As the days get longer, my kids are spending more and more time outside. And with the warmer evenings comes one of my kids’ favorite activities: catching fireflies! Inspired by their love for catching these glowing bugs, I created a simple,Firefly Make 10 Math Game to play together! This game helps kids practice counting, adding and subtracting and is super easy to set up and play.

Firefly Math
As the days get longer, my kids are spending more and more time outside soaking up the summer vibes! One of their favorite evening activities is catching fireflies. There’s something magical about those glowing bugs dancing in the dusk!
To make the most of our firefly-catching adventures, I created a fun and educational game: the Firefly Math! Not only do we enjoy the thrill of catching fireflies, but we also get to practice important math skills together. This make 10 game combines counting, adding, and subtracting — all while having a blast!
Research shows that children learn better when they’re having fun, and this game is a perfect example of learning through play! Plus, it encourages teamwork and communication as we cheer each other on and strategize our moves.
So, if you’re looking for a way to blend outdoor adventure with learning this summer, I highly recommend giving Firefly Catch – a hands-on making 10 game a try! This free printable math game is perfect for preschoolers, kindergartners, and grade 1 students. You’ll be amazed at how much fun math can be when it’s combined with summer fun!
Keep the learning going with these handy making 10 worksheets pdf free, ice cream make 10 game, and thousands of other free math games
Make 10 Game
Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _______ <<. The pdf file will open in a new window for you to save freebie.
Making 10 Game
Materials Needed to Play Firefly Catch:
- Instructions and spinner (included)
- Printable jar for each player (included)
- Printable firefly cards, cut apart (included)
- Paper clip and paper fastener (or pencil) to assemble the spinner
Set-up Math Game
To set up the game, simply print the game pieces (BOTH color and black and white are included in the download) and assemble the spinner. Then you’re ready to play!
Make ten game
The object of this game is to be the first to “catch” ten fireflies.
To do so, players take turns spinning:
- If they land on a picture of fireflies, they can add that many to their jar.
- If they land on a space that says, “___ flew away,” they subtract that many from their jar.
- And if they land on “The top came off!” then, uh-oh! They remove all the fireflies from their jar because they all got away!
The first player to catch exactly ten fireflies wins. This means that if they have 8 already and spin a 3, they can’t do anything and play moves to the next player.
This game is a wonderful way for kids of multiple ages to explore math together. Preschoolers can practice counting, while older kids can practice adding and subtracting (have them find their total as they go by saying things like, “You have 6, but 2 flew away. How many will you have now?”).
This can also be a great way for kids to practice recognizing the number bonds of ten. Ask questions such as, “How many do you need now to make ten?” or, “If you have 6 right now, what are some different combinations you could spin to reach ten?”
If you have older ones, encourage them to use their mental math skills rather than re-counting their fireflies after each turn!
If you enjoy this game and like to combine math with reading, you may also enjoy this game to play along with the book, Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss!
No matter the ages of your kids, I hope you take some time to enjoy math together through play; it’s one of the best ways to learn!
Kindergarten Activities
- 50 Books for Kindergarten Book List – Books for Kindergarteners to read themselves
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- Amazing 5 Senses for kids lesson, Free Community Helpers Coloring Pages – over 20 pages, Community Helpers Printables Wheel – spin and learn, Free Kindergarten Word Search with Sight Words
- Non Standard Measurement Worksheets, Free Printable Community Helpers Matching Game
Firefly Make 10 Math Game
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- This set is for personal and classroom use only.
- This printable set may not be sold, hosted, reproduced, or stored on any other website or electronic retrieval system.
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