File Folder Games

I started making file folder games when Oliver was two years old and found so many free resources online to help me get started.  Unfortunately I do not have the specific link for this particular game because I made it a couple of years ago, but I wanted to share the fun and simplicity of file folder games for toddlers and early elementary age kids.

This particular game is an Alligator math file folder game that is designed for kids age four or five. This game is teaching number recognition as well as how to compare numbers and recognize which number is greater than, less than or equal to another number. I love this game because the kids understand that the Alligator always eats the larger number. They are also becoming familiar with math terms and symbols that they will be using later on in Kindergarten math. This game could be easily re-created by writing numbers on pieces of paper and printing out a fun Alligator picture! The blocks that Ellie is using were helping her to visualize the numbers when deciding which one was bigger than the other.  The blocks also offer great practice with 1-1 correspondence counting.

Even though I don't have the link to make this particular game you can easily find another just like it by searching "free file folder games for preschoolers."

I did come across one of the file folder websites that I have used in the past and have provided the link below.  On this website I have made both the cupcake counting game as well as the gingerbread man counting buttons game.  Both are great for kids who are learning to count and recognize numbers!
File Folder Link:
http://www.filefolderfun.com/SearchPreschool.html

Teaching Tip:
Along with the Alligator math game I used a worksheet from the math-aids.com website.  The website can be found under the Templates/Resources tab on the home-page of my blog. Once you are on the website, the worksheet can be found under Kindergarten math skills. The worksheet can be customized for use with numbers 1-20 and gives the kids a variety of numbers to compare using the Alligator symbol above.  They also have to cut the alligators out, so I found it good practice for Oliver's fine motor skills as well. 

File folder games are an inexpensive way to bring fun learning into the home with a variety of learning topics.  All you need are some file folders, packaging tape (to laminate pieces) and a printer. I store these games in a nice file folder storage box for easy access!