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...

Newspaper GolfMake golf clubs out of newspaper and tape, and your preschooler can play golf indoors.Materials Newspaper Tape Golf or tennis balls Masking tape or paperDirections Make golf clubs for each player by rolling up several sheets of news...

I Spy Word RecognitionDirections This word game can help develop your child's shape and color recognition skills. As you drive or walk along, say "I spy with my little eye something that is orange," or "... something that is square." Your child w...

Berry PickingMaterials Sunscreen Sun hat Bag lunch Juice Books Directions Every child should pick berries at least once in her life! Kids find strawberries the easiest to pick, as they are low to the ground, easy to see, and have no thorns. Find...

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...

Connect-the-DotsMaterials Paper Pen or marker CrayonDirections Draw a large dot-to-dot outline of your child's name on paper. Have her use a crayon to connect the dots to spell her name. ...

Name-Spelling GameUsing letter flash cards, teach your preschool child to spell his name.Materials Index cards Pen or markerDirections Print each letter in your child's name on an index card. Lay them out to spell your child's name. Mix them up a...

Obstacle CourseMaterials Miscellaneous outdoor objects Directions Use a variety of outdoor objects to create an obstacle course for your child to run around. Have her run around one way, then have her do the course in reverse. You can time her, o...

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...

One, Two, Buckle My ShoeDirections This rhyme will help your child's counting skills. Try showing her objects in groups of one, two, three, and so on, as you recite the rhyme together. One, two, buckle my shoe;Three, four, close the door;Five, si...

Sugar Cube Sculpture Materials Sugar cubes Glue Styrofoam meat trays or a piece of heavy cardboard Food coloring or liquid tempera paint Directions Let your child create wonderful sculptures by gluing sugar cubes onto a Styrofoam meat tray or a p...

Connect-the-Dots AlphabetMaterials Paper Pen or marker CrayonDirections Draw a dot-to-dot outline of a simple picture. (Try tracing some pictures from your child's coloring books.) Starting with the letter A, place each letter of the alphabet at ...

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...

Word Recognition Materials Index cards Pen or marker Old magazines Photographs (optional) Scissors GlueDirections Once your child can recognize the letters of the alphabet, you may want to start practicing simple word recognition. On one set of i...

Play CityMaterials Markers Large sheet of paperDirections Using markers on a large sheet of paper, draw an imaginary city big enough for your child's cars and trucks. Be sure to include some landmarks familiar to your child: bank, grocery store, ...

My NeighborhoodDirections Take a walk around your neighborhood and look at what makes it unique. Point out differences from and similarities to other places. Can your child distinguish various types of homes and shops? Look at the buildings and t...