fun educational activities for kindergarten math

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

FREE Poetry Worksheet Bundle! Perfect for National Poetry Month.

30 Kindergarten Math Games That Make Numbers Fun From Day One

Teach them to love math, right from the start.

Looking for ways to make math fun for young learners? Check out these kindergarten math games. They teach all the basic math skills kindergartners need to master and are sure to engage every kid in the learning process.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Build 3D shapes

Keeping It Cool at School/3D Shapes via keepingitcoolatschool.com

Give little fingers some fine motor skills practice while they learn and build 3D shapes. You can grab printable cards at the link, or make your own.

Learn more: Keeping It Cool at School

2. Make 10 with magnetic tiles

123 Homeschool 4 Me/Magnet Tiles 10-Frame via 123homeschool4me.com

Anytime you can use toys for learning, kids are more likely to feel engaged. Visit the link to learn how to make 10-frames from your magnetic tiles, and find some kindergarten math games to play with them.

Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

3. Roll It and Color It

Crystal McGinnis Kindergarten Creations/Roll It, Color It via littlezizzers.blogspot.com/

You can use a pre-made worksheet for this one, or simply use a ruler to draw squares on a piece of paper. Give one to each player, along with crayons and a die. Kids roll and color the number of squares shown. The first to fill their paper wins!

Learn more: Crystal McGinnis Kindergarten Creations

4. Sort shoes with Pete the Cat

Buggy and Buddy/Sorting Shoes via buggyandbuddy.com

Sorting and classifying by attribute are important skills for kindergartners to learn. Read about Pete and his beloved white shoes, then sort your own shoes by color, size, laces or no laces, and more.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy

5. Play hopscotch to practice counting on

Coffee Cups and Crayons/Counting On Hopscotch via coffeecupsandcrayons.com

Instead of starting your hopscotch board at 1, choose another number instead. Then, your kids can practice counting on from any number as they play!

Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons

6. Conquer cardinality with penguin dominoes

Playdough to Plato/Penguin Number Dominoes via playdoughtoplato.com

Kindergarten math students work to master cardinality, understanding that written numerals correspond to the number of items pictured. These free printable penguin dominoes make the concept fun to practice.

Learn more: Playdough to Plato

7. Put together puzzles to gain number sense

Tickled Pink in Primary/Number Sense Puzzles via tickledpinkinprimary.com

Kindergarten math students learn to understand that numbers can be represented in a variety of ways. These free printable puzzles help them practice those skills.

Learn more: Tickled Pink in Primary

8. Play teen-number bingo

The Measured Mom/Teen Number Bingo via themeasuredmom.com

This free printable game helps little ones master their numbers from 11 to 20, both as numerals and represented on 10-frames.

Learn more: The Measured Mom

9. Stack cups and count to 100

Kindergarten Smorgasboard/100 Cups via kindergartensmorgasboard.com

Kids love stacking things, so they’ll get a kick out of kindergarten math games that make use of stackable cups. This one has them doing it with 100 cups while they count! Turn it into a competition by putting them in teams and timing them to see who can finish the task the fastest.

Learn more: Kindergarten Smorgasboard

10. Visit the skip-counting store

Creative Family Fun/Skip Counting Store via creativefamilyfun.net

How fun is this? Grab some toys and label them with price tags in increments of 10 cents. Give kids a handful of plastic dimes, and have them count out the amount needed for each “purchase.”

Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Skip Counting Store

11. Have a rubber duck race

Happy Toddler Playtime/Rubber Duck Race via happytoddlerplaytime.com

In this game, kids race to see who can be the first to get their rubber duckies to 10 (or any number you choose). They roll a die and lay out tiles to move their duck. The twist? To get to 10 at the end, they must roll the exact number they need—no going over! Kindergarten math games like this one are terrific for practicing counting on, basic addition, and making 10.

Learn more: Happy Toddler Playtime

12. Practice counting on with cards and dice

Creative Family Fun/Counting On via creativefamilyfun.net

Remove the face cards from a deck of playing cards and grab a pair of dice. The first player turns over a card and then rolls the dice. The number on the dice indicates how far they “count on” from the card. (For example, a player turns over a three and rolls a four. They say, “Three: four, five, six, seven.”) If the player gets it right, they keep the card, and the other player(s) get a turn.

Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Counting On

13. Skip-count with craft sticks

Simply Kinder/Skip Counting Sticks via simplykinder.com

There are endless ways to use craft sticks in the classroom. For this game, number a series of colorful sticks by fives, as shown. Kids can practice by putting them in order first. Then, have a student draw a stick and count on by fives from that number to 100—if they draw 75, they then count 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100. If they get it right, they keep the stick, and the next player takes a turn.

Learn more: Simply Kinder

14. Match teen numbers

The Kindergarten Connection/Teen Number Matching via thekindergartenconnection.com

Once kindergartners master the numbers 1 to 10, it’s time to understand how those numerals add up to make bigger numbers. These free printable cards show numerals and matching bundles of sticks that deconstruct each teen number into tens and ones.

Learn more: The Kindergarten Connection

15. Compare numbers with dominoes

My Fabulous Class/Domino Number Stacks via myfabulousclass.com

Kindergartners learn to compare numbers to determine which is larger and which smaller. Stacking math cubes based on the numbers on dominoes is a fun, hands-on way to compare the two numbers side by side, making it easier to see the difference.

Learn more: My Fabulous Class

16. Face off and compare numbers

Natalie Lynn Kindergarten/Comparing Numbers via natalielynnkindergarten.com

You’ll need some small toys for this game, as well as polyhedral dice. Kids roll and place the number of items on their side. Then, they compare the two to see which is bigger.

Learn more: Natalie Lynn Kindergarten

17. Make 10 with two-sided chips

First Grade Fairytales/Make 10 via thefirstgradefairytales.blogspot.com

You’ll need counting chips that are a different color on each side for this activity. Kids shake up 10 chips in a cup and pour them out on the table. Then they see how many they have of each color and write that number bond to make 10.

Learn more: First Grade Fairytales

18. Throw snowballs to make 10

Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Make 10 Snowballs via frugalfun4boys.com

Make “snowballs” from paper (or any way you like), then place them in a bucket at one end of the room. Start kids out by having them toss snowballs into another bucket until they reach 10 (or any target number). Then, up the challenge by placing some snowballs in each bucket and having kids figure out how many more they need to toss in to make 10.

Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Make 10 Snowballs

19. Use Uno cards to play addition war

Planning Playtime/Addition Game via planningplaytime.com

In the card game War, players each flip an Uno card , and the one whose card is greatest takes them both. In this twist on one of our favorite kindergarten games, players each flip two cards. They then use counting blocks to represent the numbers and count on or add to find the sum. The largest sum wins the hand, and play continues.

Learn more: Planning Playtime/Addition Game

20. Roll and add for fluency within 5

Liz’s Early Learning Spot/Roll and Add via lizs-early-learning-spot.com

Kindergarten math students work to become fluent in adding and subtracting within 5. This free printable board game makes it fun!

Learn more: Liz’s Early Learning Spot

21. Get four in a row and learn place value

Two Boys and a Dad/Place Value Game via twoboysandadad.com

This customizable game helps teach the early place-value concept of tens plus ones. Get it for free at the link.

Learn more: Two Boys and a Dad

22. Bowl and subtract within 10

Planning Playtime/Subtraction Worksheets via planningplaytime.com

Set up a toy bowling pin set (or make one from plastic bottles or toilet-paper tubes). Kids bowl and see how many pins they knock down, subtracting that number from 10. Then they repeat, this time subtracting from the previous answer. First to get to zero wins!

Learn more: Planning Playtime/Subtraction Worksheets

23. Get off my boat!

Kindergarten Smorgasboard/Get Off My Boat! via thekindergartensmorgasboard.com

So simple, so engaging, so fun! Use tape to outline a boat shape on the floor (or try this outside with sidewalk chalk). Let some kids board the “boat,” then make some get off. Use those numbers to write a subtraction number sentence and solve the equation.

Learn more: Kindergarten Smorgasboard/Get Off My Boat!

24. Drive and compare numbers to music

Sommer’s Lion Pride/Comparing Numbers via sommerslionpride.com

Prep for this game by using dot markers on paper plates as shown (visit the link below for more examples). Each kid takes a plate then uses it to “drive” around the room as you play music. When the music stops, they find a nearby partner and compare what they see on each other’s plates (e.g., “Eight dots is more than four dots. One green dot is less than four green dots.” Then start the music up and repeat!

Learn more: Sommer’s Lion Pride

25. Build a weigh station

Image: WeAreTeachers

Use a hanger and plastic cups to build a super-simple weigh station . Kids will love dropping items into the cups to see which weighs more or less. Turn it into a game by having them try to guess which object weighs more first or how many of one item equals another.

26. Battle it out in ribbon war

Looking for kindergarten math games that teach non-standard measurement ? This idea is fun and easy. Cut colorful ribbons into a variety of lengths and place them in a bag. Each student pulls a ribbon from the bag. Then, put students in pairs and have them compare their ribbons to identify the longer one. The student with the longer ribbon keeps both, and the game continues.

27. Hold a shape scavenger hunt

Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Shape Scavenger Hunt via frugalfun4boys.com

Kindergarten math students are learning to recognize shapes in their environment and also to categorize and sort. This scavenger hunt does it all! Send them out to find objects in the room that match the shapes. Then count and compare to see how many you have in each category.

Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Shape Scavenger Hunt

28. Hop along a shapes maze

Creative Family Fun/Shape Maze via creativefamilyfun.net

Use sidewalk chalk to lay out a shape maze on the playground or driveway. Choose a shape and hop from one to the next, or call out a different shape for every jump.

Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Shape Maze

29. Make a match to learn shapes

Life Over C’s/Fruit Shapes via lifeovercs.com

Grab these free printable memory cards at the link. Then play and learn the basic shapes.

Learn more: Life Over C’s

30. Guess the mystery shapes

Susan Jones Teaching/Shape Bags via susanjonesteaching.com

Work on geometry terms like “sides” and “vertices” when you sort shapes using these attributes. Start by placing 3D shapes into paper bags and asking students questions like “The shape in this bag has four sides. What could it be?”

Learn more: Susan Jones Teaching

Love these kindergarten math games? You’ll also enjoy these 50 Kindergarten Math Word Problems of the Day !

Want more articles like this  subscribe to our newsletters .

We Are Teachers

You Might Also Like

25 Awesome Addition Activities That All Add Up to Fun

Add these fun options to your curriculum! Continue Reading

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

25 Hands On Math Activities for Kindergarten

Mathematics is an essential part of our lives and is a subject that should be introduced to children at an early age. It helps develop logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities.

We will share the best Hands On Math Activities for Kindergarten students that can help them develop a strong foundation in math and foster a love for learning.

So let’s dive in and explore these exciting math activities that will make learning fun for your kindergarten kids!

Counting with Counting Bears:

Counting bears are an excellent tool to teach young children counting and basic math skills. Simply provide a set of colorful counting bears and encourage children to sort them by color, size, or shape. Then, have them count the bears and identify the corresponding number. This hands-on activity not only enhances math skills but also improves fine motor skills as children manipulate and move the bears.

Shape Collage:

Shapes are an essential part of math and can be introduced through a fun and creative activity. Have children cut out shapes of different colors and sizes from construction paper and glue them onto a larger piece of paper to create a shape collage. As they glue, have them identify the name of the shapes and count the number of shapes used. This activity is not only a great way to teach shapes but also improves children’s spatial awareness and creativity.

Pattern Blocks:

Pattern blocks are a versatile tool that can be used to teach various mathematical concepts, including shapes, geometry, symmetry, and fractions. Provide children with a set of pattern blocks and challenge them to create different designs, such as animals, buildings, or abstract patterns. Encourage them to identify the shapes used and count the number of blocks in their design. This activity helps children develop problem-solving skills and spatial reasoning abilities.

Related: 20 Pattern Block Activities for Preschool

Play Dough Math:

Playdough is a fun and tactile material that can be used to teach mathematical concepts such as numbers, counting, and basic arithmetic. Provide children with play dough and challenge them to create different shapes or numbers. As they create, encourage them to count the number of balls of dough used to create each shape or number. This activity not only enhances math skills but also improves fine motor skills and creativity.

Math Bingo:

Bingo is a classic game that can be adapted to teach math skills. Create bingo cards with numbers or shapes and call out the corresponding numbers or shapes. Children can mark off the corresponding numbers or shapes on their cards as they are called out. This activity not only enhances math skills but also improves listening and concentration skills.

Number Line Hop:

A fun way to teach counting and number recognition is to create a number line on the floor using masking tape or chalk. Have children stand at one end of the number line and call out a number. The child must then hop the corresponding number of spaces on the number line. This activity helps children develop gross motor skills and improves their understanding of number concepts.

Related: 25 Number Recognition Activities for Preschool

Domino Math:

Dominoes are a great tool to teach basic addition and subtraction concepts. Provide children with a set of dominoes and encourage them to sort them by the number of dots. Then, have them use the dominoes to solve simple addition and subtraction problems. This activity not only enhances math skills but also improves problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.

Measurement Exploration:

Measurement is an essential mathematical concept that can be introduced through hands-on exploration. Provide children with a variety of measuring tools such as rulers, measuring cups, and scales. Encourage them to measure different objects around the classroom or at home and record their findings. This activity helps children develop an understanding of measurement concepts and improves their observation and recording skills.

Related: 25 Measurement Activities for Preschoolers

Money Math:

Teaching young children about money can be made fun and interactive through a hands-on activity. Provide children with fake money and encourage them to count and sort the coins and bills. Then, have them use the money to pay for items at a pretend store. This activity not only enhances math skills but also improves communication and social skills.

Geometry Hunt:

Geometry concepts such as lines, angles, and shapes can be introduced through a scavenger hunt. Provide children with a list of geometric shapes and angles to find around the classroom or at home. As they find each item, have them identify the shape or angle and describe its characteristics. This activity helps children develop an understanding of geometry concepts and improves their observation and descriptive skills.

Fraction Fun:

Fractions can be a difficult concept to grasp for young children, but they can be made easier through a hands-on activity. Provide children with a set of fraction circles and encourage them to explore and manipulate them to create different fractions. Have them identify the different fractions and compare them to each other. This activity not only enhances math skills but also improves spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities.

Shape Sorter:

A shape-sorter toy can be an excellent tool to teach young children about shapes and spatial awareness. Provide children with a shape sorter toy and encourage them to sort the different shapes into the corresponding holes. As they sort, have them identify the name of the shapes and count the number of shapes used. This activity improves fine motor skills and enhances math skills.

Tally Marks:

Tally marks are a simple way to teach young children counting and basic arithmetic concepts. Provide children with a set of objects such as buttons or beads and encourage them to count and record the number using tally marks. Then, have them add or subtract objects and record the results using tally marks. This activity not only enhances math skills but also improves communication and recording skills.

Time Telling:

Telling time is an essential life skill that can be introduced through a hands-on activity. Provide children with a set of toy clocks and encourage them to practice telling time. Have them set the clock to different times and identify the corresponding time on a digital clock or watch. This activity helps children develop an understanding of time concepts and improves their observation and problem-solving skills.

Graphing Fun:

Graphing is a useful tool to teach young children data analysis and representation concepts. Provide children with a set of objects such as stickers or buttons and encourage them to sort and count them by color, shape, or size. Then, have them represent the data using a graph. This activity not only enhances math skills but also improves communication and data representation skills.

Addition and Subtraction Bowling:

Bowling is a fun and interactive way to teach basic addition and subtraction concepts. Provide children with a set of plastic bowling pins and a softball. Encourage them to set up the pins and roll the ball. Then, have them add or subtract the number of pins knocked down. This activity improves gross motor skills and enhances math skills.

Pattern blocks are a versatile tool to teach young children about patterns, shapes, and spatial reasoning. Provide children with a set of pattern blocks and encourage them to explore and manipulate them to create different patterns and shapes. Have them identify the name of the shapes and colors used. This activity improves fine motor skills and enhances math skills.

Symmetry Drawing:

Symmetry is an important concept in mathematics and can be introduced through a hands-on drawing activity. Provide children with a sheet of paper and a drawing tool. Encourage them to draw a picture on one side of the paper and then fold the paper in half. Have them observe the symmetry of the picture and discuss the concept. This activity improves fine motor skills and enhances math skills.

Shape Hunt:

Shapes are all around us, and a shape hunt can be an excellent way to teach young children about shapes and spatial reasoning. Provide children with a list of shapes to find around the classroom or at home. As they find each shape, have them identify the name of the shape and count the number of sides and angles. This activity improves observation skills and enhances math skills.

Number Bingo:

Bingo is a classic game that can be adapted to teach young children about numbers and counting. Provide children with a set of bingo cards and a bag of numbered balls. Encourage them to mark the corresponding numbers on their bingo cards. Have them identify the numbers and count the number of balls used. This activity improves communication and enhances math skills.

Recommended:

• 25 Fun Transition Activities for Preschoolers & Toddlers
• 25 Pattern Block Activities for Preschool
• 35 Fun Preschool Activities for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Ayesha Zeeshan

Ayesha Zeeshan is a dedicated Early Childhood Expert with a focus on holistic development in young children. She advocates for early childhood education's lifelong impact, holding a diploma degree from SZABIST and having 3+ years of teaching and curriculum development experience.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Looking for strategies or have questions about how to support your child’s education? Ask our AI-powered assistant.

Parent Resources for Learning > Core Skills > 7 Kindergarten Math Activities to Make Learning Fun

7 Kindergarten Math Activities to Make Learning Fun

by Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos | Aug 7, 2023 | Core Skills

Math is one of the most important Core Skills , one of the 5 C’s at the heart of the Begin Approach to helping kids thrive in school and life. Math skills at kindergarten entry are the best predictor of later success in school, but not every kid enjoys the traditional ways of learning math. Enter: kindergarten math activities! They’re a great way to link learning math to kids’ natural love of play .

The Short Cut

• Math is an essential Core Skill, and early learners with strong Core Skills do better in school later on
• Essential kindergarten math concepts include counting and cardinality, recognizing numbers beyond 10, adding and subtracting, and recognizing shapes
• Giving positive feedback often and using math in everyday life (“Can you put four apples in our shopping bag?”) can help kindergarteners learn math skills

This article will give you a detailed guideline to help your child get a solid mathematical foundation. These easy at-home activities are fun, engaging, and offer lots of learning opportunities.

Let’s get started!

Kindergarten Math Concepts

Before we dive in, it’s important to understand which concepts your young learner will be tackling in kindergarten . That way, it’s easier to know which activities and math skills to focus on at home.

The following are the key math principles your child may know by the end of their kindergarten year:

• Counting and cardinality (understanding that when you count objects, the last number you count is how many there are, e.g. “8…9…10. There are 10 blocks!”)
• Recognizing numbers beyond 10
• Adding and subtracting single-digit numbers
• Recognizing shapes
• Classifying objects by size

With the principles above in mind, we’ve compiled a list of activities that will help your child develop these essential skills.

7 Fun Kindergarten Math Activities

1. shape hunt.

What You’ll Need

Start by selecting any two objects around your house that look different but have the same shape. Then, give your child clues about one of the objects. For example, you might say, “It has a round shape.”

Your child will need to act as a detective and solve this shape mystery! When they are confident that they know what this object is, encourage them to take their detective notebook and draw the item.

Repeat this process for the second object.

Once your little detective has found and drawn the two objects, you can evaluate them and discuss other items with the same shape. So, for something that’s round, this can be plates, pizza, door handles, and so on.

Once you’re confident they understand the properties of the shape, you can play the game again with another shape (triangle, square, etc.).

You don’t have to limit yourselves to your indoor space. You can also head outside and search for many interesting shapes in your garden, local park, or neighborhood if you’d like.

Find out more about this interesting game here .

2. Count the Beans

• Dried kidney beans

For this fun activity, you will need to take a spoon and hold it outstretched. Your child will then proceed to put one dried kidney bean at a time onto the spoon.

When the first one falls off, you then count how many beans you managed to get on the spoon.

You can play this game with a larger spoon as well. For this, the numbers will get higher, so your child will need to be familiar with higher numbers before they’re ready for this one.

To help, a simple 10 frame should do the trick (a 10 frame is basically a rectangle with 10 equal spaces, five on top and five on the bottom).

If, when counting the beans, you end up with more than 10, you can put each set of 10 in a small paper cup, allocate the cups to each frame, and then add everything for the final tally.

This activity helps kindergarteners continue practicing their counting and gain an understanding of number sense.

3. Building Sets with Blocks

• Building blocks

This activity requires you to ask your young learner to build a color tower with a specific number of blocks. For example, “Build a blue tower with 10 blocks, a red tower with eight blocks, and a yellow tower with 11 blocks.”

All this information will need to be remembered by your child, so this can be a great way to help build memory . Children will also continue practicing colors and counting skills with this activity.

4. Number Guessing

Magnetic numbers (0 – 9)

For this activity, your child will need to put their hands behind their back. You will then place one of the magnetic numbers in their hands for them to feel. Can they guess the number?

If this is a little challenging at first, it can help to have another set of magnetic numbers that they can see as they feel.

This is a great sensory activity that can help familiarize children with each number’s interesting shape and unique qualities.

5. Shape Hopscotch

• Different colored paper
• Painter’s tape

Hopscotch is one of our favorite games here at Begin. If you’re looking to play the traditional way, you can check out these number games , which include fun math-related activities in addition to Hopscotch.

For this article, we decided to switch things up a bit with shape hopscotch. All you need to do is cut out six different (but easily recognizable) shapes and give each shape its own color (for example, red circles, yellow triangles, blue squares, purple stars, etc.).

Once you have your shapes, tape them to the floor with painter’s tape. While taping, ensure that the spacing works for your child (the shapes aren’t too far apart).

You can encourage your child to jump, hop, or wiggle through the shapes. Here are a few ways they can make it through their shape maze:

• Call out colors or shapes for your child to race and find
• Have them hop from one side to the other side by only touching one shape or color
• Give them directions as they go, and ask what they’ve landed on. For example, “Jump three shapes to the left, one shape up, and two shapes right. What color and shape are you on?”

This is an excellent and fun way for kids to continue working on their gross motor skills while incorporating shape and color recognition. Children will also work on the important skill of following directions.

6. Make a Number Line

• Paved area outside
• Deck of cards

On your paved outdoor area, draw a large number line with chalk. You can write numbers up to 10, 20, or even 30 as your child becomes familiar with those numbers.

Next, take five red playing cards (numbers 1 – 5) and five black playing cards (numbers 1 – 5). Then, you each get a token which you’ll place in the middle of the number line. Mix the cards and put them face down.

Next, take turns picking cards. A red card means you go up the number line based on the card’s value (for example, if you pull a red 5 of hearts, you move up 5 spaces). A black card, on the other hand, means you go down on the number line (red 4 of clubs = down 4 spaces).

If you end up below the number one or above the top number on the line, you’ll stay put until all players have had their turn.

After each player has picked four cards, whoever is highest on the number line wins!

7. Snowball Battle

• 3 small buckets

Crumble your paper to make “snowballs.” Then, place your buckets at the end of the room. Challenge your child to toss the snowballs into any of the buckets until they reach a target number (e.g., 10).

If you have multiple kids, this can turn into some friendly competition with a timer. How many can you land in five minutes?

You can also vary the game a bit for older kids by having them toss all 10 snowballs into the three buckets and then write down how they got to 10 (for example, with 3 balls in one bucket, 4 balls in the next, and 3 balls in the last). How many ways can it be done?

Gross motor and counting skills come into play when engaging in this activity.

Tips for Helping Kindergarteners with Math

The above activities should help your child practice and understand their math skills. Additionally, here are a few key points to keep in mind.

Incorporate Math into Everyday Life

Math is all around us! It is in the shapes of objects and buildings, the measurements we take when baking, and the sorting of patterns. This makes it easy to incorporate math into everyday activities.

Remember that the more practice your child gets, the easier it will be to grasp these foundational concepts.

Make It Enjoyable

When something seems too challenging, kids can quickly become overwhelmed and give up before starting. Help your child understand how fun math is by regularly introducing them to math activities in a fun, relaxed way.

Practice Positive Reinforcement

Positive feedback is one of the key components for your child to continue having a healthy relationship with mathematics. So, when they finally grasp a concept they’ve been struggling with, make a big deal out of it !

And, if there’s a math skill they haven’t grasped yet, be patient and continue practicing. Soon enough, they’ll get it!

Lay a Solid Foundation with Kindergarten Math Activities

Sometimes kids (and adults) view math negatively. You’ll often hear them express how challenging it is. But kindergarten math activities can help build positivity and confidence!

While it can be a challenge, math is still one of the most important subjects children learn and can benefit them for the rest of their lives. That’s why building math skills early on matters.

Engaging in fun, entertaining, and educational kindergarten math activities can help children achieve just that. And our list above offers great ways to practice.

Check out our HOMER app for even more fun math activities and discover how we can help your young learner thrive!

Jody has a Ph.D. in Developmental Science and more than a decade of experience in the children’s media and early learning space.

View all posts

Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos

Chief Learning Officer at Begin

Related Posts

5 Fun Activities to Build Social Skills for Preschoolers

How do you teach your preschooler social skills when two-, three-, and four-year-olds are naturally focused on themselves? Take your cues from early learning research and tap into the power of play through social skills activities for Preschoolers! Your preschooler...

Keep Reading →

6 Ways to Make Curiosity-Building Sensory Bottles

Sensory play helps kids build curiosity. Try these six ways to make sensory bottles for your family!

9 Effective Emotional Regulation Activities for Kids in 2024

Emotional regulation is an important skill, but our kids aren’t just born with it. Find out how to teach it to your child!

5 Fun Critical Thinking Games to Play with Your Child

Critical thinking is an essential early learning skill! Check out these 5 games that help kids build it!

Bring Calm to Your Child’s Body with These 8 Breathing Exercises

Even one minute of breathing can reduce stress and anxiety for your child. Check out these exercises to see which might help your child learn how to find calm.

6 Key Goals for Enhancing Social Skills in Children at Home

Social skills are the building blocks of healthy relationships. Find out how to set social skills goals for your child and practice achieving them!

5 Activities for Teaching Kindness Lessons to Kids

Showing kindness means focusing your attention on another person, recognizing what they are feeling and what they need, and then offering them something. It’s giving your sister the last cookie in the jar. It’s playing a game because it’s your friend’s favorite....

13 Invention Ideas for Kids and Why They Matter

Inventing new things helps kids develop creativity and critical thinking. Try these 13 invention ideas!

Building Character through Vicarious Learning in Child Behavior

“Kids are sponges.” Parents, teachers, and caregivers say this all the time, and you’ve probably seen it for yourself. A 3-year-old mimics her older brother’s language. A 5-year-old acts out something they see on TV. Behavior and vocabulary spread through an...

6 Free Creativity-Building Preschool Art Activities

Preschoolers are creative superheroes. From age 3 to age 4, a kid’s artistic abilities explode (sometimes literally, if they’re dropping paint or a bucket of crayons!). Their drawings become more recognizable, they may start to play pretend and invent friends...

A Guide to Receptive Language for Parents and Caregivers

Receptive language skills help kids understand and respond to verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Find out how!

6 Tips on Managing Screen Time for the Holidays

Learn to manage screen time during the holidays in ways you feel good about with Dr. Sarah Bren and Begin.

10 SUPER FUN Kindergarten Math Activities – (2023 Edition)

Bringing up children is a big responsibility, and making sure that their educational needs are met is necessary.

Math is one of the subjects that children often complain about later in their lives. This is mostly due to a weak understanding of the subject.

Here are some great math activities on the market that will make sure that your toddler loves his kindergarten maths and excels in it. 

Great Kindergarten Math Activities

Math activities designed specifically for kindergarteners will keep your toddler engaged in learning. Moreover, these will give them the necessary mathematical prowess needed to stay up to speed with the ever-evolving world.

