Little hands at work
First cutting practice
Short straight and curved paper routes for supervised cutting practice, with simpler ways to join in.
3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Colour, cut & stick · Free printable
Ladybird spot matching craft
Make a small collage with a clear counting or shape goal. The first page is the base picture; the next page holds the pieces. Try a dry arrangement before using glue. An adult can do all the cutting so the child can focus on choosing, counting and placing.
Take a little peekScene + pieces + assembly guide
One way to make it · your colours, your creationChoose ready-coloured artwork or a detailed colouring version.
Inside the printable
Three making pages: your illustrated base, matching cutout pieces, and a finished example with four assembly steps. Optional grown-up guidance follows.
First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.
What we’re exploring
Add three spots to each wing: six spots altogether.
A little way to play
- Print the base and pieces at the same scale. An adult supervises scissors or prepares the pieces.
- Colour the pieces before cutting if using the outline version.
- Arrange the required pieces on the base without glue, then count and check together.
- Glue the pieces when the child is happy with the arrangement.
Make it easier
An adult cuts the pieces and offers only the number needed, one at a time.
Try a little moreCount unused pieces and explain how you know the collage has the requested number. Make a different arrangement with the same quantity.
For the grown-up
Adult supervision is needed for scissors, glue and loose paper pieces. Use suitable materials and keep scraps away from children who mouth objects. Pointing and directing an adult are valid ways to take part.
Answers & naming help
Add three spots to each wing: six spots altogether. The arrangement can vary; check the number and any stated matching rule.
Ladybird spot matching craft
How do I print this?
Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.
Keep the discoveries going.
More colour, cut & create ↗Little hands at work
Cut-and-paste picture activities
Match familiar picture pairs, then cut and glue with an adult. Pre-cut pieces keep the matching game open to everyone.
3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
First numbers
Number cards 1–10
Clear number cards from 1 to 10 for matching numerals with small groups of real objects.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity