Monster Math Activities That will Make Your Kids Roar with Delight

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Kids and teachers alike love these fun, hands-on monster math activities. Teach color matching, counting, and number skills with these cute Halloween printables.

I think that this monster theme activity is one of my favorite resources that I have created.  You can use this fun monster printable to work on color matching and LOTS of math concepts with your kids.  The Monster Color and Counting Activity is available in my store.  The activities are a perfect addition to your Halloween theme or monster theme unit or lesson plans.  They are great for fall or any time of the year!

A printable monster math activity for kids.

Let me show you all the different ways you can use these fun math activity printables.

Preparing the Monster Math Activities

I included both full-color and black and white versions in the set.  Usually, I don’t love the black and white version….but I totally love how this one looks!  You don’t have to worry about reducing the cuteness factor when you use the ink-saving option.

To create a color matching activity, you will need to print the monsters onto different colors of paper. Astrobright paper is perfect, but you can even use construction paper.  To print on construction paper, cut the paper down to the same size as standard printing paper.

monster math activities printed on colorful paper.

After printing everything out, you can laminate them for durability.  Then, you can cut everything out on the dotted lines.  If you don’t want to mess around with cutting out eyes, just purchase large googly eyes from the craft store.

Now….check out all of the ways that you can use these monster-themed printables.

Color Matching Activities

One of the simplest activities that you can do with the monsters is color matching.  Kids can learn to recognize colors and learn to categorize items by color.

printable monster math activity with color-matched eyes for counting.

Place a variety of monster mats on a table. Spread a variety of eyes out on a table or place them in a bag or container.   Instruct your kids select an eye, name its color, and place it on the matching monster.

monster math counting and color matching activity printed on bright paper.

Monster Color Matching Game

You can make a small group game out of the color matching activities.  Give a monster mat to each child. If you have enough mats, you can give children more than one. Place the matching eyes (6 per color) in a bag or container so that kids can’t see them. Children take turns selecting an eye, naming its color, and placing it on the matching mat. The first child to add 6 eyes to his or her mat is the winner.

This is a fun way to work on colors will help your kids learn to wait and take turns.

Monster Counting Activities

Kids can use this activity for SOOOO much more than just color matching and sorting.  It’s even perfectly fine if the colors get all mixed up while practicing counting.  Encourage children to grab a number of eyes from a bag or container. As they place them on a monster mat, they can count the eyes.

green monster math activity printed on  white paper and shown with 9 eyes on it.

Monster Counting with Number Cards

Do your kids need to work on numeral recognition?  A set of 0-20 number cards are included too.

Ask your kids to select a number card from a pile and they can then place that quantity of eyes on a monster mat. If you are using number cards higher than about 8, you may find that googly eyes (purchased from the craft store) will fit on the monster mats better than the printable eyeballs.

monster math activity shown with a number 6 card and a child counted and placed 6 eyes on the monster's body.

Encouraging kids to use their index finger to trace the shape of the numerals will also help them remember the numeral the next time that they see it.

Roll a Quantity Monster Math Activity

Get out a die, out and kids can use it to determine how many eyes to place on each monster.  Early on, kids may have to count the dot pattern on the die, but soon they will be able to subitize or recognize the pattern.  When kids are ready for more of a challenge, use a pair of dice so that they have to add the numbers together.

Roll a Quantity Monster Math Game

This is my favorite monster math activity.  It’s perfect for small groups.  I recommend that you play with 2-4 players.

Give 1 monster mat and an equal number of eyes (10-20) to each child. Children take turns rolling a die and placing the rolled quantity of eyes on their monster. The first child to place all of the eyes on his or her monster is the winner.

Monster math dice counting game for kids

I like the game because you can work on different concepts with different kids as you play.    Here are a few:

  • subitizing – Do they recognize the dot pattern on the die without counting the dots?
  • counting and cardinality
  • comparing quantities – Does their friend’s monster have more eyes?
  • simple addition – What is the total when they add more eyes to their monster?
  • social skills – Kids learn to wait and take turns rolling the die.

Number Comparison

Place different quantities of eyes on two monster mats.  Challenge kids with these questions:

  • Which has more?
  • Which has less?
  • How do you know?
  • What do they need to do to make them equal?
monster math number comparison activity.  The printables are comparing the numbers 4 and 7

Constructing Numbers

The monster math activity that I want to share is constructing numbers.  Provide children with two colors of eyes and one monster mat. Ask children to place a number of eyes on the mat. Then, ask them to use a different combination of the two colors to show the number.

For example, the number 5 can be represented by 3 purple eyes + 2 green eyes.  It can also be created with 4 green eyes + 1 purple eye.  How many combinations can they create?

Great tool for teaching so very many things. Also good for coloring pages for my students

What are Teachers Saying About These Monster Math Activities?

“Great tool for teaching so very many things. Also good for coloring pages for my students” -Marla N.

“this was a great activity to incorporate colors and number sense. I was able to easily differentiate this activity for students who were simultaneously participating in it.”  Kathryn A.

“So many ways to use these! They are super cute too!”  -Sherry S.

“I LOVE this product and so did my preschoolers! So much fun and such a great way to make math exciting! We used this during October when we were learning about “feeling monsters” and it tied in SO NICELY!” -Samantha H.

Purchase the Monster Math Activity Set Today

Are you ready to work on color and math skills with your kids with this Monster Math Activities set?  Click on the link below to pick them up in my store today.

Purchase on TPT

Do you prefer to shop at Teachers Pay Teachers? You can also purchase the monster activities in my TPT Store.

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