1. Button Counting Activity

Toddlers eagerly learn by color sorting and matching activities. Button sorting cups can help indulge your child in math activities. All you require is a collection of buttons of different colors, which should exactly match the color of the cups. You should make sure that the color of the button does not differ even slightly from that of the cups, as it will raise confusion for your child, rendering the purpose of the activity useless.  Make a cut in the lid of the cup with a knife. The opening should be large enough that the buttons pass easily. This is an essential step, as it ensures that no mess is created while your students perform the activity.  You may also give a demo to your students by slipping the colored button in the right cup. Furthermore, you may ask the kid to count the buttons while they slip it into the cup. For more information about this activity, visit aboutfamilycrafts.com .

2. Shape Scavenger Hunt

Shapes are hard to remember for a kindergarten student. Looking for fun ways to help your child or student learn different shapes? A scavenger hunt will help them acquire recognition skills. The teacher will hold out objects of different shapes, teach the students the names as he/she holds them out, and then ask them to find similar shapes in the room. This activity will help them recognize and memorize shapes.  Geometry is a big headache for kindergarten students, and they try to cope up with shapes on their own. Teachers can play a vital role in helping their child overcome this difficulty by giving a demonstration of this activity. In addition to shape recognition, you can also ask the child to count the objects. Categorizing these objects by their shapes will also help them learn how to count. Check out more about this activity at weareteachers.com .

3. Pearl Color Matching

There are many fun ways of helping children learn the basics of mathematics. The free printable pearl color matching activity is another such activity for your toddler. This math activity assists the child in improving counting. To the teachers’ delight, it is easy to set-up besides being full of fun. All you need to conduct this fun-loving activity is a collection of colorful pom-poms and printable cardstocks. Arrange the pom-poms besides the cardstocks, and you are ready to begin the color matching activity. In this activity, you must ask the toddler to place pom-poms in a bucket that matches their color. For example, purple pom-poms are supposed to go in a purple bucket. You must emphasize teaching the names of the color to the child while they perform the matching activity. This helps the child in memorizing the names of the colors in addition to counting.  In the end, ask the child to count the pom-poms of each color that they have collected in each bucket. Visit kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com for more details about this activity.

4. Sorting Activities

Sorting skills is an activity your child will love to perform. It not only assists in enhancing math skills but also teaches the child how to cut and use glue for pasting purposes. For conducting this activity, two columns are made by the teacher: one follows the counting, leaving the other column blank. The child is asked to cut and paste the right number of printed pictures in front of the right digit. The toddler enthusiastically participates in this indoor math activity, as it involves art besides mathematics.  Furthermore, you could ask the pupil to write the alphabetical counting in another column. This will aid in overcoming spelling mistakes. Thus, sorting activities can help improve more than one skill, making it one of the best kindergarten math activities. The instructor or parents must fill the first question as a sample for the child so that they know how to cut and paste neatly. If you’re confused, don’t miss the details available on MiniatureMasterMinds.com .

5. Jingle Bell Shapes  

Christmas presents a great opportunity to help your child enhance their math skills. Children are eager to decorate Christmas trees; take the chance and indulge them in this matching activity. Jingle bell-shaped Christmas math activity is a fun way for your child to explore different shapes and construct new ones. The items required for this activity includes jingle bells, printed shape on paper, and pipe cleaners. Firstly, take the jingle bell and tie it with the ribbon to give it the shape you desire. For instance, you could draw a triangle as a representative sample and ask the pupils to draw different shapes as printed on the paper. The toddlers must be asked to classify the shapes and count the quantity of each shape formed. Added to that, teachers can ask the child to rewrite the name of the shape that he/she built from the printed paper. Check out the details of Jingle Bells Shapes by visiting LittleBinsForLittleHands.com .

6. One Bowl, Two Fish Number Bonds

Kindergartners can learn multiple math skills by utilizing Dr. Seuss-inspired printable worksheets . This fun math activity makes your child break down the numbers five and ten in a variety of ways. The coloring activity involved in these worksheets enables better visualization of numbers by toddlers. Moreover, the effective worksheet activity allows the child to solve number bonds or the simple addition of number pairs. You can teach the toddler how to break down the numbers in a variety of ways. You can break 10 into 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, and so on. Moreover, coupling these with a coloring activity will make the child more interested and adept at solving number bonds. To establish a relation between the empty boxes, the toddler fills in spaces with the right numbers. Therefore, this indoor math activity provides a platform to teach how to solve multiple math problems in a variety of ways. This polishes the child’s thinking skills and allows them to think out of the box. Confused? Visit planesandballoons.com for details regarding this math activity.

7. Easter Patterning: Algebra

Teachers often find it difficult to teach their pupils about patterns. However, you can make patterning and algebra easy for your pupils with this math activity. Easter Patterning aids in teaching algebra to kindergartners in a fun way; thus, the child gets a better understanding of patterning.  Get some Easter-themed shapes from a local art supplier or make them out of cardboard or a chart paper. Ask your students to make copies of the shape, number them, and use them to make equations.  For example, you could make an Easter bunny numbered eight, an Easter egg numbered two, and an Easter basket numbered ten. So, the child will place a bunny and put a plus sign in between and place the basket on the other side of the equals to sign to depict 8+2=10. Similarly, you can ask your students to use other numbers to come up with different equations.  This activity will teach the child pattern making and how to use variables to approach problems just like algebra does. This is a great math activity and won’t bore the children. Every child’s perception is different; thus, a great variety of patterns are available at the end of this activity.  If you’re unsure, you can visit StayAtHomeEducator.com for more details.

8. Counting Monster Eyes

Getting kindergartners involved in math activities can be a very tiresome job. Teachers have to work hard to make activities full of fun to attract children’s attention.  Halloween brings with itself various opportunities for performing math activities that are both catchy and beneficial for your kindergarteners. A Halloween themed activity with monster eyes is one of these fun math activities. For this activity, prepare a worksheet that has drawings of monsters with different colors of eyes. There should be some space at the bottom of the sheet, and different eyes repeated with a blank space next to them. The child would count the number of eyes on the worksheet that matches the one at the bottom and fill the number in the blank space. It is a great activity to polish children’s observation skills and helps them with counting, addition, and pattern solving. Visit CherryWorkshop.com to know more about this activity!

9. Write The Room

Kids love to Write The Room. It is a joyful activity for your child. Due to the incorporation of movements, this activity is one of the best for toddlers who have just begun schooling.  The teacher will draw ten empty frames on a piece of paper that is on a clipboard. Cards numbered from one to ten will be hidden all over the room. The children will then start looking for the cards and fill the relevant empty box with the number they have discovered. Taking small steps is the key to getting your toddler or pupil interested in math. Starting with numbers up to ten is best and more numbers can be added on once the children are more capable. Visit SparklingInPrimary.com for more details about this activity. 

10. Learning Numbers With Balloons

A lot of daily activities incorporate math, and they make it easier and fun to teach the subject to children. One such activity is learning numbers with balloons. Toddlers will participate in counting balloons without any reluctance.  Take the balloons and number them from one to ten with a marker. Then hide them in the room, and ask the kids to find them. The only rule this activity has is to discover the balloons in descending order. If the toddler finds a balloon with a number out of order, he/she must place it back and continue searching for the right numbered balloon.  This fun math activity improves memory and number recognition and is perfect for preschool and kindergarten kids. Moreover, it saves the extra effort of preparing worksheets for an activity. Visit TeachingMama.com for more details regarding this math activity for kindergarteners.

What Supplies Are Needed For These Activities?

The indoor and outdoor math activities mentioned above require a few materials. Stationary is an essential requirement for all of the above-mentioned fun math activities. The stationary may include paper, worksheets, colored pencils or lead pencils, and a permanent marker for writing purposes. 

Moreover, the glue may also be required for pasting activities. Teachers won’t have to invest a lot in organizing these math activities as most of the stuff needed is already in a classroom, and they are easy to set up too. 

Some of these fun math activities require worksheets, printables, or a room to hold the activity in a friendly environment. Kids learn with interest when indulged in activities that are more like games rather than a boring paper activity. 

Conclusion 

Indulging kindergartners and preschool children in these fun math activities will help them in developing a basic understanding of shapes, numbers, and patterns. Besides this, these activities can improve their mental development while teaching them the art of problem-solving in a fun and interactive way.

Therefore, teaching in a friendly atmosphere helps the child grasp things quickly in the best possible way.

Home » Classroom Activities » Kindergarten Activities » 10 SUPER FUN Kindergarten Math Activities – (2022 Edition)

Hi, I'm Amanda! Welcome to Education Outside! Im passionate about educating young minds and helping parents/teachers by providing easy and effective teaching resources. Check out all of my teaching resources on my Teachers Pay Teachers store .

Be the first to know

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates about new products, promotions, bundles, and more. 

Copyright © Education Outside

Privacy Policy | Return Policy

Shop Worksheets

• Long Vowels
• Short Vowels
• Sight Words

Classroom Activities

• Alphabet Tracing
• Kindergarten Activities
• Number Tracing
• Long Vowel Practice
• Short Vowel Practice
• Sight Word Practice
• Fry Sight Word List
• Pre-primer Sight Word List
• Primer Sight Word List
• 1st Grade Sight Word List
• 2nd Grade Sight Word List
• 3rd Grade Sight Word List
• Amazon Books
• No products in the cart.

Learning Programs

For parents, educational math games for kindergarten.

Plenty of Peanuts

Plenty of Peanuts is an educational game where the player’s objective is to feed an elephant a certain number of peanuts by grouping them into tens and ones. The game is designed to help children practice and understand place value, which involves recognizing the value of digits in different positions within a number. The main goal of the game is to feed the elephant the correct number of peanuts. The player is presented with a number that represents the total number of peanuts the elephant needs to eat. The challenge involves grouping the peanuts into two categories: tens and ones. Tens are groups of ten peanuts, and ones are individual peanuts. This concept helps children understand how numbers are composed of different place values.

Squawk Block: Subtraction, From 10

In Squawk Block: Subtraction, From 10, children will practice their subtraction skills while having a blast! This exciting game is designed to help them develop their ability to subtract numbers from 10. Playing the game is simple: a fish will hold up a number, and your child will need to find the block with the correct difference to complete a row. By selecting the appropriate block, they will have the opportunity to reinforce their understanding of subtraction and improve their mental math skills. However, they must be cautious! Too many incorrect answers will result in having to start over. Squawk Block: Subtraction, From 10 can provide an engaging and challenging experience for young learners, promoting both learning and perseverance. Get ready for some fin-tastic subtraction fun!

Squawk Block: Subtraction, Super Challenge!

In Squawk Block: Subtraction, Super Challenge!, children will have a chance to sharpen their subtraction skills in a fun and fast-paced math game. This engaging math game will give players a chance to sharpen their skills while quickly doing mental math subtraction in their heads. When the fish pops his head out of the pelican’s mouth, players will notice it’s holding a number. They are then presented with rows of 5 by 5 subtraction equations, giving them a total of 25 equations to choose from to find the correct answer. They will need to quickly identify and click on the block that will produce the number the fish is holding. This game is designed to help children develop strong mental math skills and fluency in subtraction. By being able to quickly and accurately subtract numbers, children have an opportunity to bolster their math skills and enhance their mental math abilities.

What Time Is It?

What Time Is It? is a fun and educational game that is designed to help young children learn how to read and tell time. Using pictures of analog and digital clocks, children must match the picture to the time displayed in words. This challenging game can help children recognize time in various forms, and as players progress through the game, the difficulty level increases, challenging them to identify time in different increments, such as hours, half-hours, and quarter-hours. By engaging in this game, children can learn how to tell time accurately and work to develop essential cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, pattern recognition, and hand-eye coordination.

Squawk Block: Addition, Super Challenge!

Squawk Block: Addition, Super Challenge! aims to help children practice addition skills by identifying pairs of numbers that add up to a given sum. In this challenging game, players are presented with a target sum and a set of numbers. The objective is to identify and select pairs of numbers from the set that, when added together, equal the target sum. By engaging with Squawk Block: Addition, Super Challenge!, children have an opportunity to: enhance their addition skills, strengthen their mental math abilities, and improve their problem-solving strategies.

Research Backed

Trusted by 50 million families

TRY ALL GAMES FREE

For 30 days.

Then just $12.99 per month until canceled.

With lots of fun and easy interactive math learning activities, 5-year-old kids can play games to help learn essential mathematics skills and more.

Feed the correct number of peanuts to the elephant by grouping tens and ones.

Identify pairs of numbers that subtract to a given difference.

Practice telling time to the hour by matching times displayed on digital and analog clocks and in words using o’clock .

ABCmouse’s team of nationally recognized education experts designed every math game to teach a specific kindergarten math concept.

Games include voiced instructions making them easier for even the youngest of children to play.

Identify pairs of numbers that add up to a given sum.

Squawk Block: Subtraction

Squawk Block: Addition and Subtraction

Identify pairs of numbers that add to a given sum or subtract to a given difference.

Squawk Block: Addition

Flying High: Addition and Subtraction

Complete addition and subtraction number sentences for two numbers from 1 to 10.

Nuts for Measuring

Use peanut boxes to measure the width and height of objects.

Tally Chart Factory

Choose the tally charts that correctly represent the number of blocks to be packed into boxes.

Squawk Block: Addition, Up to 5!

Practice addition within 10 while helping the grocer ring up the groceries.

Swim with the Fishes: Subtraction

Practice the concept of subtraction with this fish game.

PAGE 1 OF 3

Available on computers , tablets , and smartphones !

Mac or PC | iPad, Amazon Fire Tablet, or Galaxy Tab | iPhone or Android

Step-by-Step Learning Path

10 levels. hundreds of guided lessons. more than 10,000 individual learning activities inclusive of all key kindergarten subjects including math..

The Step-by-Step Learning Path delivers the full ABCmouse.com curriculum in a comprehensive program for kindergarten. Playing on the Learning Path will provide kindergarten students with a variety of online games, educational videos, and interactive activities that are designed to steadily build math comprehension and competency in all key academic subject areas. As your child completes each lesson, they are motivated to continue their learning journey with ABCmouse.com’s Tickets and Rewards system.

One of the best kindergarten homeschooling resources. ABCmouse’s award-winning math curriculum is backed by research and designed in collaboration with nationally recognized childhood education experts. ABCmouse’s supplemental math homeschool curriculum for kindergarten includes books, video games, puzzles, learning videos and much much more! To date, public, private, and homeschooled children have completed billions of online Learning Activities on ABCmouse!

Then renews at $12.99/mo. until canceled.

Get Your First Month FREE!

• Recognizing letter names and sounds
• Recognizing lowercase and uppercase letters
• Identifying vowels and consonants
• Tracing letters and numbers
• Understanding that written words are separated by spaces
• Putting the letters of the alphabet in order
• Matching letter sounds to beginning word sounds
• Counting syllables
• Reading common high-frequency sight words
• Recognizing rhyming words
• Recognizing consonant digraphs and blends
• Spelling common words
• Engaging in wordplay
• Understanding and contributing to a short narrative
• Identifying the basic parts of a storybook (front cover, title page, title, author, illustrator, back cover)
• Identifying the main character and basic plot of a story
• Answering questions about the key details of a story
• Talking about likes, dislikes, and favorites
• Creating and illustrating a story
• Counting to 10
• Counting to 100
• Adding up to 10
• Subtracting up to 10
• Counting by base-10 blocks
• Skip-counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, and 10s up to 100
• Recognizing written numbers from one to ten
• Answering the question "How many?"
• Sorting by number
• Ordering by number
• Tracing numbers
• Sorting and organizing coins and bills
• Recognizing shapes and patterns
• Recognizing number bonds
• Solving "more" and "less" word problems
• Comparing numbers using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols
• Comparing the length of two objects
• Comparing the size of two objects
• Completing a pattern
• Estimating numbers
• Completing a number grid
• Recognizing the numbers on a set of dice
• Recognizing shapes
• Identifying shapes
• Counting the number of sides and corners a shape hass
• Painting and coloring
• Illustrating a story
• Identifying musical instruments
• Expressing themselves through art and design
• Recognizing and naming colors
• Identifying the five senses
• Naming and ordering the seasons
• Naming and ordering the months of the year
• Identifying food groups
• Sorting money
• Picking the right clothes for the weather
• Identifying technological tools
• Using a mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen
• Using a keyboard

For a full list of aligned Common Core standards, visit our Common Core page:

15 of the Best Free Learning Games for Kindergarteners

Finding free learning games for kindergartners that are age-appropriate and that meet essential objectives can be tough. While there are thousands of websites that claim to offer quality educational games for free, this is not always the case. 

It can be very frustrating as a parent (and homeschooling mom) to try to find additional resources for your child that check all of the boxes. So that’s why I created this list of free learning games for kindergarteners. 

No more scouring through endless Google searches again because these are both teacher and mom-approved! 

Free Learning Games for Kindergarteners

Education.com.

This website offers tons of resources (aligned with current Common Core Standards) for students of all ages that include games, worksheets, and lesson plans for most subjects. Simply choose your child’s grade level and create an account to get started! 

Education.com allows 3 monthly downloads for free, but if you want unlimited access to all of their resources they offer an affordable monthly membership . If you are a homeschooling parent , they offer additional discounts to make the monthly fee even more affordable.

Cool Kindergarten

Cool Kindergarten is designed specifically for 5 and 6-year-olds to practice math and reading skills. This resource is always free and a great alternative to other paid memberships, such as ABC Mouse. 

They also offer online audiobook videos and games that would be lots of fun if your child had some free time to play age-appropriate games. The website is perfect for young learners because they can navigate independently without you having to worry about them landing on other websites by accident.

If your child enjoys watching their favorite shows on PBS, they will love these free learning games! Your preschoolers and kindergarteners will recognize familiar faces, which will increase their engagement and make learning even more fun! PBS Kids offers learning games for reading , math, science , engineering, as well as other interesting topics. 

Turtle Diary 

This website offers tons of free learning games for kindergarteners up to fifth grade. Above each game, you will find a small intro and learning objective. They even offer games to teach typing and geography along with the other core subjects.

Unfortunately, the major downside to this resource is the ads. I am NOT a fan of websites for children that have pop up ads because they can be misleading to your child and cause them to be redirected from the platform. 

If you do decide to use Turtle Diary, I would suggest either being seated with your child while he/she is playing (so you can make sure they are staying on the actual website) or purchasing the premium option, which removes the ads and has the added bonus of allowing you to track your student’s progress. 

Fun Brain Jr. 

Fun Brain Jr. is a fantastic place for children, ages 2 to 6, to play games and learn. You will find printable downloads and stickers that kids earn as they progress thru the games. While you won’t find as many games on Fun Brain Jr. as other websites, the fact that everything is free makes it well worth your time to check out! And if you’re specifically looking for math and reading learning games , this is the place to be.

Splash Learn 

With over 61 free math games, your kindergartener will never be bored. All of the resources that Splash Learn offers align with Common Core Standards. Their website contains math materials only and there is no subscription required! You don’t have to worry about ads either, which will keep your student on track without being distracted. 

Nick Jr. 

Another learning library similar to PBS Kids, your students will go bananas when they get to play along with their favorite characters. While this website’s games don’t align with Common Core State Standards specifically, your child will still be learning and practicing important skills along with their favorite characters from Nick Jr. And remember, the key to keeping kids engaged during learning is excitement! 

Cool Math 4 Kids

Here’s another free learning resource catered towards all things math! This website actually offers games for ages 5-12, which is perfect if you have multiple kids on tech time at once. Your kids will be able to access games covering a variety of essential math concepts. As an added bonus, Cool Math 4 Kids also has a sister site, CoolMath.com , which is rated for kids 13 and up. 

Time for Kids 

Coming straight from Time Magazine, Time for Kids is packed with articles and photos covering the environment, current events, health, sports, and more! Although this website is not as interactive or colorful as compared to the other resources listed, it’s a fantastic way to let kids see the news from an age-appropriate perspective. 

Fun Brain 

Once your kids visit this site, you will definitely want to bookmark it! Fun Brain offers games, reading resources, videos, and a math zone for kids from preschool to 8th grade! The site is straightforward when it comes to navigation, and you can filter the learning games so that only those for kindergarten populate to make it easier for your child. 

Highlights Kids 

Highlights magazine always makes me nostalgic because it was the first “real” magazine subscription designed specifically for kids. I remember finding them in every waiting room I visited and seeing them in the library at school. 

They’ve definitely come a long way since then with four different versions from babies to school-aged children as well as bilingual options! They even have an online space where your child can find tons of activities and free learning games for kindergarteners that would be great to incorporate into family time. You will also find ideas for crafts and kid-friendly recipes! 

Jump Start 

These kindergarten activities include printables and online learning games. You will find math, reading, and science resources ! The site is super organized and ad-free even without a subscription. Jump Start is a great tool for homeschooling parents and classroom teachers! 

Khan Academy 

Looking for high-quality content? Khan Academy offers amazing content for learners up to the college level! While you have to make an account to access everything, the account is completely free…so no worries. You will find content for just about any topic imaginable and a wealth of resources for all of the core subjects. It’s also super-simple to track your child’s progress with their reports! 

From personal experience, I can tell you that Khan Academy is our go-to resource whenever they need a little more help on a particular concept from Algebra and Geometry to History! It’s truly a fantastic resource, and that is why I had to include it on this list of free learning games for kindergarteners.

National Geographic Kids 

The videos and images that National Geographic Kids have in their magazines and on their websites are out of this world! Their content is very reliable and engaging no matter what your student likes learning. They have every topic imaginable ranging from animals to space…and just so you know, the quiz games are so much fun! 

Cookie 

Cookie.com offers hundreds of free learning activities including games created around language, math, and science! And be sure to check out their printable worksheet section if you are a classroom teacher, homeschooling family, or you just want your child to have some extra activities at home! 

HOMER  

The Homer app offers a free 30 day trial for students between the ages of 2 and 8. This app was developed by experts and has been shown to increase reading scores by as much as 74%.

Kids love the fact that the app is specialized to their interests while parents appreciate the fact that their kids are reading, exploring math concepts, and improving their thinking skills in unique and creative ways.

Remember, learning doesn’t have to be boring! Because kids of all ages love interactive websites and apps, I can guarantee that these are going to be a hit. Whether you are thinking about incorporating them into your daily classroom routine, your homeschool schedule , or your summer rhythms, I know your kids are going to love these free learning games for kindergartners.

More Helpful Kindergarten Resources: 

• The Ultimate Guide to Kindergarten Homeschool
• The Best Kindergarten Letter Activities
• Your Complete Guide to Kindergarten Sight Words
• How to Learn Counting the Fun Way
• 10 Ordinal Number Activities
• The Best STEM Activities for Kindergarten
• How To Make a Kindergarten Homeschool Schedule

Jennifer is a former elementary school teacher (M. Ed.) turned literacy interventionist, blogger, podcaster, TpT author, and homeschooling mom. When she's not with her husband & boys, she's sharing her love for Jesus, designing websites, helping other teachers pursue online businesses, organizing ALL THE THINGS, or watching New Girl. Read More >>

• BookWidgets Teacher Blog

40 Digital, Fun, and Interactive Lesson Activities for Kindergarten

Are you on the lookout for engaging and interactive lesson activities for kindergarten students and younger learners? Then, you’re at the right spot. In this comprehensive guide, I’ve curated 40 digital and interactive lesson plans tailored specifically for kindergarteners. With the digital landscape rapidly evolving, it’s essential to integrate technology into educational practices, ensuring a dynamic learning experience. These activities are designed to captivate young minds while fostering crucial developmental skills. Join us on this educational journey as we explore the limitless possibilities of technology-enhanced kindergarten lesson plans. Let’s empower our young learners to thrive in an increasingly digital world!

In this blog post, I will share digital learning activities for young children, like engaging games, worksheets, and crafts for various kindergarten classroom categories:

Digital counting and math activities for kindergarten

Digital language activities for kindergarten, digital discovery activities for kindergarten, digital crafting activities for kindergarten, digital energizer activities for kindergarten, digital theme activities for kindergarten, digital rules and organization activities for kindergarten.

💡 Before we begin: All the activities are made with BookWidgets. You can use them for free or design new, fun kindergarten lesson ideas yourself. Click this group link , log into your BookWidgetsaccount (or create one), and you’ll find all the activities listed in the group. After duplicating, you can make changes to the activity, customizing it for your students. If you are new to BookWidgets, BookWidgets is a content creation and evaluation tool for all teachers (kindergarten, elementary, high school, adult education,…). You can use it to create your own digital content or activities for young learners. We provide the tools to support your students’ learning process from beginning to end with customizable templates (aka widgets) for creating activities and a reporting dashboard to track your students’ progress. When you share these preschool activities from your BookWidgets account, you can share through a link, QR codes, or shortcodes.

In preschool, young learners already get in touch with the basics of mathematics and counting. I’m sharing fun 4 activities for early childhood education students to complete. This can be in a 1-to-1 classroom setup, as well as in a 1-to-many setup. In both cases, the teacher has an important role in explaining the activities.

1. Counting until 10 with our hands

The first stage of counting to ten always happens with our fingers! This pair-matching activity is just that. Let your students pick a hand card and let them discover the number by counting it on their own hands. Now, they need to connect the hand card with the right number card.

💡 Pro tip : Add text-to-speech so the numbers can be read out loud. This way, your students can recognize the numbers and also know how they sound. When you’re doing this classically, the teacher can just read them out loud and ask the students to name a number they see or repeat the number.

2. Count the animals

“How many animals do you see?” This is probably the question every teacher asks their early childhood students. I created a fun, auto-graded activity in which your preschoolers need to count the animals and write down the number.

💡 Pro tip : Use a worksheet widget and choose the “ Annotate Picture ” question to create fun counting worksheets that are automatically graded! You can find many fun visuals like the one I used on Canva .

3. Counting to 10

This activity has the same principle but is a bit easier. Your kindergarten students don’t need to write down the number as it’s already given. They need to drag and drop the number in the right box.

💡 Pro tip : Choose a worksheet widget and pick the “Picture Drag and Drop” question. This is an advanced use of this question type. Here’s a video tutorial on how to get this BookWidgets question type as you see it.

4. What makes 10?

This is one of the first arithmetic activities for preschoolers. They can use their hands to count and find the matching pairs. Which two numbers make 10?

💡 Pro tip : Add audio instructions when you’re not around so your students still know what to do, or you can organize some corner work with different counting activities. With these math and counting activities, you can already create multiple areas for cornerwork!

5. Paint by numbers

6. Addition and subtraction arithmetic

The Arithmetic widget for preschool students makes it easy for young learners to practice mathematical skills like addition and subtraction. Students solve the problems to reveal a reward word. If this is still a bit too hard for your young learners, you can share this activity on the big screen. For each arithmetic, ask your students to use their hands to count and find the solution.

Letter recognition, learning to write their name, and first sight words are all engaging language activities for kindergarten students. These activities are a good addition to your other kindergarten curriculum resources, but you might need to make some changes depending on where you’re from, as the kindergarten curriculum will have some changes from country to country.

7. Recognize new words

This activity focuses on recognizing words from sounds. This is a great activity for teaching new words and sounds to your younger learners, even before they learn the alphabet.

💡 Pro tip : Use audio (by using the voice recorder in BookWidgets) and images (by uploading them from the built-in Pixabay library). Students can zoom in on the images if needed by clicking on them.

8. Learning the alphabet

Learning the alphabet and recognizing the letters is a big goal when your students move on to the first grade. This Video Quiz activity is perfect for learning the alphabet and knowing how the letters sound and look like.

💡 Pro tip : A Video Quiz is perfect for visual learning. Include audio so students can practice this activity individually as often as they like or need to. The activity is auto-graded, so the teacher doesn’t need to check every student. It’s also fun to do this activity in a group and let your students repeat the letters out loud!

9. Letter recognition - Letters in my name

This is probably the first “name” activity for early childhood education. Once your students recognize the letters of the alphabet, they learn to recognize the letters in their names. The next step, obviously, is to teach them to write the letters in their name.

💡 Pro tip : Add a background image to a whiteboard widget so your students can draw on it. You can do any letter recognition activity if the image shows the alphabet. Ask them to circle the letters that appear in different words. Start with sight words like sun, dog, cat, etc. Just change the title, and you will have a new activity!

11. Emoji sight words flashcards

This sight words activity is fun and useful as emojis are easy to include in activities and represent easy words most of the time. Students see the emoji and say what they see. They flip the card and listen to the pronunciation of the word.

