Pancake Number Match – Lesson plans

There is no better activity than one where you can combine plain old fun with learning. This homemade game from Coffee Cups and Crayons does exactly that. To make this game, all you need is 2o circles made out of heavy paper and a pen to write on the circles. You will also need to find a spatula – either toy or real – that can be used once you are ready to play the game.

Learn how to make and then play this game by visiting this tutorial: Pancake Number Match

Here are a few more lesson plan ideas using the Pancake Number Match activity in a play-based learning setting:

1. Pancake Stack Counting Challenge

Objective: Develop number recognition, counting, and fine motor skills.
Materials: Pancake number cards, small plates, spatula, play money (optional).
Activity:

Lay out the pancakes and have kids “cook” them in order from 1-10.
Challenge them to stack pancakes on a plate based on a given number.
Optional: Add play money so they “buy” the correct number of pancakes.

2. Pancake Addition Café

Objective: Practice simple addition and counting skills.
Materials: Pancake number cards, order slips (index cards), pretend play café setup.
Activity:

Kids take turns being a chef and customer.
The customer picks an order slip (e.g., “I want 3 + 2 pancakes”).
The chef has to find the correct pancake numbers to serve.

3. Pancake Number Hop

Objective: Enhance number recognition and gross motor skills.
Materials: Large printed pancake numbers, floor space.
Activity:

Spread out the pancake numbers on the floor.
Call out a number, and kids hop to the correct pancake.
Variation: Call out number sequences (e.g., 1, 3, 5) for them to follow.

4. Flip & Find: Odd vs. Even Pancakes

Objective: Introduce odd and even numbers.
Materials: Pancake number cards, spatula.
Activity:

Lay the pancakes number-side down.
Kids take turns flipping one over and sorting it into “odd” and “even” stacks.
Discuss patterns in odd/even numbers.

5. Pancake Recipe Fractions (for older kids)

Objective: Introduce simple fractions using a fun pretend play scenario.
Materials: Paper pancakes labeled with ½, ⅓, ¼, etc., mixing bowls, measuring cups.
Activity:

Give kids a “recipe” (e.g., “We need ½ a pancake and ¼ of another”).
Have them “cut” pancakes into the correct fractions.

Build a Flower Number Match

Bee Theme Number Matching Game

Halloween Shadow Match Game for Preschoolers

A few years ago I shared some pumpkin themed sensory activities for kids, but I wanted to get a little more general and do some fall sensory ideas that can take you from Halloween al the way to Thanksgiving.

Playdough is a classic sensory activity, especially if kids can help make it, too. These playdough recipes from The Montessori Twin Mama are fall colored and scented with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice (I honestly don’t know what the difference is!). Or try this fun maple playdough from Happy Toddler Playtime.

Throw together some cookie cutters, googly eyes and other fun things to make an easy fall playdough tray (similar to what I did on this Halloween playdough activity).

How about some fall themed slime? Natural Beach Living gave a basic slime recipe a fall twist with food coloring and glitter. Leaf shaped sequins make it even more fun. Little Bins for Little Hands also has a cinnamon slime, which is great for fall but can also carry you all the way through Christmas.

Raising Wild Things Sensory has some great easy to make fall themed sensory bottles, which you can add fall things to, or pompoms or whatever kind of I spy items you might want to include. They also have a fun apple moon sand sensory bin that has me wondering if you could add something scented to moon sand (I always hated the smell!).

And of course there are all kinds of sensory bins you can make for fall. I like this apple picking one from Happy Toddler Playtime that uses fake leaves and little apple toys. It has the added challenge of trying to pick the apples up through a mesh of branches — kind of like a low-tech game of Operation!

You can also do a short-lived sensory bin with real leaves, or use any kind of beans, brown rice, oats or lentils to make your base. Some more great ideas can be found at Fab Everyday. Their post includes some specific Halloween and Thanksgiving themed sensory bins, too.

1. Pancake Stack Counting Challenge

2. Pancake Addition Café

3. Pancake Number Hop

4. Flip & Find: Odd vs. Even Pancakes

5. Pancake Recipe Fractions (for older kids)

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