Are you looking for an activity that gets your students using their imagination and counting at the same time? Look no further... Working on the Farm: Counting to 20 Activity is the perfect hands-on maths resource for your early years classroom!

This engaging farm-themed activity encourages students to count collections of items related to working on a farm. From hay bales to tools and animals, students will explore number concepts through meaningful images that build both counting skills and vocabulary.

Designed with flexibility in mind, this resource supports learners working toward counting to 20 but can easily be adapted for students still building confidence with numbers to 5 or 10. With high and low colour versions included, it's easy to prep and reuse in a range of classroom settings.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Count and represent numbers up to 20
• ✅ Develop one-to-one correspondence and number recognition
• ✅ Build subitising and collection-counting strategies
• ✅ Strengthen understanding of number value through visual prompts
• ✅ Engage in imaginative, farm-themed counting practice

What’s Included:

• Farm-themed counting gameboards with objects from 1 to 20
• Corresponding counting cards for each number
• Two colour variations - high colour and low colour versions
• Print-ready PDF files for easy classroom prep

Materials Needed:

• Printed gameboards and cards (preferably on thick cardstock)
• Scissors for cutting cards
• Laminator or write-and-wipe sleeves for durability
• Storage containers or envelopes for easy organisation

How to Use:

1. Print and cut the counting cards and gameboards.
2. Students look at each farm-themed card and count the number of items shown.
3. They match the card to the correct number on the gameboard or record the number independently.
4. Repeat with different cards or numbers to reinforce fluency and accuracy.
5. Use the resource in small groups, rotations, or as a fast finisher task.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as part of a farm-themed maths unit or number sense rotation
• 💡 Set up as an independent station with laminated boards for self-checking
• 💡 Use cards as a warm-up prompt - show a card and have students hold up the matching number
• 💡 Pair students to encourage cooperative counting and discussion
• 💡 Send home a low colour version for home learning and number review

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate all parts to make them last throughout the year
• 💛 Differentiate by removing higher number cards or focusing only on 1–10
• 💛 Store sets in labelled zip-lock bags or folders for easy rotation setup
• 💛 Add a timer for a fast-paced version that builds fluency through fun

Working on the Farm: Counting to 20 Activity brings counting to life through imaginative farm play, making it a meaningful and practical way to develop early number sense in Foundation and early years classrooms.