Learning Activities for Kids

Hundred Chart Hidden Number Game

March 4, 2021 By Terri Thompson

Sometimes you just need a super-simple idea.

You don’t have time to make a game. You don’t want to get out the craft supplies.

But, you do want to do a fun learning activity with your kids.

This simple Hundred Chart Hidden Number Game is perfect for those days when you just don’t have the time to prep an activity. Just print it out and grab some loose change. You’re ready to go.

And then, when you want to have more fun with math, you can check out all the rest of our Awesome Hundred Chart Activities here.

Guess the hidden number on the hundred chart with this easy math game for kindergarten and first grade, Hundred Chart Hidden Number Game.

This Hundred Chart Hidden Numbers game will help with number sense. Your child will need to look at the surrounding numbers to figure out the hidden number.

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Make the Hundred Chart Hidden Number Game

You’ll need a hundred chart. You can get one using the link below. Feel free to save it to your computer and use it whenever you need a hundred chart.

Click this link for your printable hundred chart.

Grab a few pennies from your change drawer and you’re ready to go.

Play the Game

Cover up one of the numbers on the hundred chart with a penny. Ask your child to guess the hidden number.

They’ll need to look at the surrounding numbers to guess.

If they’re having problems figuring out the number, you can ask a few questions:

What’s the number before the penny? Can you count up to find out the missing number?

Also, show them how they can count backwards to find the number or use skip counting by ten to figure out the number.

Extend the Fun

Make this hundred chart hidden number game harder by covering up multiple numbers. Use as few or as many as you want.
This game would work great with two or three kids. Have the kids take turns covering up numbers for each other.
Cover a whole chunk of numbers. Can you child figure out all the numbers that are hidden?

Just remember, learning activities don’t have to take a lot of work. Sometimes all you need is a super-simple idea like our Hundred Chart Hidden Number Game.

My Must-Have Hundred Chart Resources

You can find some great hands-on hundred chart toys to extend the fun.

Try a sturdy and fun hundred chart with removable numbers or put up a large hundred chart with pockets. Or, you can get a hundred chart play mat for the floor.

Check out all the fun resources I found below.

Fun Popcorn Science Experiments for Kids

February 22, 2021 By Terri Thompson

Do you love popcorn! I definitely do and so do my kids.

But, there’s more to popcorn than just a yummy snack. There’s a lot of science involved too.

So, let’s explore a little, do some popcorn science experiments, and learn while we snack.

How does popcorn pop?

Perhaps one of the simplest experiments you can do is to pop a batch of popcorn to find out how it pops.

Ask a simple question: What elements do you need to pop popcorn? (Hint: Heat) But, why does heat make it pop?

It all has to do with pressure, and the particular make-up of the popcorn kernel. There’s a tiny bit of water inside a popcorn kernel. The heat produces steam, pressure forms, and POP! You’ve got popcorn.

While you’re popping, check out this article at Wonderopolis that answers all your questions. It goes into much greater detail of all the science at work in popcorn.

So yes, your favorite salty snack is basically science at work.

Fun Popcorn Science Experiments

(Pictured left to right in above photo)

Now that we’ve talked about how popcorn works, let’s do some fun popcorn science experiments!

Use popcorn to do a fun classic experiment, Hopping Corn, with One Time Through.

What’s the difference between corn and popcorn? Explore and do some fun hands-on activities to answer this question at A Little Pinch of Perfect.

Explore volume and physical change with this fun popcorn experiment from EDventures for Kids.

Pop popcorn in a different way by popping it on the cob. Tinkerlab shows you how.

More Popcorn Science Projects

Try a popcorn and milk science experiment inspired by the book Farmer Boy. Check out Simple Living Creative Learning for all the details.

Use popcorn to compare weight with this fun science activity from Inspiration Laboratories.

Can changing how popcorn kernels are treated prior to popping change how well (or how many) they pop? Answer this questions with a fun Popcorn STEM activity from Lemon Lime Adventures.

What happens with you pop dyed popcorn? Our Whimsical Days shows you how to do this fun experiment. (Not pictured.)

Turn snack time into learning time when you do some fun popcorn science experiments.

