Finding fun math activities for my Kindergartener is high on my to do list these days and if I can find an indoor activity that combines math and toy cars, well then… score!  This parking lot addition game was the perfect entertainment on a recent weekend morning.
My youngest son is rapidly following in his mathematics-loving brother's footsteps and, of course, they both love playing with their toy vehicles. Â I came up with this math activity for my Kindergartener, and while he was working on it he got a little help from the peanut gallery -- otherwise known as his 8 year old brother.
What you need:
- Low tack tape, such as painter's tape
- A bucket full of toy transportation
- Marker
Instructions:
First I used the tape to define a parking lot; you could do this however you want. Be creative! If you have a large piece of cardboard you could use that if your floors are carpeted. I've never had any problem removing the tape from the floor.
Write simple math problems at the top of each parking space. My Kindergartener (just 2 weeks shy of 5 years old!) is working on counting and learning number combinations so easy addition is perfect for him at this stage.
When he woke up and found the parking lot he was intrigued! I showed him the math problems and instructed him to park the number of cars (or busses, or trains…) that corresponds to the correct answer.
For the larger numbers we counted the number of cars aloud. If he was incorrect I showed him how to separate the two groups of cars to make sure he had the right amount. For example, when he parked 5 cars in the "4+2" lot, we divided the cars so he could see he had only 4 cars plus 1 car and could correct the error.
His brother loved coaching him from the sidelines. I wrote 2+2 twice, thinking repetition would be good practice, but my two little nerds called me out! "Too easy!" they shouted! "We already did that one!"Â They made me put a piece of tape over it and write 7+8. It's nice to know they don't want to rest on their laurels.
See more of our favorite math activities in action!
This game was inspired by a similar literacy game at I Can Teach My Child in which cars with lower case letters were parked in spots with upper case letters. In fact, if you look closely at the photos above you can see the tape with letters is still on some of the cars!
teachingyoungchildren says
Very cool idea to combine math with your son's passions! Thanks for co-hosting Afterschool!
Veens says
I cannot tell you how FAB this idea is, just plain perfect for the boy here! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you, Veens! My boys thought it was so fun.
writersideup says
Erica, I am always so impressed by your innovative creativity. This is wonderful! When I have grandchildren, I'll be here looking around for all kinds of stuff to do! 😀
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you so much! It makes my day to know that people enjoy my content and find it useful.
PramgaticMom says
That looks really fun! I love how the trucks and cars are different lengths so you really have to do the math!
Anna says
My one year old is all about cars... he comes into the kitchen when I'm working and tells me "Down. Cars!" so I can get down his parking garage. All your ideas for vehicle learning are going to come in handy in a year or two!!
Stephanie Whittle says
Great idea! I am featuring it this week on the AS Linky!!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Stephanie!
Sarah cooper says
It's a very cold winter day here and found this idea, so quick to create with things we have, son helped assemble it and is now playing happily! We created it on cardboard for easy storage and reuse and added some easy words he could learn to recognize such as "enter here" and "exit" and "this way out". Thanks for sharing your great ideas! Now following you on pinterest too!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for you comment, Sarah. I appreciate you taking the time to leave it. I love the idea of using cardboard. I have to admit, the tape is still on our floor! The boys like to use it in their pretend play now, too.
Cathy Dean (Life's Hidden Treasures) says
great idea!! especially for boys 🙂