10+ Activity Ideas Inspired by Dr. Seuss’ Ten Apples Up On Top!
Earlier this month, I shared a fun idea for an apple picking story time, as well as printables to reinforce math skills using an apple picking theme. Later this week, I’ll be sharing a list of some of our other favorite apple themed books for fall. Today, I’m focusing on a perennial apple picking favorite, from one of the most well known children’s authors around. Read on for 10+ activity ideas to accompany Dr. Seuss’ classic Ten Apples Up On Top!
TEN APPLES UP ON TOP! BOOK:
There’s something incredibly timeless about many books written by Dr. Seuss. Ten Apples Up On Top! is one example. Written by Dr. Seuss under the name Theo LeSieg and illustrated by Roy McKie, it has certainly withstood the test of time since it’s initial publication in 1961. The narrative is a simple, silly counting rhyme that follows several animals as they stack apples on their heads. It’s a perfect fall read for young children, as it touches on the apple theme so popular in autumn, while tackling a key concept- counting to ten.
We pulled out our apple erasers to use as manipulatives as we read through the book. Younger children can simply work on one-to-one correspondence by adding an apple to a pile each time an animal counts higher. Older children will love the challenge of actually stacking the tiny apples as they count- and trust me, it’s very challenging! Keep reading to see what other extension activities some clever mamas have been using as they read Ten Apples Up On Top! with their little ones…
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TEN APPLES UP ON TOP! IDEAS:
All photos below are property of the linked blogs noted. They have been shared with permission.
From School Time Snippets:
Kristina of School Time Snippets shared SIX great ideas for extending toddler learning after reading Ten Apples Up On Top! I love the pom-pom sort idea the most, as #thelittleone is pom-pom obsessed! Be sure to click over and see the plans she’s shared.
From What Can We Do With Paper And Glue:
Ellen who writes What Can We Do With Paper And Glue is sharing the cutest building block activity. It’s so simple to turn your blocks into apples and allow your child to work on stacking skills!
From Totschooling:
Totschooling has created such cute printables to accompany Ten Apples Up On Top! They’re perfect for pairing with do-a-dots (or even with your child’s fingerprints!) to work on counting skills.
From Little Bins For Little Hands:
One of my favorite STEM-focused blogs, Little Bins For Little Hands shares SIX fun ideas to use Ten Apples Up On Top! to bring out the inner scientist and mathematician in your kids. Click over to see fun ideas like apple fractions, apple investigations, and sensory exploration.
From Living Montessori Now:
Deb, who writes Living Montessori Now has created an inviting apple themed sensory bin for little ones! She has even included a printable to easily create your own apple cubes, so be sure to go check it out.
From Buggy And Buddy:
Chelsey at Buggy and Buddy shows how to create this custom felt board set. Your child can really see themselves in the story using this idea, making it great for engaged learning! Chelsey also came up with this fun idea using play dough as another way to really help your kids see themselves within the story while they count!
From The Educators Spin On It:
Kim from The Educators Spin On It has come with a fun, hands on way to work on math inspired by Ten Apples Up On Top! See how simple it is to create the perfect magnetic manipulatives for this game.