Bumblebee Thumbprint Counting
Little kids will be having so much fun with this bumblebee thumbprint activity they won’t even realize they’re practicing their counting skills.
These free custom-made printables are designed with fun and learning in mind. To use them, simply print them out (black and white versions are available as well as the full-color option), then give the child a washable ink stamp pad (we like the one by Melissa & Doug, so I’ve linked to it below). Have the child ink up his/her thumb and then stamp thumbprints on the flowers while counting in order.
Each thumbprint represents a bee at the flower gathering nectar before returning to the hive. (See below for alternatives for kids who don’t want to get their fingers messy with ink.)
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small commission on purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Skills developed in this activity:
Counting 1-13
One-to-One correspondence
Hand-eye coordination (stamping thumbprint to flower)
Fine-motor (tracing the maze)
Counting on (starting from a number other than one)
Suggested directions for the printables:
Start with the simplest printable Bumblebee Thumbprint Counting. Depending on the child’s counting ability, you may want to have them practice counting the flowers in order without using any ink at first.
When they are ready, have them ink up and make a thumbprint bee at each flower going in the order of the numbers. Don’t be surprised if they want to do this multiple times.
For any child ready for a little challenge, present the Bumblee Thumbprint Counting Maze. Again, have the child start without any ink. They “trace” the maze (the path of the bee) with their finger going from flower to flower just like a bee does to collect nectar before returning to the hive.
For an additional challenge, present the Bumblebee Thumbprint Counting Challenge sheet. It is still numbered 1-13, however the numbers are placed in random order around the page.
Tips & Alternatives:
Don’t be surprised if kids want to repeat the same activity multiple times. You may want to print multiple copies.
Kids may want to stamp their thumbprint in a color other than yellow (especially since it doesn’t show up well on white), allow them to be creative with their “bee” colors.
For kids who don’t want to get ink on their fingers, use dot markers to stamp the flowers, or have them put a yellow pom pom or button or wooden bead on each flower to represent a bee landing there.
For kids still struggling to count, show them the number line at the top of the page.
You can skip the counting practice and just give kiddos the blank flowers to stamp for fun.
An extra challenge would be to use the blank flower page as a “Counting On” skills page. Use a pen to number the flowers starting at a higher number.
Don’t forget to save this post so you’ll have it for later.
The image below is Pinnable. Thanks!
How to access the free printables:
I want you to have access to these printables, and I want your child(ren) to benefit from them, so I’m providing them for free. The B&W versions will be linked at the bottom of this post. The color versions are available to you in my password-protected Free Resource Library. Because they take a lot of time to create, I believe it’s fair to ask you to subscribe to my email newsletter mailing list in exchange for some of these custom made printables.
Visitors who subscribe to my newsletter mailing list will receive the password (immediately through email) and have full free access to all the learning printables on this site. I promise not to bombard your inbox or sell your email address. The password to the Resource Library periodically changes, so be sure to open emails from me, so you’ll always have access to the library as old favorites are updated and new ones are added. You may, of course, unsubscribe from the mailing list at any time.
To access the Free Resource Library, fill out the subscription form (below the comment box), and you will receive the link and password to the Resource Library. I hope to see you there!
Happy Learning!
Tiffiny