💡 Pro tip : BookWidgets flashcards have a text-to-speech optionality. Enable it for the words so students can recognize the letters and listen to them.

12. Sight words crossword

After practicing the words with the flashcards, your students can try to write the words down in the crossword. They learn to spell the short and easy words. This activity might be a bit too hard for younger learners. So, take the lead and share the crossword on the big screen. When they name an emoji, ask them which letter is in the words and where they should put the letters.

💡 Pro tip : Adding emoji’s to your activities is 10x faster then looking for images to upload. Right-click your mouse and choose “Emoji & symbols”. That’s it!

13. New words pair matching

A pair-matching game is perfect for teaching new words and vocabulary to kindergarten students. In this activity, your learners need to match an image with the sound of the words. This one is about the face, but the same goes for words in different themes: the body, the weather, the garden, the forest, the house, the room, animals, and much more. I’ll share some more activities below in the section about teaching with “ themes ” in kindergarten. For subjects and words your learners can see, ask them to point them out. In this example, ask them to point out their nose, eyes, cheeks, etc.

💡 Pro tip : All BookWidgets activities that come in pairs are really easy to transform into a new activity. Think about quizzes with pair-matching question types, flashcards, memory games, crossword puzzles, and word search puzzles… Check out this article to find out how to use the same content in different activities with just a few clicks.

14. Dress like an animal!

Teach new words with a fun twist. This activity is all about that! First, ask your students to come to school dressed like animals. It’s fun as they will learn all about animals. Every animal has its own characteristics your students will recognize. They only have to shout out the animals the kids in the pictures are dressed in. This is a group activity. When flipping the cards, ask your students to listen to the word, repeat it, and… make the animal sound! This activity is designed by Bart Natens.

15. Get funky with sounds!

💡 Pro tip : A BookWidgets hotspot image activity is perfect for creating digital discovery posters on which students have to click, read, and listen.

16. Drawing dictation - The house

This is one of my favorite kindergarten classroom activities created by a Dutch Kindergarten teacher, Virginie Lauwers. This is a listening activity but also shows the words your students learned so they can recognize them.

💡 Pro tip : Use a Split Whiteboard activity and add audio, text, and images so students can already learn to recognize words. Students can easily pause and resume the audio.

Embarking on the journey of digital discovery activities with young learners can be both exciting and daunting. In this part, I will show you some engaging kindergarten resources designed to foster exploration, fine motor skills, learning, and creativity in the digital realm.

17. Senses in the garden

This activity teaches kindergarten students to be aware of their surroundings and about the senses. Let them walk on the playground and visit the forest, park, or garden so they can draw things they can see, hear, smell, and touch.

💡 Pro tip : In this BookWidgets whiteboard activity, you can also enable your learners to upload an image/ take a picture instead of only drawing on the whiteboard.

18. Recognize shapes worksheet

This is probably the first geometry activity early childhood students will get. Let your students drag and drop familiar icons or images with the right shape to the right box.

💡 Pro tip : Choose a worksheet widget and pick the “Picture drag and drop” question type. If you can’t find the right images using the Pixabay integration, use “ The noun project ” for all the icons you need. It’s my favorite icon go-to website.

19. Recognize shapes in objects - Photo Search

This activity follows the previous one. Here, your students need to walk around in their classroom, school, and playground and recognize the different shapes in the objects in their daily lives. They need to take a picture and add it as an answer to their question. This activity is very engaging for young learners and perfect for small student groups using tablets.

💡 Pro tip : The photo question in a BookWidgets quiz or worksheet is perfect for discovery activities like this one. Duplicate the widget and change the question to a new discovery activity for kindergarten.

20. Building with color blocks

This activity teaches your young learners lots of different things: they build their motor skills, learn to recognize colors and get a sense of spatial awareness.

💡 Pro tip : If you also want to incorporate the skill “learning to play with others”, add another wheel to this BookWidgets randomness activity with the same images. Let one student build the first block tower and the other the second. When done, your students can switch positions and check each other’s work.

21. Old MacDonald had a farm…

As this is the only music activity I’m sharing, it needed to go under this blog post’s “discovery” section. But, when you’re teaching with themes, and “farm or animals” is probably a theme, make sure to include this one too. This piano activity works best when you have tablets available. Your students can listen to the song and try to replicate it using the piano keyboard below. I know they will make countless mistakes, but it can be the first introduction to musical instruments in a playful, fun way.

💡 Pro tip : You can teach the song with its lyrics so students can sing along!

22. The weather memory game

Of course, we’re teaching our kindergarten kids new vocabulary, and it can be part of a “weather-themed lesson series”, but I’m showing this activity here because students learn to look outside and discover the weather. This is a fun memory game for a 1-to-many classroom setup. I made sure students could shout the number of the cards so the teacher could flip the two cards they indicated. Can your students remember where the matching cards are?

💡 Pro tip : The Memory Game widget can be used to practice newly learned concepts and words. When finished, ask your students a follow-up question so they think about what they’ve learned and trigger their knowledge immediately after. In this example, I ask them to look outside and tell me the weather for that day. You can do this using text and audio. This digital preschool resource is designed by Bart Natens.

23. Bingo playground

Create a bingo sheet that’s different for every young learner and add familiar images. Now, your students can scan the bingo QR code you provide using their tablet and walk around the playground, the park, the forest, you name it. Whenever they encounter something that represents one of the images on their bingo sheet, they can tap it. The students that find all the activities first win!

💡 Pro tip : Duplicate this bingo card and add more images that represent your school’s playground. If you add an “alt text” to the images, you can even read out loud what’s on the images by enabling the text-to-speech option.

Enter the world of imagination and creativity with this part on digital crafting activities for kindergarteners. In this digital age, fostering artistic expression goes beyond traditional mediums, offering a vibrant canvas for young minds to explore. Join us as we explore a variety of innovative lesson plans and techniques tailored to inspire your little artists in the kindergarten classroom.

24. Heartfelt creations

Crafting and creativity are important activities in kindergarten as they will improve your students’ motor skills. They learn fine motor skills by drawing and using glue and scissors. This activity is just about that! You can do the activity around Valentine’s Day or when you focus on the theme “ Friendship and Kindness ”. It’s always a good idea to add the different steps of the creation process in a BookWidgets quiz. Make sure to share it on the big screen as your students follow along with all the steps. You also have to show the steps by crafting yourself.

💡 Pro tip : By adding a photo question to your craft quiz, you can assign some homework during the holidays, a school break, or remote teaching. This way, the parents have a ready-to-use activity, and your students can upload their crafts to you. Now, you can print them out and decorate your classroom, and your learners will find their artwork when they come back to school.

25. Emoji artwork

This activity is all about bringing your toddlers’ fantasies and creating thinking alive. This is a creative assignment best given when you have tablets available. Your students need to spin the wheels, and 3 emojis will pop up. Now, they have to draw an artwork using the whiteboard on the other side with those 3 emojis. They can use the digital whiteboard tools or draw on paper. When they are done, they can upload a picture of their paper artwork and add it to the whiteboard. Not everything needs to be digital all the way. Practicing drawing on paper will refine your preschoolers’ motor skills.

💡 Pro tip : Use a “ Split Whiteboard ” widget to combine widgets and create fun activities. I first created a “ Randomness ” widget in the example above and shared that link in a Split Whiteboard widget.

26. Cotton ball launcher

This creative Video Quiz STEM activity is so much fun. It can be a classroom project or, again, homework to do with the child’s parents. In both cases, the adult plays an important role when it comes to providing instructions. We already give them in the Video Quiz activity, step by step, but you’ll have to read them out loud and make sure your younger learners understand.

💡 Pro tip : Adding multiple photo questions to your Video Quiz lets you follow up on your student’s learning process and see where things went wrong.

Keeping kindergarten students engaged and energized is key to a successful learning experience. In this part, I will unveil 2 dynamic digital energizer activities designed to inject excitement and vitality into the classroom. From interactive learning games to lively movement breaks, discover how technology can be used to spark joy in your kindergartners’ educational journey. If you like these early childhood energizers, make sure to check out this blog post with many more energizers for students of all ages .

27. Get on that chair!

This activity is so much fun and teaches your preschoolers all about the chronological order of the alphabet and numbers. Make a line with chairs, and a student stands up straight on each chair. Spin the wheel and ask your students to collaborate and switch positions (without touching the ground) based on the assignment on the wheel. This assignment is text-based, so you’ll have to explain. They will probably also need your help and instructions. Guide them by asking the right questions.

💡 Pro tip : Duplicate this activity into your BookWidgets account and add other assignment instructions. You can adapt the activities to your student’s age and skills. You can also add icons and images instead of text.

28. Movement energizers

I also used the fun “Randomness” widget for this activity, but I added 4 wheels with images instead of 1 with text. As you can see in both examples, the possibilities of this spinner activity are endless! Share this activity with your students on the big screen 2 to 3 times a day, and ask a student to come forward and spin the wheel. That student shows the activity the others must do. They explain and show it to the others. It teaches your learners to give clear instructions to other students using their voice and body language. And…it’s a fun kindergarten energizer!

Step into the captivating realm of digital-themed activities tailored specifically for kindergarten classrooms. In this blog post section, I unveil a treasure trove of innovative kindergarten lesson ideas designed to ignite curiosity and foster learning through technology. These themed classroom activities will enrich the educational experience for young learners. Of course, you can tailor all these free resources to your classroom themes or build new digital kindergarten activities from scratch .

29. Animals

I’m sharing 3 activities about animals you can use right away. Remember these three other fun activities I already shared above? 👉 flashcards activity “Dress like an animal” , “ Count the animals ”, and “ Paint by numbers ”. They fit right in here, too.

Spring animals memory game

In this animal-themed kindergarten lesson idea, children are presented with a grid of cards featuring various springtime animals, such as bunnies, chicks, and butterflies, each paired with an identical match. The objective is for students to flip over the cards, one at a time, to find matching pairs by remembering the placement of each animal. This activity not only enhances memory and concentration skills but also introduces young learners to the vibrant world of springtime fauna in an interactive and entertaining manner. This kindergarten widget is designed by Bart Natens.

💡 Pro tip : Enable the “ add numbers ” option so your students can pick cards to turn over by saying the numbers.

Farm animals spot the difference game

This farm-themed digital activity is designed for kindergarten students to sharpen their observation skills. In this game, children are presented with two images of farm scenes featuring various animals. Their task is to identify and click on the differences between the two pictures. This engaging activity enhances visual discrimination abilities and introduces young learners to the diversity of farm animals in a fun and interactive way.

💡 Pro tip : Instead of just highlighting the differences, you can mention what’s different too by adding a short explanation in the configuration. You can also ask students a specific question for each difference. It will engage them more with the learning subject.

Forest animals discovery poster

This innovative Valentine’s Day teaching strategy showcases various animals in their natural habitats, each decorated with a Valentine’s theme. You can see this activity fits in perfectly with both themes: animals and Valentine’s Day. This Hotspot Image activity reveals a fun fact about each animal, such as their habitats, diet, or unique characteristics. This interactive poster image is designed to engage and benefit learners of all ages. With a particular emphasis on its effectiveness for young learners, it supports the students’ learning and provides valuable additional support for emerging readers.

💡 Pro tip : Edit your background image in a way students know where to click. You can also make the hotspots visible. Combine audio, text, and an image to create a fun and rich learning experience for your students.

30. Transportation and vehicles

I created 3 digital learning games for preschoolers you can use to practice vocabulary and understand the different ways of transportation or vehicles. You can add more fun activities on this theme that are not digital. A fun color plate is always good to refine your student’s motor skills.

Spot the difference - Train activity

This activity focuses on spotting the differences between two train images. The differences are colors, so it teaches your students the differences in color.

Jigsaw puzzle

A digital jigsaw puzzle is the perfect introduction activity for any theme. When your students complete the jigsaw puzzle, you can ask them a follow-up question related to the lesson subject.

💡 Pro tip : Young learners can click the “?” icon to get a hint of the completed jigsaw puzzle. You can disable showing this hint for older students. You can also play with the amount of puzzle pieces to make this activity harder or easier.

Transportation BINGO!

Let your students open this bingo sheet by sharing a link/QR code or shortcode. This activity works best on tablets. If you don’t have tablets for all your students, don’t worry. You can create smaller groups for 1 tablet. For this activity, the teacher explains the means of transportation without mentioning the name. For example, “ I reach my destination by traveling on hot air. I let the wind guide me, and I float high above the ground ”. Your students shout out what it is, “ A hot air balloon! ” and click the image. The bingo sheets are all arranged differently. This ensures some groups will have 3 in a row quicker than others as they won’t have the same images on their sheet. The ultimate goal is for a group to have BINGO! when they tapped all the images.

31. Friendship & Love

These digital kindergarten lessons are all about love, friendship, kindness, appreciation, and acceptance. You can address this subject around Valentine’s Day, as the themes fit right in. Remember, the craft activity, “Heartfelt creations” and the “ Wildlife wonders ” discovery poster all fit in this theme.

Be a good friend BINGO!

During the week, your students must complete 1 classroom bingo by checking every card on the sheet. They can do most of them in school, but being a good friend doesn’t stop there. Some of the things they can do at home.

💡 Pro tip : If you don’t have many tablets or devices available, you can use the bingo game in a one-to-many classroom setup and make it a group effort to check all the cards on the Bingo sheet.

Random acts of kindness

Share this random spinner every morning of the week to choose a random act of kindness your young learners need to complete

Heart pairs

Practice colors with this love pair matching game. Your preschoolers listen to the color and need to match it with the right colored heart.

💡 Pro tip : Include audio in your pairs for younger learners and use text instead of audio for older learners.

Letter recognition

This is a letter recognition activity I already shared above but with a Valentine’s Day twist. Let your students circle the letters that appear in the word “Valentine’s Day”. Duplicate the activity and make several versions, or delete the title. This way, you can reuse this activity. Write down your “love” words on the blackboard so they know which letters to circle. Think of “love, friendship, kindness, appreciation, and acceptation”. When they complete the activity, ask them to explain what the words mean to them and click the dustbin icon to start over and move on to the next word.

Easter is always fun as the Easter Bunny comes around, and your students can go on an egg hunt! Here are some fun Easter themed activities for your preschoolers and kindergarten students.

Easter puzzle series

This fun planner activity has 4 fun Easter themed jigsaw puzzles with different difficulty lessons. Perfect for differentiating your kindergarten lessons. Your students start with 2 easy jigsaw puzzles. When done, they check off the activities and add 2 more activities using the “+” icon. This awesome kindergarten planner activity is created by Virginie Lauwers.

💡 Pro tip : Play with the puzzle pieces quantity to make harder and easier jigsaw puzzles.

Easter bunny candidates

Egg hunt spot-the-difference game

This spot-the-difference game for kindergarten fits right into the Easter theme. Can your students find all the differences?

33. Pirates

This fun kindergarten classroom activity triggers your students’ imagination. Let them invent fun pirate, adventure, and treasure hunt stories based on the images that come up in the randomness widget. This fun preschool activity is created by Bart Natens.

In this part of the blog post, I want to share some activities that can help you with the all-day classroom management of a kindergarten classroom. And besides sharing activities, I’m also highlighting 2 amazing virtual learning tools for kindergarten. These educational apps for kindergarten classrooms will help you manage, organize, and set goals.

34. Classroom rules discovery poster

This interactive poster explains your kindergarten classroom rules. Create a visual using tools like Canva or Adobe Express and make it interactive with the BookWidgets hotspot image widget. Add audio so students can listen to the classroom rules.

35. Classroom rules pair matching game

Discuss your kindergarten classroom rules with your students at the beginning of the school year by giving them this interactive pair-matching game. This makes rules fun and engages your students with them as well.

36. Pee break!

It’s not always easy managing a classroom full of kindergarten students during a bathroom break. This fun pair-matching activity can be used to teach your young learners what to do when they go to the bathroom. Let them find the matching pairs and tell what the images represent. You will see… your students will bring in some funny bathroom stories you didn’t ask for… 😅 Make sure they use this information when they actually go to the bathroom. This creative bathroom etiquette pair matching game is created by Bart Natens.

37. Random student picker

Add the names or, even better, headshot pictures of your students to create a random name picker like the one below. Duplicate the activity and replace the given names with your students’ names. Use your random student picker when you need a volunteer or hand out chores or tasks. Let a student spin the wheel when handing out the tasks.

38. Random group generator

As for the student picker, the same goes for generating random student groups. Use a randomness widget with multiple wheels to create random groups.

39. Digital dice

Dices are small, go missing all the time, and can be dangerous for young learners. Introducing… the digital dice. Use the activity below for any activity that requires a dice.

💡 Pro tip : Create a randomness widget with two wheels. This gives you a double dice. You can use it for counting activities.

40. Smart Symbols

Smart Symbols is supportive software for early childhood education. They provide actionable insights into the daily activities of toddlers in crowded classrooms by collecting data from both teachers and children. Smart Symbols translates theory (teacher schedule) into practice by providing digital activity boards for toddlers. Letting toddlers interact with their tools by choosing activities, giving feedback, and sharing their emotions enables teachers to obtain deeper insights about emotions, interest, social interaction, and much more.

41. i3LEARNHUB

With all the inspirational examples given, I’d like to mention the BookWidgets integration with the i3LEARNHUB. The i3LEARNHUB is online, device indepent softwaretool to create interactive lesson plans. Teachers can create and choose BookWidgets activities directly from the I3LEARNHUB and share them with students in both a single device (I3 touchscreen) or a 1-on-1 device classroom. If you want to know more about this integration, make sure to watch the webinar recording and find out how you can effortlessly create, share, and integrate BookWidgets’ interactive content.

That’s it! I hope this collection of 40 online lesson activities for young learners inspired you to digitize parts of your lessons and engage your younger learners. From interactive learning games for young learners and immersive storytelling to hands-on exercises, these activities are designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for learning. With this comprehensive kindergarten resource, you’ll be well-equipped to create dynamic and memorable educational experiences for your young students. Here’s to a classroom filled with joy, creativity, and endless discovery!

Remember to navigate to this BookWidgets group to find all the free kindergarten lessons I just shared.

Want to learn more about creating engaging lesson activities with BookWidgets ?

✔️ Follow BookWidgets on X / Twitter and LinkedIn and join our teacher community on Facebook !

✔️ And, be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn ! 👋

Join hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and get the best content on technology in education.

BookWidgets enables teachers to create fun and interactive lessons for tablets, smartphones, and computers.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Demme Learning

Building Lifelong Learners

• Default Sort Order
• Alphabetical: A to Z

Customer Service: Available Live Chat • 888-854-6284 • Email

How to Choose Fun Math Activities with Purpose

Demme Learning · April 10, 2024 · Leave a Comment

When it comes to having fun, math activities probably aren’t high on the list for most students or educators. For many people, “math fun” might seem like an oxymoron.

As long as math concepts are introduced using real-life applications, hands-on activities, and age-appropriate material, however, there’s no reason math class can’t be an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Whether it’s a family calculating their grocery budget or an astrophysicist applying advanced mathematical concepts, math skills are an essential part of life. As an educator, the math activities you choose can elevate your students’ critical thinking and make your classroom more inviting for math learning. And yes, they can even be fun.

Understanding the Importance of Fun in Math Activities

For many students, solving a math problem is a scary proposition. An estimated  20% to 25% of kids  experience significant math anxiety.

From the time they enter elementary school, students’ negative perceptions of math are often reinforced by cultural attitudes and an emphasis on math drills over exploration. Overcoming these preconceived notions requires a change in perspective, which starts with approaching math in a fun way.

Turning math into an exciting adventure isn’t too hard with a little creativity. Using sidewalk chalk to draw different shapes, playing a card game to demonstrate how to put numbers in order, or using a tape measure to measure distance are just a few fun activities that can bolster a student’s motivation and desire to learn math.

Regardless of the subject, fun and purposeful activities contribute to meaningful learning experiences, and this is especially true for mathematics. One of the main reasons so many students loathe the subject is because they believe it is irrelevant to their lives and is, therefore, no fun.

Key Elements of Fun Math Activities

Fun math activities generally involve elements that counteract the negative associations students have with mathematics. A fun math activity should be:

Relevant to Real Life

When math involves real-world applications, it becomes less abstract and a more enjoyable experience, especially when it involves the manipulation of numbers or shapes. This is why handling money, playing board games, or creating artwork tend to engage students. These activities make math learning fun.

Interactive

When students work to solve puzzles, they’re engaging with geometry. When students play hide and seek, they’re practicing counting. Any interactive  hands-on activity  will engage students, especially if it involves entertainment or amusement. Incorporating mathematical concepts into physical education can also make math interactive. When students divide themselves evenly into two teams or calculate how many points they need to win, they’re learning math.  

Drilling math facts is important, but if that’s all they do, students will start to feel trapped. Math games can be tremendously helpful when it comes to incorporating variety into the curriculum because there are plenty to choose from for all ages.  One classic game for pre-schoolers , for example, is “Guess the Amount,”  where students estimate the number of items in a jar or container. For middle school students and high school students, contests can bring out the competitive spirit, with two teams or two individuals vying for points by guessing the correct answer to a math question. 

How to Choose Fun Math Activities with Educational Purpose

Above all, educators should select math activities that align with their students’ educational objectives. If teaching geometry, choose a fun activity related to geometry. If teaching about the order of operations , choose an activity that helps reinforce basic math operations.

Remember: reinforcing key math concepts is the main consideration when choosing fun math activities. Enjoyment certainly helps, but it’s important the activities tie into the broader picture and help the student apply math concepts.  

Because math is so interconnected, there is some flexibility in what fun activities you choose. For example, geometry involves multiplication, so a geometry experiment that requires calculating the area of a rectangle will help students practice math skills for multiplication  and  geometry. These are the kinds of exercises that help students attain  math mastery .

There is a delicate balance between having fun and retaining mathematical concepts. While it’s important that students have fun with math, it’s more important that they are able to demonstrate their full understanding of new concepts.  

To that end, sometimes drilling and practice are necessary to strengthen mental math. In order to demonstrate proficiency, students need to be able to seamlessly recall math facts. This doesn’t mean drilling and practice can’t be fun, however. Interactive math activities can help provide a broader understanding of multiplication generally. Recalling that 5×7=35 demonstrates memorization but being able to prove it by adding 7 to itself 5 times demonstrates proficiency.

Examples of Fun and Purposeful Math Activities

For more than one student, games are probably the most engaging and exciting math activities; however, some activities are appropriate for individuals, as well.

Here are a handful of fun math activities:

Math Baseball

There are several ways to play math baseball. In each case, students will want to draw a baseball diamond. Players can use markers, such as coins to track the progression of their players. For teams, the game is played with a “referee” calling out math questions. For individuals, two students roll dice, and no referee is necessary.

In each case, scoring is similar, although gameplay differs slightly. The number of “innings” in the game is set at the outset. There are three “outs” per inning., with each wrong answer resulting in an “out.”  Each correct answer constitutes a “hit” and a progression to the next base. Players who round the bases get a “run,” and the player or team with the most runs at the end of the game is the winner.

For the two-player version, each student rolls two dice for each “at bat,” and, depending on the math concepts being learned, each number on the die constitutes a number in an addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division equation. If a player answers with the correct sum, difference, product, or quotient, they get a “hit.”  If the answer is wrong, they get an “out.” 

While there are many other ways to play, these are the basics. The repetition of questions in math baseball helps students recall facts and hone their problem-solving skills. The game’s competitive aspect makes it fun for everyone.

Before the game begins, students or educators will want to create bingo cards for each player. Each bingo card will be different, but the numbers on the bingo cards will correspond to answers to math problems announced in a random fashion. Students will need to quickly calculate the answers on scratch paper or in their minds before blocking a square on their bingo card. Beyond this mathematical twist, all the other rules of bingo apply.

What’s particularly nice about math bingo is that it is suitable for all grade levels, since it can be as elementary or as advanced as the lesson it helps to teach. For more advanced games, however, the “caller” will probably want to provide an appropriate amount of time between announcements for the calculation of answers to take place.  

Board Games and Card Games

Dozens of games require math knowledge. Games like Candy Land and Connect 4 are perfect for young students learning to count, add, and subtract. More advanced games, such as Monopoly, poker, and Gin Rummy, can help older students add an element of strategy to their math knowledge.

Participating in the Economy

Ask students to calculate tax, change, and tips at stores or restaurants. If they calculate the answers correctly, give them money to pay for the products or services.

Mapping a Geographic Area

Make a map of your house, measuring the lengths of each room and calculating the areas. You can extend this activity further to your neighborhood or town.

Baking and Cooking

Preparing meals provides many opportunities for real-life math activities. Cooking and baking require a sequence of steps, which can be correlated to the order of operations. Measuring ingredients helps with fractions, especially when multiple batches are required or recipes need to be segmented or halved. Weight, symmetry, and unit conversion all build critical thinking skills and help solve math problems.

Computer Programming

For students interested in computers, writing computer programs that illustrate mathematical concepts is a fun way to sharpen their math skills. For example, they could write a function that calculates factorials or determines whether a number is prime.

Integrating Fun Math Activities into Different Learning Environments

Students may learn math in different settings, such as homeschooling, traditional classrooms, and online learning. Many of the math activities we’ve touched on can be incorporated into any setting with some minor modifications.

One factor to consider is the number of students involved. In smaller groups with just a handful of students, educators can work directly with them, giving each student individual attention. For larger groups, this may not be an option. Instead, an educator can demonstrate the activity for the rest of the class with one or two students and then have the class split into groups to perform the activity. The instructor can then walk around the room, monitor each group, and offer assistance or guidance when necessary.

Another factor is available materials. Be creative with what you have on hand. For example, you could use paper cutouts to simulate baking ingredients or coins. Virtual classrooms are especially limited this way, so choose activities that can be easily adapted to screens.

Embracing the Joy of Learning Math

Integrating fun and purposeful activities into math lessons not only combats math anxiety but also promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation for mathematics. From math baseball to baking, these activities show math is not only essential but enjoyable, too. 

By carefully selecting activities that are both entertaining and educational, educators can help students see math in a new light, sparking curiosity and a lifelong love of math. Engaging students in meaningful, enjoyable math activities paves the way for their success in mathematics and beyond. Want more math resources?  Check out The Guild! This free archive provides resources for building math skills and learning math facts.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Stories

Mastery Math vs. Memorization

Your Child’s Math Experience is Not Your Math Experience

Fractions Made Simple: Unlocking Potential with Engaging Methods

• Administrator
• Teacher How To's
• How It works
• All Worksheets
• Math Worksheets
• ELA Worksheets

Kindergarten Educational Learning Games

Enjoy a fun-filled learning experience with our online kindergarten educational games in math and ELA, carefully designed by experienced teachers. Our platform offers diverse interactive kindergarten games aligned with the curriculum, helping kids master counting, basic addition and subtraction, sorting, shap ... Read more es, letter names and sounds, letter tracing, sight words, motor skills, and more. Kids, parents, and school teachers love these vibrant learning games! Start now for free!

