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Counting with Printable Numbers (1-10) has been so much fun this week. We have been very much into busy bags lately, the kids love them and I love that I can just pull one out to occupy them!
Today’s busy bag features counting as the main goal with number recognition (with printable numbers 1-10) as well as word reinforcement. The secondary objective is color matching.
UPDATE: The printables are now available in both Spanish and French alongside the English version!
How to make the counting caterpillar printable numbers 1-10 busy bag
To make this busy bag you will need the following.
- Free printable – now in English, Spanish & French!! (see bottom of page for links)
- Pom poms (I use the tiniest in this bag)
- Busy bag bag (optionally use a sealable plastic bag)
There are two ways you can print the 1-10 cards. For mine I printed on paper and laminated them (check this laminator, it is always going on sale!) or you could print the cards on card stock if you plan not to laminate them. I also have a nice list of laminating alternatives at the bottom of this collection of free printables.
Once you have printed and laminated your counting caterpillar cards select pom poms for each card in the corresponding colors. Keep these in a special busy bag or sealable plastic bag to make sure everything is kept together when not in use.
Once the busy bag is prepared let the kids at it! All my kids LOVE pom poms, so these were first inspected before the cards were even noticed.
The cards were then laid out and the counting and color sorting could begin!
For my 5 year old who is currently learning numbers this is was a great activity for him and for my 2 year old it was a great color sorting and fine motor skill reinforcement.
An up close shot of the actual card. That is one happy caterpillar! 😀
Related: 1-10 Counting and Tracing Numbers (Now with 11-20 Extension!)
Happy pom pom collector. Of course packing and unpacking the busy bags is another favorite of my kids!
Counting Caterpillars 1-10 in English, Spanish & French
Check out the 11-20 Counting Caterpillars!
Pin this counting caterpillar printable numbers 1-10 busy bag idea for later!
Need some more busy bags?
Check out the other creative preschool busy bags from this talented group of kid bloggers. From left to right:
- LEGO Patterns Busy Box // Mama.Papa.Bubba.
- Printable Animal Puzzles // Itsy Bitsy Fun
- Free Letter Tracing Roads // Playdough to Plato
- 5 Easy Bottle Cap Busy Bags for Tiny Tots // Best Toys for Toddlers
- Brown Bear Lacing Busy Bag // Preschool Inspirations
- DIY Car Track Busy Bag // Adventures of Adam
- Three Pretend Play Busy Bags // Lalymom
- How to Make Busy Bags: Thrift Shop Finds // ALLterNATIVElearning
- Apple Counting Busy Bag // Coffee Cups and Crayons
Marjorie says
Hi, I was unable to find the link for the Spanish printable caterpillar busy bag 1-10.
Powerful Mother Support says
I’m so sorry that I’m just now seeing this. I’ve updated the post and here is a link to the printable as well: https://www.powerfulmothering.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/counting-caterpillar-busy-bag.pdf
Amy says
Hello, I’m making my first Busy bag and I’m so excited! I’m actually going to make this wonderful Counting Caterpillar Busy bag. I was wondering and hoping actually that you could tell me if you have more Busy bag ideas for the 18 month to two year old age group? Or if you know of any other Pinners that have that age group? I would really appreciate your help. I did notice that there hasn’t been any comments left in a long time so I’m hoping that you still respond to this post. Thank you, hope to hear from you..
Nicolette Roux says
this entire book has appropriate activities 😀 enjoy
https://www.ebooktag.com/25easytomakebusybags
Hawa says
The fact that you added french… What can I say except :THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!
Sadi says
Thank you for sharing.
I work as a kindergarten teacher in Singapore,I really love busy bag activities.
Thank you so much.
Marina says
Hi, I would love to have these for my daughter, but we are Dutch.
Would you like a translation for other dutchies?
Nicolette Roux says
Hi Marina! Please send me an email at [email protected] and i’ll get you sorted with a dutch copy 🙂
Brittannica says
I noticed that you were willing to provide a dutch copy for someone; I would love to print these double-sided and was wondering if you would do a German version? Also, do you have one that counts higher, say to 12 or even 20?
Nicolette Roux says
yes! I have the 11-20 set. The link is in the post above.
Raquel Cozier says
Just printed it and can’t wait to use it with my two year old daughter. She attends Montessori School and this is a great way for her to learn her numbers and practice her colours! Thank you!
sap says
Too difficult for a computer person like me to get it to print!!
Nicolette Roux says
I am sorry you feel that way. My kids love this activity.
Sarah says
For some reason, why I print these, the images are not crisp and clean. rather, they are surrounded by pixelation (around the graphics and numbers). Did anyone else experience this? I don’t know if this is an issue with my printer or what.
Nicolette Roux says
Did you tell your printer to print it in better quality? Sometimes the default setting is quick print and it makes things fuzzy.
ilary says
What a lovely idea for a counting activity. Thank-you
Jane says
HI, would love to print these out but for some reason, when I click on the link nothing happens! any solution? Thank you.
Nicolette Roux says
The pdf will open in a new window. you can also try right click and save file to your computer.
Shellie says
What a fun idea! My two-year-old will love this. I’ll use it in our preschool co-op class too. Thank you!
Nicolette Roux says
awesome! glad you liked it
Ys ong says
Love very much. I wish to hv the beautiful caterpillar from 11….20. Thanks
Micheal says
LOVED the counting caterpillars! Any chance you have them in 11-20? We are using them in our special ed classroom for our kiddos that are working on their numbers.
Nicolette Roux says
sure thing! I’ll pop you an email when they are ready. Might be a few weeks with the new baby settling in. 😀
Stacy says
I’d love a copy of the caterpillars from 11-20 for my kindergarten class. Thanks so much!!
Nicolette Roux says
😀 I’ll drop you an email as soon as they are ready!
anne says
It is beautiful! Thanks a lot!!
Selena @ Look! We're Learning! says
So pretty and colorful! Thanks for linking up at Family Fun Friday!
Jill says
This is a great idea for a busy bag. My kids adore caterpillars!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
Great learning activity. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Jess says
This is so cute! I love this! I will have to make this for my little ones! Stopping by from the link up! – Jess
Emma Edwards (Adventures of Adam) says
Love this activity. We love pom pom activities AND numbers so perfect!
Tiffiny says
LOVE this! It’s going through my printer right now! Pinning to my busy bag board for others.
Malia {Playdough to Plato} says
Love, love, love this! What a fun way to practice numbers, colors and fine motor skills. Adding it to our must try list for the weekend. Sharing!
Mihaela says
Lovely set of printable caterpillars. Love how this easy activity can be used to learn numbers for preschoolers or for number recognition for toddlers. 🙂