Free Snail Printables and Montessori-Inspired Snail Activities

I was thinking of doing a seashell theme for my main printables post this month. Then I realized that a snail theme would be even better … it includes shells and is a topic that my 2½-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, is in LOVE with. I often have snails near my home. Zoey is fascinated by the snails, and I noticed that the other children in the neighborhood are, too. So, snails it is!

Get ready for lots of free snail printables and hands-on snail activities!

I’m  excited to share my latest subscriber freebie … a Montessori-inspired snail pack! Here, I’m also sharing the links to free snail printables for preschoolers through 1st graders (and sometimes older). To keep my list manageable, I don’t share coloring pages unless a page has a specific educational purpose related to snails.

Montessori-Inspired Snail Activities Using Free Printables

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).

Snail Pin Poking Activity

Free Printable: Snail Pattern from Pattern Universe

For this activity, I used a Multicraft Tray, colored construction paper,  Wood-Handled Puncher from Montessori Services, and a Felt Pad from Montessori Services (Note: The Montessori Services felt pads are now black so they don’t get dirty as easily.)

(Read the push pin warning and why I recommend using the wood-handled puncher.)

Pin poking activities are very popular in Montessori schools and homeschools. Punching out the snail is a good way for young child to develop fine motor coordination and work on the pencil grip needed for writing. It’s also a wonderful activity for developing the ability to concentrate. If desired, the child can decorate the snail once it’s punched out.

Snail Color Matching

Free Printable: Color Matching File Folder – Snail Theme by The Laminating Co-Teacher at Teachers Pay Teachers

Free Printable: The color tablets I used are no longer free, but  you can get free color tablets from Montessori Album.

For this activity, I used a Multicraft tray and Montessori Services basket.

This is similar to last month’s car color matching. Even though it has smiling snails (which don’t fit with the Montessori emphasis on reality), it’s a very cute color-matching activity with isolation of quality. That is, the snails vary only in color … not in shape or size.

For the layout, I’d just lay out one column of color tablets and then have the child match the second column (unless color tablets haven’t been presented before. If not, I’d give the introductory color tablet presentation). Then the child can match the colored snails to the color matching cards (color tablets) and finally add the colored words to the layout. For older children, you could print out the extra set of color words that are on a white background.

For our floor layouts, I always use a Montessori Services hemmed work rug.

Feed the Snail Counting Game

Free Printable: Snail Numbers (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber)

For this activity, I used a Montessori Services basket, laminated leaves from a bush outside my home, and a small bamboo condiment cup to hold the leaves.

You could just use the printable to make a number basket with one number and the correct number of leaves for your child or students to count. Or you could have a matching activity with snail numbers and sandpaper numbers.

For this activity, Zoey and I played the Feed the Snail Game, a game I made up that I knew Zoey would enjoy. I turned all the numbers upside down on a rug. Then Zoey would draw a number, say what it was, and count out the correct number of leaves to “feed the snail.” Zoey loved the laminated leaves and the concept of feeding snails. She did the activity for quite awhile.

Letter S Basket and Sand Tray

Free Printables: Snail Letters for S Letter Basket and Sand Tray (part of my subscriber freebie pack, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password … or check the bottom of your latest newsletter if you’re already a subscriber)

For the letter s basket, I used a basket with small objects beginning with /s/ sound. I like introducing the cursive letter along with the manuscript one, so I included the cursive s card. I used a variety of objects starting with /s/. You could just say the phonetic sound as you or your child removes an item from the basket: for example, “/s/ sack, /s/ saxophone…”

Some of the objects are ones I had at home (especially Safari Ltd. TOOB objects), although most are from Montessori Services (they have individual phonetic objects or a whole set available).

For the letter s sand tray, I used the wooden tray from the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Shapes. You can use whatever tray or container work best for you, though. For the sand, I sterilized sand from outdoors by baking it for 30 minutes at 200F. You can also buy sand on Amazon.

Snail Game for Beginning Blends

Free Printable: Game for Beginning Blends from The Measured Mom

For this activity, I used a a Multicraft tray, dice, any type of game pieces (I used glass gems), and a small bamboo condiment cup to hold the pieces.

You’ll find directions for playing the game at The Measured Mom. If you’d like to play it as a cooperative game, you could use one game piece and simply take turns moving the piece.

Making a Snail Enemies Wheel

Free Printable: Snails Study and Lapbook by Wende at Homeschool Share

For this activity, I used a Multicraft tray, Fiskar scissors, a glue stick, and brads to connect the two wheels.

Not only is this a good activity to help kids work on cutting and gluing skills, but it’s a fun introduction to snail predators.

Free Snail Printables for Preschoolers-First Graders (some printables for up to grade 3)

Montessori-Inspired Snail Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, and DIY Movable Alphabet (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber)

• Snail Printables from Happy Hearts at Home
• Printable Snail Shape from Printable Treats
• Snail Dot to Dot Printable from Kidsround
• Snail Sorting from Great Kids
• Count 1 to 100 Snail Printable from Artsy Momma
• Crawly Creatures 3-Part Cards from 1+1+1=1
• Pond Life Preschool Pack from Homeschool Creations
• Snail Crafts and Activities (some printables are for members only and others are free for anyone) from Danielle’s Place
• How to Draw an Apple Snail Printable from Drawing Tutorials
• How to Draw a Giant African Snail from Drawing Tutorials
• Mystery Picture – Subtraction from TeAchnology
• Snail Printables from Teachers Pay Teachers

Helpful Post with Animal Classification

Montessori Animal Classification

Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!

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