School Center Ideas

Start a Survey!

Put your kid in charge of her own survey! She'll poll her relatives and friends, collect information, and then create a colorful chart to display her findings.

Bead Some 100th Day of School Jewelry

Commemorate the 100th Day of School with some jewelry that includes 100 buttons.

Practice Measurement with Gummy Bears

Invite your kindergartener to explore the bright new world of measurement by starting out with nonstandard (and tasty!) units, such as gummy bears or worms.

Counting Cups

Counting with one-to-one correspondence is an important kindergarten math skill. This simple activity turns it into a play-anywhere game.

Play the Blue Bean Counting Game

Take math off the page and into the real world. This simple game gives kindergarten kids hands-on practice with basic addition.

Make Milk Carton Counting Houses

Using nothing fancier than old milk cartons and popsicle sticks, create a village full of fun learning for your kindergarten math student.

Builders' Paradise: A Number Line Card Game

Practice counting and sequencing with your kindergartener in this fun math game!

Tic-Tac-Toe Addition

Tic-Tac-Toe is more than just a strategy game; it's a great way to practice addition facts with your first grader!

Play Snakes and Dots

Practice problem solving skills with your kindergarten or first grade student in this fun connect-the-dots game!

Bowling for Addition

Use empty soda bottles to create a fun bowling set that helps your first grader practice addition skills!

Play Dart Balls

Your child will boost her gross motor skills as she has fun playing with your easy-to-make and totally safe dartboard and dart balls.

Popsicle Stick Tic-Tac-Toe

This fresh take on the classic game of Tic-Tac-Toe will boost your first grader's creativity, fine motor skills, and concept of taking turns.

Play an ABC Memory Game

Combining fun with a little alphabet practice, this variation on the classic game Memory is an entertaining way to get kids learning their ABCs.

Bottle Cap Games for Kindergarten Readiness

Here are some kindergarten readiness activities that you can do with reused plastic bottle caps.

Fine Motor Activities

Take some of the spirit of musical chairs and incorporate it into an indoor obstacle that will fine tune your child's motor skills!

Create a Post Office Play Station

Want to help your preschooler with a creative play station that's loads of fun? Set up a post office in your home!

Grab Bag Numbers: A Math Game

Want to help your preschooler with math? Get out the grab bag! This game helps kids learn to associate numbers with sets of objects-- a key early math skill.

Lace the ABCs!

Lacing is a great way to practice hand-eye coordination, which helps with writing. Turn it into a fun preschool art project, by stringing up some ABCs!

Keep a Lid on It!: A Sorting Game

This activity is a great way to practice sorting, counting, matching, and other early math skills--- on the fly.

Explore the Senses with a Sensory Table!

In almost every preschool classroom is a sensory table. Learn how to make one at home!

Create an Egg Carton Color Sorter

Teach your preschooler color recognition using this handy egg carton sorter. She will group objects by color and learn to recognize their names with this tool.