Matching Bucket Activity

By Gwyn McCormack

A simple resource which has a multitude of fun, creative learning and development ideas within. Here are some ideas to inspire you from Positive Eye!

You will need:

• 1 bucket (preferably a bright coloured one, this is a metal one from IKEA)
• A selection of objects from around the environment
• A set of tickets naming the objects (laminated, if preferred)
• Velcro to attach tickets to outside of bucket
• Shapes to decorate the bucket

The resource is quick to make and can involve the child!

• Step 1: Decorate the bucket
• Step 2: Add your objects to the bucket
• Step 3: Make your tickets and Velcro to the outside of the bucket

Learning and development suggestions

Match textures

• Velcro textures to the outside and place matching texture in bucket for child to find and explore

Match shapes

• Velcro textures to the outside and place matching shape in bucket for child to find and explore

Match objects

• Velcro textures to the outside and place matching objects in bucket for child to find and explore

Match sounds

• Velcro objects/textures with different sounds to the outside and place matching sound in bucket for child to find and recognise

Match initial letter sounds

• Child to match initial letter sound on each ticket to correct object in bucket

Match words

• Child to match word on each ticket to correct object in bucket

Collect objects

• Collect objects beginning with particular letter
• Collect objects with two attributes, three attributes
• Collect natural objects (e.g. made of metal, wood, collect different shaped leaves)

Count objects

• Place number tickets on Velcro spots around bucket. Choose a number and count correct amount of objects, perhaps with a particular initial letter sound into the bucket, from a selection placed on a tray.

Capacity

• Fill the bucket with water, find out how heavy the bucket is when it is full.
• Place each object in the water find out which float and which sink.
• Make a chart on a magnetic board of those that sink and those that float.
• Fill the bucket with sand and make a massive sandcastle!
• Make a castle using the bucket to make sandcastle turrets.

Musical instrument

• Turn the bucket upside down and play it is a drum with hands, with wooden spoons! Make different sounds from loud banging to quiet tapping.

Make up a story or a poem about the bucket!

• Include the child in thinking about the story, what happened one Saturday when Dad wanted his car washing and the bucket had a hole in it, what happened next……

There are more ideas on Positive Eye’s website https://www.positiveeye.co.uk/