Activities for Preschoolers

Keeping Your Preschooler Busy Mom Alert! Avoid reliance on rigid routine—it will only frustrate you and your child. Flexibility is the key to a good relationship with your preschooler. As your child grows, introduce new activities and avoid un...

Cup of WormsTime 5 to 10 minutes Materials Clear glasses or cupsChocolate puddingCandied jelly wormsCocoa powder Directions Here is a playful party treat perfectly suited to preschool humor. Make the pudding together and spoon it into clear cups ...

Little ones love making crafts, but who has the time or money for the supplies you need to put together an amazing project? Good news - your children can make these five crafts for preschoolers using only four supplies or less. Tissue Paper Tree...

Silhouette Self-PortraitsMaterials Very large sheet of newsprint or other paper Markers, crayons, or paintDirections Have your child lie down on the floor on the paper. Trace around her, then let her fill in the details with markers, crayons, or ...

Egg Carton SpiderMaterials Black tempera paint, markers, or crayons Cardboard egg carton Scissors Black pipe cleaners Red construction paper Glue Thread or yarn Directions Using paint, markers, or crayons, color the cup sections of an egg carton....

Secret MessagesThis activity shows that water doesn't like mixing with wax.Materials White crayon or wax candle Paper, white Tempera paints PaintbrushDirections Use a white crayon or wax candle to write a message or draw a picture on a piece of w...

What's Missing? Memory GameTest your preschool child's memory skills. Can she tell what's missing in this fun game? Materials Various household objects or small toysDirections Test your preschooler's memory skills by placing a few toys or househ...

Playdough Jewelry Materials Playdough Toothpick or large, blunt needle Clear gloss enamel or nail polish String Directions Have your child roll small pieces of playdough into balls to make beads. Pierce each bead with a toothpick or large blunt n...

Nature WalkMaterials Notebook Pen or pencil Bird book (optional) Directions Take a nature walk with your child. Try to notice as many different types of trees, bugs, and birds as you can. Keep a list of what you see. If you like, bring colored pe...

Fruit and Vegetable PrintingMaterials Various fruit and vegetables Paring knife Print pad or stamp pad Paper Directions Cut fruits and vegetables into halves, quarters, circles, or any other shapes, dip into tempera paints or on a print or stamp ...

Plaster Hand and FootprintsMaterials Patch plaster or plaster of Paris 1 1/4 cups water Tin can Mixing spoon Paper plates Picture hook (optional) Directions To make the plaster mix, stir two cups of patch plaster or plaster of Paris and one and a...

Lollipop TreeMaterials Bag of lollipops Styrofoam cone ScissorsDirections Divide a bag of lollipops into three groups; one group will be used for the bottom of the tree, one for the middle, and one for the top. Set aside the group for the bottom;...

Water FightMaterials Water balloons Water pistols Garden hose, or pool of water Plastic containers Directions Using water balloons, water pistols, a garden hose, or a pool of water and some plastic containers, have a water fight with your child. ...

Playdough Printing Materials Playdough Tools for making a design (pencil, bottle cap, cookie cutter, cooking utensils) Print pad Paper Directions Roll playdough into a ball and flatten it until it is about two inches thick. On one side of the dou...

Screentime doesn't have to be devoid of any educational value. These popular, award-winning apps for kids help your toddler, preschooler, and school-age child learn about science, reading, and more in a fun, interactive environment.  Looking f...

Bubble PaintingMaterials Newspaper Liquid dishwashing detergent Shallow dish Tempera paint Straw Construction paper or other paperDirections Cover your child's work surface with newspaper. Pour a quarter cup liquid dishwashing detergent into a sh...

Styrofoam PeopleMaterials Styrofoam balls and blocks in different sizes Toothpicks Scraps of yarn and fabric Glue Markers or paint Directions Use toothpicks to join Styrofoam shapes together to form people, a snowman, animals, and so on. Glue scr...

Wash the DishesMaterials Baby bathtub or large basin Water Miscellaneous nonbreakable household items Child's toys and play dishes Soap (optional) Directions On a warm day, set a tub of water on the deck or in the backyard and fill it with plasti...