CONTENT TYPE

• Lesson Plans
• Number Sense (177)
• Number Recognition (23)
• Number Recognition Within 5 (9)
• Number Recognition Within 10 (8)
• Number Recognition Within 20 (6)
• Number Sequence (38)
• Number Sequence Within 5 (15)
• Number Sequence Within 10 (18)
• Number Sequence Within 20 (5)
• Counting (69)
• Counting Objects Within 5 (26)
• Counting Objects Within 10 (40)
• Counting Objects Within 20 (3)
• Writing Numbers (20)
• Writing Numbers Within 5 (5)
• Writing Numbers Within 10 (5)
• Writing Numbers Within 20 (10)
• Compare and Order Numbers (19)
• Compare Numbers (16)
• Compare Numbers within 10 (16)
• Compare Objects within 10 (6)
• Order Numbers (3)
• Order Numbers within 10 (3)
• Place Value (12)
• Read and Write Numbers (12)
• Identify Teen Numbers (12)
• Addition (62)
• Embedded Numbers (3)
• Addition Sentences (10)
• Addition Sentence within 5 (5)
• Addition Sentence within 10 (5)
• Addition Strategies (33)
• Addition Strategies within 10 (24)
• Count All to Add (10)
• Count All to add within 5 (5)
• Count All to add within 10 (5)
• Compose and Decompose Numbers (14)
• Addition Strategies within 20 (9)
• Anchor 5 and 10 (9)
• Addition Facts (16)
• Fluently Add within 10 (16)
• Subtraction (36)
• Subtraction Sentences (10)
• Subtraction Sentences within 5 (5)
• Subtraction Sentences within 10 (5)
• Subtract with Pictures (16)
• Subtract with Pictures within 5 (8)
• Subtract with Pictures within 10 (8)
• Subtraction Facts (10)
• Fluently Subtract within 10 (10)
• Geometry (36)
• Positional Words (5)
• Shapes (31)
• 2d Shapes (16)
• Attributes of 2D shapes (7)
• Sort 2D shapes (4)
• 3d Shapes (4)
• Flat and Solid Shapes (11)
• Match 2D Shapes (9)
• Measurement (22)
• Comparing Measurements (11)
• Compare Weights (3)
• Compare Lengths (4)
• Compare Heights (4)
• Data Handling (11)
• Organize and Interpret Data (6)
• Sort Objects (5)
• Word Problems (11)
• Addition and Subtraction Word Problems (11)
• Addition Word Problems (4)
• Addition Word Problems within 10 (4)
• Subtraction Word Problems (2)
• Subtraction Word Problems within 10 (2)
• ELA (1,055)
• Reading (1,015)
• Phonics (1,015)
• Alphabet (111)
• Letter A (5)
• Letter B (5)
• Letter C (5)
• Letter D (5)
• Letter E (5)
• Letter F (5)
• Letter G (5)
• Letter H (5)
• Letter I (5)
• Letter J (5)
• Letter K (5)
• Letter L (5)
• Letter M (5)
• Letter N (5)
• Letter O (5)
• Letter P (5)
• Letter Q (5)
• Letter R (5)
• Letter S (5)
• Letter T (5)
• Letter U (5)
• Letter V (5)
• Letter W (5)
• Letter X (5)
• Letter Y (5)
• Letter Z (5)
• Letter Sounds (130)
• Letter Sound A (5)
• Letter Sound B (5)
• Letter Sound C (5)
• Letter Sound D (5)
• Letter Sound E (5)
• Letter Sound F (5)
• Letter Sound G (5)
• Letter Sound H (5)
• Letter Sound I (5)
• Letter Sound J (5)
• Letter Sound K (5)
• Letter Sound L (5)
• Letter Sound M (5)
• Letter Sound N (5)
• Letter Sound O (5)
• Letter Sound P (5)
• Letter Sound Q (5)
• Letter Sound R (5)
• Letter Sound S (5)
• Letter Sound T (5)
• Letter Sound U (5)
• Letter Sound V (5)
• Letter Sound W (5)
• Letter Sound X (5)
• Letter Sound Y (5)
• Letter Sound Z (5)
• Letter Recognition (97)
• Lowercase Letters (26)
• Uppercase Letters (26)
• Matching Lowercase and Uppercase Letters (45)
• Match Aa - Dd (7)
• Match Ee - Gg (5)
• Match Hh - Kk (7)
• Match Ll - Pp (9)
• Match Qq - Ss (5)
• Match Tt - Vv (5)
• Match Ww - Zz (7)
• Vowels (81)
• Short Vowel Sounds (81)
• Short A Vowel Sound (59)
• Short E Vowel Sound (26)
• Short I Vowel Sound (59)
• Short O Vowel Sound (44)
• Short U Vowel Sound (24)
• Blending (358)
• CCVC Words (19)
• CVC Words (271)
• CVCC Words (34)
• Beginning Blending (34)
• Consonant Digraphs (8)
• Digraph CH (3)
• Digraph PH (2)
• Digraph SH (3)
• Digraph TH (2)
• Digraph WH (2)
• Double Consonants (8)
• FF Words (3)
• LL Words (3)
• SS Words (3)
• ZZ Words (3)
• Rhyming Words (18)
• Sight Words (375)
• Dolch Sight Words (324)
• Fry Sight Words (237)
• Writing (66)
• Handwriting (46)
• Letter Tracing (46)
• Letter Tracing A (3)
• Letter Tracing B (3)
• Letter Tracing C (3)
• Letter Tracing D (3)
• Letter Tracing E (3)
• Letter Tracing F (3)
• Letter Tracing G (3)
• Letter Tracing H (3)
• Letter Tracing I (3)
• Letter Tracing J (3)
• Letter Tracing K (3)
• Letter Tracing L (3)
• Letter Tracing M (3)
• Letter Tracing N (3)
• Letter Tracing O (3)
• Letter Tracing P (3)
• Letter Tracing Q (3)
• Letter Tracing R (3)
• Letter Tracing S (3)
• Letter Tracing T (3)
• Letter Tracing U (3)
• Letter Tracing V (3)
• Letter Tracing W (3)
• Letter Tracing X (3)
• Letter Tracing Y (3)
• Letter Tracing Z (3)
• Writing Sight Words (20)
• General Knowledge (293)
• Vegetables (19)
• Fruits (24)
• Animals (58)
• Seasonal (28)
• Christmas (12)
• Kitchen (11)
• Musical Instruments (30)
• Art & Creativity (235)
• Coloring (181)
• Animals (32)
• Rhymes (25)
• Stories (10)
• Logic & Thinking (11)
• Motor Skills (15)

Number Sense Games

Trace the Number One Game

Sharpen your number skills by tracing the number one.

Sing the Number Song from 1 to 3 Game

Ask your little one to sing the number song from 1 to 3 to play this game.

Count to 5 Game

Dive deep into the world of counting with our fun 'Count to 5' game.

Count and Match Numbers from 1 to 3 Game

Apply your knowledge of number sense to count and match numbers from 1 to 3.

Addition Games

Add Two Numbers (Up to 5) Game

Ask your little one to add two numbers (Up to 5) to play this game.

Count On to Add within 10 Game

Dive deep into the world of addition by counting on to add within 10.

Record Addition in Sentences Game

Kids must record addition in sentences to practice addition skills.

Model to Add Numbers Game

Dive deep into the world of math by modeling to add numbers.

Subtraction Games

Remove and Match the Number Game

Enjoy the marvel of math-multiverse by exploring how to remove and match the number.

Subtraction Equations Game

Unearth the wisdom of mathematics by learning how to complete subtraction equations.

• Subtraction Symbol Game

Take the first step towards building your math castle by practicing the subtraction symbol.

Subtract Two Numbers (Up to 5) Game

Take a deep dive into the world of math by subtracting two numbers (up to 5).

Geometry Games

Counting Objects Above and Below Game

Begin the exciting journey of becoming a math wizard by counting objects 'above' and 'below'.

• Identify Objects Above and Below Game

Learn to solve problems by identifying objects 'above' and 'below'.

Find Shapes All Around Us Game

Ask your little one to find and identify the different shapes around us to play this game.

Match Triangles and Squares Game

Enter the madness of math-multiverse by exploring how to match triangles and squares.

Measurement Games

Identify the Heavier Object Game

Shine bright in the math world by learning how to identify the heavier object.

Complete the Data Game

Take the first step towards building your math castle by practicing how to complete the data.

Count and Record Data Game

Apply your knowledge of measurements to count and record data.

Compare Weights of Objects Game

Enjoy the marvel of mathematics by exploring how to compare weights of objects.

Word Problems Games

Adding Within 5 by Making a Model Game

Add more arrows to your child’s math quiver by adding within 5 by making a model.

Word Problems: Subtracting One Game

Sharpen your math skills with the 'Word Problems: Subtracting One' game.

Model and Add (Within 10) Game

Unearth the wisdom of mathematics by learning how to model and add (within 10).

Adding One by Making a Model Game

Treat yourself to an immersive learning experience with our 'Adding One by Making a Model' game.

Reading Games

Match Big and Small A Game

Put your language skills to the test by learning to match big and small A.

Can You Find the Lowercase Letter a? Game

To play this game, find the lowercase letter a.

Can You Find the Uppercase Letter A? Game

To play this game, find the uppercase letter A.

Find the Letters A, B, C & D Game

Put your language skills to the test by finding the letters A, B, C & D.

Writing Games

Learn to Write the Sight Words: like, the & likes Game

Children must learn to write the sight words: like, the & likes.

Tracing Small Letters With Standing & Curvy Lines - a, d & q Game

Practice tracing small letters with standing and curvy lines - a, d and q.

Tracing Big Letters With Sleeping & Slanting Lines - A, V, W, X, Y & Z Game

Practice tracing big letters with sleeping & slanting lines - A, V, W, X, Y & Z.

Learn to Write the Sight Words: play, funny & many Game

Children must learn to write the sight words: play, funny & many.

Banana: Tropical Coloring Adventure Game

Dive into a fruity adventure and paint vibrant bananas.

Cookie: Chef Yum Yum Game

Step into the kitchen and bake mouthwatering cookies.

Cheese-Themed Coloring Fun Game

Paint delicious blocks of cheese with vibrant colors.

Vibrant Bell Pepper Coloring Adventure Game

Explore the world of fruits and vegetables and paint colorful bell peppers in this interactive coloring game.

Animals Games

Dive into the Turtle Picture Game

Embrace your artistic side and create a beautiful picture of an adorable turtle in this engaging game.

Allosaurus: Dinosaur Coloring Adventure Game

Travel back in time and paint fierce allosaurs with vibrant colors.

Dive into Clownfish Coloring Game

Dive into an underwater adventure and paint vibrant clownfish swimming amidst coral reefs in this game.

Iguana: Picture Perfect Game

Dive into the world of reptiles and paint picture-perfect iguanas in this engaging game.

Seasonal Games

Christmas Pudding Coloring Magic Game

Celebrate the holidays with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Mysterious Black Cat Coloring Adventure Game

Bring mischievous black cats to life with vibrant colors.

Ringing Bells Coloring Adventure Game

Jingle all the way with colorful bells in this exciting coloring adventure game.

Bat Coloring Adventure Game

Paint enchanting bats with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Kitchen Games

Shiny Glass Coloring Adventure Game

Unleash your creativity and paint intricate glass objects in this immersive coloring adventure game.

Knife Coloring Game Adventure

Discover the art of illustration and paint detailed depictions of knives in this engaging coloring adventure game.

Kitchenware Coloring Game: The Fork

Explore the beauty of everyday objects and paint detailed illustrations of forks in this coloring adventure game.

Donut: Chef Yum Yum Game

Step into the kitchen and create mouthwatering donuts.

Musical Instruments Games

Drum Beat Coloring Fun Game

Let your creativity beat to the rhythm and paint vibrant drums.

Maracas Shake Up Your Coloring Skills Game

Paint vibrant maracas and bring the rhythm to life in this coloring adventure game.

Musical Flute Coloring Fun Game

Paint melodious flutes with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Groovy Guitar Coloring Adventure Game

Strum your artistic skills and paint rocking guitars in this coloring adventure game.

Birds Games

Dive into Colors with Ducks Game

Dive into a pond of colors with ducks in this picture perfect game.

Albatross: Picture Perfect Game

Soar through the skies with vibrant albatrosses in this picture perfect game.

Chicken: Picture Perfect Game

Paint charming chickens in this picture perfect game.

Eagle: Picture Perfect Game

Spread your wings and paint majestic eagles in this picture perfect game.

Space Games

Space Hunt: Peek A Boo Game

Embark on a space-themed adventure and search for hidden objects in this interactive game.

Balloon Pop - Unknown Flying Object:UFO: Toss Up Game

Test your tossing skills and pop balloons to reveal unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in this exciting game.

Coloring Games

4th of July: Creative Coloring Adventure Game

Paint a festive scene filled with red, white, and blue to commemorate the 4th of July in this coloring adventure game.

Ape: Jungle Coloring Adventure Game

Embark on a coloring adventure with playful apes.

Airplane: Sky-high Coloring Adventure Game

Embark on an artistic journey and paint dynamic airplanes taking flight in this coloring adventure game.

Cupcake Coloring Fun Game

Decorate delightful cupcakes with a splash of colors.

Music Games

Play Baba Black Sheep Band Jam Game

Join the band and play the popular song "Baba Baba Black Sheep" in this interactive game.

Enjoy the All of Me Juke Box Game

Show off your singing skills and perform the popular song "All of Me" in this interactive game.

Dive into Mulberry Bush Band Jam Game

Join the band and play the classic song "Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush" in this interactive game.

Experience Down They Go Juke Box Game

Sing along and perform the catchy song "Down They Go" in this interactive game.

Stories Games

Enjoy Dream Vacation Juke Box Game

Take a musical journey to your dream vacation destination in this immersive game.

Dive into Busy Body Sleep Solution Juke Box Game

Listen to calming tunes and relax your body for a peaceful sleep in this interactive game.

Enjoy Going Batty Juke Box Game

Sing and groove to the catchy tune of "Going Batty" in this interactive jukebox game.

Explore Little Turtle's Dream Juke Box Game

Join Little Turtle on a musical adventure and explore his dream world in this interactive game.

All Games Games

Pizza: Chef Yum Yum Game

Become a master pizza chef and create delicious pizzas.

Buffalo: Picture Perfect Game

Explore the world of buffalos in this picture perfect game.

Kettle Game: Steaming Coloring Fun

Paint charming kettles with a burst of colors in this coloring adventure game.

Alien: Space Coloring Adventure Game

Let your imagination run wild and paint unique and colorful aliens in this adventure-packed coloring game.

Buzzing Bee Coloring Adventure Game

Buzz with creativity and paint adorable bees with a palette of colors.

Autumn Fall: Seasonal Coloring Adventure Game

Paint a picturesque autumn scene and immerse yourself in the beauty of fall in this coloring adventure game.

Astronaut: Space Coloring Adventure Game

Embark on a cosmic coloring adventure and paint a vibrant astronaut in this game.

Experience Colosseum Coloring Game

Travel back in time and color the magnificent Colosseum with vibrant hues.

Ball: Bouncy Coloring Adventure Game

Paint bouncy balls with a burst of colors and bring them to life.

Delightful Daisy Coloring Game

Paint vibrant daisies and bring the beauty of flowers to life.

Bakery: Delicious Coloring Game

Step into a sweet world and color delicious treats in this coloring adventure game.

Blue: Sneaky Shapes Game

Sharpen your observation skills and spot hidden blue shapes in this engaging game.

Balloon Pop: Toss Up Game

Enjoy popping balloons in this exciting toss up game.

Cooking Adventure Game

Get ready for a cooking adventure and satisfy hungry customers.

Toss Up Game

Challenge your accuracy and toss objects to hit various targets.

Magic Canvas Color Your Imagination Game

Let your imagination soar and create enchanting art on a magical canvas.

Discover The Dancing Jungle Game

Shake, groove, and dance with the animals in the vibrant jungle.

Dive into The Origami Aquarium Game

Dive into the world of origami with this aquarium game.

Picture Perfect Game

Paint, draw, and express your artistic skills in this picture perfect game.

Number Ninja: Fun Math Arcade Game

Become a number ninja and slice through math challenges.

Peek A Boo Game

Peek-a-boo! Have fun and uncover surprises in this engaging game.

Challenge the City Stacker Game

Build a magnificent city by stacking colorful buildings.

Ball Dunk: Toss Up Game

Test your skills and dunk balls in this toss up game.

Match Number Cards from 1 to 3 Game

Add more arrows to your child’s math quiver by matching number cards from 1 to 3.

Identify Embedded Numbers Game

Help your child take flight by learning how to identify embedded numbers.

Smoothie: Chef Yum Yum Game

Mix and match ingredients to create tasty smoothies.

Cat: Picture Perfect Game

Bring cats to life with colors in this picture perfect game.

Birthday Party Coloring Adventure Game

Use your artistic skills to paint a vibrant birthday party scene and join the fun in this coloring adventure game.

Explore Coloring Fun in the Toaster Game

Create a toasty masterpiece by painting colorful toasters.

Online Games for Kindergarten Kids

Effective teaching for kindergarteners involves engaging methods to capture their limited attention spans. Interactive online games make learning enjoyable, covering alphabet adventures and number skills, nurturing essential abilities. SplashLearn's Kindergarten games offer diverse activities fostering math, reading, and critical thinking, fostering an exciting learning journey.

These interactive online games enhance academic growth, not just entertaining but making numbers captivating. As kids progress, they grasp number recognition, counting, and comprehension. The math topics they explore span number sense, addition, subtraction, geometry, and word problems.

Similarly, educational games aid in ELA development. Through activities like tracing, sight words, and rhyming, classroom games introduce letters and sounds. Reading, writing, phonics, and letter tracing games infuse ELA learning with excitement, contributing to a holistic learning experience.

Types of Kindergarten Educational Games

Let’s take an overview of types of games for Kindergarten kids based on the kindergarten curriculum.

Kindergarten Math Games  

Kindergarten ela games  , kindergarten general knowledge games  , kindergarten art and creativity games  , kindergarten logic and thinking games.

Kindergarten Logic and Thinking Games have a variety of fun word puzzles, number challenges, memory games, etc. which will promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games not only entertain but also foster their cognitive development.

Kindergarten Motor Skills Games

Discover Kindergarten Motor Skill Games , designed to enhance coordination, balance, and dexterity while ensuring maximum fun. These games help kids develop physical abilities through enjoyable activities, setting the stage for healthy growth and active learning.

Features of Kindergarten Games

• Play on multiple devices : You can play games with kindergarteners online on multiple devices.
• Engaging and rewarding games : Children can purchase assets for their characters and more through the coins they win through practice.
• Easy Connect for Parents : Parents can be instantly notified about their child’s progress in kindergarten games online.
• Offline access : Kindergarten online games can also be played offline through apps for an interruption-free experience.

Benefits of Online Games for Kindergarten Learning

• Enhanced Learning and Skill Development : Online learning games for kindergarten students offer more than conceptual knowledge, fostering fine motor, creative, critical thinking, and emotional skills.
• Decision Making and Problem-Solving : Kindergarten online games encourage decision-making and a problem-solving attitude, refining abilities through repeated practice, resulting in increased speed and clarity.
• Early Computer Literacy : Kindergarten online learning games foster computer literacy from a young age, providing positive digital interaction and fluency in today's digital era. 

What Are the 5 Best Kindergarten Games and Activities?

SplashLearn offers a variety of interactive games for kindergarten. Here are a few fun and interactive online kindergarten games by SplashLearn:

• Christmas Coloring Extravaganza Game
• Beautiful Butterfly Coloring Adventure Game
• Ice Cream Chef Yum Yum Game

How do you help kids practice Kindergarten learning?

• Offer printable Kindergarten Math worksheets and ELA worksheets to kids for structured and hands-on practice.
• Engage kids in effective online kindergarten games for engaging learning experience.
• Practice math and ELA skills seamlessly through daily tasks like counting toys, reading labels during grocery shopping, and drawing in a journal. Turn routine moments into valuable learning opportunities!

Are there any free trial options to test out these Kindergarten learning games?

SplashLearn online Kindergarten learning games are totally free for teachers. Parents can sign up for a 7-day trial period to try SplashLearn’s Kindergarten learning resources .

How can parents integrate these educational games for kindergarteners into their children’s daily routine?

• Learning Breaks : Use game breaks between daily activities to reinforce concepts without overwhelming the child.
• Storytime Play : Combine ELA games with bedtime stories, making language learning interactive and enjoyable.
• Weekend Enrichment : Dedicate weekend time to longer game sessions, fostering deeper engagement and learning exploration.

Which age group are these Kindergarten games suitable for?

These fun learning games for kindergarteners are designed for children typically around 4 to 6 years old, the age group that typically attends kindergarten.

How do you make teaching Kindergarten fun?

• Interactive Activities : Use online games, worksheets , crafts, stories, and group activities to keep learning lively and interactive.
• Visual Learning : Align lessons with themes, pictures, and visual aids that excite kids, making learning relatable and enjoyable.

Your one stop solution for all grade learning needs.

Free Preschool & Kindergarten Math Worksheets.

Free Preschool & Kindergarten Simple Math Worksheets

Trace Numbers 1-10 – Free Printable Preschool Math Worksheets.

Trace numbers, count and color..

Free Learning Games for Kids – Homeschooling & Learning & Free Activities for Kids.

Numbers Pre-school Math Games

Coloring Games for Kids -Tashi

Preschool learning games – Bee

Learn to count – free preschool simple math worksheets..

Addition for Kids – Free Printable Preschool & Kindergarten Math Worksheets.

Subtraction for Kids – Free Printable Preschool & Kindergarten Math Worksheets.

Clock Worksheets for Kids – Telling Time.

Free Preschool & Kindergarten Simple Math Worksheets.

Back to School is coming soon! On this occasion, we have prepared a set of Free Preschool & Kindergarten Simple Math Worksheets. Check if your child has not forgotten the basics of math. Here are some exercises that will be best for kids. They will also be suitable for kids who are just starting their adventure with school and math this year! Show your kid what addition and subtraction are!

Trace Numbers 1-10 and Count and Color.

Knowing the numbers isn’t just about counting. The child has to practice holding the pen and Trace Numbers along the lines so that they learn to write them correctly. Learning to count is a process that we can facilitate by combining it with fun. Learning through play is the way that brings the best and fastest results. Trace numbers, count and color. Our Free Preschool & Kindergarten Simple Math Worksheets will help you with this. Coloring is an activity that all preschool and kindergarten kids love. Combine that with learning numbers. You will see that your child will love learning which will be fun!

Another exercise that you can use while having fun is math puzzles. Child has to Count and color the flowers and then fill in the correct circle. It is a great exercise for preschool, kindergarten and homeschool kids. Print it and check if your kid likes it.

Learn to Count with Free Preschool Simple Math Worksheets.

Printable Easy Games for Toddlers. Count and fill in the correct circle. Try also our Printable Easy Games for Toddlers. Print and play with your child. Each board contains a set of the same pictures and three circles with different numbers. Count how many of the same pictures you can see on the board and fill in the correct circle. Learn to Count with our Preschool Simple Math Worksheets and spend time with your kids!

Addition for Kids.

Add the items in each row. Cut and glue the correct number in the box. We have also prepared a Math Game that will help preschool and kindergarten children learn to add. This game is simple and adapted even to the youngest kids. Show them that learning doesn’t have to be difficult. The rules are simple: Add the items in each row. Cut and glue the correct number in the box. Activities such as cutting and gluing elements will additionally affect the development of fine motor skills.

Add the items in each row and write the correct number in the box. This Math Game is a little bit different than previously. The child has to do math, add the items in each row and write the correct number in the box. Addition for Kids is an activity which develops logic skills and abstract thinking.

Subtraction for Kids.

Count and subtract the fruits. Write the correct number in the box. We have also prepared Free Printable Worksheets for Kids with subtraction. Addition always goes hand in hand with subtraction. That is why we have also prepared a Simple Math Worksheets Game with Subtraction for Kids. Your task will be to count and subtract the fruits and then write the correct number in the box. Practice math with our Free Preschool & Kindergarten Math Worksheets and get ready to go to school!

Clock Worksheets.

Telling Time and writing the correct time. A child who goes to school must know what time it is. We have prepared Clock Worksheets for you. The child’s task is Telling Time and writing the correct time. Learn to read the hours and practice. Kids love to spend time with their parents. Print Free Preschool & Kindergarten Math Worksheets.

Stay tuned! Subscribe to our newsletter.

• Sales 888.270.0679
• Support 888.237.7850
• Faith Organizations Tools to grow giving and engagement.
• Schools & Community Education Simplify online payments and save staff time.
• Child Care Comprehensive center and classroom management software.
• Nonprofits Give your donors more ways to show their support.
• Online Giving
• Mobile Church App
• Text-to-Give
• Online Worship
• Mobile Card Reader
• Church Management Software
• Partners and Integrations
• Resource Center
• Payment Processing
• School Lunch Payments
• School Lunch POS
• Event Ticketing
• Registrations
• Class Management
• Online Registration
• Adult Education
• Community Arts
• PowerSchool
• All Integrations
• Vanco Events
• Center Management
• Classroom Management
• Check-in & Check-out
• Before & After Care
• Child Care Manager
• Mobile Apps
• Hardware & Kiosks
• Preschool Management
• Multi-Location Child Care
• Online Enrollment
• Billing & Payment Processing
• Child Care Reporting
• Child Care Automation
• Child Care Technology

Success for nonprofits hinges on the ability for supporters to give how and when they want to. Vanco's tools open your organization to more donor opportunities and makes donating easy for supporters.

Vanco's Nonprofit Solutions

Discover the 74 Best Preschool Themes & Lesson Plans + 146 Activities to Go with Them!

Are you a teacher looking for the most exciting and fun preschool themes and lesson plans to captivate young minds? Look no further! We've painstakingly compiled an incredible list of the 74 best preschool themes and lesson plans, along with 146 fun activities to pair with them. These ideas and preschool curriculum themes will help you create an unforgettable learning experience for your little ones.

We know firsthand the importance of using thematic units in preschool education. Breaking learning up into themes not only makes it more enjoyable for children but also promotes deeper understanding, critical thinking, and meaningful connections. With this comprehensive guide, you'll discover a wealth of preschool theme ideas, preschool topics and curriculum ideas that will keep your students engaged and excited about learning.

Table of Contents

What Are Preschool Themes and Lesson Plans?

• Why Break Learning Up into Thematic Units?
• How to Incorporate Themes into Daily Preschool Activities

Top Preschool Themes and Fun Activities to Pair with Them

Engaging parents and caregivers in preschool theme activities.

• Themes for Preschool FAQs

Preschool themes and lesson plans are essential tools for early childhood educators to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for young children. A preschool theme is a central topic or concept that serves as the foundation for a variety of educational activities and lessons. These themes can range from broad topics like seasons, animals or transportation to more specific concepts such as dinosaurs, space or community helpers.

Lesson plans, on the other hand, are detailed outlines of the activities, materials and objectives for each day or week within a particular theme. They provide a structured approach to teaching and help ensure that children are learning important skills and concepts in a developmentally appropriate manner.

Why Break Learning Up into Themed Units?

Breaking learning up into thematic units offers several research-supported benefits:

Deeper Understanding and Critical Thinking: Thematic units help students make connections, engage in critical thinking, and develop problem-solving abilities by applying information in context ( Grasshopper ).

Meaningful Learning: Thematic units with personal and social significance are more meaningful and engaging for students, as they can see the real-world relevance of what they're learning.

Cultural Diversity and Collaboration: Thematic units foster social collaboration and appreciation of cultural diversity as students work together on projects.

In-depth Investigation and Choice: Students can pursue subjects of interest through research and experimentation, promoting autonomy and self-directed learning. This stems from the fact that thematic units make preschool learning fun and engaging.

Language Development and Connections: Thematic units integrate language development with content areas and help students understand the inter-relatedness of different subjects.

Brain Compatibility: Thematic units promote the unification of knowledge, enhancing brain function and improving learning outcomes ( Beane ).

How to Incorporate Themes into Daily Preschool Activities?

Preschool Curriculum Themes

When selecting preschool curriculum themes, it's important to consider the interests and needs of your students, as well as the learning objectives you want to achieve. Some popular preschool curriculum themes include:

• Seasons and weather
• Animals and habitats
• Community helpers
• Transportation
• Five senses
• Feelings and emotions
• Families and cultures
• Nutrition and healthy habits

These broad themes can be broken down into more specific topics, such as "Farm Animals," "Dinosaurs," or "Outer Space," depending on the interests of your students and the resources available. Working with a theme list provides ongoing structure and inspiration for the educator who wishes to plan activities that will be engaging to their preschool classroom.

Preschool Lesson Plan Themes

Once you've selected a curriculum theme, it's time to develop lesson plans that will engage your students and help them learn key concepts and skills. Some popular preschool lesson plan themes include:

• Colors and shapes
• Numbers and counting
• Alphabet and literacy
• Science and nature
• Art and creativity
• Music and movement
• Social skills and friendship

When planning your lessons, consider the following tips:

• Incorporate a variety of learning activities, such as stories, songs, games and hands-on experiments... anything that offers a fun way to communicate information.
• Use visuals, such as pictures, videos, and real objects, to help children understand and remember the concepts being taught.
• Provide opportunities for children to practice new skills through play and exploration.
• Encourage language development by asking open-ended questions and engaging children in discussions.

