Preschool

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 ...

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;...

I start every summer with the same declaration to my husband: "We're taking the kids on a million adventures this summer! No TV for those two!" Then comes a rainy day, or a 100-degree day, or a day when we are just too tired to plan anything. Ine...

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...

Marble Painting for PreschoolersThis preschool art activity involves running paint-soaked marbles across a sheet of paper.Materials Marbles Tempera paint, liquid Paper Flat box Directions Place a piece of paper into a flat box (like the box from ...

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...

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 ...

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...

Torn Tissue Design Materials Tissue paper White glue Paintbrush White poster board Acrylic polymer (optional) Synthetic paintbrush (optional) Directions Have your child tear various colors of tissue paper into large pieces. Brush white glue thinn...

Preschool can be a great time for children to have social experiences with their peers and to be positively influenced by other caring adults. ...

Alphabet Playdough Materials Playdough or modeling clayDirections Help your child form letters out of playdough or modeling clay. Then, have her close her eyes, feel a letter, and try to identify it by shape. As a tasty variation, make some Alpha...

People, Places, and Things Materials Maps Directions Go around your house and find the origins of various objects. Look at the labels of the clothes you wear and think of where your food was grown. Why do bananas come from Central America? Why do...

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...

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...

Pretend BakeryMaterials Aprons White paper lunch bag Rolling pin Cookie cutters Playdough Prepared cookie dough (optional) Plastic knife (optional) Cookie sheet (optional)Directions Give your child an apron and a white paper lunch bag to wear as ...

Stencil Painting Materials Thin cardboard Scissors Paper Tape Sponge or brush Tempera paint, liquidDirections Draw a design, letter, or animal shape on thin cardboard. Cut out the inside of the shape to make the stencil, and tape the stencil onto...

Nature Colors Materials Plants and flowers collected on a walk Crayons PaperDirections Go on a walk with your child, and bring home a variety of plants and flowers, such as grass, leaves, dandelions, and so on. Spread them out on a table in your ...