Toddler Number Matching Cookie Counting Game
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Number Matching Game for Kids: Let’s Count Cookies! (Free Printable)

Learn to recognize numbers with this fun and easy DIY cookie counting game. Great activity for toddlers and preschoolers to practice counting and number matching while having tons of fun. Simply print, glue and cut!

A little while back I saw a cookie counting felt activity set on Etsy and thought it was the cutest thing ever! Unfortunately, I thought the time and detail it took to sew chocolate chips and number was too much. On top of that, I wasn’t sure how much my train crazy toddler would be into cookies and ovens.

However, the idea of counting cookies and sticking them into a see-through oven was just too cute to pass up! Now that my toddler is finally starting to understand numbers, I decided to recreate my own version by making an easy printable.

This number matching cookie game is fun and easy to make! It comes with 12 chocolate chip cookies, a baking tray and a see through oven for kids to store the cookies. My toddler had a blast matching the cookies with the correct number on the tray as well as sliding the cookies into the oven. I’m sure your little one will enjoy it as well!

What Materials should I use to Make this Number Matching Game?

Material # 1: Cardboard (most cost friendly)

For this tutorial, I glued the printable on up-cycled cardboard boxes, applied mod podge, and cut them out. I liked the slight 3-Dimensional texture of the cardboard

Another added bonus is that it’s cheap and easy to find (you probably already have some around your house)

The only bad thing about using cardboard is that it’s difficult to cut with scissors (especially around curves). I recommend using a razor blade or utility knife, but it does require some patience to cut out all the pieces.

Material #2: Thick Foam

Thick foam (6mm) is another good option as foam is easily cut with scissors. Additionally, the 6mm foam a little 3-Dimensional depth to the game pieces and foam is also soft and squishy to hold.

If using foam, simply follow the same steps as cardboard but with foam instead. You can also apply mod podge over the pieces for a nice gloss!

Material #3: Print on regular Paper and Laminate (easiest)

This is probably the easiest option as you save yourself the step of having to glue the printable on the material of choice. Simply print, laminate, and cut out all the pieces.

For the see-through oven, cut out the white space of the oven door and oven first before laminating. This way, instead of having to glue the clear vinyl, your lamination will act as the “vinyl” so you can see through it.

I would still recommend taping a zip lock bag to the back of the oven so you can easily remove the cookies. Follow the tutorial and glue thick foam or cardboard behind the side of the oven doors to create the gap. This way, you will still be able to slide the cookies into the see through oven.

What Do I Need to Make Cookie Number Matching Game?

  1. Printable: Cookie Counting Toddler Activity – get the password by subscribing.
  2. Cardboard– upcycle an old packing box!
  3. Xacto/Utility Knife
  4. Paper Scissors
  5. Glue Stick – After trying many brands of glue stick, my favorite is Avery Brand Glue stick. It sticks well and gives you enough working time to apply the glue before drying.
  6. Mod Podge and BrushOptional, but good as a protective layer and adds a nice finish. I used Mod Podge Gloss.
  7. Quart Size Ziplock Bag
  8. Clear Vinyl – I used 8 gauge clear vinyl from Joann’s. Other options include: cutting an old clear vinyl tablecloth or cut another zip-lock bag
  9. Tacky Glue or Tape – any type (clear, packing, scotch, double sided all work)
  10. Laminating Machine (optional)
  11. Laminating Sheets (optional)

How to Make Cookies + Baking Sheet

Glue printable to cardboard by applying a very generous layer of glue stick pressing down firmly with your hands.

Note: You can also print on sticker paper to save you this step. Just directly stick on the cardboard/thick foam.

Optional – Apply a thin layer of mod podge over the printable. The mod podge acts as a sealer and give your project a nice looking finish. If you would like a thicker protective layer, allow the first layer of mod podge to dry (~15 minutes) before applying a second thicker coat. If you apply a thick layer of mod podge the first round, it tends to cause the printable to wrinkle and not look as nice.

Using Xacto/Utility knife, carefully cut out the cookies and cookie sheet. (It’s a good idea to cut over another cardboard box so you don’t ruin your table!)

Finished Cookies and Cookie baking tray.

How to Make Oven for Cookie Number Matching Game

Glue oven printable to cardboard and apply mod podge as desire. Cut out the white portion of oven door and oven.

Cut a piece of clear vinyl slightly smaller than oven door. Stick vinyl to back of oven door (I used tacky glue, but you can use double sided tape or scotch tape).

Trace opening of oven over quart sized zip-lock bag and cut it out.

Use regular tape (or double sided tape) to tape the zip-lock bag to the back of the oven.

Cut two more strips of cardboard for the side of oven and glue it down. The strips will measure about 0.75″ x 4.5″ (1.9cm x 11.4 cm). Apply more glue and stick on the oven door.

Finished Toddler Cookie Counting activity free printable

Finished! Kids, get ready to learn some numbers with this fun cookie counting game!

