Winter Fairies Counting Mats

If you have someone who’s into princesses, I’m sure they’ll love these adorable Winter Fairies Counting Mats. At least, that’s what I called them, and I am not sure what the proper terminology is. All I know is they’re a hit with the kids.

Want more winter ideas? See this list of fun winter printables for kids.

At our house, anything with a whimsical theme always gets a big reaction, and these mats were no exception. Watching them get into their imaginations while practicing a little counting along the way was so fun.

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Fun Fairy Facts for Kids

Fairies are always a favorite in our house. Whether it’s through bedtime stories or activities, they always seem to add a little extra wonder to our day. I discovered some fascinating facts from old folklore and stories as we started learning more about them.

Let me share a few fun fairy facts that your kids might enjoy, too.

• Magical Ride – Not all fairies are believed to have wings. Some legends say they travel by riding on birds or using their magic to float on the wind.
• Fairy Homes – Folklore from England and Wales suggests fairies made their homes in hollow trees or rocky nooks. These “fairy doors” became a fun tradition, with families building tiny doors on trees to invite fairies to visit.
• Origin of Fairy Dust – The idea of fairy dust became famous with Peter Pan, but older stories often mentioned magical powders that could heal, protect, or even grant invisibility. Isn’t it fun to think of fairy dust as having a history of its own?

Recommended Winter Books

Read these wonderful winter books and pair them with your cute counting mats. Add a fun snowman craft, and you’ll have a great day. Even head outdoors to build a real snowman.

There are so many great learning and outdoor activities that you can do together with your child. Have fun reading a few of these great books and then snuggling up inside to get warm.

I know I talk about reading a lot but there is a reason that I do. I’m a big believer in the fact that reading is the building block of other forms of learning. When a child can read and understand the words, they then gain the confidence needed to continue with that learning. 

Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep!Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)Sneezy the SnowmanTen Sparkly SnowflakesDo Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate?: How Animals Keep WarmThe Snowy Day

 

What are the benefits of counting mats?

When my kids first saw the winter fairy mats, their eyes lit up like it was something out of their favorite storybook. It’s amazing how the theme grabbed their attention right away.

Counting mats make numbers feel real and less confusing by letting kids physically see and touch what they’re working with. They’re also great for building fine motor skills; every time your child picks up an item and places it in the right spot, they’re developing small but important muscle movements.

What’s even better is how adaptable they are—you can use them for sorting, simple addition, or even just matching numbers. It turns learning into a fun activity that doesn’t feel like work, and that’s when the magic of learning really happens.

I’ve also noticed how incorporating fairies adds a charm that makes learning feel less like work. In the winter, when everything outside feels cold and gray, these cheerful fairies bring a bit of warmth and imagination to our day.

My kids also love pretending the fairies are helping them solve little tasks, which keeps them engaged without me even needing to say a word. It’s a subtle way to blend fun and learning, and honestly, I wish I’d thought of it sooner.

Recommended Winter Toys

Learning should never be boring. If your kids are getting bored of school stuff and learning stuff in the same old way every day, have a try at these fun and educational toys that would replenish their energies and enjoy learning again.

Colovis 16Pcs Snowman Decorating Kit, Snowman Making Kit Winter Party Kids Toys Christmas Holiday Decoration Gift(1 Pack)Mudpuppy Arctic Life Search & Find Puzzle, 64 Pieces, 23”x15.5” – Complete Puzzle to Find 40+ Hidden ImagesPLUS PLUS – Mini Maker Tube – Winter Snowflake – 70 Piece, Construction Building Stem Toy, Interlocking Mini Puzzle Blocks for KidsWild Republic Polar Nature Tube, Arctic Animals, Kids Gifts, Educational Toys, Party Favors, 13-PieceHasbro Gaming Don’t Break the Ice Game, MulticolorMAGNA-TILES Arctic Animals 25-Piece Magnetic Construction Set, The ORIGINAL Magnetic Building Brand

 

Engaging Ways to Use the Winter Counting Mats

When it’s cold outside, we like to warm up to learning more about math! We have more winter printables for kids, so you will never run out of ideas. 

• Worksheets – My daughter’s always excited to get new printable math worksheets and she’s been using her pom poms to place on the pictures and then adds them to the ten frame.
• Games – It becomes an interactive experience or else she prefers to use her bingo dabbers, if you had dot markers they would work as well.

As long as she’s learning and having fun, I’m excited to help her in any way that I can. She really loves these winter fairies counting mats, and every year when it’s cold, these are one of our go-to learning activities.

Recommended Winter Activity Kits

Winter days at home can feel extra special with a little something to keep the kids engaged. From puzzles, crafts, or little learning moments, these kits bring plenty of smiles on chilly afternoons. Try them out!

Winter Fairies Counting Activity Supplies 

All you need are the simple supplies below to get started.

• Printer (I have this one)
• Paper or cardstock
• Scissors
• Laminator

If you have a curious child as I do, they’ll love these printables. The graphics will draw them in, but the fun will have them learning in no time at all. 

And as I mentioned earlier, laminating them is key. That way, you can keep them with you in your purse or when you’re in the car, and you don’t have to worry about them wrinkling or getting ruined. You can use them easily over and over again.

What’s included in the Fairy-themed Math Printable?

These counting mats are a delightful way to add a bit of winter charm to your child’s learning. With 10 pages of beautifully designed mats, each one features adorable winter fairy illustrations that make practicing numbers so much more enjoyable.

My kids loved picking their favorite fairies and counting along with little objects like buttons or pom-poms. It’s such a fun way to practice math without it feeling like work.

Here’s why we love them:

• Encourages hands-on counting with a creative twist
• Helps kids practice number recognition and matching
• Perfect for quiet time or playful learning

Every page is designed with thoughtful details to keep the kids interested, and the winter theme just adds to the fun. It’s been wonderful seeing my kids so engaged, and they’ve even started making up little stories about the fairies as they count.

More Winter Printables

If you liked this free printable, here are a few more that you might enjoy.

• Winter Worksheets for First Grade
• Winter Worksheets for Preschool
• Winter Lacing Cards
• Winter Games Color By Addition
• Winter Money Puzzles
• Fun Winter-Themed ABC Tracing by 3 Dinosaurs
• Printable Winter Puzzles for Kids by Itsy Bitsy Fun

Even when you’re sitting together at the dinner table, you can easily make learning a fun way to communicate without your child feeling as though you’re quizzing them. Talk about their day, ask them a few random fun and funky math questions just to keep them on their toes, and then go about the conversation. They’ll think you’re silly, but they’ll be learning and won’t even realize it. 

Bring the fun home and let your kids enjoy a playful way to practice counting with these delightful mats.

Download the Winter Fairies printable pages below