Preschool Activities
Looking for games and activities to keep your little guy busy? Preschool is all about developing the skills to get your kid ready for kindergarten. From reading activities that get your child comfortable with the alphabet, to math activities that get her counting and sorting, we've got fresh ideas to keep your kid learning on the fly, all year long.
"Stop," "Yield," "One Way" - these are just a few of the signs that children see almost every day when driving in the car with mom or dad. When a child has not yet learned, or just beginning to learn, how to read these common signs can create both a fun game and a great learning activity.
Sick of hearing, "Mooo-oom! Can I watch TV?" The next time this common cry fills your living room, how about suggesting your child create a memorable program of his own?
More activities for preschool:
Turn Your Child into a Letter Detective!
This activity turns kids into word detectives-- scouring their way through the newspaper in search of their alphabet prey.
Keep a Lid on It!: A Sorting Game
Forget the rock collection. How about the lid collection? This activity is a great way to practice sorting, counting, matching, and other early math skills on the fly.
Make a Paper Chain!
You don't need to wait for Christmas to hang garlands around the house. Here's a fun activity that will help your child learn to cut on a line and help you to overcome your scissor fears!
Paper Plate Art: Sunny Side Up!
Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Let the sun in! This project uses supplies you probably already have in the house, and turns them into a sunshiny project that will work your preschooler's fine motor skills (the muscles in the hand they need to strengthen to learn to write.)
Guess What's In the Bag
The cat's out of the bag! Or is it the book? Or the shoe?... You'll have to play this guessing game to find out! Not only is this game a hoot, but it helps teach kids to categorize a set of objects-- a key skill for preschool.
Plan a Treasure Hunt
Send your little one on an adventure to find a hidden treasure. In between all the bounty-chasing and treasure digging, your kid will get a taste of how to use a map, and begin to absorb the fact that the pictures on it mean something in the physical world.
Name that Number!: A Guessing Game
In the grand tradition of "I Spy," "20 Questions," and the other guessing games you may vaguely recall from your childhood, this is a do-it-anywhere, no-equipment-required diversion. Bonus: it helps reinforce number concepts.
Practice Storytelling with a Plot Potluck!
Think of this as a potluck. But instead of bringing a chicken casserole, everyone brings an idea. Remember the old "I'm going on a trip" game where participants took turns adding on items they would take on a trip? This game offers a different spin, by building a story in a similar fashion.
Hopped Up Hide and Seek
This game may seem like nothing more than a slightly tweaked version of "Hide and Go Seek", but don't be fooled. Sure it's fun, but it also reinforces verbal listening skills. Plus, it gives kids practice with positional words and number concepts.
Experiment with Splashy Science
Summer's in full swing and the temperature is creeping ever higher. Fill up the kiddie pool, gather a stash of preschool science equipment, and get ready to introduce your child to the power of hypothesis.
