Do You Need to Buy Montessori Cards and Counters?

I’ve been trying to answer questions lately about which Montessori materials are necessary for homeschoolers to buy. One material you don’t need to buy is a set of cards and counters. It’s easy to create Montessori cards and counters using a variety of themes.

Here are some ideas for DIY cards and counters trays and layouts for different themes during the year. They show the simplicity of preparing your own cards and counters. Children are often much more interested in themed cards and counters than in the traditional cards and counters anyway.

Often, you can just print out 1-10 themed number cards and add glass gems or another type of counter (almost any small object – if you have 55 uniform objects). Many of the materials you use for counters can be used for other themed activities in multiple curriculum areas. So, like the recommendations in my “Montessori Practical Life Materials I Recommend Buying”, it’s a matter of buying some basic materials in the beginning (or as you can afford them) that can be used for numerous activities.

Examples of DIY Montessori Cards and Counters Using Free Printables

Fire Engine Cards and Counters

Ghost Cards and Counters

Valentine Cards and Counters

Valentine Cards and Counters Variation

St. Patrick’s Day Cards and Counters

For more ideas of DIY Montessori materials, see the complete list of my DIY roundup posts in my “DIY Montessori Materials”.

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