Measuring the volume of liquid is an easy way for children to have a visual of more and less. Prepare the area with a waterproof tablecloth, pitchers, measuring cups and regular cups for the children to use. Use clear tap water or add food coloring to the water for a colorful experiment. Work with the children and pour different amounts of water in two cups. Ask the children which cup has more water and which cup has less water. Record the answers and discuss at the end of the experiment.
Bring scales into the classroom and have each child weigh himself. If the child is able, have him identify how many pounds he weighs. Anonymously, write the numbers on the board and quiz the class on more or less. Starting with weight "A," ask the children if "A" weighs more or less than "B." Continue through each number. The children will not only be working on more or less but learning to recognize numbers and number association.
For this activity you will need a tray and some plastic animals. Help the children determine if there are more or fewer pigs in the pen by counting. Work with children individually or as a group. Tell the child to put one pig in the tray and identify that he has one pig in the tray. Add two more pigs to the tray and ask the child to tell you if he has more or fewer pigs in the tray than before. Have him count the pigs and then remove one pig. Ask the child again if there are more or fewer pigs than before. Continue working with the child describing how many pigs are in the pen and whether there are more or fewer than before.
Children can work with the subject of more or less using money. If they are not proficient at counting money yet then use pennies only to avoid confusion. Give each child 10 pennies and separate them into two unequal groups. For example, one pile contains three pennies and the other pile has seven pennies. Ask the children to identify which pile has more pennies and which pile has fewer pennies. Start over with different pile amounts.