Developing a Comprehensive Preschool Lesson Plan

A comprehensive preschool lesson plan should include the following components:

• Objective: What do you want children to learn or be able to do by the end of the lesson?
• Materials: List all the supplies and resources needed for the activities.
• Introduction: How will you introduce the theme and capture children's interest?
• Activities: Outline the specific activities you'll use to teach the concepts and skills.
• Assessment: How will you evaluate whether children have met the learning objectives?
• Extension: Provide ideas for how children can continue to explore the theme beyond the lesson.

By including these elements in your lesson plans, you can ensure that your preschool themes are thoroughly explored and that children have multiple opportunities to learn and grow.

Preschool Theme Activities

Engaging preschool theme activities are the heart of any successful lesson plan. These activities should be hands-on, interactive, and designed to meet the unique needs and interests of your students. Some examples of preschool theme activities include:

• Sensory bins filled with materials related to the theme
• Art projects that allow children to express their creativity and understanding of the concepts
• Dramatic play scenarios that encourage children to explore the theme through imagination and role-play
• Science experiments that introduce basic concepts and encourage problem-solving skills
• Cooking or baking activities that teach measuring, counting and following directions

When selecting activities, consider the age and developmental level of your students, as well as the resources and space available in your classroom. Ensure you will be able to procure everything you need for your thematic activities.

Educational Basics:

1. nursery rhymes and songs.

Nursery rhymes and songs represent some of the most time-tested activities for kids, and offer easy ways to make learning more fun for preschool and kindergarten students.

Rhyme Time Match-Up

• Activity: Children match images or objects that correspond to words in popular nursery rhymes, reinforcing word recognition and auditory processing.
• Laminated images or objects related to nursery rhymes
• Nursery rhyme lyrics printed out
• Lay out the laminated images or objects on a table.
• Have printed nursery rhyme lyrics available for reference.
• Sing a nursery rhyme with the children.
• Ask the children to pick the image or object that matches a word or phrase from the rhyme.
• Discuss why the chosen item corresponds to the rhyme, reinforcing comprehension and vocabulary.

Musical Rhyme Chairs

• Activity: This twist on the classic game of musical chairs combines movement with nursery rhyme recognition, promoting physical activity and auditory memory.
• Music player
• Nursery rhyme songs
• Arrange chairs in a circle, facing outward, with one fewer chair than there are children.
• Have nursery rhyme songs ready to play on the music player.
• Play nursery rhyme songs while children walk around the chairs.
• Stop the music randomly and children must find a chair to sit in.
• The child left standing leads the next round by choosing the nursery rhyme song.

2. All About Me

Theme description.

The "All About Me" theme is a fantastic way to foster self-awareness and self-esteem in preschoolers. It encourages children to explore their own identities, including their likes, dislikes, family, body parts, and feelings. This theme is vital for developing a sense of self and helping children articulate their own experiences and preferences.

Value for Learning Outcomes

By focusing on themselves and their immediate world, children learn to recognize and name body parts, express their feelings and preferences and understand what makes them unique. This self-exploration supports emotional development, enhances vocabulary related to self-description, and builds a foundation for empathy by recognizing similarities and differences among peers.

My Family Portrait

• Activity: Children create a portrait of their family members, fostering an understanding of family structures and enhancing their sense of belonging.
• Crayons, markers or paint
• Family photos for reference (optional)
• Provide each child with a sheet of paper and art supplies.
• If available, offer family photos for reference.
• Ask children to think about who is in their family and how they want to represent them in their portrait.
• Encourage them to draw and color each family member, including themselves.
• Once completed, have each child share their portrait and describe each family member, promoting language skills and self-expression.

Looking for More All About Me Activities?

Download our free worksheet packets!

Emotion Wheel

• Overview: Children create an emotion wheel to identify and express different feelings, enhancing emotional literacy and empathy.
• Paper plates
• Markers or crayons
• Emotion cards or stickers
• Divide a paper plate into sections, each representing a different emotion.
• Attach a split pin in the center with an arrow that can rotate.
• Discuss various emotions and show corresponding cards or stickers.
• Have children place the correct card or sticker in each section of the wheel.
• Teach children how to use the wheel by pointing the arrow to the emotion they are feeling, encouraging them to express and discuss their emotions.

3. Back to School

The Back to School theme introduces or reacquaints preschoolers with the classroom environment, routines, and the excitement of learning, easing the transition into the school setting. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Builds classroom camaraderie and understanding of school routines
• Creates a positive attitude toward learning
• Teaches school-related vocabulary and the importance of cooperation and respect in a shared space

Classroom Scavenger Hunt

• Overview: A scavenger hunt that helps children explore and familiarize themselves with the different areas and objects in their classroom. This activity may be a great way to use preschool students' natural curiosity in favor of important learning outcomes.
• List of classroom objects or areas to find
• Pencils or markers
• Scavenger hunt sheets
• Create a list of items or areas in the classroom for children to find.
• Prepare scavenger hunt sheets with pictures or words describing each item or area.
• Distribute the scavenger hunt sheets to the children.
• Explain how to mark off each item as they find it.
• Guide the children as they explore the classroom, helping them identify and locate each item.
• Discuss the purpose of each area or item found to enhance their understanding of the classroom environment.

My First Day of School Book

• Overview: Children create a personalized book documenting their first day or week at school, which serves as a keepsake and helps them process their new experiences.
• Construction paper or blank booklets
• Crayons, markers and stickers
• Photos from their first day (optional)
• Provide each child with construction paper or a blank booklet.
• Set out art supplies for decorating.
• Have children reflect on their first day or week of school.
• Encourage them to draw or write about their experiences, favorite moments and new friends.
• Include photos if available to make the book more personal.
• Bind the pages to create their "My First Day of School Book."
• Allow children to share their books with the class, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

Preschool Literacy Themes

4. alphabet fun.

The Alphabet Fun theme introduces preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet in an engaging and interactive manner, focusing on recognizing letters, associating them with sounds and beginning to form connections between letters and words. This theme may be valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances letter recognition and phonetic awareness
• Lays the groundwork for reading and understanding that letters are the building blocks of words
• Develops early writing skills

Alphabet Treasure Hunt

• Overview: Children search for letters hidden around the classroom or outdoor area. Activities like this can encourage letter recognition and physical activity.
• Laminated letters of the alphabet
• Treasure hunt map (optional)
• Hide laminated letters around the classroom or a designated outdoor area.
• If using a map, mark the general locations where the letters are hidden.
• Provide each child or team with a map or list of letters to find.
• As children find each letter, encourage them to say the letter name and sound.
• Once all letters are found, gather the children and review each letter and its sound.

Letter of the Day

• Overview: Focus on one letter per day, incorporating various activities that highlight the selected letter, its sound, and words that start with it.
• Letter cards
• Items or pictures representing words that start with the day's letter
• Setup: Choose a letter for the day and gather relevant materials and items.
• Introduce the letter of the day and discuss its sound.
• Show items or pictures that start with the letter and discuss how the letter is used in those words.
• Encourage children to draw or find items that start with the letter, reinforcing the connection between the letter and its sound in words.
• Consider ways to highlight that letter in other lessons and activities throughout the day.

5. Storytime

The Storytime theme immerses preschoolers in the world of books and storytelling, sparking their imagination and nurturing a love for reading through engaging stories and related activities. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances listening skills and expands vocabulary
• Introduces narrative structures and fosters creativity, empathy and critical thinking
• Encourages exploration of various characters, settings and plots

Interactive Story Reading

• Overview: An interactive reading session where children are encouraged to participate by predicting outcomes, discussing characters, and asking questions. It's a fun way to get kids more engaged in reading.
• A selection of age-appropriate storybooks
• Props or puppets related to the story (optional)
• Choose a storybook that is engaging and age-appropriate.
• Prepare any props or puppets that could enhance the storytelling experience.
• Read the story aloud, using expressive voices for different characters.
• Pause at key moments to ask predictive questions or encourage children to express their thoughts about the story.
• Use props or puppets to bring the story to life and engage the children further.
• After reading, discuss the story's main events, characters, and the moral, if applicable.

Story Sequencing

• Overview: Children sequence pictures or events from a story, reinforcing their understanding of narrative structure and sequence of events.
• Sequencing cards or pictures from a story
• Velcro board or string line to arrange the pictures
• Create or find sequencing cards that depict key events from a story.
• Prepare a space where children can arrange these cards in order.
• After reading a story, present the sequencing cards to the children.
• Encourage them to arrange the cards in the order events happened in the story.
• Discuss each event as they place the card, reinforcing their comprehension of the story's progression.

6. Character Play

The Character Play theme immerses preschoolers in the world of storytelling through role-play and dramatization, encouraging them to step into the shoes of different characters. This free preschool theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Improves language skills and fosters social and emotional understanding
• Enhances ability to comprehend and retell stories
• Encourages teamwork and collaboration through interaction with peers in various roles

Storybook Character Parade

• Overview: Children choose their favorite storybook characters and create simple costumes or props to represent them, culminating in a parade. This can be one of the best preschool themes to make beloved characters feel more vivid and exciting.
• Costume pieces or materials to create them (fabric, hats, masks)
• Storybooks for character inspiration
• Gather a variety of materials for costume creation.
• Have a selection of storybooks available for character inspiration.
• Allow children to choose their favorite storybook characters and plan their costumes.
• Assist them in creating costumes or props using the available materials.
• Organize a parade where children can showcase their characters and explain who they are and why they chose them, promoting public speaking and self-expression.

Character Role-Playing

• Overview: Children engage in role-playing, acting out scenes from familiar stories or creating their own scenarios based on characters they know.
• Props or costumes
• Select a few familiar storybooks with distinct characters.
• Prepare props or costumes that can enhance the role-playing experience.
• Read a story or summarize its plot and characters to the children.
• Assign or let children choose characters to play.
• Guide them in acting out scenes from the book or creating their own scenarios based on the characters.
• Discuss the characters' feelings, actions, and decisions, enhancing comprehension and empathy.

7. Name Recognition

The Name Recognition theme helps preschoolers recognize and identify their own names and those of their peers, fostering a sense of identity and belonging. This belongs on any list of preschool themes to promote socialization, among other important learning outcomes:

• Serves as a stepping stone to letter recognition and early writing skills
• Enhances visual discrimination and memory
• Promotes a sense of community as children learn to identify and respect each other's names

Name Puzzle

• Overview: Children create and solve puzzles of their names, enhancing letter recognition and fine motor skills.
• Cardstock or thick paper
• Write each child's name on a piece of cardstock in large, clear letters.
• Cut each name into puzzle pieces, one letter per piece.
• Give each child the puzzle pieces of their name.
• Encourage them to assemble the pieces to form their name, assisting as needed.
• Discuss the letters in their names, emphasizing the sound each letter makes.
• Once completed, children can exchange puzzles with peers to learn each other's names.

Name Fishing

• Overview: An interactive game where children 'fish' for letters to spell their names, reinforcing letter recognition and spelling.
• Magnetic fishing rods (or make your own with sticks, string and magnets)
• Paper fish with letters of children's names, equipped with paper clips or small magnets
• A 'pond' setup (a blue cloth or paper will work)
• Create paper fish for each letter in the children's names and attach a paper clip or magnet to each one.
• Spread the fish out in the 'pond.'
• Each child takes a turn fishing for the letters of their name.
• Encourage them to identify each letter they 'catch' and place it in order to spell their name.
• Assist as necessary, guiding them to recognize and sequence the letters correctly.
• Celebrate as each child successfully spells out their name, reinforcing their achievement and sense of identity.

8. Simple Poetry

The Simple Poetry theme introduces preschoolers to the beauty and rhythm of poetry, exploring basic poetic concepts like rhyme, rhythm, and imagery. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Develops phonetic awareness and improves vocabulary
• Stimulates imagination and enhances ability to create mental images based on words
• Encourages creative expression and fosters an appreciation for the musicality of language

Create-a-Poem

• Overview: Children collaborate to create a simple poem, encouraging them to explore rhyming words and express their ideas creatively.
• Large chart paper
• Setup: Prepare a comfortable space for group collaboration with the chart paper and markers.
• Start with a simple line or theme for the poem and write it on the chart paper.
• Encourage children to contribute a line each, focusing on creating rhymes or rhythmic patterns.
• Write down their contributions, showing how each line connects and flows into the next.
• Once completed, read the poem aloud together, celebrating their collective creativity.

Poetry with Props

• Overview: Children experience poetry through interactive readings that incorporate props, enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of the poem.
• Simple poems or nursery rhymes
• Props related to the poem's themes or objects mentioned in the text
• Select a few simple poems or nursery rhymes.
• Gather props that represent key elements or themes in the poems.
• Read a poem aloud to the children, using the props to illustrate and emphasize certain parts of the text.
• Encourage children to interact with the props at relevant parts of the poem, deepening their connection with the text.
• Discuss the poem's themes, words, and rhythms, engaging children in a dialogue about their interpretations and feelings.

9. Labeling the World

The Labeling the World theme introduces preschoolers to the concept of categorization and vocabulary development by labeling objects in their environment. This theme can teach preschool students some geography basics, and is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances vocabulary and develops print awareness
• Teaches the concept of categorization
• Fosters early reading skills and environmental literacy

Classroom Labeling Adventure

• Overview: Children participate in labeling various items and areas in the classroom, which reinforces their vocabulary and understanding of their environment. This is a great example of using themes to promote familiarity and comfort in the classroom.
• Pre-printed labels with words and corresponding pictures
• Tape or sticky putty
• Setup: Create labels with simple words and pictures representing different objects and areas in the classroom.
• Show the children a label and discuss the word and picture on it.
• Together, find the corresponding object or area in the classroom and attach the label.
• Repeat the process with different labels, encouraging the children to say the words and discuss the associated objects or areas.
• Encourage children to use the labels as reference points during their daily activities.

My Label Book

• Overview: Children create their own label book, drawing and labeling objects from the classroom or home, reinforcing their understanding of words and their meanings.
• Blank booklets or stapled paper
• Crayons, markers or pencils
• Setup: Provide each child with a booklet or stapled paper to create their label book.
• Ask children to think of different objects they want to include in their book.
• Have them draw each object on a page and assist them in writing the corresponding word.
• Encourage children to share their books with peers, explaining the objects they chose and the associated words.
• Use the label books as personal dictionaries that children can refer to and add to over time.

10. Story Sequencing

The Story Sequencing theme helps preschoolers understand the order of events in stories, enhancing their comprehension and narrative skills. Story Sequencing activities and printables are valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Develops reading comprehension and storytelling skills
• Helps children understand time concepts, cause and effect and the structure of narratives
• Fosters logical thinking and memory retention

Sequencing Story Cards

• Overview: Children use picture cards to sequence the events of a story, reinforcing their understanding of narrative order and improving their recall abilities.
• Story cards with images depicting key events of a familiar story
• A storyboard or large paper to place the cards in order
• Setup: Create or obtain story cards that illustrate main events from a story the children are familiar with.
• Mix up the story cards and present them to the children.
• Ask the children to arrange the cards in the order that they occur in the story.
• As they place each card, encourage them to describe what is happening in the picture and how it fits into the story.
• Once the sequence is complete, retell the story together using the cards as a guide.

Create Your Own Story Sequence

• Overview: Children create a simple story using images, practicing the skill of sequencing while engaging their creativity and narrative abilities.
• A variety of images from magazines, printed pictures or drawings
• Paper and glue or tape
• Setup: Provide a selection of images that can be combined to create different story scenarios.
• Let children choose several images that they want to use to create a story.
• Encourage them to think about the order of events and how each image contributes to the narrative.
• Have them glue or tape the images onto paper in the order they've chosen.
• Ask them to describe their story, focusing on the sequence of events and the connections between the images.

11. Introduction to Books

The Introduction to Books theme familiarizes preschoolers with books, fostering a love for reading and an understanding of how books work. These themed activities are valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Sets the foundation for literacy, reading comprehension, and a lifelong love for reading
• Helps children recognize that books are a source of stories, information, and enjoyment
• Encourages curiosity and learning

Book Exploration Station

• Overview: Children explore a variety of books, learning how to handle them and discovering different types of content.
• A variety of children's books, including picture books, storybooks and informational books
• Comfortable reading area with cushions or rugs
• Set up a comfortable reading area with a selection of books.
• Organize the books in a way that allows children to easily browse and choose what interests them.
• Show the children how to properly handle books, such as turning pages gently and using bookmarks.
• Encourage them to explore the books, looking at pictures, discussing what they see and asking questions about the content.
• Guide them in understanding the different types of books available and the kinds of stories or information they can find.

My First Book

• Overview: Children create their own simple book, applying their understanding of how books are structured and telling their own story.
• Crayons, markers, or pencils
• Stapler or yarn for binding
• Setup: Provide materials for each child to create a booklet.
• Assist the children in folding and binding the paper to create a book.
• Encourage them to create a story or illustration on each page, emphasizing the beginning, middle, and end of their story.
• Once completed, invite them to share their books with the class, fostering a sense of achievement and sharing their narratives.

12. Drawing and Narrating: Encouraging Storytelling Through Art

The   Drawing and Narrating   theme encourages children to tell stories through their drawings, linking visual arts and verbal expression. It's one of the top themes for preschool and kindergarten students alike. It's valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Develops fine motor skills through drawing and coloring
• Encourages creativity and imagination
• Builds language skills as children describe their drawings
• Promotes sequencing and narrative skills by telling a story with a beginning, middle, and end

Picture Story Prompts

• Overview: In this activity, children create a drawing based on a story prompt and then narrate their story to the class. This develops imagination, language skills, and confidence in speaking.
• Drawing paper
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Story prompt ideas (e.g., "a magical castle," "a day at the beach," "a trip to outer space")
• Gather drawing materials and place them at each child's workspace.
• Create a list of age-appropriate story prompts.

Instructions:

• Give each child a piece of drawing paper and access to the drawing materials.
• Share a story prompt with the class or let each child choose their own prompt.
• Allow 15-20 minutes for the children to create their drawings.
• Ask for volunteers to share their drawings with the class and narrate their stories.
• Encourage the class to ask questions about each child's story.
• Display the drawings to celebrate the children's creativity.

Collaborative Comic Strips

Children work in small groups to create a simple comic strip, with each child contributing a panel to the story. This activity encourages teamwork, planning, and understanding of sequencing.

• Large piece of paper divided into 3-4 panel sections for each group
• Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 children.
• Give each group a large piece of paper with pre-drawn panel sections.
• Place drawing materials within reach of each group.
• Explain that each group will create a comic strip story together.
• Each child in the group will be responsible for drawing one panel of the story.
• Encourage the groups to plan out their story before starting to draw, deciding on characters and a basic plot.
• Allow 20-30 minutes for the groups to create their comic strips.
• Have each group share their comic strip with the class, with each child describing their contribution.
• Display the finished comic strips in the classroom.

13. Colorful Letters: Associating the Alphabet with Colors

The   Colorful Letters theme introduces each letter of the alphabet associated with a color (e.g., A is for Apple Red, B is for Banana Yellow). This theme is beneficial for several learning outcomes:

• Helps children recognize and identify letters
• Associates letters with familiar objects and colors, enhancing memory
• Encourages color recognition and naming
• Builds vocabulary by introducing new words for each letter

Alphabet Color Scavenger Hunt

Children search for objects in the classroom that match the color and letter of the day, helping them associate letters with colors and real-world objects.

• Alphabet chart with each letter paired with a color
• Collection of objects in various colors
• Paper bags or baskets for collecting items
• Display the colorful alphabet chart in a prominent location.
• Place the collection of objects around the classroom.
• Provide each child with a paper bag or basket.
• Introduce the letter and color of the day (e.g., "A is for Apple Red").
• Ask the children to look around the classroom for objects that match the color and start with the letter of the day.
• Give the children 10-15 minutes to collect their items and place them in their bag or basket.
• Gather the class together and have each child share one item they found, emphasizing the letter and color.
• Display the items alongside the alphabet chart for reinforcement.

Rainbow Letter Art

Children create artwork featuring the letter of the day in its associated color, using various art materials. This activity reinforces letter recognition and color association while encouraging creativity.

• Construction paper in each alphabet color
• Various art materials (e.g., tissue paper, pom-poms, stickers)
• Pre-cut large letter shapes from the colored construction paper.
• Set out the art materials in a central location.
• Give each child a pre-cut letter shape in the color of the day.
• Encourage the children to decorate their letter using the various art materials, filling in the letter shape.
• As the children work, engage them in conversation about the letter and its associated color.
• Have each child share their completed letter art with the class.
• Display the rainbow letter artwork in the classroom.

14. Animal Story Adventures: Engaging Children Through Storytelling

The   Animal Story Adventures   theme creates a series of storytelling sessions where each story focuses on a different animal character. These preschool learning activities offer several benefits:

• Introduces new vocabulary words
• Emphasizes phonetic sounds and pronunciation
• Engages children with interactive questions about story elements
• Encourages listening skills and comprehension
• Sparks imagination and creativity

Animal Character Puppets

Children create simple puppets of the animal characters from the stories, which they can use for retelling the tales or creating their own stories.

• Paper bags or paper plates
• Markers, crayons or paints
• Craft materials for decorating (e.g., googly eyes, yarn, felt)
• Gather the materials in a central location.
• Provide each child with a paper bag or plate.
• After reading an animal story, help the children identify the main animal character.
• Demonstrate how to create a simple puppet using the paper bag or plate as a base.
• Encourage the children to create their own puppet of the animal character using the provided materials.
• Once the puppets are complete, have the children use them to retell the story or create their own tales.
• Display the puppets alongside the storybooks in the classroom.

Story Sequencing Mats

Children use sequencing mats to retell the animal stories, reinforcing comprehension and sequencing skills.

• Large paper divided into 3-4 sections
• Story sequencing pictures (drawn or printed)
• Create story sequencing mats by dividing large pieces of paper into 3-4 sections.
• Prepare simple illustrations or printed pictures depicting key events from the animal stories.
• After reading an animal story, discuss the beginning, middle, and end of the tale with the children.
• Give each child a sequencing mat and a set of story pictures.
• Have the children place the pictures in the correct order on their mat, retelling the story as they go.
• Encourage the children to use their own words to describe each picture and story event.
• Have children share their completed sequencing mats with the class.

Physical & Emotional Well-being:

15. healthy habits.

The Healthy Habits theme teaches preschoolers about the importance of good hygiene, nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being, encouraging them to develop routines that promote health. This theme yields a handful of valuable activities and learning outcomes:

• Sets a foundation for lifelong well-being by teaching the importance of cleanliness, balanced eating, staying active, and practicing self-care
• Promotes physical and emotional development through healthy practices

Germ Busters

• Overview: An interactive activity that demonstrates the importance of washing hands to keep germs at bay, emphasizing cleanliness and health.
• Glow-in-the-dark lotion or soap
• Handwashing station with soap and water
• Prepare the handwashing station.
• Have the glow-in-the-dark lotion and UV light ready.
• Apply the glow-in-the-dark lotion to the children's hands, explaining that the lotion represents germs.
• Use the UV light to show how the 'germs' are visible on their hands.
• Guide the children in properly washing their hands with soap and water.
• Use the UV light again to show how the 'germs' have been washed away, reinforcing the effectiveness of proper handwashing.

My Healthy Plate

• Overview: Children learn about balanced nutrition by creating their own 'healthy plate' using pictures of different foods to categorize them into food groups.
• Images of various foods from different food groups
• Glue or tape
• Setup: Provide each child with a paper plate and a set of food images.
• Discuss the different food groups and their importance for health.
• Have children sort the food images into categories and arrange them on their paper plate to create a balanced meal.
• Encourage discussions about why each food is important and how it helps our bodies stay healthy.
• Display the completed plates to reinforce the concept of balanced eating and encourage healthy food choices.

16. Sports and Games

The Sports and Games theme introduces preschoolers to various physical activities and sports, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness, teamwork, and fair play. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Develops physical skills, such as coordination and balance
• Teaches teamwork, following rules and good sportsmanship
• Promotes healthy growth and encourages enjoyment of being active

Mini-Olympics

• Overview: A fun and engaging event where children participate in various simple sports or physical activities, promoting physical fitness and the joy of movement. (Note: This can be a fitting addition to any list of summer preschool themes, though of course it also works well for autumn or spring.)
• Equipment for simple sports activities (e.g., balls, hoops, cones)
• Medals or ribbons for participants
• Set up different stations for various simple sports or physical activities.
• Ensure the activities are safe and age-appropriate.
• Divide the children into small groups and rotate them through the different activity stations.
• Encourage participation, effort and sportsmanship over competition.
• Provide guidance and support at each station, teaching basic skills and rules of the activities.
• Conclude the mini-Olympics with a small celebration, acknowledging each child's participation and effort.

Teamwork Tower

• Overview: A collaborative activity where children work together to build a tower using blocks or other materials, emphasizing teamwork and cooperative problem-solving.
• Blocks or other building materials
• Setup: Prepare a designated area with building materials.
• Explain the goal of building the tallest tower possible using the provided materials.
• Divide the children into small teams and encourage them to plan and build their towers together.
• Facilitate the activity by encouraging communication, sharing ideas and taking turns.
• Discuss the experience afterward, focusing on what worked well in their teamwork and what they enjoyed about the activity.

17. Yoga and Mindfulness

The Yoga and Mindfulness theme introduces preschoolers to basic yoga poses and mindfulness practices, promoting physical health, mental focus, and emotional well-being. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances physical flexibility, balance and coordination
• Fosters concentration, patience, and emotional regulation
• Teaches children to connect with their bodies and minds, promoting overall well-being

Animal Yoga Poses

• Overview: Children learn and practice simple yoga poses inspired by animals, making these activity ideas engaging and relatable, while improving their physical skills and concentration.
• Yoga mats or soft surfaces
• Pictures or illustrations of animal-inspired yoga poses
• Create a safe and comfortable space with yoga mats or a soft surface.
• Have pictures or illustrations of animal yoga poses available for reference.
• Show the children the pictures or illustrations of the yoga poses and explain the connection to the respective animals.
• Demonstrate each pose and invite the children to practice, ensuring they move safely and comfortably.
• Encourage the children to focus on their breathing and the movements, promoting mindfulness and body awareness.
• Discuss how each pose makes them feel, reinforcing the connection between physical activity and emotional well-being.

Mindful Listening Walk

• Overview: A guided walk where children focus on the sounds around them, enhancing their mindfulness and awareness of the environment.
• A safe outdoor area or a quiet indoor space
• Setup: Choose a safe and suitable area for the walk where various sounds can be heard.
• Before starting the walk, explain to the children that they will be focusing on listening to different sounds.
• Lead the children on a walk, encouraging them to be as quiet as possible and to pay attention to the sounds they hear.
• Periodically stop and ask the children to describe or identify the sounds they notice.
• After the walk, discuss the experience, asking them how focusing on the sounds made them feel and what they learned about their surroundings.

Preschool Math Themes

18. counting fun.

The Counting Fun theme introduces preschoolers to the world of numbers and basic counting through engaging activities and games, helping them understand quantity and develop number recognition. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Develops numeracy skills, which are foundational for more advanced mathematical concepts
• Teaches association of numbers with quantities, understanding of order, and recognition of patterns

Counting Treasure Hunt

• Overview: A dynamic activity where children search for and count hidden objects, combining physical movement with counting practice.
• Small objects or toys to hide (e.g., blocks, plastic animals)
• Paper and pencil for tallying counts (optional)
• Setup: Hide the objects around the classroom or a designated area before the activity begins.
• Explain to the children that they will be going on a treasure hunt to find and count hidden objects.
• Once they find an object, they should count it and, if using a tally sheet, mark their count.
• Encourage the children to count aloud as they find each item.
• After the hunt, discuss the counts together, reinforcing number recognition and counting skills.

Count and Sort

• Overview: Children count and categorize objects into groups, enhancing their counting abilities and introducing basic sorting and classification skills.
• A variety of small, countable objects (e.g., buttons, beads, colored shapes)
• Sorting trays or containers
• Setup: Provide a collection of objects and sorting trays or containers for the children.
• Invite the children to count the objects as they place them into the sorting trays.
• Encourage them to sort the objects by different attributes (e.g., color, size, type) while counting.
• Discuss the sorted groups, asking the children to describe and count the objects in each category, reinforcing counting and classification skills.

