Bird Nest Number Hunt
Looking for a fun and hands-on way to practice number recognition with your little learners? This Bird Nest Number Hunt is a fun hands-on activity that reinforces early math skills!
How the Activity Works
Students will search for bird eggs that match the number in the nest using ten frames, sun rays, and dominoes—making it a perfect activity for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Whether you’re using it in a classroom math center or for a spring-themed activity at home, this game is sure to be a hit with your students!
Materials Needed
For this activity, you just need the following:
- free printable (at the bottom of this post)
- card stock paper
- laminator (optional)
- scissors
Before the Activity
- Print the pages on card stock paper.
- Laminate the pages for durability.
- Cut the eggs and nests out.
- Mix up the eggs and spread them on a table.
Activity Instructions
Have students find an egg and match it to a bird nest with the same number.
There are three eggs per nest. The nests included are for numbers 0-10.
Ways to Use this Printable
1. Indoor Number Hunt
- Hide the egg cards around the room.
- Place the nest cards on a table or wall.
- Children “hunt” for eggs and match them to the correct nest by number (using ten frames, fingers, dominoes, etc.).
2. Math Center Match-Up
- Set up as a self-guided center activity.
- Kids pick a nest card and search through a pile of eggs to find all matching representations.
3. Sensory Bin Search
- Hide egg cards in a sensory bin filled with shredded paper, birdseed, or pom-poms.
- Kids pull one card at a time and place it by the matching nest.
4. Roll & Match
- Roll a die.
- Find the nest that matches the number rolled.
- Search for the eggs that represent that number.
5. Memory Match Game
- Lay nest and egg cards face down.
- Kids turn over two cards at a time, trying to find a number match.
6. Small Group Game
- Use in small groups as a guided activity to reinforce number concepts and different ways to represent numbers.
7. Fine Motor Activity
- Add Velcro or clothespins to turn it into a fine motor activity where students “clip” or “stick” the egg cards to the matching nests.
Printable Download
If you’d like to use this printable in your classroom, just fill out the form below and the printable will be sent to your inbox!
Have fun with this activity!
