Preschool

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...

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...

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 ...

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

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

The Pros and Cons of Preschool When your child is potty trained you have the option of sending her to preschool. Most preschool programs last a half day and provide structured activities and some preliminary studies to prepare your child for kin...

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...

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...