19. Basic Shapes

The Basic Shapes theme introduces preschoolers to the concept of shapes, helping them recognize and name common geometric figures such as circles, squares, triangles and rectangles. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances ability to identify and categorize different visual characteristics
• Supports early drawing and writing skills and fosters an understanding of basic geometry
• Helps children make sense of the world around them by recognizing shapes in their environment
• Overview: Children explore their environment to find objects that match specific shapes, reinforcing shape recognition and observational skills.
• Shape reference cards or images
• Paper and pencil for documenting findings (optional)
• Setup: Provide shape reference cards or images for the children to use as guides.
• Show the children the shape reference cards and discuss each shape's characteristics.
• Send the children on a shape hunt in the classroom or a designated area to find objects that match each shape.
• Encourage children to document their findings or discuss them as a group, reinforcing their understanding of shapes and their properties.

Create-a-Shape

• Overview: Children use various materials to create their own shapes, enhancing their understanding of shape properties and encouraging creativity.
• Playdough, sticks, string, or other flexible materials
• Shape templates or examples for inspiration
• Setup: Provide materials that children can use to form shapes.
• Introduce the activity by showing some shape examples or templates.
• Allow the children to use the provided materials to create different shapes.
• Discuss each child's creations, focusing on the properties of the shapes they formed and how they achieved them.
• Encourage children to experiment with combining shapes to create new figures, enhancing their spatial and creative skills.

Math Worksheets

20. Size and Comparison

The Size and Comparison theme teaches preschoolers to observe and compare the size of different objects, helping them understand concepts such as big, small, tall, short, long, and short. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children describe their world more accurately and develop spatial awareness
• Fosters critical thinking as they assess and compare the attributes of different objects
• Prepares them for more complex mathematical concepts like measurement

Size Sorting

• Overview: Children sort objects based on size, reinforcing their understanding of size-related vocabulary and comparison skills.
• A collection of objects in various sizes
• Labels or signs for size categories (e.g., big, medium, small)
• Gather a variety of objects that vary in size and have clear size distinctions.
• Prepare labeled areas or containers for sorting the objects based on size.
• Introduce the activity by reviewing size-related vocabulary.
• Show how to sort objects into the labeled categories based on their size.
• Allow children to sort the objects, encouraging them to discuss their choices and compare different objects.
• Review the sorted objects together, reinforcing the size concepts and vocabulary.

Measuring with Blocks

• Overview: Children use uniform blocks or other standard units to measure objects, introducing them to the concept of measurement and reinforcing size comparison.
• Uniform blocks or other small, countable items to use as measuring units
• Various objects to measure
• Provide a set of blocks or items that will be used as units of measurement.
• Select a variety of objects that children can measure with the blocks.
• Demonstrate how to measure an object's length using blocks, aligning them end to end alongside the object.
• Allow children to choose objects and measure them with the blocks, counting how many blocks long each object is.
• Encourage discussions about which objects are longer or shorter, using the block measurements as a reference.

21. Simple Patterns

The Simple Patterns theme introduces preschoolers to the concept of patterns, helping them recognize, replicate and create sequences based on size, shape, color or quantity. This classic preschool unit is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Develops pattern recognition and creation skills, which are foundational in mathematics
• Fosters logical thinking, prediction skills and an understanding of order and sequences
• Enhances analytical skills and fosters a sense of order

Pattern Play

• Overview: Children use various objects to replicate and create their own patterns, practicing recognition and prediction skills.
• Objects of different colors, shapes or sizes (e.g., beads, blocks, stickers)
• Setup: Provide a set of objects that can be used to create patterns.
• Demonstrate a simple pattern using the objects and explain the sequence.
• Encourage children to replicate the pattern and then create their own.
• Discuss each child's pattern, asking them to describe the sequence and predict what comes next.
• Challenge children to identify and continue patterns initiated by their peers.

Pattern Dance

• Overview: Children learn to recognize and follow movement patterns, incorporating physical activity and rhythm into pattern recognition.
• Space for movement
• Setup: Prepare a clear area for children to move safely.
• Create a simple movement pattern (e.g., clap, jump, clap, jump) and demonstrate it to the children.
• Have the children mimic the pattern, ensuring they grasp the sequence.
• Introduce variations to the pattern and encourage children to suggest their own, observing their ability to recognize and follow the sequences.
• Use music to enhance the rhythm and engagement of the pattern dance, reinforcing the concept of sequences in a fun and dynamic way.

22. Introduction to Addition

The Introduction to Addition theme helps preschoolers grasp the basic concept of addition as combining two or more groups of objects to find the total amount. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Fosters numerical understanding and problem-solving skills
• Encourages the use of logical thinking to combine quantities and understand the concept of 'more'
• Lays the foundation for understanding arithmetic and enhances counting skills

Adding with Objects

• Overview: Children use tangible objects to practice simple addition, visualizing the concept of combining quantities to find a total.
• Countable items (e.g., blocks, counters, fruit)
• Addition template or mat
• Provide an addition template or mat with sections to place objects and visualize the addition process.
• Demonstrate a simple addition scenario by placing a specific number of items in one section and another number in a second section, then combining them.
• Encourage children to count the total number of items to find the sum.
• Allow children to create their own addition scenarios with the objects, guiding them to count and combine quantities accurately.
• Discuss the results, reinforcing the concept that addition combines groups to create a larger total.

Addition Storytime

• Overview: Children listen to stories or scenarios that incorporate addition problems, helping them understand addition in everyday contexts or in relation to different topics.
• Picture books or story cards with addition scenarios
• Setup: Select or create simple stories or scenarios that include addition problems.
• Read a story or show a scenario card to the children, pausing at the addition problem.
• Engage the children in solving the problem, encouraging them to visualize or use objects if needed.
• Discuss the solution and how addition was used in the story, connecting mathematical concepts to real-life situations.
• Encourage children to create their own simple addition stories, fostering creativity and application of mathematical concepts.

23. Sorting and Categorizing

The Sorting and Categorizing theme teaches preschoolers to organize objects based on common attributes, such as color, size, shape or type. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances observational skills, logical thinking and the ability to identify patterns and relationships
• Develops fundamental math skills that help children understand classification and sets
• Crucial for number sense, pattern recognition and the development of analytical thinking
• Overview: Children sort objects by color, enhancing their ability to categorize and recognize different colors.
• Objects of various colors (e.g., blocks, buttons, toys)
• Containers or designated areas for each color
• Setup: Provide a collection of objects in different colors and containers or areas labeled with color names or matching colors.
• Introduce the activity by discussing the colors of the objects.
• Encourage children to sort the objects into the corresponding containers based on color.
• Discuss the sorting process, asking children to describe why they placed objects in certain categories.
• Extend the activity by mixing the objects and allowing children to sort them again, reinforcing their understanding of colors and categorization.

Shape Match

• Overview: Children categorize objects based on shape, linking visual recognition skills with geometric concepts.
• Objects or cards with various shapes (e.g., circles, squares, triangles)
• Shape sorting board or mats with shape outlines
• Setup: Arrange the shape objects or cards and the sorting board or mats.
• Demonstrate how to match objects or cards with the corresponding shapes on the board or mat.
• Allow children to try matching the shapes, encouraging them to discuss each shape's characteristics.
• Reinforce the activity by introducing new shapes or objects, challenging children to categorize them appropriately.
• Engage children in a discussion about where they see these shapes in their daily environment, connecting the activity to real-world observations.

24. Exploring Measurements

The Exploring Measurements theme introduces preschoolers to the concept of measurement, using non-standard units to compare and understand the length, height and weight of different objects. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children develop spatial awareness and quantitative reasoning
• Allows children to compare and quantify objects, fostering critical thinking and observational skills
• Crucial for mathematical reasoning and problem-solving
• Overview: Children use blocks or other uniform objects to measure the length or height of various items, learning about measurement in a tangible way.
• Blocks or similar uniform objects
• Items of varying lengths or heights to measure
• Gather blocks or other objects that will be used for measurement.
• Select different items that children can measure with the blocks.
• Demonstrate how to use blocks to measure the length or height of an item by placing them end to end along the item.
• Allow children to choose items to measure, guiding them to line up the blocks and count how many are needed to match the item's length or height.
• Encourage discussion about the measurements, asking which items were longer, shorter, taller, or shorter and how they know.
• Introduce comparative language such as longer than and shorter than, linking the activity to mathematical vocabulary.

Fill and Compare

• Overview: Children fill containers with various materials, comparing their capacity and introducing concepts of volume and weight.
• Different containers of various sizes and shapes
• Materials to fill the containers (e.g., sand, water, beans)
• Setup: Arrange the containers and filling materials.
• Show children how to fill a container with the chosen material.
• Once the containers are filled, guide the children to compare them, discussing which containers hold more or less.
• Use comparative language to describe the findings, such as more than, less than, heavier, and lighter.
• Encourage children to make predictions about capacity and weight before filling and comparing, enhancing their analytical skills.

25. Learning about Time

The Learning about Time theme introduces preschoolers to the concepts of time, including days of the week, sequences of daily routines, and basic time-telling skills. Time-related themes can help enforce several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's organizational skills and understanding of the sequence of events
• Fosters a sense of time awareness, crucial for daily routine understanding and future time management skills
• Helps children develop an understanding of time management and temporal sequences

Daily Routine Chart

• Overview: Children create a chart of their daily routine, helping them understand the sequence of daily events and the concept of time.
• Chart paper or a large poster board
• Markers, stickers or pictures representing different daily activities
• Setup: Prepare the chart paper or poster board and the markers, stickers, or pictures.
• Discuss with the children the concept of a daily routine and why it's important.
• Have them think about their own daily routine and the sequence of activities they do from morning to night.
• Assist them in creating a chart on the paper or board, placing markers, stickers or pictures in the order of their daily routine.
• Encourage children to share their charts, fostering an understanding of time and routine differences among peers.

Time-Telling Craft

• Overview: Children create their own simple clocks, always a fun way to introduce the concept of telling time.
• Paper plates or cardstock cut into circles
• Brad fasteners
• Construction paper or foam for clock hands
• Setup: Gather all materials needed for the clock craft.
• Provide each child with a paper plate or cardstock circle to serve as the clock face.
• Guide them in marking the clock face with numbers and creating hour and minute hands from construction paper or foam.
• Attach the clock hands with a brad fastener, allowing them to move.
• Demonstrate how the hands of the clock represent hours and minutes and practice setting the clock to show different times.
• Discuss various times of the day and what activities might occur, linking the concept of time to their daily experiences.

26. Playing with Money

The Playing with Money theme introduces preschoolers to basic financial concepts, using play money to understand the value of different coins and bills and simple transactions. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances counting skills and introduces basic math operations
• Provides a foundational understanding of value and exchange
• Connects mathematics to real-world scenarios, developing practical skills

Money Identification and Sorting

• Overview: Children learn to identify and sort different types of play money, recognizing the distinct values and characteristics of each coin and bill.
• Play money (coins and bills)
• Containers or sections for sorting
• Setup: Provide a set of play money and designate areas or containers for sorting different denominations.
• Introduce the different types of play money to the children, discussing the value and characteristics of each.
• Encourage children to sort the money into the designated areas, identifying and grouping similar denominations together.
• Discuss the value of each group, reinforcing the concept of money and numerical skill

Simple Transactions Store

• Overview: Children use play money to 'purchase' items from a pretend store, practicing basic addition and understanding the exchange of goods for money.
• Items to 'sell' in the store (toys, books, pretend food)
• Set up a small store with items and clearly marked price tags.
• Provide a cash box with play money.
• Assign roles to the children, with some being shoppers and others storekeepers.
• Shoppers choose items and use play money to 'purchase' them, counting out the correct amount based on the price tags.
• Storekeepers receive the money, check if the amount is correct, and finalize the 'transaction.'
• Rotate roles so all children experience both buying and selling, discussing the value of items and the concept of exchange.

27. Graphing with Objects

The Graphing with Objects theme introduces preschoolers to the concept of graphing, using tangible items to create simple visual representations. This is a fun and engaging way to promote several key learning outcomes:

• Teaches children how to organize, compare, and interpret information visually
• Fosters critical thinking, pattern recognition and the ability to draw conclusions from data
• Develops foundational skills for more advanced mathematical concepts

Color Graphing

• Overview: Children use colored objects to create a simple bar graph, learning about categorization and quantity comparison.
• Colored objects (e.g., blocks, beads, or paper cutouts)
• Large paper or a whiteboard for graphing
• Markers or tape
• Setup: Prepare a graphing area on large paper or a whiteboard, drawing columns but leaving the categories blank.
• Present the colored objects to the children and explain that they will sort and graph them by color.
• Assist the children in placing the objects in the corresponding columns, creating a visual representation of the quantities.
• Once the graph is complete, discuss the results, comparing the quantities and identifying which color has the most or least objects.

Favorite Fruit Graph

• Overview: Children create a graph based on their classmates' favorite fruits, applying graphing skills to gather and represent data about preferences.
• Paper and markers for graphing
• Stickers or images of various fruits
• Setup: Prepare a graph on paper, listing different fruits as categories along the bottom and leaving space for marks or stickers above each fruit.
• Ask each child to choose their favorite fruit from the listed options.
• Provide a sticker or image of the chosen fruit to each child to place on the graph in the corresponding category.
• Once all children have placed their stickers, review the graph together, discussing which fruit is the most and least popular and observing any patterns in preferences.

Science & Nature:

28. birds and feathers.

The Birds and Feathers theme introduces preschoolers to the fascinating world of birds, their different types and their unique features, particularly focusing on feathers. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Fosters curiosity about wildlife and promotes scientific thinking
• Enhances observational skills and understanding of biodiversity
• Lays a foundation for environmental awareness and understanding the importance of birds in ecosystems

Feather Exploration

• Overview: Children examine and compare different types of feathers, learning about their textures, colors and functions.
• A variety of feathers from different birds
• Magnifying glasses
• Gather an assortment of feathers and arrange them on a table or exploration area.
• Provide magnifying glasses for closer examination.
• Encourage children to carefully observe and touch the feathers, noting their colors, patterns, and textures.
• Use magnifying glasses to explore finer details of the feathers.
• Discuss the functions of feathers for birds, such as flight, insulation, and camouflage.
• Compare feathers from different birds, if available, discussing how they might relate to each bird's habitat and lifestyle.

Bird Watching Adventure

• Overview: Children engage in a bird-watching activity, learning to observe and identify different bird species in their natural habitat or through pictures.
• Binoculars or picture books with images of birds
• Bird identification charts or cards
• Setup: Choose a suitable outdoor area for bird watching or gather books with clear images of birds if staying indoors.
• Prepare bird identification charts or cards for reference.
• If outdoors, guide children in using binoculars to spot birds, encouraging quiet observation.
• If indoors, show pictures of different birds, discussing their features and habitats.
• Use identification charts or cards to help children learn the names and characteristics of common birds.
• Encourage children to describe the birds they observe, fostering language skills and attention to detail.

29. Butterflies and Life Cycles

The Butterflies and Life Cycles theme teaches preschoolers about the fascinating transformation butterflies undergo, from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Fosters comprehension of biology, ecology, and the concept of time
• Encourages observational skills, critical thinking, and a sense of wonder about nature's processes
• Introduces the concept of life cycles, promoting understanding of growth, change, and the natural world

Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

• Overview: Children create a visual representation of the butterfly life cycle, reinforcing their understanding of the sequence and stages of development.
• Construction paper or craft foam
• Scissors, glue, markers, or crayons
• Images or models of eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and butterflies for reference
• Prepare the materials and set up a workspace for each child.
• Provide reference images or models of each life cycle stage.
• Discuss the stages of the butterfly life cycle with the children.
• Guide them in creating a visual representation of each stage using construction paper or craft foam.
• Have children arrange the stages in order and glue them onto a larger piece of paper or create a mobile or 3D model.
• Encourage children to describe each stage, reinforcing their understanding of the life cycle sequence.

Observing Live Butterflies

• Overview: If possible, children observe live butterflies or caterpillars, experiencing the life cycle stages firsthand and enhancing their learning through direct observation.
• Live butterflies or caterpillars (if accessible, consider a butterfly kit)
• Observation journals or sheets
• Set up a safe space for observing the live butterflies or caterpillars.
• Provide observation journals or sheets for note-taking.
• Introduce the live butterflies or caterpillars to the children, explaining the stage they are observing.
• Allow children to observe, asking them to note or draw what they see in their journals.
• Discuss their observations, linking them to the stages of the life cycle.
• If observing over time, guide children in noting changes, fostering an understanding of growth and transformation.

30. Desert Animals and Plants

The Desert Animals and Plants theme introduces preschoolers to the unique characteristics of life in desert environments, exploring how plants and animals adapt to survive in harsh conditions. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances knowledge of geography, biology, and environmental science
• Encourages thinking about how living things adapt to their surroundings
• Promotes awareness of the diversity of life on Earth and understanding of adaptation and ecosystems

Desert Habitat Diorama

• Overview: Children create a diorama representing a desert habitat, incorporating models of desert animals and plants to understand their interrelationships and adaptations.
• Shoeboxes or similar containers
• Sand, rocks, and other materials to simulate desert terrain
• Pictures or models of desert animals and plants
• Glue, scissors, and craft materials
• Prepare a workspace with all the materials needed to create a diorama.
• Provide reference images or models of desert habitats, animals, and plants.
• Discuss the characteristics of desert environments and how animals and plants adapt to survive.
• Guide the children in creating their desert dioramas, starting with the terrain and adding animals and plants.
• Encourage them to think about where each organism would be located in the habitat and why.
• Once completed, have the children share their dioramas and explain the adaptations and relationships they've represented.

Adaptation Matching Game

• Overview: Children match desert animals and plants with their adaptations, reinforcing their understanding of how organisms are suited to their environment.
• Cards with images of desert animals and plants
• Cards with descriptions or images of adaptations
• Setup: Prepare sets of matching cards – one set with images of desert organisms and another with their corresponding adaptations.
• Introduce the concept of adaptation, explaining how certain features help animals and plants survive in the desert.
• Display the cards and guide children in matching each organism with its adaptation.
• Discuss each match, elaborating on how the adaptation helps the organism thrive in its environment.
• Encourage children to think of other adaptations they might know or imagine how they would adapt to live in a desert.

31. Endangered Animals

The Endangered Animals theme educates preschoolers about animals at risk of extinction, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect these species and their habitats. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Raises awareness of environmental issues and the concept of conservation
• Helps children develop a sense of responsibility toward nature
• Fosters empathy for living creatures and an understanding of human impact on the environment

Endangered Animal Posters

• Overview: Children create posters featuring endangered animals, learning about their characteristics, habitats, and why they are endangered.
• Poster paper or large construction paper
• Crayons, markers, or paint
• Pictures or facts about endangered animals for reference
• Gather materials and set up a creative space where children can work on their posters.
• Provide reference materials with information and images of endangered animals.
• Discuss the concept of endangered animals and why it's important to protect them.
• Have each child choose an endangered animal to feature on their poster.
• Encourage them to illustrate their animal and include information about its habitat, why it's endangered, and how we can help. (This can be a great time to teach about broader principles related to environmental conservation, as well.)
• Display the completed posters in the classroom or school to educate others about endangered animals.

Habitat Restoration Game

• Overview: A role-playing game where children learn about habitat destruction and restoration, understanding how their actions can impact endangered animals.
• Props to represent different habitat elements (e.g., trees, water, animals)
• "Pollution" items (e.g., plastic bottles, paper scraps)
• Create a simple representation of a habitat using the props, incorporating elements essential for animal survival.
• Scatter the "pollution" items throughout the habitat.
• Explain how pollution and habitat destruction affect animals, particularly endangered species.
• Have children participate in cleaning up the habitat, removing the pollution items, and discussing how each action helps restore the environment.
• Introduce positive actions, like planting trees or creating shelters, to enhance the habitat.
• Discuss the impact of their restoration efforts, emphasizing how a healthy habitat supports animal survival and biodiversity.

32. Forests and Woodlands

The Forests and Woodlands theme introduces preschoolers to the diverse ecosystems of forests and woodlands, exploring the variety of plants, animals, and the interdependent relationships within these habitats. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances knowledge of biology, ecology and environmental science
• Encourages thinking about the importance of conservation and the role of different organisms in maintaining ecological balance
• Fosters an appreciation for nature and biodiversity

Forest Layers Exploration

• Overview: Children learn about the different layers of a forest (e.g., forest floor, understory, canopy, emergent layer) and the organisms that live in each layer, reinforcing concepts of habitat and adaptation.
• Visual aids or models showing forest layers
• Toy animals or pictures representing creatures from each layer
• Prepare visual aids or models that clearly depict the layers of a forest.
• Gather toy animals or pictures that correspond to each forest layer.
• Introduce the concept of forest layers and discuss the characteristics of each layer.
• Show the children the toy animals or pictures and guide them in placing each one in its correct layer, discussing why each organism lives in its particular layer.
• Encourage children to ask questions and share observations, fostering a deeper understanding of forest ecosystems.

Woodland Habitat Diorama

• Overview: Children create a diorama of a woodland habitat, showcasing the plants and animals that live there and learning about the interconnections within this ecosystem.
• Natural materials (e.g., leaves, twigs, stones)
• Toy animals or pictures of woodland creatures
• Art supplies for decoration
• Setup: Provide each child with a container and a variety of materials to create their diorama.
• Discuss the key features of woodland habitats and the types of organisms that live there.
• Guide the children in creating their dioramas, using natural materials to represent the environment and adding animals to illustrate woodland biodiversity.
• Once completed, have children share their dioramas and explain the elements they included, emphasizing the relationships between different organisms and their habitat.

33. Gardening and Planting

The Gardening and Planting theme introduces preschoolers to the basics of growing plants, fostering an understanding of plant life cycles and the importance of care in nurturing living things. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children develop responsibility, patience, and observational skills
• Enhances understanding of biology, ecology, and the environment
• Provides a foundation for lifelong environmental stewardship and a connection to nature

Plant a Seed

• Overview: Children plant their own seeds, observe the growth process, and learn about the conditions necessary for plants to thrive.
• Small pots or containers
• Seeds (easy-to-grow varieties like beans or sunflowers)
• Watering cans or droppers
• Setup: Prepare a planting station with pots, soil, seeds, and watering tools.
• Discuss the basic needs of plants (light, water, soil and air) and the plant life cycle.
• Guide children in filling their pots with soil, planting the seeds and watering them gently.
• Assign a space where the pots can be placed to receive adequate sunlight.
• Encourage children to observe and record the growth of their plants, teaching them about care and responsibility.

Garden Exploration

• Overview: If possible, take children on an exploration of a garden or create a sensory garden experience, allowing them to interact with various plants and learn about their characteristics and needs.
• A garden space or various potted plants with different textures, scents and colors
• Gardening tools for exploration
• Ensure the garden or plant area is safe and accessible for children.
• Gather any tools or materials needed for exploration.
• Guide children through the garden or introduce them to different potted plants, encouraging them to use their senses to explore.
• Discuss the parts of the plants, their functions, and the different types of plants present.
• If possible, involve children in simple gardening tasks, such as watering or weeding, to deepen their connection and understanding of plant care.

34. Jungles and Rainforests

The Jungles and Rainforests theme introduces preschoolers to the lush, diverse ecosystems of jungles and rainforests around the world, exploring the variety of plant and animal life and the importance of these ecosystems to the Earth's environment. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children understand biodiversity, ecosystems, and the interdependence of living organisms
• Promotes awareness of environmental conservation and the significance of these habitats to global health
• Introduces basic conservation concepts and the importance of jungles and rainforests

Rainforest Layers Collage

• Overview: Children create a collage representing the different layers of a rainforest, learning about the distinct habitats within and the creatures that live in each layer.
• Construction paper or large poster board
• Images or illustrations of rainforest layers and animals
• Glue, scissors and art supplies
• Prepare the materials and set up a workspace for the collage activity.
• Provide reference images or materials about rainforest layers and their inhabitants.
• Discuss the different layers of a rainforest (emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor) and their characteristics.
• Guide children in creating a collage that represents these layers, adding animals and plants in their respective habitats.
• Encourage children to share their collages and explain what they've learned about each layer and its inhabitants.

Rainforest Soundscape

• Overview: Children listen to and identify sounds from the jungle or rainforest, enhancing their auditory skills and awareness of the diverse life in these ecosystems.
• Audio recordings of rainforest sounds
• Pictures of rainforest animals and environments
• Setup: Prepare a comfortable listening area and have the audio recordings and pictures ready.
• Play the rainforest soundscape and ask children to listen carefully.
• Pause at intervals to discuss the sounds they hear and show pictures of the possible sources (animals, rain, wind).
• Encourage children to imitate the sounds or guess which animals are making them, linking auditory experiences to visual recognition.
• Discuss the importance of these sounds to the ecosystem and what they tell us about the health and activity of the rainforest.

35. Lakes and Freshwater Ecosystems

The Lakes and Freshwater Ecosystems theme introduces preschoolers to the aquatic life and environmental significance of lakes, rivers and other freshwater ecosystems. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances knowledge of ecology, biology and environmental science
• Fosters an appreciation for water resources and the need for conservation to protect aquatic habitats
• Promotes understanding of the importance of clean water for all living things and the diversity of plants and animals in freshwater ecosystems

Freshwater Habitat Diorama

• Overview: Children create a diorama representing a freshwater habitat, showcasing various aquatic plants and animals and learning about their interrelationships.
• Shoebox or similar container
• Materials to represent water (e.g., blue cellophane, paint)
• Figures or pictures of freshwater animals and plants
• Glue, scissors, and craft supplies
• Prepare the materials and set up a workspace for the diorama creation.
• Provide reference images or materials about freshwater ecosystems and their inhabitants.
• Discuss the characteristics of freshwater ecosystems and the types of plants and animals that live there.
• Guide children in creating their dioramas, using materials to depict water, plants and animals.
• Encourage children to share their dioramas and explain the elements they included, emphasizing the ecosystem's diversity and interconnectedness.

Water Filtration Experiment

• Overview: Children learn about water pollution and filtration through a simple experiment that demonstrates how water can be cleaned, highlighting the importance of maintaining clean water in ecosystems.
• Clear plastic bottles cut in half
• Sand, gravel, cotton, and activated charcoal (or coffee filters)
• Dirty water (can be made with water and harmless soil or food coloring)
• Basins or containers to catch filtered water
• Setup: Prepare the experiment materials and set up stations for the water filtration process.
• Explain the concept of water pollution and its impact on freshwater ecosystems.
• Show children how to layer the sand, gravel, cotton, and charcoal in the bottle halves to create a simple filtration system.
• Pour the dirty water into the system and let children observe as it filters into the basin below.
• Discuss how the filtered water compares to the dirty water and relate the experiment to the importance of keeping natural water sources clean for the health of freshwater ecosystems.

36. Mountains and Ecosystems

The Mountains and Ecosystems theme educates preschoolers about the unique characteristics of mountainous environments and the diverse plant and animal life they support. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children understand ecological diversity, adaptation, and the significance of different habitats
• Fosters a sense of wonder about the natural world
• Promotes awareness of environmental conservation and the importance of mountain ecosystems to the planet's biodiversity

Mountain Habitat Collage

• Overview: Children create a collage that represents a mountain habitat, learning about the flora and fauna specific to these regions and the concept of ecosystems.
• Large poster board or construction paper
• Images or illustrations of mountain habitats, plants, and animals
• Glue, scissors, and art supplies
• Provide reference images or materials about mountain habitats and their inhabitants.
• Discuss the key features of mountain ecosystems and the types of organisms that live there.
• Guide children in creating their collages, selecting and arranging images to represent a mountain ecosystem.
• Encourage children to share their collages and explain the elements they included, emphasizing the ecosystem's diversity and interdependence.

