Numbers and counting have always been on the peripheral in our home. We count in books and define numbers when we see them, but like most things, we waited for our daughter to show interest. Then, one day, she sat down and counted as she placed her Frozen figures back in their storage basket. She made it to 12, while skipping the number seven. I was floored.

So, when planning our shark activities, I decided to include a number and counting activity to further explore this with her, reinforcing what she’s learned along the way.

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A disclaimer before we get started

When doing this activity you need to customize for your kiddos and their temperaments. For example, the shark figures are technically for ages 3+, but I know my two-year-old will do ok with them. I’ve observed her with similar figures, and she rarely puts things in her mouth anymore. Also, she is always supervised when doing these activities. But, you may want to choose different counters for this activity if you think any of the following aren’t appropriate for your child.

Always demonstrate the activity for the child, then let them work on their own unless they ask for help.

In order to do these activities, you’ll need the following supplies:

  • Ocean background & Ocean Number/Counting Cards – you can download your own ocean background for free using the form below.
  • Safari Ltd. Sharks TOOB
  • Shells, glass gems, or other ocean-related items that could be used as counters
  • White card stock
  • Color printer or access to a print center
  • Recommended: Laminator
  • Recommended: Usborne Lift-the-Flap Sharks book

Suggested activities:

These shark number and counting cards can be used three different ways, depending on the your child’s own development. Before introducing the cards, read Usborne Lift-the-Flap Sharks to learn more about sharks. The book doesn’t include all ten sharks in the Sharks TOOB, but it gives a great introduction to the topic of sharks and a few favorite types of sharks.

  1. Use one number card, and place that number of materials on the ocean background.
  2. Use two number cards and two materials, and place the number of each materials on the ocean background.
  3. Use only the number cards, and place a counter over each bubble.

Preparation instructions:

  1. Download Shark Number & Counting Activities printable (download available below).
  2. Print one set of cards.
  3. Cut out cards.
  4. Laminate, if desired (recommended for lots of use!)
  5. Play!

Download now!

Shark Number & Counting Activity Instructions

Activity one: Use one number card, and place that number of materials on the ocean background.

Supplies:

  • Ocean Background
  • One set of Ocean Number Cards
  • One type of counter (sharks, shells, glass gems, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. Set up workspace–ocean background flat on the table, number card flat on table, and bowl of markers (for these instructions, we’ll use sharks).
  2. Place the number sharks on the ocean background that is shown on the number card. If it helps, have your child place a marker over each circle on the number card as they place the sharks on the background.
  3. Repeat with different numbers.

Optional extension: Use two different markers and have your child place the same number of each marker on the ocean background. For the example shown above, the number on the table is three, so he would place three sharks and three shells.

Activity two: Use two number cards and two materials, and place the number of each materials on the ocean background.

Supplies:

  • One Ocean Background
  • One set of Ocean Number Cards
  • Two types of counters (sharks, shells, glass gems, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. Set up workspace–ocean background flat on the table, two number cards flat on table, and two bowls of markers (for these instructions, we’ll use sharks and shells).
  2. Let your child choose which number should be which marker, and have her put a sample marker on each of the number cards (as shown above).
  3. Place the number sharks on the ocean background that is shown on the shark number card. Then place the number of shells that are shown on the shell number card. If it helps, have your child place a marker (like a glass gem) over each circle on the number card as they place the sharks on the background.
  4. Repeat with different numbers.

Activity three: Use only the number cards, and place a counter over each bubble.

During our work session that I was photographing, I took a little too long with one set of photos, so my daughter set up her workspace elsewhere to do this activity. I was so proud of the independence this showed!

  1. Set up workspace–number cards flat on table and a bowl of markers (for these instructions, we’ll use glass gems).
  2. Place a gem over each bubble as you count.
  3. Trace the number with your finger and say the number aloud.
  4. Repeat with different numbers.

Other options:

The more we use these cards in our own home, the more opportunity I see with ways to use them. So, use your imagination, and I’d love to hear other ways you’ve used the cards in your home. One thing that our daughter really loves to do is just use the ocean background and the sharks and act out little shark stories. She does this in the sensory bin as well. It’s pretty adorable.

Click to see more of our S is for Shark Shark Activities

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