Numbers & math
Fair halves
- Builds: Halves and sharing
- 10 min
- Ages 4–6
- Calm
- A little tidy-up
From the house
- A napkin or square of paper
- A slice of bread or toast
- A butter knife
- 8 crackers
- 2 plates
How to play
- Fold the napkin so the edges meet exactly: two halves the same size.
- They cut the bread in half with the butter knife while you hold the plate steady.
- Share 8 crackers between two plates, one for you and one for me, until they’re gone.
- Count each plate: if both are the same, each plate has half.
Fit it to your child
- Easier: Share 4 crackers and fold paper only, without cutting.
- Harder: Share 7 crackers: what can you do with the one left over?
Words to use
- half
- halves
- same
- fair
- share
- equal
Why it helps
Halves must be two equal parts, so folding, cutting and sharing evenly shows them what “half” really means, not just “a piece”.
Grown-up eyes: Use a butter knife only. A grown-up handles any sharp knife.