The Halloween candy sort: count it, graph it, set the rule
The candy pile is a math lesson and a negotiation. Sort it, count it, graph it, then agree on a daily rule together, so you're not the candy cop for weeks.
- Time
- 30 min
- Cost
- $0
- Ages
- 4 to 10
- Where
- Kitchen table
What you need
- The candy haul
- Paper, pencil and crayons
- Muffin tin or a few bowls for sorting
- A jar or bin for the keep pile
Before you start
- Check it first. FDA says eat only commercially wrapped treats, and throw out anything unwrapped, discolored, or with pinholes or tears in the wrapper.
- Little siblings. AAP says babies and toddlers (kids under 4) should avoid hard candy, gum, gummies, popcorn, small candies, pumpkin seeds, caramel apples and whole nuts. Keep the pile out of reach.
- Allergies. If your kid has a food allergy, read every label. FDA says kids with food allergies should avoid homemade baked goods. AAP's point is that even candy without your kid's allergen can be unsafe if it was made in a shared facility, so every label gets read. No label? Set it aside.
Steps
- Dump and check. Dump it out. Dad pulls anything unwrapped, torn or a choking risk.
- Sort by type. Kid names the categories and sorts into piles or a muffin tin.
- Count and guess. Everyone guesses the total. Count each pile, write it down, add it up.
- Draw the bar graph. One bar per pile. Each square = ___ pieces (pick 2 or 5 for a big haul). Which is biggest?
- Agree on the rule. Agree how many a day and when. Write the rule on the graph and post it.
- Pick the keepers. Kid picks favorites for the keep jar. Trade, give or save the rest.
If it stalls
- If they push for more a day, offer a choice: "Two a day for longer, or four a day until it's gone."
- If they melt down about the rule, point to the fridge together: "This is the rule we picked."
Total pieces
our daily rule
Our candy graphEach square = ___ pieces (2 or 5 for a big haul)
Pile names under each bar: ______ ______ ______ ______ ______
Best part: Signed by Date