These skip counting puzzles are great for kids to practice reading numerals and putting them in order. And they have the added bonus of reminding kids about different kinds of vegetables!
Creating your skip counting puzzles
Simply download the Vegetable Skip Counting Puzzles (below), print them onto card then cut along the dividing lines.
Using your puzzles
Depending on your child’s age and ability give them a puzzle and see what they do with it. They can either focus on putting the picture together, or focus on the numbers. Either way is fine as long as they’re sure to read through the numbers when they’re done as a double check.
Understanding skip counting
If they don’t yet understand what skip counting means have them make groups of two or five using buttons or other small objects. Then explain how we save SO much time by counting them in groups instead of one by one. For eg, how long does it take to say ‘5, 10, 15, 20’ compared to counting from 1 to 20. Use a stop watch to actually time the difference! Most children will be happy to work on ‘trickier’ math skills if they can see the benefits to themselves.
Essential addition strategies
If you’d like to know more about what skills are particularly important to future success in math you can read (or listen to) this interview with Dr Elida Laski.
Vegetables
Do they know all these vegetables? Can they name them? Can they find the beginning sounds or read the words? What are their favourite veggies? Do you use the name capsicum or sweet pepper?
The vegetables included in these 6 puzzles are: capsicums, carrots, chick peas, chili pepper, corn, leek, mushrooms, onion, peas, sweet peppers and tomato.
Download your puzzles
You can download your Vegetable Skip Counting Puzzles HERE. When you click on the link the printable will download straight into your DOWNLOADS folder.
Want more free skip counting puzzles?
- 8 Skip Counting Beach Puzzles
- 6 Vegetable Skip Counting Puzzles
- 8 Christmas Skip Counting Puzzles
- 8 Valentine Skip Counting Puzzles
- 8 St Patrick’s Day Skip Counting Puzzles
Wants lots of counting puzzles?
I have a pack of 122 puzzles – 61 colour and 61 black and white that cover counting on 1-100, skip counting by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s, and number words. Pop over to Teachers Pay Teachers to take a look!
Skip Counting Books
If you enjoy teaching math concepts by reading books with your little ones you might find these helpful! (Please note, these are affiliate links).
Counting by Ones
Counting by Twos
Counting by Fives
What are your favourite skip counting books?
Loved doing these puzzles as number order is so much fun making vegetables that he loves to eat!
I used vegetables for that very reason, Joan! And to encourage kids to ask questions about the veggies they don’t recognise. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed doing these puzzles together.