• 💛 Provide both numeral and dot-based cloud cards to support learners at different stages
• 💛 Use this resource for observational assessments during early number sense check-ins
• 💛 Encourage counting backwards or skip counting with extension cloud cards

Busy Bees Counting is a bright and interactive way to bring numeracy to life in your early years classroom—combining maths, motor skills, and imagination all in one cheerful activity!