Perfect for Spring, Easter, or Anytime You Want to Hop Into Number Fun!
Spring is such a refreshing time in the classroom—our students are blooming in confidence, and we start to notice all the little ways they’re putting their math learning together. That’s exactly why I love using the Bunny Bonds Play Mats from my Math Kit Bundle 2 during this season.
These sweet little mats are perfect for teaching number bonds (part-part-whole), but today I’m sharing three simple, flexible ideas that go beyond the basics—so you can use them for warm-ups, quick reviews, or responsive teaching moments at your small group table. Whether you’re working on addition, subitizing, or building early fluency, these ideas will help you adapt the mats to meet the needs you see in your learners.
No math kit? No problem. You can still try these ideas with any part-part-whole visual—draw a bunny face on a circle spot on the desk or whiteboard, or reuse a number bond card from your collection. But if you're looking for a ready-to-go, versatile resource with play mats and tools for every season, be sure to check out my Math Kit Bundle 2!
Game 1: Look for Combinations
This game is all about speed, pattern recognition, and fluency—perfect for a short warm-up.- Roll three dice and read the numbers aloud.
- Encourage students to group two numbers that make a friendly fact—like doubles, near doubles, ten friends, or +1/+2.
- Add the third number last.
You don’t need to write anything down unless your learners are ready. I find it’s far more valuable for students to get 10 quick turns of play like this than to spend the time recording just two.
Focus on the math talk and pattern spotting. This game builds fluency one roll at a time.
Game 2: Roll, Add, and Build
This one is ideal for students who are still learning how addition looks with objects.- Roll two dice and add them together.
- Use counters, cubes, or small manipulatives to build a collection that matches the total. Place it right on the bunny's nose.
Let them count the items, touch and move them, and physically see the result of combining. This hands-on version is wonderful for early learners who need concrete experiences before moving into abstract number work.
Encourage students to check their work by re-counting or breaking the group apart again. This helps develop part-part-whole understanding naturally through play.
Game 3: Roll and Make
This is a playful way to practice decomposing numbers.- Roll a 20-sided die (or pick a target number).
- Place that number in the bunny's nose—that’s the whole!
- Use two smaller dice, number cards, or even just mental math to find two numbers that make that total. These go in the bunny’s cheeks (the parts).
Try this:
Some students might enjoy exploring multiple combinations for the same number. How many different ways can we make 10? Let them play and find out!
Why These Work (And Why the Math Kit Helps You Adapt)
These Bunny Bond Mats are more than just cute—they’re a flexible visual tool. And when you keep a little math shelf nearby with dice, cubes, counters, number cards, dry erase markers, and your Math Kit Bundle 2, you’ll always have what you need to support your students in the moment.
When you sit at the small group table and talk through these games, you’ll start noticing where students are stuck, what facts they’re fluent in, and what patterns they’re ready to explore. And the best part? You can adapt instantly—turning a warm-up into a mini-lesson, or a mini-lesson into a game—because the materials are so open-ended.
Try it this Spring!
Whether you're celebrating Easter, learning about pets, or just diving into some spring-themed number fun, the Bunny Bonds Play Mats are a gentle, visual way to bring math stories and number combinations to life.📌 Ready to try them?
Find the Bunny Bonds Play Mats and so many more flexible math tools inside Math Kit Bundle 2.