Go for Gold! 6 At-Home Olympic Math Activities for Preschoolers
The glowing Olympic torch, colorful country flags, and fast-paced events have my family tuned into the 2022 Winter games each night. And while we might be far away from Beijing, we found a way to harness the Olympic-sized excitement right at home. Recently, my preschooler and kindergartener put on athletic gear and participated in a family-style Olympics throughout our house. While we made up events using everyday materials and our imaginations, I realized this was also a prime opportunity to practice sportsmanship and early math.
Young children are always learning, and as the California Preschool Curriculum Framework suggests, children can practice mathematical concepts through play. Setting up simple tasks, playing games and even hosting your own Olympics are engaging ways for children to learn.
Here are some free, easy-to-set-up challenges to get your family started on your own at-home Olympics.
Ice Cube Ramp Bobsled
Bring the speed of a bobsled race indoors! Set up a ramp using a cookie sheet propped up on one side by an overturned bowl or stack of books. Then, have participants place an ice cube on the top of the ramp and have fun racing the ice cubes down the ramp. Make comparisons as you ask: Which goes further or faster? Does a melting ice cube go faster? What happens if you make the ramp steeper?
Sock Skating Doubles
Slip on a pair of comfy socks and have fun "skating" around your house. While a hard ground surface will allow for your socks to glide easier, any open indoor area will work! Pair up and create a figure skating routine with spins, leaps and maybe even a double axel. As you plan your routines, talk about the shapes you'll try to make on the floor as you skate. After all, isn't a spin just a series of circles? Take inspiration from this "Special Olympics: Figure Skating | Move to Include" video. Wear dress-up clothes and add music for some extra fun!
Cross Country Skiing Book Relay
Teams can "ski" from the starting line by sliding their feet with hardcover books underneath as skis (bare feet are the best for this, for grip). As you ski around obstacles, use location and position words to talk about how you're moving to help kids develop their spatial sense. Encourage sportsmanship and cooperative play as the whole team does its best to make it around the track before the timer goes off.
Use Shapes and Patterns on a Family Flag
Countries from around the world use math in their flags. Observe the triangles, stars, squares and patterns used in the unique designs as you watch the games. Then, get in on the fun by making your family flag using construction paper and everyday art supplies. Talk about the design and practice cutting or drawing different shapes and patterns. You can also try this flag activity from "Let's Go Luna" to replicate creating existing flags or this one from "Donkey Hodie" to make encouragement flags.
Add up Scores with Family Scorecards
Olympic athletes earn points based on their performance. For your at-home Olympics, make construction paper scorecards. Using markers, have children write numbers one through 10 on the front of the paper. You might consider using a smaller range of numbers for younger children, like one through three. Then, tape on a paper straw or spoon as the handle of the scorecard. Explain that each player will get a score as your family performs an event and talk about number order and values. Then, practice adding up the scores to get a total. Remind your family members that this is more about family fun than earning the highest score.
Medal Ceremony to Practice Ordinal Numbers
Celebrate your family's accomplishments with a medal ceremony. Discuss ordinal numbers which rank a player in first place with a gold medal, second place with a silver medal, or third place with a bronze medal. You might consider making medals from paper and rewarding the family for their efforts! Celebrate everyone's accomplishments and boost self-esteem by asking your children which of their talents or accomplishments would earn them a gold medal.
Remember, even the best athletes need to practice resilience when trying a new skill. Thankfully, we can help our children find strategies to handle disappointment or frustration when trying a sport. Watch and sing the "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" song "Your Best is the Best For You" together to celebrate individual accomplishments and abilities. Remind children that they can always "Take a Breath, Take a Breath and Try Again" like Grover in "Sesame Street."
While we laughed and had fun skating across our floor for a gold medal, the real prize for my family was finding ways of learning together through play!