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always have time to prep a fun science project. That’s why I love Green Kid Crafts Discovery boxes. The boxes are packed full of projects that are fun and inviting. You can choose to get a subscription or a one-off box based off of a specific theme. Any one you choose would be a lot of fun!

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

Get a monthly subscription.

Kitchen Science Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

Cat in the Hat Skip Counting Puzzle

February 19, 2021 By Terri Thompson

Do you love Dr. Seuss books?

We do! That’s why we’re going to use our favorites for some fun Dr. Seuss math games.

This fun Cat in the Hat Skip Counting Puzzle is a great way to practice counting.

Practice skip counting by tens with this fun Cat in the Hat Skip Counting Puzzle inspired by one of our favorite Dr. Seuss books.

We made this puzzle to practice skip counting by tens, but you can do anything that your child needs to work on.

Try skip counting by fives or two. Or maybe your child is still counting by ones. This versatile puzzle can work for any counting.

Supplies Needed:

1 piece each of red, blue, and white construction paper
Black permanent marker
Scissors
Laminator (optional)

How to make your Cat in the Hat Skip Counting Puzzle

Start by sketching a tall – and slightly crooked – hat on your white piece of paper. Take your inspiration from the pages of The Cat in the Hat. It doesn’t have to be a perfect replica!

Cut out your hat and trace it on both the red and the blue pieces of paper. Cut out the red hat.

Your blue piece of paper is your puzzle board, so don’t cut out that hat. Instead, trace your pencil lines with the black marker.

Add your stripes to your white and red hats. You will need 10 stripes on each hat. Use a ruler and compare the hats to make the stripes as similar as possible so you can alternate the colors. Cut apart each of your stripes.

Next, use your blue puzzle board to alternate the stripes on the hat. Starting at the top strip, write your numbers (skip counting by 10) in order from 10 through 100.

If you are worried about durability, run your puzzle board and puzzle pieces through a laminator.

Note: If you are making this game for a classroom, you will have enough stripes for 2 puzzles. You’ll just need a 2nd sheet of blue paper to make another puzzle board.

Practice skip counting by tens with this fun DIY math puzzle inspired by The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. It is such a fun math game.

How to play:

Playing the game is super-easy. Just mix up the strips and have your child complete their puzzle by putting the stripes in order. That’s it!

This Cat in the Hat Skip Counting Puzzle is a fun and simple way to practice counting by tens – or any other set of skip counting!

Cat in the Hat books

This Cat in the Hat math game is a perfect time to combine an activity with a book. So, grab a copy of The Cat in the Hat or another book featuring this fun character!

Melting Snow Science Experiment

February 17, 2021 By Terri Thompson

We’ve had plenty of snow this year, but the sub-zero temps have been keeping us inside most days.

Luckily, with the exception of a quick trip outside to gather snow, this simple melting snow science experiment is done indoors.

We used the snow to practice both prediction and observation.

Practice making predictions and observations with this simple melting snow science experiment. It's perfect to do on a cold, snowy day!

Supplies needed for your snow science experiment:

Snow (if you don’t have snow, you can use crushed ice)
4 clear jars or drinking glasses
Ruler
Notebook

Let’s start our snow science project!

Step 1:

Measure an equal amount of snow into 4 jars. We added about 2 inches of snow to each. Use the ruler to measure.

Place each jar in 4 different locations. We chose a window (on a grey, cloudy day), a dark room, the refrigerator, and outside (temp was -4 F).

Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Step 2:

Record your predictions.

We asked the question, which jar of snow will melt first?

We then ranked them from the fastest melting to the slowest.

Each girl had a chance to make individual guesses.

Step 3:

Make your first observations.

When the timer went off, the girls ran around and checked all of the jars. I was their recorder and the person elected to check the frigid outside jar.

After five minutes, we discovered that the jar in the window and the one in the dark room had already started melting. The refrigerator jar had no melting, nor did the one outside (obviously).

After making your first observations, set the timer for an additional 5 or 10 minutes. We chose five.

Step 4:

Make your second observation.

After an additional five minutes had passed, we discovered that our window jar was melting the fastest, and the dark room was second. The refrigerator jar and outside jar still showed no melting.

Step 5:

Make your final observations.

After our second observation we left to run a few errands. When we came back, we discovered that despite our initial observations, the jar in the dark room melted faster than the one in the window.

