Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Teddy's Picnic Escape: Free Printable Worksheet for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Teddy's Picnic Escape is a free printable maths worksheet for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Teddy is stuck, and children set him free by opening four baskets. A grown up reads each clue aloud, and the child points, counts and marks the answer. It needs only a pencil and no screen.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children help Teddy escape by opening four picnic baskets. Each basket has a clue that the grown up reads aloud. Children count objects, compare groups, spot patterns and match shapes to unlock each one. One basket asks them to count a row of apples and write the number. There is space to answer on the sheet, and everyone can cheer when Teddy is free.
- Apple basket. Count the apples: O O O O O. Write the number.
Why start with counting and play?
Counting is the base of early maths. Children learn that number words come in a fixed order. They learn that each object gets one number word, and that the last word they say tells them how many there are. These ideas need lots of practice with real things. Picnic items are familiar, so children can picture them, touch them and talk about them easily.
Patterns and shapes sit beside counting in Reception. Spotting what comes next in a pattern builds early thinking about rules. Matching shapes teaches children to look closely and notice what is the same. A story like Teddy's escape gives each small task a reason. Children want to open the next basket, so they keep trying.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting objects
- Comparing groups
- Spotting patterns
- Matching shapes
- Writing numbers
- Listening to clues
Ideas that help with counting and patterns
- Touch and sayChildren count best when they touch each object once and say one number word for it. Slow, steady pointing stops them skipping or counting twice.
- The last numberThe last number word said tells how many there are in the group. Ask, "So how many are there altogether?"
- Patterns repeatA pattern is something that repeats in the same order. Find the part that repeats and the next one becomes easier to guess.
- Shapes stay the sameA shape keeps its name when it is turned round or drawn bigger or smaller. Look at the sides and corners to match shapes.
Key words
- CountSay the numbers in order as you point to each thing.
- NumberA word or symbol that tells us how many, like the ones we write on the sheet.
- GroupA set of things that are together.
- PatternSomething that repeats in the same order, again and again.
- MatchFind two things that are the same.
- ShapeThe outline of something, such as a circle, square or triangle.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Tell your child that Teddy is stuck and four baskets need opening to set him free.
- Read each clue aloud. Let your child point, count and mark the answer.
- Say "click" with each unlocked basket. Cheer when Teddy is free, then check with page 2 and talk about each choice.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use real apples or toy cubes to count. Touch each one as you say the number, and slide it to one side once counted so nothing is counted twice. Try one basket at a time and take a break between them.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to make their own pattern with toys and let you guess the next one. Then swap roles. Can they make a pattern with three different toys? Can they explain the rule to you?
Make it a game
Hide a toy bear somewhere in the room. Give one clue for each basket, such as a counting clue or a shape clue. After the fourth clue, let your child go and find Teddy.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child counts the same object twice, or misses one out.
Try thisSlide each object to one side as it is counted. Lining the objects up in a row also helps.
Watch forA child counts correctly but then writes a number that does not match.
Try thisAsk them to count again and say the last number slowly. Then write that number together, using a number line to check the shape.
Watch forA child says the numbers faster than they point, so the count is wrong.
Try thisSlow down. Say one number for each touch. Try counting seven counters together, tapping each one.
Talk about it
- What do you think Teddy would like to eat at his picnic?
- How did you count the objects? Did you point to each one?
- Which group has more, and how do you know?
- What comes next in this pattern? What is the rule?
- How do you know these two shapes match?
- What was the trickiest basket, and why?
Take it off the page
Teddy's real picnic
Lay out a picnic blanket and some toy food. Ask your child to count items onto plates and share them between teddies. No real food needed.
Pattern snack plates
Make a repeating pattern with safe items, like crayons, blocks or paper shapes. Ask your child to say what comes next.
Shape hunt
Walk round the house or classroom and look for circles, squares and triangles. Count how many of each you find.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Read each clue clearly, and praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers. Stop while they are still enjoying it, and come back another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas, so it suits mixed groups in Reception.
Home educators
Pair it with a teddy bears' picnic in the garden or living room. Counting real objects helps a lot at this age. The sheet is free to print again for brothers and sisters.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this sheet, children join in with counting songs and rhymes, count steps and toys, and sort things into groups. They learn that each thing gets one number word.
After this, children move on to counting further, comparing numbers and adding and taking away with real objects. In Year 1 they build on this with more number work and more complex patterns and shapes.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Teddy's Picnic Escape for?
It is for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. A grown up reads the clues aloud, so children can join in even if they are not yet reading by themselves.
- What will children practise?
Children practise counting objects, comparing groups, spotting patterns and matching shapes. The picnic escape story gives each task a purpose, because every basket needs an answer before it opens and Teddy can go free.
- Do children need to read the clues?
No. A grown up reads each clue aloud, so children do not need to read the words. They point, count and mark their answers. They may need to write a number, so help with number formation if needed.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use real objects to help. Real apples or toy cubes work well. Touch each one as you say the number, and slide it aside once counted. Try one basket now and leave the rest for another day.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another go a few weeks later. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper works well.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has help and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. Children work at their own pace, so stop when they get tired and come back another day. Page 2 has help and a stretch idea to make the activity easier or harder.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.