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...

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...

Make-Believe HospitalMaterials Stuffed animals Pillows Blankets White clothes for uniforms Thermometer Bandages Medicine measuring spoon Sling (cloth diaper or other material folded into a triangle)Directions Using friends, stuffed animals, or co...

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...

My NameMaterials Paper Pen or marker Clear contact paper Crayon or marker Damp clothDirections Help your child learn to print her name. Draw two parallel solid lines with a broken line in the middle. Print your child's first and last name on the ...

Tissue Art Activity for Kids Materials Glue Paper cup or small plastic container Water Paintbrush Paper Tissue paper cut into 1?2-by-16-inch strips Scissors Sequins, beads, glitter (optional) Directions Pour a small amount of glue into a paper cu...

Where Do We Live?Materials Map of your city, town, or neighborhoodDirections Look for your city, town, or neighborhood on a map. Point out your home's location and the location of relatives' and best friends' homes. Find the school your child wil...

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...

Christmas Dough OrnamentsDirections Make a batch of dough ornaments. Glue magnets to the backs for Christmas refrigerator decorations, hang from your Christmas tree as ornaments, give as Christmas gifts, or use as a finishing touch on wrapped gif...

String Block Printing Materials String or rope Small blocks of wood Tempera paint, liquid Shallow pan Paper Directions Wrap string or rope several times around a small block of wood. Tie it in place (make sure the rope is distributed evenly over ...

Scribble Drawing Materials Paper CrayonsDirections Show your child how to scribble on a piece of white paper with a crayon, using big circular motions to form loops. Then have your child color in each loop with a different color, creating a very ...

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...

Framed Flowers Materials Flowers or leaves Crayon shavings Wax paper Newspaper Iron Directions Go out on a walk with your child and pick some pretty spring flowers or fall leaves. At home, make shavings of brightly colored crayons with a grater o...

Cloud WatchingDirections Climate is an important part of a region's geographic character. On a warm and lazy afternoon, lay down in the grass with your child and watch the clouds drift across the sky. Talk about how clouds are formed (water evapo...

Music and MovementMaterials Homemade rhythm instruments, real musical instruments, such as piano or guitar, or recorded musicDirections The goal of this activity is to have your child experience movement as it relates to music or rhythm. Play dif...