Ways to Play Number Matching Cookie Game

There are so many ways to enjoy this game with your child. Give these a try (or come up with your own!):

  1. Count the cookies one by one with your child, placing each cookie on the tray as you go from 1-12. You don’t need to match the number with the correct number of chocolate chips. This is suitable for young toddlers when first introducing them to numbers.
  2. Match the cookies with the correct number on the baking tray. For my toddler who is just barely learning to recognize numbers, I call out the number of chocolate chips on the cookie and have him place it on the correct spot on the baking tray.
  3. For older toddlers who have the ability (and patience) to count the chocolate chips (especially the bigger numbers), have them count the chocolate chips and place it in the correct baking tray spot
  4. After all the cookies are in their correct spot on the baking tray, you can call out a number between 1-12 and ask your child to put that cookie in the oven. For example you say “Can you find the cookie with 7 chocolate chips?”. After the child has found that cookie, you say “let’s put that cookie in the oven to bake!”
  5. For younger toddlers, you can count the number of cookies together as you drop them into the oven to bake. For example you count together “one, two, three, four…” as the child drops each cookie into the oven.
  6. Place a few cookies into the oven and ask the child, “how many cookies are in the oven?” and then you count together. This works for best for counting 6 or less cookies as the cookies overlap the more you have in the oven.
  7. Write the numbers 1-12 on 12 small sips of paper and place them into a bag. Draw a number out of the bag and ask your child to find that cookie. You can either match that cookie to their spot on the baking tray or drop it into the oven.
  8. Pretend play by baking and eating cookies together! My toddler loves to feed me the cookies he “bakes” 🙂

And after you are done matching and recognizing numbers, don’t forget to enjoy some actual chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk. Counting and playing with these cookies always makes me hungry!

To get the free pattern for this fun counting activity, simply subscribe to our email list and you will receive the password to the MindyMakes Free Resource library. The pattern is listed under the letter ‘C’ as “Cookie Counting Number Matching Activity”

DIY Cookie Couting Activity For Toddlers and Preschoolers

Finished Toddler Cookie Counting activity free printable

Great activity for toddlers and preschool kids to practice counting and recognizing numbers. Fun and easy, made with recycled materials you already have in your house!

Materials

If Not Laminating Printable

Instructions

  1. Glue printable to cardboard by applying a very generous layer of glue stick pressing down firmly with your hands. You can also print on sticker paper to save you this step. Just directly stick on the cardboard/thick foam.
  2. (optional). Apply a thin layer of mod podge over the printable. (See note 1).
  3. Using Xacto/Utility knife, carefully cut out the cookies and cookie sheet. It’s a good idea to cut over another cardboard box so you don’t ruin your table!

HOW TO MAKE OVEN

  1. Glue oven printable to cardboard and apply mod podge as desire. Cut out the white portion of oven door and oven.
  2. Cut a piece of clear vinyl slightly smaller than oven door.
  3. Stick vinyl to back of oven door. I used tacky glue, but you can use double sided tape or scotch tape.
  4. Trace opening of oven over quart sized zip-lock bag and cut it out.
  5. Use regular tape (or double sided tape) to tape the zip-lock bag to the back of the oven.
  6. Cut two more strips of cardboard strips for the side of oven and glue it down. The strips will measure about 0.75" x 4.5" (1.9cm x 11.4 cm).
  7. Apply more glue and stick it on the oven door.
  8. You are done!

IF YOU ARE LAMINATING PRINTABLE:

  1. Cut out cookies, laminate, and cut them out again.
  2. Cut out oven printable, making sure to cut out white portion of oven door and oven.
  3. Laminate oven. Cut out clear portion of oven and adhere zip lock bag to back of oven (in previous section).
  4. Stick cardboard or foam strips to side and bottom of oven door and stick it to the oven, leaving the top open.
  5. Finished!

Notes

  1. The mod podge acts as a sealer and give your project a nice looking finish. If you would like a thicker protective layer, allow the first layer of mod podge to dry (~15 minutes) before applying a second thicker coat. If you apply a thick layer of mod podge the first round, it tends to cause the printable to wrinkle and not look as nice.

Other Fun Kid’s Learning Activities You’ll Love:

Teach kids to recognize and identify colors with this fun shirt matching activity.

Kids will have a blast learning about different emotions and creating their own.

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This fun ice cream counting activity is the perfect for some summer fun.

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19 Comments

    1. so does the oven door not open? I can’t figure out the last part….do I need to glue the oven door to the little strips of cardboard. How does it open if I do that?

      1. Hi Sarah,

        If you want the oven door to open, you can put sticky velcro on the sides and top of the door. Just note that the oven door won’t hinge open though. It will just be a removable door. Hope that helps!

    1. Hi Karen,

      You will receive an email with the password to the FREE Resource Library once you subscribe. However, please be patient and allow 30 – 60minutes for the email to fly through cyberspace and also check your spam mail as it sometimes ends up there. Hope that helps. Thank you!

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