One of my favorite ways to keep my kindergarten students engaged during our math block is through the use of centers. In January, I like to incorporate these winter math centers for kindergarten in our math rotations. We use these January math centers to ease back into our learning routine when we return from winter break.

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Winter Math Centers for Kindergarten

These winter math activities are easy to prep and place in a center. Optional recording sheets are included to give paper and pencil practice. My students love using these January math centers to practice teen numbers, number sequencing, comparing numbers, subitizing, addition, and more!

Subitizing

Students continue subitizing throughout the year in kindergarten with larger numbers and different ways to represent numbers. I like to include subitizing in our winter centers to continue practicing this skill. In January, we use these ice fishing subitizing cards so students can match numbers with various representations. An optional recording sheet gives students an opportunity to write the number.

Counting On

We practice counting a lot in kindergarten! This snowball counting on center gives my students practice with counting on from any given number. We talk a lot about how we don’t always have to start counting from the number 1. After laminating the center cards, students use a dry-erase marker to write the numbers from the snowball number shown.

Find and Count

In January, we continue to practice one-to-one correspondence and counting. This find and count activity is always a favorite math center! Students count the number of each item on the collage sheet. I laminate them and let my kindergarten students cross them off with a dry-erase marker. After counting the items they write the number of each item. On the recording sheet, they write which item had the most and the least.

Missing Numbers

Another math skill we review in January is sequencing numbers. Students are learning to identify the numbers that come before and after a given number. To practice this, students write the missing numbers with a dry erase marker. I provide mini erasers for counters if they need differentiation. My kids LOVE using the mini erasers in these math centers!

missing number center with recording sheet

Place Value Match

One of the main skills we work on is understanding teen numbers. Teen numbers are such a tricky concept for some kindergartners. I like to incorporate my January math centers to help students visualize and practice counting the teen numbers. Place value match gives students a chance to practice counting tens and ones. When I watch my students do this activity, I like to see if they understand counting the ten as a ten or if they count each block individually.

Teen Numbers

In addition to the mitten match, we use hot cocoa ten frames to visualize 10 and some more and count on to get to the teen number shown. Students can use counters, mini erasers, or draw with a dry-erase marker to show the number on the hot cocoa ten frames.

Decomposing Numbers

Another math concept we focus on in January is addition. We introduce the concept of addition with decomposing numbers, then eventually we work toward addition fluency. This snowman decomposing activity is a fun way to show ways to break down or decompose a number.

Addition Match

In this addition center, students match the number with the addition sentence and picture representation of each equation. This math activity is a fun way to practice addition fluency. My students have fun with this math center. One way that I challenge students who need differentiation is I add a sand timer. I challenge them to match the cards before the timer runs out. They love this!

My kindergarten students love using these winter-themed math activities after the winter break! They are great for practicing math concepts. Each center includes kid-friendly task cards that show how to do the activity. If you think your students will love these winter math centers for kindergarten as much as mine do, learn more below.