Understanding place value is one of the most important math skills for young learners. Once kids understand how numbers are built from ones, tens, and hundreds, they become much more confident in math. That’s why I’ve created a Place Value Mat that makes practicing these skills simple, engaging, and meaningful.
The best part? You can grab this Place Value Mat absolutely FREE.
What’s Inside the Place Value Mat?
This printable mat gives children different ways to explore and practice place value. Each section of the mat focuses on one key concept:
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Today’s Number Is – Write the number that will be used across the activity. Teachers can choose the number, or children can create it themselves.
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More and Less – Practice number sense by finding 1 more, 1 less, 10 more, and 10 less.
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Show the Value – Break the number into hundreds, tens, and ones to see the value of each digit.
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Expand the Number – Write the number in expanded form (for example, 472 = 400 + 70 + 2).
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Build the Number with Blocks – Represent the number using base ten blocks. Children can either draw the blocks directly on the worksheet or use real base ten blocks to model the number.
Add a Fun Twist – Use Number Cards
To make the activity even more exciting, try using digit cards (0–9) instead of the teacher always choosing the number.
Here’s how it works:
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Print or prepare cards numbered 0–9.
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Shuffle the cards and let the child randomly pick 3 cards.
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Put the cards together to create a 3-digit number (for example, 5, 8, 2 becomes 582).
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Now use that number to complete all sections of the mat.
This method makes the worksheet feel like a game. Children enjoy the surprise of creating different numbers each time, and no two students will have the same number to work with. It also encourages independence and keeps the activity fresh, even if you use the mat every day.
Add Real Blocks for Hands-On Learning
Another way to extend this activity is by using real base ten blocks. Instead of only drawing the blocks, children can physically build the number with unit cubes, rods, and flats. This hands-on approach helps children visualize place value more clearly and strengthens the connection between numbers and their values.
For example:
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For the number 472, children will place 4 flats (hundreds), 7 rods (tens), and 2 cubes (ones).
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After building, they can draw the same blocks in the worksheet box.
This makes learning interactive, tactile, and suitable for different learning styles.
Why Laminate the Place Value Mat?
To make the mat last longer, print it on thick paper or card stock and laminate it. Once laminated, children can use dry-erase markers to write their answers. This makes the activity reusable for daily practice without the need to print multiple copies.
Teachers can change the number each day, and children can simply wipe it clean after finishing the activity. It’s both practical and cost-effective.
Why Teachers and Parents Love This Mat
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Reusable – Laminate it and use dry-erase markers.
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Flexible – Works with teacher-chosen numbers, random number cards, or real blocks.
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Hands-On – Encourages children to build and draw with base ten blocks.
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Engaging – Adds variety to place value practice and keeps kids motivated.
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Fine Motor/Gross Motor Skills and Sensory Ideas/Activities For kids
Get Your Free Place Value Mat
This Place Value Mat is available as a free download. It’s ready to print, laminate, and use right away in your classroom or at home.
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