Space is something that often fascinates kids (it fascinates me too!) and I definitely have some kids who love all things outer space! I love when I can take a subject my kids are interested in and give them fun learning activities that relate, like these free Planet Counting Puzzles! These puzzles strengthen counting skills for numbers 1-50, while teaching the names of planets too!
*Pair with our Counting Activities and Centers for Pre-K & Kindergarten!
Planet Counting Puzzles
Prep these counting puzzles once and use them year after year in your small groups or math centers!
Just print (download below), laminate, and cut apart on the gray lines to create vertical puzzle strips.
I put each puzzle in its own zip top plastic bag. (The slider ones are great and quick for cleanup!) This helps the pieces to stay together and encourages kids to complete one puzzle at a time.
RELATED RESOURCE: Roll and Color Math Games for the Year
How to Play
Each counting puzzle has 10 pieces. To start, we spread them out on the table and started putting numbers in order. We didn’t try to find the smallest, though you could begin that way. Counting on from a given number can be tricky, so do what works best for your kids and adjust as needed.
We started with one number and thought about what would come before or after. For example, we grabbed 43 and then decided to see if there was a 44, and so on. Once pieces started being placed together, the process of elimination helped us complete the puzzle. We made planet Earth!
The planet name is included at the top of each puzzle, that way kids know which planet they completed!
Grab Your FREE Set of Counting Puzzles
Ready to practice counting and learning planet names all at once? Grab your free set of the Planet Counting Puzzles by clicking the large, yellow download button at the very end of the post!
More Super Fun Space Activities
Looking for more kid friendly outer space activities? Look no further! These awesome kid bloggers have 17 amazing ideas for you to try out with your kids or students!
Outer Space Bingo // Playdough to Plato
Rocket Name Puzzle // Teach Me Mommy
Space Theme Sensory Bin // Pre-K Pages
Space Counting Mats: Addition and Subtraction // Liz’s Early Learning Spot
Solar System Scavenger Hunt // Mom Inspired Life
Space Themed Matching Cards // Powerful Mothering
Outer Space Pattern Block Mats // The STEM Laboratory
Stars in Space Sticky Wall // Modern Preschool
Space Theme Grid Games // Stay at Home Educator
Counting On Planet Puzzles // The Kindergarten Connection
Aliens in Underpants Save the World // Adventures of Adam
Play Dough Constellations // Play & Learn Everyday
Solar System Bracelet // Still Playing School
Space Sensory Bin // Sugar Spice and Glitter
Space Syllables // Fairy Poppins
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Am I allowed to translate the names of the planets to Swedish to fit the needs of my students?
Hi Sofia! What a great idea, you may translate them for you students. Enjoy!