Exploring Elevation

• Overview: Through a simple experiment, children learn how elevation affects temperature and plant life in mountains, introducing basic concepts of geography and ecology.
• Two thermometers
• Ice and warm water
• Pictures or models of plants found at different mountain elevations
• Setup: Arrange the materials for the experiment and have the pictures or models of plants ready for discussion.
• Place one thermometer in warm water and the other in ice to simulate temperature differences at varying elevations.
• Let children observe and compare the temperatures, discussing how elevation affects climate.
• Show pictures or models of plants, explaining how different plants thrive at various elevations due to temperature differences.
• Relate the experiment to real mountain environments, fostering an understanding of how elevation influences ecosystems.

37. Mountains and Volcanoes

The Mountains and Volcanoes theme exposes preschoolers to the majestic world of mountains and the dynamic nature of volcanoes. This is one of the most popular preschool themes, and is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of Earth science, geography, and natural phenomena
• Encourages curiosity about the planet's structure and the forces that shape our world
• Explores the formation of mountains and volcanoes, their features, and the role they play in Earth's geology and ecosystems

Create Your Own Volcano

• Overview: Children build model volcanoes and simulate eruptions, learning about volcanic activity in an interactive and engaging way.
• Playdough or clay to build the volcano
• Baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring for the eruption
• Tray or container to contain the mess
• Setup: Set up a workspace for each child to build their volcano. Prepare the eruption ingredients.
• Guide children in using playdough or clay to shape their own volcanoes on the tray.
• Once the volcanoes are built, mix baking soda and a few drops of food coloring inside the volcano crater.
• Let children pour vinegar into the crater to initiate the eruption, observing the reaction.
• Discuss how the eruption simulates what happens in real volcanoes and the natural forces involved.

Mountain Exploration Station

• Overview: Children engage with different materials to learn about the features of mountains and how they are formed.
• Rocks, pebbles, and sand
• Pictures or models of various types of mountains
• Interactive elements like water to show erosion
• Create an exploration station with the materials laid out for children to interact with.
• Provide pictures or models for reference.
• Introduce children to different types of mountains (e.g., volcanic, fold) using the pictures or models.
• Allow them to use the rocks, pebbles, and sand to create miniature mountains, explaining the processes like uplift and erosion that shape real mountains.
• Demonstrate how water affects mountains by simulating rain over their sandy or pebbly mountains, observing the changes.
• Encourage discussion about what they've created and discovered, relating it to the real-world formation of mountains.

38. Ocean Exploration

The Ocean Exploration theme introduces preschoolers to the vast and mysterious world of the oceans. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Expands children's knowledge of biology, ecology, and Earth science
• Fosters an appreciation for marine biodiversity and the need for ocean conservation
• Highlights the oceans' crucial role in global ecosystems and sparks curiosity and a sense of adventure about the diversity of marine life and different ocean zones

Underwater World Diorama

• Overview: Children create a diorama depicting the underwater world, learning about marine habitats and the creatures that inhabit them. These ocean activities are always a hit!
• Blue cellophane or paint for water
• Pictures or models of marine animals and plants
• Provide reference images or materials about marine life and habitats.
• Discuss the diversity of ocean habitats and the creatures that live in them.
• Guide children in creating their dioramas, using materials to represent water, coral reefs, ocean floor, and various marine species.
• Encourage children to share their dioramas and explain the elements they included, fostering a deeper understanding of ocean life.

Ocean Zone Layering Activity

• Overview: Children learn about the different ocean zones and their characteristics by creating a layered representation, understanding how depth affects the environment and organisms.
• Large clear containers or jars
• Colored water or gel to represent different zones
• Labels for each zone
• Small figures or pictures of marine animals for each zone
• Setup: Prepare the containers or jars and have the materials ready to represent different ocean zones.
• Introduce the concept of ocean zones (e.g., sunlight, twilight, midnight, abyssal, hadal) and their unique features.
• Help children layer the colored water or gel in containers to represent different zones, discussing the conditions and life forms in each.
• Place figures or pictures of marine animals in their corresponding zones, enhancing understanding of how organisms are adapted to their environments.
• Use the completed containers as educational models, discussing how depth influences light, pressure, and life in the ocean.

39. Oceans and Beaches

The Oceans and Beaches theme immerses preschoolers in the dynamic environments of oceans and their shorelines. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of geography, marine biology, and environmental science
• Promotes awareness of the natural world's diversity and the importance of ecosystems and conservation
• Explores the interaction between land and sea, the variety of life forms in these habitats, and the physical characteristics of beaches

Beach Sensory Bin

• Overview: Children interact with a sensory bin that mimics a beach environment, exploring different textures and materials while learning about beach ecosystems.
• Large bin or container
• Sand, water, pebbles, shells, and seaweed (real or artificial)
• Toy marine animals and beach items
• Fill the bin with sand to create a beach area and add water to simulate the ocean.
• Add pebbles, shells, seaweed, and toy figures to the bin.
• Invite children to explore the sensory bin, encouraging them to feel the different textures and identify the items they find.
• Discuss the role of each element (e.g., sand, shells, seaweed) in the beach ecosystem.
• Encourage imaginative play with the toy animals and beach items, prompting discussions about how they interact in their natural habitats.

Ocean Waves Bottle

• Overview: Children create a simple ocean wave simulation using bottles, learning about the movement of water and its effects on shorelines.
• Clear plastic bottles with caps
• Water, blue food coloring, oil and glitter or small ocean-themed items
• Setup: Prepare the bottles, water, food coloring, oil and glitter or thematic items.
• Help children fill the bottles halfway with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring.
• Add oil to fill the rest of the bottle, creating a two-layer effect.
• Add glitter or small ocean-themed items to the bottle, then seal the caps tightly.
• Encourage children to gently tilt and shake the bottles to observe the wave-like movement and discuss how ocean waves affect beaches and marine life.

40. Polar Regions and Animals

The Polar Regions and Animals theme introduces preschoolers to the icy world of the Arctic and Antarctic. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of geography, environmental science, and biology
• Promotes awareness of diverse habitats and the adaptations animals make to thrive in extreme conditions
• Fosters an understanding of different global ecosystems, the concept of adaptation, and the unique animals that inhabit these cold environments

Polar Habitat Diorama

• Overview: Children create dioramas depicting Arctic or Antarctic habitats, learning about the environment and the animals that live there.
• Cotton, white fabric, or batting for snow
• Ice cube trays and water to create ice
• Toy polar animals or pictures
• Glue and scissors
• Prepare the materials and set up a workspace for creating dioramas.
• Provide references or information about polar habitats and animals.
• Discuss the characteristics of polar regions and the animals that inhabit them.
• Guide children in creating their dioramas, using cotton or fabric for snow, ice cubes for icebergs, and adding toy animals or pictures.
• Encourage children to share their dioramas and explain the elements they included, emphasizing the adaptation of animals to cold environments.

Blubber Experiment

• Overview: Through a simple experiment, children learn how blubber helps polar animals stay warm in freezing temperatures, understanding the concept of insulation.
• Shortening (to simulate blubber)
• Ice water in a large container
• Ziplock bags or plastic gloves
• Setup: Prepare the ice water container and ensure there's enough shortening and bags or gloves for each child.
• Explain how blubber works as insulation for polar animals.
• Help children fill one side of a ziplock bag or glove with shortening and insert their hand inside another bag or glove before placing it in the shortening-filled one (double bag to prevent mess).
• Have children place their 'blubber hand' in the ice water and compare the feeling to their other hand in the water without protection.
• Discuss the experiment's results, relating how blubber helps polar animals survive in cold waters.

Through "Polar Regions and Animals," children gain insights into the adaptations and resilience of life in extreme conditions, enhancing their understanding of global biodiversity and the importance of environmental protection. Enhance this theme with other books and activities related to polar environments.

41. Rain and Water Cycle

The Rain and Water Cycle theme educates preschoolers about the process of the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children grasp basic concepts of Earth science and environmental studies
• Fosters an appreciation for water as a vital resource
• Promotes awareness of water's role in the environment and weather patterns and highlights the importance of water in various forms and its continuous movement on Earth

Water Cycle in a Bag

• Overview: Children create a simple model of the water cycle inside a sealable plastic bag, observing evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in a controlled environment.
• Sealable plastic bags
• Blue food coloring (optional)
• Permanent markers
• Setup: Gather all materials and prepare a workspace where each child can set up their bag.
• Discuss the stages of the water cycle.
• Have children fill the bags with a small amount of water, adding a few drops of blue food coloring if desired.
• Seal the bags and tape them to a window where sunlight can shine through.
• Over time, observe the water cycle process inside the bags, identifying evaporation, condensation on the bag's walls, and water droplets falling like rain.
• Encourage children to record or discuss their observations, reinforcing their understanding of the water cycle stages.

Rain Cloud Experiment

• Overview: Through a simple experiment, children observe how clouds hold water and release it as rain, simulating precipitation in a clear container.
• Clear containers or jars
• Shaving cream (to represent clouds)
• Blue food coloring (to represent rain)
• Setup: Arrange the materials so each child can easily access them to perform the experiment.
• Fill the containers with water (representing the atmosphere) and top with a layer of shaving cream (representing clouds).
• Let children add drops of blue food coloring onto the shaving cream, watching as it saturates and begins to "rain" into the water below.
• Discuss how the experiment represents rain formation, with clouds gathering moisture until it becomes heavy enough to fall as precipitation.
• Connect the activity to the larger concept of the water cycle and its importance to Earth's ecosystems.

42. Safari and African Wildlife

The Safari and African Wildlife theme immerses preschoolers in the diverse and vibrant ecosystems of Africa. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of geography, biology, and environmental science
• Fosters global awareness and promotes respect for wildlife and natural habitats
• Introduces the continent's unique animals and habitats, encouraging exploration, curiosity about wildlife, and an appreciation for biodiversity

African Animal Safari

• Overview: Children go on a pretend safari adventure, learning about different African animals and their environments through exploration and play.
• Pictures or toy models of African animals
• Safari hats or binoculars for pretend play
• Information cards about each animal
• Set up different areas in the classroom or play area to represent various African habitats (e.g., savannah, jungle, desert).
• Place toy animals or pictures in their respective habitats.
• Introduce the concept of a safari and discuss different African habitats and the animals that live in each.
• Equip children with safari hats and binoculars and guide them on a safari through the different habitats.
• At each stop, introduce the animals, share interesting facts from the information cards, and encourage children to observe and ask questions.
• Engage children in activities or discussions about how animals adapt to their environments and the importance of conservation.

African Wildlife Art Project

• Overview: Children create art projects inspired by African animals, exploring artistic expression while learning about wildlife.
• Art supplies (e.g., paper, paint, crayons, collage materials)
• Images of African wildlife for inspiration
• Prepare art stations with all the necessary materials.
• Display images of African animals for children to use as inspiration.
• Show children the images of African wildlife and discuss the unique features of each animal.
• Encourage children to choose an animal to create art about, using the provided materials to capture its characteristics.
• Assist children as needed, encouraging them to express their creativity and share what they've learned about their chosen animal.
• Create a gallery of the completed artwork, celebrating the diversity of African wildlife and the children's artistic achievements.

43. The Solar System

The Solar System theme introduces preschoolers to the wonders of space, including planets, the sun, the moon, and stars. Solar System activities and projects are valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of astronomy, science, and the natural world
• Encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of connection to the cosmos
• Explores basic astronomical concepts, fostering curiosity about the universe and our place within it

Planetary Mobile

• Overview: Children create a mobile representing the planets in our solar system, learning about each one's unique characteristics and their order from the sun.
• Construction paper or foam balls to represent planets
• Paint, crayons, or markers for decoration
• String or yarn
• Coat hangers or sticks for the mobile structure
• Prepare materials for creating the planets and assembling the mobile.
• Have information available about each planet to guide the activity.
• Introduce the planets and their order in the solar system. Discuss distinguishing features of each planet.
• Assist children in creating and decorating their planets, using the appropriate colors and sizes.
• Attach the planets to the mobile structure, ensuring they are in the correct order from the sun.
• Hang the completed mobiles and encourage children to share what they've learned about each planet.

Starry Night Sky

• Overview: Children create a representation of the night sky, learning about stars, constellations, and celestial phenomena.
• Black or dark blue construction paper
• White or yellow paint, stickers, or chalk for stars
• Star and constellation references
• Prepare the workspace with all necessary materials.
• Provide references for stars and constellations.
• Discuss stars, constellations and the night sky. Explain how stars form patterns and share a few simple constellations.
• Have children create their night sky using the materials provided, encouraging them to include stars and constellations.
• Once complete, discuss the different constellations children chose to represent and share stories or facts about them.
• Display the artwork to create a classroom night sky, fostering an appreciation for the beauty and mystery of the universe.

44. Underground Habitats

The Underground Habitats theme introduces preschoolers to the world beneath the Earth's surface. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of ecology, biology, and the diversity of life forms
• Fosters an appreciation for the complexity of ecosystems and the adaptability of organisms
• Explores the different animals and plants that thrive in subterranean environments, encouraging curiosity about less visible ecosystems and the concept of adaptation

Exploring Underground Animals

• Overview: Children learn about various animals that live underground, such as worms, moles, and ants, through interactive activities and observations.
• Pictures or toy models of underground animals
• Books or videos about underground habitats
• Activity sheets or crafts related to underground animals
• Setup: Prepare a learning area with the materials, focusing on a few key underground animals.
• Introduce the concept of underground habitats and discuss why certain animals live beneath the surface.
• Show pictures or models of underground animals, discussing their characteristics and how they adapt to their environment.
• Engage children in an activity or craft related to one of the animals, reinforcing their learning and encouraging creativity.
• Encourage children to share what they've learned and ask questions, fostering a deeper understanding and curiosity.

Create an Underground Scene

• Overview: Children create a visual representation of an underground habitat, illustrating the layers of soil and the organisms that live within them.
• Soil, sand, pebbles and other materials to represent different layers
• Small figures or illustrations of underground animals and plants
• Setup: Gather all materials needed for creating the underground scenes.
• Explain the different layers of soil and what might be found in each layer.
• Guide children in layering their materials in the containers to represent soil, rocks, and other underground features.
• Have children place the figures or illustrations of animals and plants in their appropriate layers, creating a cross-section view of an underground habitat.
• Discuss each child's scene, focusing on the organisms represented and how they interact with their environment.

45. Vegetables and Healthy Eating

The Vegetables and Healthy Eating theme educates preschoolers about the importance of vegetables in their diet. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of nutrition and promotes healthy lifestyle choices
• Fosters an appreciation for diverse foods and encourages lifelong habits of balanced eating
• Introduces a variety of vegetables and encourages healthy eating habits, combining nutrition education with fun, interactive learning

Veggie Taste Test

• Overview: Children explore different types of vegetables through a taste test, learning about flavors, textures and colors and expressing their preferences.
• A variety of raw vegetables, cut into small, manageable pieces
• Small plates or cups for serving
• Water and napkins for palate cleansing
• Prepare the vegetables, ensuring a diverse selection of colors and types.
• Arrange the tasting stations with small portions of each vegetable.
• Introduce the vegetables, discussing their names, colors, and health benefits.
• Guide children through the taste test, encouraging them to try each vegetable and describe their experiences.
• Encourage respectful discussion about preferences, reinforcing that it's okay to have different tastes.
• Conclude by discussing which vegetables were favorites and how they can be incorporated into daily meals.

Grow Your Own Veggie Plant

• Overview: Children plant vegetable seeds and care for them, learning about plant growth and the origins of the food they eat.
• Small pots or planting containers
• Vegetable seeds suitable for easy growing (e.g., carrots, lettuce, radishes)
• Soil and watering cans
• Setup: Prepare the planting materials and choose an appropriate area for the plants to grow, considering light and space needs.
• Discuss how vegetables grow from seeds and the care they need to thrive.
• Assist children in planting their seeds, providing instructions on soil placement and watering.
• Set up a schedule for children to water and check on their plants, fostering responsibility and observation skills.
• As the plants grow, discuss the process and what the vegetables need at each stage, culminating in a discussion about the journey from seed to plate.

46. Weather and Climate

The Weather and Climate theme introduces preschoolers to the concepts of weather patterns and climate. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of Earth science and helps them understand the impact of weather on nature and humans
• Promotes awareness of environmental changes and conservation
• Explores different types of weather and how they affect our environment and daily lives, fostering an understanding of the natural world and encouraging observational skills

Weather Charting

• Overview: Children observe and record daily weather conditions, learning about different weather types and developing their data collection and observational skills.
• A weather chart or board
• Weather symbols or pictures (sunny, rainy, cloudy, snowy, etc.)
• Markers or stickers
• Prepare the weather chart or board with space for each day's weather recording.
• Have weather symbols or pictures available for children to use.
• Each day, discuss the weather with the children, observing conditions outside.
• Help children record the day's weather on the chart using the appropriate symbols or pictures.
• Over time, review the chart with the children, discussing patterns and what they've learned about weather variations.

Creating Weather Art

• Overview: Children express their understanding and perceptions of different weather conditions through art, using various materials to create weather-related scenes.
• Art supplies (paper, paint, crayons, cotton balls, glitter, etc.)
• Inspiration images or books about weather
• Set up art stations with all necessary materials.
• Provide inspiration images or books to stimulate ideas.
• Encourage children to choose a type of weather they'd like to represent in their artwork.
• Guide them in using the materials to create their weather scenes, discussing the characteristics of their chosen weather as they work.
• Once completed, have children share their art and explain their creative choices, fostering a discussion about weather and its various representations.

47. Wind and Air

The Wind and Air theme introduces preschoolers to the concepts of wind, air movement and its effects on the environment. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Fosters children's knowledge of basic earth science concepts
• Enhances their awareness of the natural world and the unseen forces that shape our environment
• Explores how wind is created, the role of air in our world, and encourages experimentation and observation

Wind Experiment

• Overview: Children engage in simple experiments to observe and understand wind and air movement, learning about force and its effects on objects.
• Fans or blowers
• Lightweight objects like feathers, leaves, or paper
• Streamers or ribbons
• Setup: Prepare a space where children can safely observe and interact with the materials and the fan or blower. 
• Discuss the concept of wind and air movement with the children.
• Use the fan or blower to create air movement and let children observe how the lightweight objects are affected.
• Encourage children to try holding different objects in the air stream to see how they behave, fostering an understanding of how wind affects various materials.
• Attach streamers or ribbons to a stationary object and point the fan at them to visualize wind movement.

Create a Wind Chime

• Overview: Children create their own wind chimes, learning about wind's ability to create sound and exploring how different materials produce different sounds.
• Various items for chimes (keys, beads, shells, small metal objects)
• Sticks or hangers to assemble the chime
• Setup: Gather all materials needed for the wind chimes.
• Introduce the concept of wind chimes and how they use wind to make noise.
• Guide children in creating their wind chimes, attaching the items to the string and then securing them to the stick or hanger.
• Once completed, hang the wind chimes in a breezy area or simulate wind to test them.
• Encourage children to listen to the sounds their chimes make and discuss how the wind's strength and direction affect the chime's sounds.

48. Zoos and Conservation

The Zoos and Conservation theme introduces preschoolers to the role of zoos in wildlife conservation, education and the protection of endangered species. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children understand the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats
• Fosters empathy for animals and awareness of environmental issues
• Encourages a sense of responsibility for the planet and explores the variety of animals found in zoos and how zoos contribute to conservation efforts

Virtual Zoo Tour

• Overview: Children embark on a virtual tour of a zoo, learning about different animals, their habitats, and conservation efforts.
• Computer or tablet with internet access
• Virtual zoo tour resources or videos
• Select a virtual zoo tour that is age-appropriate and informative.
• Ensure the technology is set up and tested before the activity.
• Guide children through the virtual zoo tour, pausing to discuss different animals, their natural habitats, and any conservation messages.
• Encourage questions and share interesting facts about each animal to deepen the learning experience.
• Discuss the role of zoos in conservation and how they help protect endangered species.
• Overview: Children create posters about endangered animals they learned about during the zoo tour, highlighting the importance of conservation.
• Markers, crayons, or paint
• Images or information about endangered animals
• Gather all the materials needed for the poster-making activity.
• Provide images or information about endangered animals for reference.
• Ask children to select an endangered animal they learned about and create a poster to raise awareness about the animal's conservation.
• Encourage them to include information about the animal's habitat, why it's endangered, and how we can help protect it.
• Allow children to present their posters to the group, sharing what they've learned and fostering a discussion about conservation efforts.

Culture & Society:

49. circus and performers.

The Circus and Performers theme immerses preschoolers in the colorful and exciting world of the circus. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of performing arts, physical coordination, and creative expression
• Encourages an appreciation for diverse forms of entertainment and the hard work behind the scenes
• Introduces various performers and acts that make up this unique form of entertainment, exploring the skills, creativity, and teamwork involved in circus performances

Circus Role Play

• Overview: Children participate in a circus-themed role play, exploring different circus acts and developing their imaginative and physical skills.
• Costumes or props for various circus roles (clowns, acrobats, jugglers, etc.)
• Safe, simple equipment like soft balls for juggling or hula hoops
• Prepare a space for the role play, ensuring it's safe for physical activities.
• Arrange costumes and props for easy access.
• Introduce the concept of a circus and discuss the different types of performers.
• Allow children to choose their roles and dress up using the costumes and props.
• Guide them in exploring their characters, whether it's pretending to juggle, perform acrobatics, or entertain as clowns.
• Encourage a mini-performance where children can showcase their circus skills to their peers, fostering a sense of achievement and teamwork.

Circus Craft

• Overview: Children create circus-themed crafts, allowing them to express their creativity while learning about different aspects of the circus.
• Construction paper, markers, glitter, glue
• Circus-themed templates or ideas (e.g., clowns, tents, animals)
• Set up a crafting area with all the necessary materials.
• Provide examples or templates of circus-themed crafts.
• Present the craft ideas to the children, explaining the circus theme.
• Assist children in creating their crafts, whether it's making a clown face, a circus tent, or an animal.
• Encourage children to personalize their crafts, using colors and decorations to reflect their interpretation of the circus.
• Display the completed crafts in the classroom, creating a circus-themed exhibition that showcases the children's creativity and learning.

50. Heroes and Community Leaders

The Heroes and Community Leaders theme introduces preschoolers to the concept of heroism and leadership within communities. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of social studies, character education, and community awareness
• Encourages them to appreciate the roles of various individuals in society and the qualities that define leadership and heroism
• Highlights the diverse roles and contributions of individuals who make a positive impact, fostering respect, empathy, and an understanding of civic responsibility

My Hero Project

• Overview: Children identify a hero or community leader they admire and create a simple project to represent that person's contributions and qualities.
• Paper, crayons, markers
• Photos or free printable illustrations of various heroes or leaders (optional)
• Setup: Prepare a workspace with art supplies for children to create their projects.
• Discuss the concept of heroes and community leaders, explaining how they help and inspire others.
• Encourage children to think of someone they see as a hero or leader and express what makes that person special through art or a simple written description.
• Assist children in creating their projects, encouraging them to highlight the qualities and achievements of their chosen individual.
• Allow children to share their projects and discuss the diverse ways people can be heroes or leaders in their communities.

Role-Playing Community Helpers

• Overview: Children engage in role-playing activities that allow them to explore different community helper roles, understanding the various ways people contribute to society.
• Costumes or props for various community roles (e.g., firefighter, doctor, teacher)
• Arrange an area for role-playing, with costumes and props organized for easy access.
• Introduce different community helper roles, discussing what each one does and how they help others.
• Let children choose a role to role-play, providing them with appropriate costumes or props.
• Guide them through scenarios where they can act out their roles, emphasizing the importance of each role in the community.
• Encourage discussion about the experience, what they learned about their chosen role, and how each role contributes to the community's well-being.

51. Islands and Pirates

The Islands and Pirates theme immerses preschoolers in adventurous tales of seafaring pirates and exotic islands. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of geography, history, and cultural diversity
• Fosters creativity, critical thinking, and the development of narrative skills through storytelling and play
• Blends historical and imaginative elements, encouraging exploration, problem-solving, and learning about different cultures and geographies

Create Your Island

• Overview: Children design and illustrate their own islands, incorporating various geographical features and imagining the adventures that could take place there.
• Large paper or cardboard for island maps
• Markers, crayons, colored pencils
• Island features cut-outs or stickers (trees, treasure chests, animals)
• Setup: Prepare a workspace with all the materials needed for creating island maps.
• Introduce the concept of islands, discussing their features and the role they play in pirate stories.
• Guide children in designing their islands, encouraging them to think about the terrain, flora, fauna, and hidden treasures.
• Have them illustrate their islands, adding features and creating stories about what one might encounter there.
• Allow children to share their islands and the tales they've imagined, fostering creativity and storytelling skills.

Pirate Ship Adventure

• Overview: Children build a pirate ship using classroom materials and engage in imaginative play, exploring the life of pirates and their voyages.
• Large boxes, sheets, and other materials to construct a ship
• Pirate-themed costumes or props (hats, telescopes)
• Setup: Gather materials for constructing the ship and have costumes or props available.
• Discuss the role of pirates and their ships, introducing basic historical facts and myths.
• Collaboratively build a pirate ship, allowing children to contribute ideas and help with the construction.
• Once the ship is built, engage children in imaginative play, creating scenarios where they sail to islands, encounter wildlife, or search for treasure.
• Debrief after the activity, discussing what they learned about navigation, teamwork, and pirate life.

52. Queens of the Animal Kingdom

The Queens of the Animal Kingdom theme introduces preschoolers to matriarchal species in the animal world. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of biology, animal behavior, and social structures
• Promotes gender equality awareness and respect for all living beings
• Highlights the roles and characteristics of female leaders in various animal societies, fostering respect for nature and understanding of animal behavior

Matriarchal Animal Storytime

• Overview: Through storytime, children learn about different animals where females play leading roles, such as elephants, bees, and orcas.
• Books or stories about matriarchal animal species
• Pictures or illustrations of these animals
• Select books or prepare stories that focus on matriarchal animal species.
• Arrange a comfortable reading area for the children.
• Read the stories to the children, pausing to discuss the roles of the female animals and how they lead and protect their groups.
• Show pictures or illustrations of the animals, talking about their habitats, behaviors, and the importance of the females in their societies.
• Encourage questions and discussion, helping children understand the significance of these animal queens and their contributions to their communities.

Create Your Animal Matriarch

• Overview: Children use their creativity to imagine and create their own matriarchal animal, considering its habitat, characteristics, and how it leads its group.
• Art supplies (paper, markers, crayons, collage materials)
• Inspiration images of matriarchal animals
• Have inspiration images available to spark creativity.
• Inspire children to think about what kind of matriarchal animal they would like to create, discussing possible habitats, traits, and leadership qualities.
• Guide them in using art materials to bring their imagined animal to life, encouraging them to think about the environment where it lives and how it interacts with its group.
• Have children present their creations, sharing the story and characteristics of their animal matriarch, fostering creativity and appreciation for female leadership in the animal kingdom.

53. Tea Parties and Etiquette

The Tea Parties and Etiquette theme introduces preschoolers to the cultural traditions of tea parties and the basics of etiquette associated with them. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Helps children understand social norms, cultural diversity and the importance of polite behavior
• Enhances their social skills, respect for others, and awareness of global traditions
• Offers a fun, interactive way to learn about manners, social interactions, and different cultural practices

Host a Classroom Tea Party

• Overview: Children participate in a simulated tea party, learning about etiquette, table manners, and the art of conversation in a playful, engaging setting.
• Toy tea sets or safe, child-friendly tea party supplies
• Snacks or pretend food items
• Tablecloths, napkins, and decorations to create a festive atmosphere
• Arrange the classroom to resemble a tea party setting, with tables, chairs, and decorations.
• Set up the tea sets and snacks on the tables.
• Discuss the concept of a tea party and the basic etiquette involved, such as saying "please" and "thank you," using napkins and polite conversation.
• Guide the children through the tea party, encouraging them to practice the etiquette rules discussed.
• Engage them in polite conversation, asking about their favorite snacks or tea flavors, to practice social skills in a fun setting.
• Conclude by reflecting on the experience, discussing what they learned about manners and social interactions.

Tea Party Craft

• Overview: Children create their own tea party invitations or decorations, incorporating artistic expression and creativity into the theme of etiquette and cultural traditions.
• Construction paper, markers, stickers, and other craft supplies
• Examples or templates of invitations or decorations
• Have examples or templates available for inspiration.
• Introduce the craft activity, explaining how invitations and decorations contribute to the tea party's ambiance and etiquette.
• Assist children in creating their invitations or decorations, encouraging them to personalize their creations and practice writing polite messages if making invitations.
• Display the completed crafts in the classroom or use them for a future tea party, highlighting the importance of preparation and attention to detail in hosting a gathering.

