FREE Strawberry Subitizing Cards

 📝 This post, Strawberry Subitizing Cards, was originally published in 2013 and has been updated with new information and resources.

There is something about a sunny Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market that gets my teacher brain going! One look at those big, red and delicious-looking strawberries and I knew I had a math activity brewing. So I created these FREE Strawberry Subitizing Cards — perfect for practicing early math skills at home or in the classroom, and just in time for strawberry season!

What is Subitizing and Why Do We Teach it?

Before we dive into the product, it is important to know what “subitizing” is and why it is an important skill to teach young children.

Have you ever noticed how your child can look at three strawberries on the counter and instantly know there are three without counting them one by one? That is subitizing! Subitizing is simply the ability to recognize how many objects are in a small group at a glance — no counting needed. This is an important early math skill because when children can quickly recognize small quantities, it frees up their brain to focus on bigger math concepts like addition and subtraction. Think of it as building a strong foundation for future math skills, one quick glance at a time! The good news is that subitizing is easy and fun to practice both at home and in the classroom — and these FREE Strawberry Subitizing Cards make it even easier!

Strawberry Subitizing Cards

Materials Needed

✔️ FREE Strawberry Subitizing Cards
✔️ printer with colored ink
✔️printer paper
✔️ scissors

Preparing the Cards

✔️ Download and print each set of cards.

✔️ Print the cards back to back with the cover page if desired.

Ways to Use the Strawberry Subitizing Cards

The possibilities for learning and play are endless, but here are some ways I have used these cards with my boys and my students.  

📝 Note: Some of these games are best played with two sets of cards. Consider preparing two sets before beginning. 

🍓 Memory: Mix up the cards using only the dot cards, the numeral cards, or use both. Lay the cards face down in a grid on the table or floor. Players take turns picking two cards at a time, trying to make pairs.

🍓Dice Roll: Lay the cards face up in front of the players. One player rolls a die and must match their roll to either the numeral card or the matching dot card.

🍓Seed Match:  Grab some beans or other small counters. Lay the dot cards out and have your child add a bean to each strawberry while counting.

🍓Strawberry Sorting: Mix up the set of cards with numerals or the dot cards.  Have your child put them back in order. Try going backward, too!

🍓Complete the Count: Give each player 3 cards. Have the player with the number 1 start by laying their card down face up, then the player with the number 2 card places their card next to the number 1 card, and so on until all six cards are face up in order. Pretty simple game, but great for counting! Try this one backward, too!

🍓Adding Seeds: Grab 2 cards and add the number of seeds.

🍓More or Less: Place 2 cards face up and have the player determine which number is more and which is less.

Download the FREE Strawberry Subitizing Cards!

I hope you find these suggestions helpful! If you are looking for other themed subitizing games, check these out:

💡Pumpkin Subitizing Cards
💡Fall Acorn Subitizing Cards
💡Popcorn Subitizing Cards and Games

Grab our Strawberry Counting Cards 1-10 on our TPT store for more subitizing fun!

How will you use these Strawberry Subitizing Cards with your students or child? Please share your ideas in the comments below!