Gingerbread Man Play Dough Counting Mats
Need a fun, festive counting activity to do with little ones? Try these gingerbread man play dough counting mats to help them count up to 10. Not just for counting, but you can use the mats to practice addition and subtraction skills up to 10 as well.
Are you gathering ideas for winter lessons? You can also look through my list of free Christmas math activities for kids. That collection has helped me pull together quick plans during busy weeks, especially when my teens were younger and needed fun practice.
Play-dough mats are the perfect activity to help little ones exercise their hand muscles as they roll and pinch their play-dough. If you’re working with early learners and want something simple to set up, these mats are easy to use.
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How counting mats support early numeracy
These mats help young kids understand quantities in a clear and tactile way. They get to shape buttons for the gingerbread figure while matching the number on each page.
- Matching numerals to quantities: Kids connect the digit to the correct amount of dough pieces, reinforcing number recognition.
- Building fine motor strength: Rolling dough into small pieces strengthens hand muscles for writing.
- Practicing one-to-one correspondence: Each dough button represents a single count, helping kids keep track of numbers.
- Visualizing quantities: The ten-frame included on each page offers a simple guide for early counting work.
Recommended Christmas Books
I like using cozy seasonal stories during December lessons, so I often set aside a few Christmas-themed read-alouds that fit whatever skill we’re practicing.
Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas ForeverHow to Catch an ElfA Silly Milly Christmas (The Silly Milly the Dane Collection)Elf: The Classic Illustrated Storybook (Pop Classics)Polar Express 30th anniversary editionLittle Red Sleigh: A Heartwarming Christmas Book For Children
Skills kids can build with this Gingerbread Man printable
These mats offer a relaxed way for kids to learn through play, while still supporting essential math development.
- Number recognition: Kids connect the written digit to the correct count. This helps them become more confident when identifying numbers in other lessons.
- Counting accuracy: The mats encourage slow, careful counting as kids shape each dough button. The routine helps avoid skipping or repeating numbers.
- Fine motor coordination: Rolling and pressing dough pieces builds controlled movements. This carries over into neater pencil work during writing tasks.
Recommended Christmas printable packs
If you want to expand your December lessons, I also enjoy using a couple of Christmas-themed learning packs from my shop. They pair well with hands-on math activities and give you quick options for no-prep days.
Counting Mats Supplies
This activity uses only a few things, which makes it easy to set up during busy weeks.
- Printer (I have this one)
- Paper
- Play dough (brown or any color)
- Pencil
- Crayons
- Laminator or page protectors for repeated use
- Dry-erase markers for optional decorating
I have the HP printer 8710, but it’s no longer available. It’s been running well for years now. Consider another HP Instant Ink-ready printer so that you can use their program to send you ink cartridges whenever your printer gets low on ink.
Recommended Christmas toys
When my kids were younger, I liked keeping a few seasonal puzzles or card games nearby to continue the holiday theme during quiet learning time.
MasterPieces 100 Piece Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle for Kids – The Polar Express – 146 Pack Christmas Ring Toss Games, Gingerbread Man Inflatable Ring Toss Game,Christmas Party Games for Kids,Adults,Family,Indoor Outdoor Game Garden Toys Gifts36 Pc Puzzle/Gingerbread House, for Kids Ages 3 and UpGENMOUS Christmas Tic Tac Toe Game Board Indoor Game, 10.6 Inch Rustic Giant Tic Tac Toe with Gingerbread Man and Igloo, Xmas Coffee Table Decor, Fun for Home Room Holiday DecorationsSanta’s Rooftop Scramble is A Family Board Game Full of The Magic of Christmas Where Players Act As Santa, Collect and Deliver Presents to The Right Houses, for 2-6 Players, Ages 5+Santa Claus Old Maid – A Fun Christmas Game for Kids Ages 4+ | Classic Card Game with an Adorable Christmas Theme (Family Board Game Night, Stocking Stuffers, Gift Idea for Boys & Girls)
What’s included in the Christmas counting pack?
These pages guide kids through counting from one to ten using dough buttons placed on a gingerbread figure. Each page features a numeral, a gingerbread outline, and a ten-frame, giving young learners visual and tactile ways to understand quantities. Kids roll the correct number of dough pieces for each page, starting with one and gradually increasing to ten, building confidence as they work through the set.
As the numbers grow, the ten-frame helps kids organize their counting and check accuracy. The tasks remain simple but engaging, with room for decorating the gingerbread figure to keep interest high. By the time they reach ten, learners experience the satisfaction of completing a full frame, reinforcing number sense through repetition and hands-on practice.
How to extend the activity
These mats work well on their own, but you can pair them with other holiday-themed ideas for added practice.
- Felt gingerbread activity: Kids can use a felt gingerbread figure to repeat the same counting goal. It offers a soft, sensory alternative for hands-on play.
- Christmas skip counting worksheets: Older siblings can practice skip counting at the same table. This helps keep everyone working on seasonal math.
- Story sequencing: Create simple gingerbread-themed sequences for kids to arrange. This supports logical thinking during lessons.
- Counting with small objects: Try buttons, beads, or pom poms on the mats for a different tactile experience. Kids can compare sets and talk about which quantities feel larger.
More Christmas activities for kids
For a full month of December learning, you can pull from plenty of holiday-themed ideas below.
- Gingerbread Cookie STEM Activities
- Gingerbread Man Arts and Crafts
- Reindeer Arts and Crafts for Preschoolers
- Holiday Homeschool Activities
- Printable Christmas Matching Game For Kids by Simple Everyday Mom
- Printable Christmas Tree Math Puzzle by Darcy and Brian
I’ve used counting mats like these for years when my older kids were in early grades, and the activity always kept math calm and playful during winter days. I hope these gingerbread mats bring the same ease to your lessons.
Download the Gingerbread Man counting pages below
This fun counting activity will give your child a creative way to practice their counting and math skills. Grab it now.