Thanksgiving Number Mats for Preschool and Kindergarten

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Looking for a Thanksgiving math center you can set up in minutes? Grab some playdough and counters! These printable Thanksgiving number mats give preschool and kindergarten kids four ways to practice numbers 1–10. They’ll say the number, count it out in a ten frame, build it with playdough, and write it on the line.

What’s Included in the Thanksgiving Number Mats?

Each turkey-themed mat focuses on one number from 1 to 10. Kids get a big numeral to build over, the matching number word to read together, a ten frame to fill, and a writing line with a dotted numeral to trace before they try it on their own.

I like that kids can see the same number in different ways right on one page. On the number 5 mat, for example, they see the numeral 5, count five counters, and notice that five fills the whole top row of the ten frame.

How to Use the Turkey Playdough Number Mats

Print the mats and set out playdough, counters, and pencils. For a center you can use all month, slip the pages into dry-erase pockets or laminate them and swap the pencils for dry-erase markers.

1. Say it. Point to the big numeral and have kids say its name. Read the number word together.
2. Count it. Have kids fill the ten frame with one counter in each square as they count aloud. Start at the top left and fill the top row before moving to the bottom.
3. Build it. Roll the playdough into little ropes and shape them over the large numeral. For 10, have kids build the 1 and the 0 side by side.
4. Write it. Trace the dotted numeral, then write it on the line. Have kids say the number one more time as they finish.

Try These Mats in Your November Math Centers

Start with numbers 1–5 in a small group if your kids are still learning to match a numeral to a quantity. Model the first mat together, then let them pick a number and try the routine on their own.

For kids who are ready for a challenge, try the 7 mat and ask, “Can you show me seven without starting your count at one?” Help them spot a full row of five and two more. Then ask how many empty squares are left.

More Thanksgiving Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten

Once your kids have practiced recognizing and building their numbers, let them put those numbers in order with my turkey number order craft and cut-and-paste worksheets. You’ll find even more ideas for November in my roundup of preschool Thanksgiving activities.