If you're looking for a playful, hands-on way to build number recognition and fine motor skills in young children, these Ice Cream Scoop Counting Play Dough Mats are the perfect addition to your lesson plans.
Designed for preschool and early kindergarten students, this free download makes it easy to introduce early math concepts in a fun and engaging way.
These printable math mats are a great way to combine learning with sensory play, making them ideal for preschool teachers, homeschool families, and even parents looking for educational screen-free activities.
What’s Included
This free set includes ten ice cream-themed play dough mats, each one focused on counting from 1 to 10. On each mat, young learners will find:
- A bold number for identification and finger tracing
- A lowercase number word to trace
- A large ice cream cone image with space to stack play dough scoops
- Plenty of space to add creative toppings for extra fun
These mats encourage children to see, say, trace, and build each number, making them an ideal multisensory math resource.
How to Prepare and Store
To get started:
- Print the mats in color on printer paper or cardstock for more durability.
- Laminate each mat or place in a page protector for repeated use.
- Pair with play dough and a dry-erase marker for tracing.
Tip: Store your mats in a binder or use a hanging file to keep themes organized by season or unit. These mats are durable and easy to clean—perfect for busy classrooms or travel bags.
How to Use the Ice Cream Scoop Counting Mats
These play dough mats are simple to use and packed with learning potential:
- Say the number on the mat aloud.
- Trace the lowercase number word with a dry-erase marker or finger.
- Roll small balls of play dough and stack them as scoops on the cone.
- Count each scoop out loud—stopping at the target number.
Fun tip: Encourage children to make silly faces and pretend eating a huge ice cream cone or add play dough sprinkles with extra dough for imaginative fun.
Learning Goals and Benefits
These free playdough mats go beyond basic counting. They help young children:
- Practice number recognition
- Strengthen fine motor skills through rolling, pressing, and shaping dough
- Connect numerals with number words
- Build one-to-one correspondence
- Practice left-to-right tracking while tracing
They are also a great way to support visual learners and kinesthetic learners alike.
Ideas for Use
These mats work beautifully across many settings:
- Perfect math center in preschool or kindergarten classrooms
- Early finisher activity for students who complete work ahead of time
- Hands-on math mat in a homeschool routine
- Quiet activity for travel—use on an airplane or while waiting for a meal at a restaurant
- Part of a “sweet shop” dramatic play center
Pair the mats with counting songs, ice cream-themed books, or your favorite reference book about numbers for a full mini-lesson.
Want More Playdough Mats?
This ice cream set is just one of several themed free playdough mats available. If you're rotating through seasonal or thematic units, check out these companion posts:
- Christmas Tree Decorating Play Dough Mats (1–5)
- Fruit Tree Counting Play Dough Mats (1–10)
- Fish Aquarium Play Dough Mats (1–10)
Each set features unique graphics and provides a similar learning structure that builds confidence and fluency with numbers 1–10.
Download the Free Ice Cream Play Dough Mats
Ready to get started? Click the link below to download your free playdough mats and bring a little extra sweetness to your early math activities.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links. I only recommend products I truly love and use myself in the classroom or at home
