The twins are absolutely loving their first year in Reception, and I've been trying to support their learning at home through fun activities. Recently, I came across some charming wooden acorns in an Etsy listing, and I thought they'd be a delightful tool for practicing counting and sorting skills. This idea draws inspiration from Montessori and Waldorf educational philosophies.
I found a seller on eBay who offers a variety of wooden toys, including small bowls that fit perfectly with the acorns. These items are beautifully tactile, and all the kids were excited to explore them. Initially, I wasn't sure if I should paint the acorns or leave them in their natural state. But the girls were eager to add their own touch, so despite my preference for a neater, more polished finish, I decided to let them take ownership of the project.
We went with soft pastels, and the girls dove right into painting. It was such a joyful experience watching their creativity unfold.
[Image: Wooden acorns in pastel colors]
Once completed, the acorns looked adorable, though not overly perfect at the edges—something I think adds character and charm. There are countless ways these acorns can be incorporated into playtime while subtly reinforcing mathematical concepts. For instance, you can count them, then introduce simple addition and subtraction by asking, "What's one more?" or "What's one less?"
[Image: Acorns matching to colored bowls]
Another activity involves matching the acorns to corresponding colored bowls. We also experimented with counting in pairs since there were two acorns of each color.
[Image: Acorns arranged in groups of two]
One of the best parts is that the kids can use these acorns however they like. They’ve already taken to imaginative play, pretending they’re food in their pretend kitchen. It’s wonderful seeing their imaginations run wild!
[Image: Acorns as play food]
Overall, this project has been a fantastic way to engage the kids in both education and creativity. It’s amazing how something as simple as wooden acorns can spark so much joy and learning!
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