This Hands-On Math leaf hole punch counting activity for preschoolers builds fine motor skills, sparks math learning, and keeps little hands busy with nature play.
Here is a hands-on math fun: leaf hole punch nature-inspired counting tree DIY! Once you make the ‘stick tree,’ you can use it for many seasons and activities. This activity reinforces rational counting till ten and promotes fine motor control.

Hands-On Math Leaf Hole Punch Counting Tree Materials and Supplies:
Below is the list of materials and supplies you will need for the Hands-On Math Leaf Hole Punch Counting Tree:
- a recycled cardboard
- sticks or branches
- a hot glue gun
- a single hole puncher
- a marker to write numbers or numerals to place next to each branch
How To Make Leaf Hole Punch Counting Tree – Step-By-Step Instructions:
First, arrange & glue the branches to the cardboard resembling a tree. (You can use any numerals and place them next to each corresponding branch or write numbers on the cardboard next to each branch.)
Next, collect some fresh fallen leaves and write numerals 1-10 on each half of a leaf. (Leave space on a leaf for punching out holes.)
Then, invite a child to punch out the corresponding quantity of holes as the number indicates.

Developmental Benefits:
This hands-on leaf punch and counting tree involves the child in skills such as; hand-eye coordination, fine and gross motor control, number recognition, 1:1 correspondence, cardinality, spatial awareness and numeral to quantity association.
Summary:
This is a fun one-to-one correspondence and numeral to quantity association activity, as the child visually and through a tactile sense matches the quantity of holes to the number.

For more counting fun, click here to make a Counting Apples Preschool Recycled Cardboard DIY Kids Numeracy Activity.

For Halloween counting fun
Click here for a video tutorial on how to make a Spider Counting | Reusable-DIY Math-Board.

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