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Classic tales · Early math

Goldilocks size sorting activity

Which bowl belongs to Baby Bear? Compare three sizes and give each bear a bowl that’s just right.

Try the activity
Photograph of the Goldilocks precut felt set with the three bears, porridge bowls, and size labels.View this felt set on Etsy Opens in a new tab

Find the bowl that fits each bear

Prep: About 5 minutes with pieces ready · Play: About 10 minutes

Gather: Three bowls of different sizes and three bear pictures or quick sketches. Felt pieces or stick puppets work here too.

  1. Meet the bears. Tell the porridge part of the story. Line up Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear, then say which is biggest and smallest in your version.
  2. Sort the bowls. Mix up the bowls. Let children compare them side by side and arrange them from smallest to largest.
  3. Set the table. Ask children to give the biggest bowl to the biggest bear, the smallest bowl to the smallest bear, and the middle bowl to the remaining bear. Mix up the bowls and play again.

Try saying: “Which bowl is smaller than this one? How can we check?”

Make it easier: Compare just two bowls at first. Keep it going: Add three spoons of different sizes and invite children to match those to the bears.

Get the materials

Storytime Club · Annual library

One story today. More for next time.

Get the Goldilocks story PDF and matching preschool worksheets in the annual library. Use the puppets to retell the story, then pick a printable for your next learning center.

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