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...

Paper Plate TurkeyMaterials Paper plate Brown paint or crayon Construction paper in various colors Glue or paste Markers or crayons Directions Have your child color a paper plate with brown paint or crayons. Cut feathers out of colored constructi...

Let's PretendHere's an activity that encourages your child to explore and invent movement.Directions Have your child tell a story by acting it out with body movements, or ask him to move with different types of walks (downhill, on parade, stiff, ...

Sweet Potato Vine Materials Sweet potato Toothpicks Glass of water StringDirections Stick three toothpicks in the sides of an old sweet potato. Set it in a glass of water with the toothpicks resting on the rim of the glass. The water should just ...

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...

X's and O'sMaterials Paper Pen, marker, or crayonsDirections Print one letter at the top and center of a sheet of paper. Below this, write many letters of the alphabet in no particular pattern, spreading them over the sheet of paper. Have your ch...

Cut-Out Alphabet Puzzle for Toddlers and PreschoolersThis fun puzzle game can help teach kids the alphabet. In this activity, you'll cut out each letter and your child will try to identify and match up each one. Materials Index cards Pen or marke...

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...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

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...

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...