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
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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Thank you so much for explaining all this to us, Deb!
Thanks, Carolyn! I really love creating themed cards and counters. 🙂
We love to use different counters around here specially those tiny erasers from the dollar spot at Target which are great for some seasonal-themed math. Awesome post!
Thanks, Maria! Tiny erasers are a great invention, aren’t they?! 🙂
I love all your counter cards!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!