The refrigerator jar had started melting and the one outside was still as frozen as it started out.

What did we learn with our snow science experiment?

This led to a quick examination. Why did the jar in the window stop melting so quickly? The girls discovered a very cold window and a cloudy day.

My 1st grader also observed that the heater had come on and suspected that it helped speed up the melting in the dark room. I love it when their scientific minds start working!

This snow science experiment is perfect for both preschoolers and elementary students. It’s a simple way to introduce making predictions. Your older kids can practice their writing by recording all the observations in the notebook. Plus, it’s simple and safe so that your older kids can do the entire experiment on their own.

Note: This post was originally published on January 6, 2014. Updated and republished on December 29, 2018.

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

Get a monthly subscription.

Kitchen Science Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

STEAM Family Activities

Wouldn’t it be so much fun to get STEAM family activities delivered to your inbox? I think so! That’s why I’ve created this fun series, STEAM Family Fun, to be delivered to your inbox. After going through all the letters in STEAM each week with a fun activity devoted to each, you’ll start receiving a fun STEAM activity once a month. (And I’ll also pop up in your inbox occasionally if I’ve got other fun things to share.)

Fill out the form below to start receiving STEAM Family Fun in your inbox.

Fun Valentine Math Activities

February 2, 2021 By Terri Thompson

Adding with hearts. Measuring with hearts. Graphing with hearts.

There are so many fun ways to incorporate Valentine’s Day into your math activities.

I’ve gathered up some fun Valentine math activities for kids in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. You’ll definitely find something fun to do with your kids.

You'll love these fun Valentine math activities that are perfect for school and home. You'll find ideas for grades kindergarten through sixth.

No matter what your child is working on, from counting to addition to division, there’s a way to add a Valentine’s Day twist.

So, let’s get a little festive, indulge in all things hearts, and have some fun doing math.

Pre-K and Kindergarten Valentine Math Activities

Use candy hearts to practice graphing with this fun idea from Adventures in Mommydom. (Includes free printable)

This simple heart counting game from Preschool Toolkit is perfect for kids that are currently working on counting.

You can find another fun counting project at Play and Learn Everyday with this Valentine’s numbers and counting hearts activity.

Work with a ten frame with this fun Portable Valentine’s Ten Frame from Lalymom.

Count to 100 with this fun heart-themed Count to 100 Scavenger Hunt from Creekside Learning.

Practice making geometric shapes for Valentine’s Day with this geoboard activity from Little Bins for Little Hands.

First and Second Grade Valentine’s Day Math

Set up a Valentine’s Day math station to explore counting, addition, subtraction, tally marks, 3-D shapes and more. NurtureStore shows you how to set up a Valentine math station.

Play around with tangrams with this printable heart tangram from JDaniel4’s Mom.

Practice addition using beautiful red roses with this fun (and beautiful) math activity. You can find all the details at 3 Dinosaurs.

Measure using non-standard units with our fun Measuring with Hearts activity.

Little Bins for Little Hands also used non-standard units in this fun Candy Hearts Measuring activity.

Practice graphing with this fun hands-on Valentine’s idea from JDaniel4’s Mom.

Use candy hearts to practice addition with our fun Candy Heart Addition math activity.

Heal broken hearts with this fun Broken Hearts Number Bonds activity at Rainy Day Mum.

Practice addition with this printable heart-themed math mat from The Kindergarten Connection.

Compare numbers and practice greater than and less than with this fun idea from Planning Playtime.

Third Grade and Up

Learn about Möbius strips and use them to create hearts for Valentine’s Day in this project from What Do We Do All Day. This is a great project for older kids combining art and math.

Learn about the pattern of numbers called Pascal’s Triangle and create a Valentine’s Day project based off this concept with this activity from Teach Beside Me.

Practice division with a fun secret code game. Go to Royal Baloo to print out this fun Valentine’s Day Division Code Breakers activity.

Get out your hearts and have some fun doing these Valentine math activities.

My favorite math resources

We love using games to practice our math. It definitely makes learning fun. Here are some great ones you’ll love playing.

Do you want to do more activities with your kids?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

Learning Activities for Kids

Hundred Chart Hidden Number Game