Critter Counters: A Bug-Themed Counting Adventure for Toddlers
If there’s one thing toddlers love, it’s bugs. And if there’s one thing parents love, it’s sneaking learning into play! When I set out to teach my son how to count to 10, I turned our days into a series of bug-themed adventures. From counting spots on ladybugs to organizing with some squirmy-wormies, numbers suddenly felt fun, exciting, and totally natural. All with the help of Leif the worm!
Leif the Worm has a problem: It’s his birthday but he’s forgotten how old he is! With help from his critter friends, your little learner will count, sort, and play their way to 10 as Leif remembers just how old he is.
By the end of the week, your child will:
- Recognize and count numbers 1 through 10
- Build one-to-one correspondence skills and a strong number sense
- Help Leif solve his birthday mystery, and celebrate with a fun “Happy Birthday, Leif!” coloring page
The Activities:
Day One: Wormmates Clean-Up – Search through a sensory bin to find hidden numbers and help Leif’s wormmates tidy their messy room.
Day Two: Ladybug Lost Spots – Count and place the right number of spots on each ladybug while practicing fine motor skills.
Day Three: Hungry Caterpillar Ten Frame – Feed Leif’s hungry cousin by filling a ten frame with snacks to count to 10.
Day Four: Bumblebee Stripes – Count and organize the bees’ black stripes to help them get back in order.
Day Five: Butterfly Match-Up – Match number form to dot form to help the butterflies fix their wings and fly again.
Bring Critter Counters into Your Home
Here’s what’s inside:
- 5 story-led activities (Days 1–5)
- Finale coloring page (Leif’s Surprise)
- Printable Leif Guide pages for each day
- Simple templates for ladybugs, caterpillar, and butterflies
- Parent directions, setup notes, and adaptable tips
Learning Targets
- Build number sense (1–10, sequencing, one-to-one correspondence)
- Strengthen fine motor + problem-solving skills
- Encourage joyful parent-child connection
To complete this 5-day lesson series, you will need the following items:
- Glue
- Access to a Printer
- Kinetic Sand
- Red, Black & Yellow Construction Paper
- Small Black Sticker Dots (55 total)
- Numbers 1-10 (puzzle pieces, magnet numbers, foam numbers etc.)
- Pipe Cleaners
- 10 Small Snacks
- Black & White Coloring Utensils (crayons, pencils, markers)
- Popsicle Sticks
💡 Each activity includes setup notes and adaptable tips — no prep stress required!
This is a digital download product, fulfilled securely through Shopify! Here’s what to expect if you buy:
- You’ll receive an order confirmation email with your instant download link.
- You’ll always have access to that link if you ever need to download again.
- All instructions and material notes are included inside your file.
Thank you for supporting my small shop. I hope Critter Counters brings as much joy to your home as it has to ours!
Final Thoughts
Teaching numbers doesn’t have to be a chore, sometimes the best lessons come from the things that already spark curiosity. Critter Counters turned counting into a playful, bug-filled adventure for us, and I hope it inspires joy in your home too.
If you try these activities, tag me on Instagram @reashomegrown so I can cheer you and your little learner on!
❤️ Until next time
