Apple Math Game Freebie

Fall is the perfect season to bring fresh, engaging apple activities for kindergarten into your classroom, and what better way than with a hands-on, partner-friendly apple math game? This Pick the Apple Math Game is perfect for apple week, or really any time during the fall months!

It’s quick to prep, easy for students to learn, and gives them lots of counting practice, and the best part? 

You can download it for free! Plus, it’s an ideal way to sneak in important early math skills like counting, turn-taking, and teamwork… all while having fun! 

This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through the link, I earn a small commission, at no cost to you.

Why You’ll Love This Game for the Start of the Year

In those first few weeks of school, kindergarten teachers are looking for activities that:

• Let students practice working with a partner.
• Encourage taking turns and listening to each other.
• Build confidence with numbers through repeated practice.
• Give kids something hands-on so they stay engaged.

Pick the Apple checks all those boxes — plus it’s adorable on your apple-themed shelves.

Getting the Game Ready

To get this fall math activity for kindergarten ready, simply print and laminate the game mats (each player will need their own). Players will also need:

• A dot cube (dice with dots)
• 20 manipulatives to cover the apples on their board (think mini erasers, plastic math cubes, or pom-poms).

Tip: If you want to add some extra apple flair, check out these adorable apple mini erasers on Amazon; they’re a classroom favorite!

How to Play Pick the Apple: A Simple, Engaging Math Game

• Before the game begins, players cover all the white circles on their game mat with manipulatives.
• Players take turns rolling the dot cube and counting the dots they rolled. They then remove that many apples from their tree.
• The game continues with players rolling and removing apples until one player has removed all the apples from their mat. To win, the player must roll the exact number of apples left. For example, if two apples remain, they must roll a two to finish.

But Who Picks the Apple First?

Deciding who goes first is easy: have each player roll the dot cube once. The player with the highest roll starts. If there’s a tie, roll again. Easy peasy!

Fun Variations to Try

Changing the rules just a little keeps the game fresh and lets you target different skills. Here are some ideas:

1. Work Together
   Play as a team and see how few rolls it takes to clear the apples.
2. Special Number Rule:
   If you roll a 4, you add that many apples back to your tree instead of removing them.
3. Count and Clap
   Before removing apples, players clap the number they rolled. Builds number recognition + one-to-one correspondence.
4. Roll and Build
   Start with an empty board, players roll and add that many to their tree until it’s full.
5. The “1 More” Rule
   Whatever number is rolled, players add one more apple before removing them (roll a 3, remove 4). Great for early “one more” practice. You could switch this up by using The “1 Less” Rule.
6. Roll and Whisper
   Say the number quietly before removing apples. Silly, but builds number confidence.
7. Roll for a Friend
   Players roll the die for their partner instead of themselves. Builds social skills and patience, plus a little suspense!
8. Roll and Trace
   Players trace the number in the air (or on the carpet with their finger) before taking apples off their board.
9. Roll and Freeze
   Players freeze like a statue for that many seconds before removing apples. Great for self-control practice.
10. Roll and Show
    After rolling, players show the number using their fingers before removing apples. This reinforces number recognition and finger counting.

Download Your Free Pick the Apple Math Game

Ready to add this fun, interactive apple math game to your fall centers or small group activities?

*Click here to download your free copy of Pick the Apple!

More Apple-Themed Fun for September

Fall isn’t just about apples on trees; it’s about creating a warm, engaging classroom environment where kids build foundational skills through meaningful play. If you loved this apple math game, you’ll want to check out my September Math and Literacy Centers for Kindergarten. This resource includes:

• 26 hands-on centers with an apple theme
• Recording sheets for each center
• “I Can” cards to encourage student independence
• Extra practice worksheets perfect for morning work, homework, or small group lessons

Whether you’re diving into your first fall theme or just need easy, engaging apple math and literacy activities, these centers make planning a breeze and learning lots of fun!

I hope you enjoy sprinkling some apple-themed joy into your classroom this fall with these free and ready-to-go apple activities for kindergarten! Happy teaching and happy apple picking!