If you have several different colors of chips, you can create a very simple color and number matching game with materials you probably already have in your classroom. Cover two square cardboard boxes with white butcher paper in order to create a pair of dice. On one die, color each side a different color that corresponds to the colors of chips you have available. On the other die, write a number, 1 through 6, on each side of the die. Give each student a chance to roll the dice and choose the right number and color of chips, based on his roll of the dice. The first student to collect 10 of each color chip wins the game.
Colored chips can be used to teach older preschoolers about place value. You will need a dry-erase marker for this activity. Collect several chips in each of three colors: white, blue and red. On all of the white chips, write the number 100. On the blue chips, write the number 10. On the red chips, write the number 1. Each color stands for a different place value. Show children that an easy way to represent the number 342 is to collect three white chips, four blue chips and two red chips. Allow children to manipulate the chips into numbers for you to guess. Write a few three digit numbers on index cards and ask children to show you how they would represent that number using the chips.
For very young preschoolers, colored chips can be used to help with counting or one-to-one correspondence. When children are learning to count, they are often not concerned with counting objects, but rather reciting numbers. One-to-one correspondence is the ability of children to count objects correctly. To help children achieve this milestone, allow them to count with colored chips. Ask the child to find five blue chips and then help him count out loud while he removes the chips from the group. For a simpler version of this activity, ask the child to find three or five chips, but do not specify a color.
Colored chips can be used as a way for children to cast a vote in a class voting exercise. For example, your class has received its first class pet, a turtle. The turtle needs a name, and the children have given you suggestions for three names they like. Give each child one colored chip. Create three posters that display the names and allow children to vote by placing their colored chip on the poster of the name they like best. As a large group, count the number of votes each name received and declare a winner.