54. Festivals and Holidays

The Festivals and Holidays theme introduces preschoolers to various cultural celebrations and traditions from around the world. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of world cultures, history, and geography
• Fosters empathy, inclusivity, and a broader perspective of the world
• Encourages appreciation and respect for diverse traditions, promoting an understanding of diversity and respect for different cultures

World Festival Parade

• Overview: Children create costumes or props representing different festivals or holidays and participate in a classroom parade, showcasing and celebrating global diversity.
• Art supplies for costume or prop creation (fabric, paper, markers, glue, etc.)
• Music or sounds associated with various festivals
• Images or books showcasing global festivals for inspiration
• Set up a crafting area with all necessary materials for children to create their festival-themed costumes or props.
• Organize a space in the classroom or outside for the parade.
• Introduce various festivals and holidays from around the world, discussing their significance and traditions.
• Guide children in selecting a festival to represent and assist them in creating related costumes or props.
• Host a parade where children can showcase their creations, playing music or sounds related to each festival as they parade.
• Encourage children to share what they've learned about their chosen festival, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

Festival Storytelling and Craft

• Overview: Children listen to stories related to different global festivals and engage in a related craft activity, deepening their understanding and appreciation of the festival's traditions.
• Books or resources with stories about various festivals
• Craft materials related to the story or festival theme
• Choose stories about different festivals, ensuring a range of cultural representations.
• Prepare materials for a related craft activity.
• Read a festival-related story to the children, discussing the cultural and historical context of the festival.
• After the story, engage children in a craft activity related to the festival, such as making a traditional decoration or symbol.
• Encourage children to share what they've learned and express their thoughts about the festival, fostering an environment of curiosity and respect for cultural diversity.

55. Inventors and Inventions

The Inventors and Inventions theme introduces preschoolers to the world of innovation. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
• Fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit
• Highlights how inventors use creativity and problem-solving to create new things that can make our lives better, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for science and technology

My Little Invention

• Overview: Children brainstorm and create a simple model of their own invention, using their imagination to solve a problem or improve something in their daily life.
• Recyclable materials (cardboard, plastic bottles, etc.)
• Art supplies (markers, paint, glue, etc.)
• Basic building materials (sticks, rubber bands, etc.)
• Setup: Gather all materials and set up a workspace where children can design and build their inventions.
• Introduce the concept of inventing, discussing how inventors identify problems and think of creative ways to solve them.
• Encourage children to think of a simple problem they encounter and brainstorm an invention that could help solve it.
• Assist children in creating a model of their invention using the provided materials, encouraging them to explain how it works and how it solves the problem.
• Allow children to present their inventions to the group, fostering an environment of encouragement and creativity.

Inventor's Biography

• Overview: Through storytelling or multimedia resources, children learn about a famous inventor and their invention, gaining insights into the invention process and the impact of innovations on our lives.
• Books, videos, or multimedia presentations about famous inventors
• Select a few inventors to focus on, ensuring a diverse representation.
• Prepare the storytelling or presentation area with any necessary technology or resources.
• Share the story or information about a famous inventor, highlighting their background, the invention process, and how their invention has impacted the world.
• Discuss the traits of the inventor, such as curiosity, perseverance and creativity, linking these to the invention process.
• Engage children in a discussion about the invention, asking them to think about how it affects their own lives or how they might improve upon it.

56. Recycling and Sustainability

The Recycling and Sustainability theme educates preschoolers about the importance of recycling, conserving resources and caring for the environment. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of environmental science, conservation, and responsible living
• Fosters a sense of environmental stewardship and encourages them to adopt sustainable practices from an early age
• Promotes eco-friendly practices and helps children understand their role in protecting the planet

Recycling Sort Game

• Overview: Children learn to differentiate between recyclable and non-recyclable items through a fun sorting game, enhancing their understanding of recycling practices.
• A variety of clean recyclable and non-recyclable items
• Bins or containers labeled for recycling, compost, and trash
• Gather the items and prepare the labeled bins or containers.
• Explain the sorting criteria for each bin.
• Introduce the concept of recycling and its importance in conserving resources and protecting the environment.
• Show the children the items and bins, explaining which items go into each bin.
• Let the children take turns sorting the items into the correct bins, discussing why each item belongs in its respective bin.
• Reinforce the learning by summarizing the importance of proper sorting and how it contributes to recycling and waste reduction.

Eco-Friendly Craft

• Overview: Children use recyclable materials to create a craft, emphasizing creativity while reinforcing the concept of reusing materials to reduce waste.
• Various recyclable materials (paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, etc.)
• Safe craft supplies (glue, scissors, paint, etc.)
• Setup: Prepare a workspace with all the recyclable materials and craft supplies.
• Discuss the idea of reusing materials to create new items, highlighting the role of creativity in recycling.
• Encourage children to select recyclable materials and plan a craft project, offering guidance and support as needed.
• Assist children in creating their crafts, focusing on the process and the value of reusing materials.
• Once the crafts are complete, allow children to share their creations and discuss how each project repurposed materials that might otherwise be discarded.

57. Robots and Technology

The Robots and Technology theme introduces preschoolers to the basics of robotics and technology. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of STEM fields and promotes problem-solving skills
• Encourages a sense of innovation and creativity and provides an early foundation for digital literacy and technological awareness
• Illustrates how machines can help us in daily life, fostering curiosity about science and engineering and encouraging children to think creatively about how technology is integrated into our world

Build-a-Robot Workshop

• Overview: Children use various materials to construct a simple "robot," encouraging creativity and introducing basic engineering concepts.
• Boxes, tubes, bottle caps, and other recyclable materials
• Glue, tape, scissors
• Decorative materials like markers, stickers, and foil
• Setup: Prepare a workspace with all materials needed for building robots.
• Introduce the concept of robots, discussing their roles and how they can perform tasks to help humans.
• Encourage children to use their imagination to design and build their own robot using the provided materials.
• Guide them through the process, encouraging them to think about what their robot could do and how it would function.
• Once the robots are built, allow children to share their creations and describe their robot's functions and features.

Technology Scavenger Hunt

• Overview: Children participate in a scavenger hunt that introduces them to various technological devices and tools, learning about their functions and significance.
• Pictures or actual examples of technological items (e.g., phone, computer, clock)
• Scavenger hunt list or clues
• Prepare the scavenger hunt list with pictures or descriptions of the technology items.
• If using actual items, ensure they are safely positioned around the play area.
• Explain the scavenger hunt rules and the objective to identify different technology items.
• Provide each child or team with a list or clues to find the items.
• As they find each item, discuss its function and how it helps people in their daily lives.
• After the hunt, review all the items found and reinforce the learning by discussing how technology impacts various aspects of life.

58. Space Exploration

The Space Exploration theme introduces preschoolers to the vast universe beyond Earth, including astronauts, spaceships, planets, and stars. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of science, particularly astronomy and physics
• Fosters a sense of wonder and broadens their perspective of the world
• Encourages them to think about human achievements and the possibilities of discovery and exploration, sparking curiosity about outer space and introducing basic concepts of astronomy and space travel

Astronaut Training Camp

• Overview: Children participate in fun, interactive activities that simulate astronaut training, promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and an understanding of space travel.
• Obstacle course materials (cushions, hoops, tunnels)
• Space-themed costumes or props
• Set up an "astronaut training" obstacle course with various physical challenges.
• Prepare space-themed costumes or props for the children to wear during their training.
• Introduce the concept of astronaut training and discuss why physical fitness and teamwork are important for astronauts.
• Guide children through the obstacle course, encouraging them to overcome challenges and work together as a team.
• Discuss the different aspects of training they completed and how these relate to real astronaut training.

Build Your Spacecraft

• Overview: Children use various materials to create their own spacecraft models, encouraging creativity and introducing basic engineering and design concepts.
• Recyclable materials (boxes, tubes, foil)
• Decorative materials (stickers, markers)
• Setup: Prepare a workspace with all materials needed for the spacecraft creation.
• Discuss different types of spacecraft and their purposes in space exploration.
• Encourage children to design and build their own spacecraft model, using the materials provided.
• Assist them in assembling their spacecraft, encouraging them to think about how their design would function in space.
• Allow children to present their spacecraft, sharing their design process and how they imagine their spacecraft would be used in space exploration.

59. Superheroes and Powers

The Superheroes and Powers theme engages preschoolers with the exciting world of superheroes. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's imaginative play, moral reasoning, and understanding of character traits like bravery, kindness, and perseverance
• Encourages them to think about their own 'superpowers' or strengths and how they can use them to help others
• Explores themes of good versus evil, helpfulness, and the unique abilities that make each superhero special, promoting creativity, empathy, and understanding of personal strengths

Create Your Superhero

• Overview: Children invent their own superheroes, choosing their powers, designing their costumes, and imagining how they would use their abilities to help people.
• Art supplies (paper, markers, fabric, etc.)
• Costume materials (capes, masks, etc.)
• Prepare a space with all the necessary materials for children to create their superheroes.
• Discuss what makes a superhero, including their powers, costumes, and how they help others.
• Guide children in imagining and creating their own superhero, encouraging them to think about the powers they would like to have and how they would use them for good.
• Assist them in creating a drawing or costume of their superhero, focusing on the attributes that make their character unique.
• Encourage children to share their superheroes with the group, explaining their powers and how they would make a difference.

Superhero Scenarios

• Overview: Children engage in role-play, acting out scenarios where they can be superheroes, using their 'powers' to solve problems and help others.
• Scenario cards with various 'missions' or challenges
• Superhero costumes or props
• Prepare scenario cards with simple, age-appropriate challenges for the superheroes to solve.
• Arrange a space where children can safely engage in role-play.
• Introduce the concept of superhero missions, explaining how superheroes face challenges and use their powers to overcome them.
• Distribute scenario cards and let children choose or assign them roles based on their created superheroes.
• Guide them through the role-play, encouraging them to think creatively about how to use their powers to resolve the scenarios.
• After the role-play, discuss the outcomes and how they worked together to solve the problems, reinforcing the value of teamwork and helpfulness.

60. The Human Body

The Human Body theme introduces preschoolers to the basic structure and functions of the human body. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of biology, personal health, and anatomy
• Encourages self-awareness and appreciation for the body's capabilities and the importance of taking care of one's health
• Fosters an understanding of how different parts work together to keep us healthy and active, promoting health awareness and curiosity about biology

Body Part Bingo

• Overview: Children play a bingo game featuring different body parts, helping them learn the names and locations of these parts while engaging in a fun, interactive activity.
• Bingo cards with pictures of body parts
• Markers or chips to cover the bingo squares
• Call-out cards with body part names or descriptions
• Prepare the bingo cards and call-out cards, ensuring each card has a variety of body parts.
• Explain the rules of bingo to the children.
• Distribute the bingo cards and markers or chips to the children.
• Call out the names or descriptions of body parts and have children cover the corresponding picture on their cards.
• When a child covers a complete row or pattern, they call out "Bingo!" and share the body parts they've identified.
• Discuss each body part as it's called, explaining its function and importance.

My Little Doctor Kit

• Overview: Children explore basic medical tools and their uses, role-playing as doctors or nurses to learn about health and the human body in a comforting and familiar context.
• Toy doctor kits with safe, child-friendly medical tools (stethoscope, thermometer, etc.)
• Dolls or stuffed animals as 'patients'
• Setup: Set up a 'clinic' area where children can examine their 'patients' with the toy medical tools.
• Introduce the medical tools, explaining their names and uses in simple terms.
• Encourage children to use the tools to examine their dolls or stuffed animals, role-playing as healthcare providers.
• Guide them through basic check-up procedures, explaining how doctors and nurses help us understand and take care of our bodies.
• Encourage empathy and caring for others through their interactions with their 'patients.'

61. Transportation History

The Transportation History theme introduces preschoolers to the evolution of transportation, from horse-drawn carriages to modern vehicles and beyond. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of technology, history, and social studies
• Encourages them to think about how innovations in transportation have shaped our world and how they might continue to evolve
• Explores how transportation has changed over time and its impact on society, fostering a sense of curiosity about technology and history

Transportation Timeline

• Overview: Children create a simple timeline that illustrates the evolution of transportation, helping them visualize and understand the progression of transportation technology over time.
• Long roll of paper for the timeline
• Images or illustrations of various modes of transportation
• Prepare the timeline on a long roll of paper, marking different time periods or eras.
• Arrange the images or illustrations of transportation modes to correspond with their respective time periods.
• Introduce the concept of a timeline and discuss how transportation has evolved from past to present.
• Assist children in placing the images or illustrations on the timeline at the appropriate points, discussing each mode of transportation and its historical context.
• Encourage children to observe the progression and discuss how changes in transportation might have impacted people's lives and the environment.

My Favorite Mode of Transportation

• Overview: Children explore various modes of transportation, select their favorite, and create a craft or drawing related to it, expressing their preferences and learning more about how different vehicles operate.
• Art and craft supplies (paper, cardboard, fabric, etc.)
• Reference images or models of different transportation modes
• Setup: Prepare a workspace with all necessary materials for children to create their transportation-related crafts or drawings.
• Discuss different types of transportation and how they are used in our daily lives.
• Encourage children to choose their favorite mode of transportation and express why they like it.
• Guide them in creating a craft or drawing of their chosen transportation mode, discussing its features and how it works.
• Allow children to share their creations and thoughts, fostering a dialogue about the variety and importance of transportation in our world.

62. Mythology and Legends

The Mythology and Legends theme introduces preschoolers to the fascinating world of myths, legends and folklore from various cultures. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of literature, culture, and history
• Encourages imagination, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the power of storytelling and its role in shaping societies and values
• Explores storytelling traditions, mythical creatures, and legendary heroes, fostering an appreciation for diverse cultural narratives

Mythical Creature Art

• Overview: Children learn about various mythical creatures from different cultures and create their own art inspired by these fantastical beings.
• Art supplies (paper, crayons, markers, paint)
• Images or descriptions of mythical creatures
• Setup: Prepare a workspace with art supplies and provide images or descriptions of various mythical creatures.
• Introduce the concept of mythical creatures and share stories or descriptions from different cultures.
• Encourage children to select a creature that fascinates them and create their own artistic interpretation using the materials provided.
• Discuss the characteristics and stories associated with each creature as children work on their art, emphasizing the cultural significance.
• Allow children to share their artwork and the stories behind their chosen creatures, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for mythology.

Legendary Hero Role Play

• Overview: Children engage in role-play activities inspired by legendary heroes from various myths and legends, exploring themes of bravery, kindness, and adventure.
• Costumes or props related to legendary heroes
• Simple scripts or scenarios based on mythological stories
• If using scripts or scenarios, ensure they are simple and age-appropriate.
• Discuss the concept of heroes in mythology and share brief stories or characteristics of various legendary figures.
• Assign roles to children or let them choose which hero they want to portray, providing them with appropriate costumes or props.
• Guide the children through the role-play, encouraging them to act out scenes that demonstrate the hero's qualities or adventures.
• After the role-play, discuss the traits that make someone a hero and how these stories inspire us to embody similar values.

63. Fairy Tales and Storybooks

The Fairy Tales and Storybooks theme immerses preschoolers in the enchanting world of fairy tales. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's literacy skills, comprehension, and emotional intelligence
• Encourages them to explore different perspectives, understand cause and effect, and develop empathy and critical thinking through the stories' moral and ethical dilemmas
• Introduces classic stories, characters, and moral lessons, fostering imagination, literacy and an understanding of narrative elements while highlighting the values and lessons embedded in these timeless tales

Fairy Tale Theater

• Overview: Children participate in a simple dramatization of a popular fairy tale, allowing them to explore storytelling, character roles, and narrative through performance.
• Props and costumes for the chosen fairy tale
• A simple script or story outline
• Choose a fairy tale that is suitable for a short dramatization and prepare a simple script or outline.
• Arrange props and costumes that children can use to bring the story to life.
• Introduce the chosen fairy tale, discussing its plot, characters, and the moral of the story.
• Assign roles to the children and provide them with costumes or props.
• Guide the children through a rehearsal of the story, encouraging them to express their characters and engage with the narrative.
• Perform the fairy tale theater for an audience, such as classmates or parents, and discuss the experience and the story's lessons afterward.

Create Your Fairy Tale

• Overview: Children invent their own fairy tales, developing characters, setting, and plot, which encourages creativity, narrative skills, and an understanding of story structure.
• Paper and writing or drawing materials
• Story elements cards or prompts (characters, settings, magical items)
• Setup: Prepare materials for writing or illustrating stories, along with cards or prompts to help generate ideas.
• Discuss the elements of a fairy tale, including characters, setting, problem, and resolution.
• Use story elements cards or prompts to inspire children to create their own fairy tale, guiding them to develop a coherent narrative.
• Assist children in writing or illustrating their stories, encouraging originality and creativity.
• Invite children to share their fairy tales with the class, fostering an appreciation for storytelling and the diverse narratives they create.

64. Cultural Celebrations

The Cultural Celebrations theme introduces preschoolers to various global festivals and traditions. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's global awareness, social studies knowledge, and appreciation for diversity
• Encourages empathy, open-mindedness, and a deeper understanding of the world's various communities and their traditions
• Celebrates cultural diversity and fosters an understanding of the world's ric,h tapestry of customs and celebrations, promoting inclusivity, curiosity, and respect for different cultures

Festival Around the World

• Overview: Children explore a specific cultural festival through crafts, stories and music, gaining insights into the festival's significance and traditions.
• Craft supplies related to the festival
• Music and stories from the culture
• Visual aids or decorations that reflect the festival's themes
• Choose a cultural festival to focus on and gather materials that represent its traditions and themes.
• Prepare a space where children can engage in crafts, storytelling, and music related to the festival.
• Introduce the festival, discussing its origins, significance, and how it is celebrated.
• Guide children through a related craft activity, allowing them to create something symbolic of the festival.
• Share music and stories from the culture, helping children connect with the festival's themes and traditions.
• Encourage discussion about the festival, prompting children to share their thoughts and what they've learned.

Global Holiday Calendar

• Overview: Children learn about various holidays from different cultures throughout the year, creating a calendar that highlights these special days and their significance.
• Calendar templates
• Markers, crayons, stickers, and other decorative materials
• Information about various global holidays
• Prepare calendar templates and decorative materials.
• Compile information about various cultural holidays to be included in the calendar.
• Discuss the concept of a calendar and how different cultures have unique holidays and celebrations.
• Present information about various global holidays and assist children in marking these on their calendars, using decorations to symbolize each celebration.
• Encourage children to personalize their calendars, reflecting on the diversity of cultural celebrations they've learned about.
• Discuss how these holidays bring people together and the importance of understanding and respecting different cultural traditions.

65. Construction and Building

The Construction and Building theme introduces preschoolers to the basics of construction and engineering. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of mathematics, physics, and engineering principles
• Fosters spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and collaborative problem-solving abilities, encouraging them to think critically and creatively
• Explores how buildings and structures are made, encouraging problem-solving, creativity, and an understanding of how different components come together to create stable structures

Build Your City

• Overview: Children use blocks, boxes and other materials to construct their own miniature city, learning about planning, construction and the functions of various buildings within a community.
• Building blocks, cardboard boxes, and other construction materials
• Additional decorative materials (markers, stickers, etc.)
• Prepare a large space where children can construct their city.
• Provide a variety of building materials and decorative items.
• Discuss the concept of a city and the types of buildings you might find in one.
• Encourage children to plan and build their own city structures, thinking about the purpose of each building and its placement within the city.
• Guide them in using the materials to construct buildings, roads and other city features.
• Once the city is built, allow children to share their creations, discussing the role of each building and how they worked together to create their city.

Bridge Building Challenge

• Overview: Children work together to design and build a bridge using various materials, learning about stability, balance, and teamwork.
• Materials for bridge construction (straws, popsicle sticks, tape, etc.)
• Weights to test the bridge's strength (small toys, coins, etc.)
• Gather all materials needed for the bridge-building challenge.
• Prepare a space where children can work on their bridges.
• Introduce the challenge, explaining the importance of stability and strength in bridge construction.
• Divide children into teams and provide them with materials to build their bridges.
• Encourage collaboration as teams plan and construct their bridges, focusing on creating a structure that can support weight.
• Test the bridges by gradually adding weight, discussing what design elements contributed to the bridge's strength or weakness.

66. Pirates and Treasures

The Pirates and Treasures theme immerses preschoolers in the adventurous world of pirates. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of geography, history, and storytelling
• Promotes critical thinking through treasure hunts and map-reading activities, fostering creativity and teamwork in collaborative play scenarios
• Focuses on themes of exploration, problem-solving, and the allure of hidden treasures, encouraging imaginative play and introducing basic concepts of maps, navigation, and historical seafaring life

Treasure Map Creation

• Overview: Children create their own treasure maps, learning about symbols, landmarks, and directional cues while exercising their creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Paper (aged with tea or coffee for effect, if desired)
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Pirate-themed stickers or stamps (optional)
• Setup: Prepare materials for creating the maps, including any tools to age the paper.
• Introduce the concept of a treasure map and discuss how pirates used maps to find hidden treasures.
• Guide children in creating their own maps, incorporating symbols, X marks the spot ,and various imaginative landmarks.
• Encourage children to tell stories about their maps and the adventures one might experience while searching for the treasure.

Classroom Treasure Hunt

• Overview: Children participate in a treasure hunt within the classroom or playground, using simple maps or clues to find hidden treasures, promoting teamwork and problem-solving.
• Hidden treasures (small toys, coins, or certificates)
• Maps or clues leading to the treasure
• Pirate hats or eye patches for thematic immersion
• Prepare the treasure hunt by hiding items around the classroom or playground.
• Create maps or clues that lead to the treasures, ensuring they are age-appropriate and clear.
• Divide children into small teams, providing each with a map or set of clues.
• Explain the rules of the treasure hunt, emphasizing teamwork and the fun of exploration.
• Allow the teams to follow their maps or clues to find the treasures, assisting as needed to ensure engagement and success.
• Once all treasures are found, discuss the adventure, focusing on the teamwork and problem-solving skills used during the hunt.

67. Farm Life

The Farm Life theme introduces preschoolers to the daily activities, animals, and plants found on a farm. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of biology, ecology, and the food cycle
• Fosters a connection with nature, teaches responsibility through caring for plants and animals and encourages healthy eating by understanding food sources
• Offers insights into agriculture and the origins of our food, promoting an understanding of nature, responsibility and the importance of agriculture in our lives

Farm Animal Care

• Overview: Children learn about different farm animals, their needs, and how to care for them, through interactive activities or role-playing.
• Stuffed animals or toy figures representing farm animals
• Play food, water containers, and other care items
• Setup: Prepare an area to represent different farm animal habitats (barn, coop, etc.) with the appropriate toy animals and care items.
• Introduce the farm animals and discuss their roles on the farm and their care needs.
• Allow children to role-play caring for the animals, feeding them, providing water, and ensuring they have clean living spaces.
• Discuss the importance of each animal to the farm and what they provide for humans (milk, eggs, etc.).

Planting and Harvesting

• Overview: Children participate in planting seeds and learn about the growth process and the concept of harvesting, connecting them with the source of their food.
• Soil, seeds (easy-to-grow vegetables or flowers), pots, or planting areas
• Gardening tools suitable for children
• Prepare the planting area or pots with soil.
• Have seeds and child-friendly gardening tools ready.
• Explain the process of planting seeds and how plants grow from them.
• Assist children in planting their seeds, discussing the care needed (watering, sunlight) for the plants to grow.
• Over time, observe the growth with the children, discussing the changes and what the plants need at each stage.
• When appropriate, demonstrate the concept of harvesting, showing how plants provide food or beauty in our lives.

68. Knights and Castles

The Knights and Castles theme immerses preschoolers in the medieval world. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of history, architecture, and societal roles in a historical context
• Promotes critical thinking, creativity, and an appreciation for the past and the stories that shape our understanding of different eras
• Explores the life, architecture and culture of the Middle Ages, introducing children to historical concepts and fostering imagination and an interest in history and storytelling

Design Your Castle

• Overview: Children use various materials to construct their own castles, learning about medieval architecture and the purpose of different castle features.
• Building blocks, cardboard boxes, paper tubes
• Decorative materials (paint, markers, stickers)
• Prepare a workspace with all the necessary building and decorative materials.
• Introduce the concept of castles, discussing their role in medieval times and their architectural features.
• Guide children in constructing their own castles, encouraging them to think about the layout, defenses, and purpose of each part of the castle.
• Allow children to decorate their castles, adding personal touches and discussing what life might have been like living in a castle.

Knightly Virtues

• Overview: Children learn about the virtues of knights, such as bravery, respect, and kindness, through storytelling and role-play activities, connecting historical concepts to modern-day values.
• Simple costumes or props to represent knights
• Storybooks or narratives about knights and their adventures
• Select appropriate stories or narratives that highlight knightly virtues.
• Prepare an area for storytelling and role-play.
• Share stories about knights, focusing on the virtues they exemplify and the challenges they face.
• Discuss the meaning of these virtues and how they can be applied in everyday life.
• Engage children in role-play activities where they can embody knightly virtues, facing challenges or dilemmas that require them to demonstrate bravery, respect or kindness.
• Reflect on the role-play experiences, discussing how the children felt embodying these virtues and how they can be knights in their own lives by embodying these values.

69. Global Storybook Journey

The Global Storybook Journey theme invites preschoolers to travel the world through storybooks. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's literacy, cultural awareness, and global perspective
• Encourages respect for diversity, fosters language skills, and introduces children to the universal art of storytelling
• Explores diverse cultures, landscapes, and traditions, enriching children's understanding of global diversity and fostering empathy and curiosity about different ways of life

Storybook Passport

• Overview: Children create a "passport" that gets stamped each time they read a story from a different country, learning about various cultures and geographical locations.
• Handmade passports (booklets) for each child
• Stamps or stickers representing different countries
• A selection of international children's books
• Create simple passport booklets for each child.
• Gather a selection of children's books from around the world.
• Prepare stamps or stickers to represent the countries of the stories.
• Introduce the concept of a passport and how it's used to record the places one has visited.
• Read a story from a specific country, discussing the cultural aspects and geographic location.
• After the story, "stamp" each child's passport with the corresponding country's stamp or sticker.
• Encourage children to talk about what they learned and found interesting in the story.

Cultural Craft Day

• Overview: After reading a story from a particular country, children engage in a related craft activity, creating a tangible connection to the culture they've explored.
• Craft supplies relevant to the cultural craft (paper, paint, fabric, etc.)
• Instructions or examples of the craft
• Select a craft that corresponds with the most recent country explored in the storybook journey.
• Prepare the materials and instructions needed for the craft.
• Discuss the cultural significance of the craft, linking it to the story and country explored.
• Guide the children through the craft activity, helping them understand each step and its cultural context.
• Encourage children to share their completed crafts and reflections on what they've learned about the culture.

Creative Arts

70. xylophone and music exploration.

The Xylophone and Music Exploration theme introduces preschoolers to the world of music through the fun and interactive medium of the xylophone. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of musical concepts, such as pitch, tone, and rhythm
• Promotes auditory skills, coordination, and encourages an early interest in musical instruments and the joy of creating music
• Helps children explore different sounds, rhythms, and the basics of music, fostering an appreciation for musical expression and creativity

Discover the Xylophone

• Overview: Children get hands-on experience with xylophones, learning about the instrument, its sounds, and how to create simple melodies.
• Xylophones for each child or to share
• Color-coded music sheets (optional)
• Set up a space where each child can comfortably access a xylophone.
• If using color-coded music sheets, prepare and distribute them.
• Introduce the xylophone, discussing its parts, how it produces sound, and its place in the world of music.
• Demonstrate how to play the xylophone, showing basic techniques and simple melodies.
• Let children explore the xylophone, encouraging them to experiment with creating their own sounds and rhythms.
• If using color-coded music sheets, guide children in following the sheets to play simple songs, enhancing their understanding of musical notes and sequences.

Musical Storytelling

• Overview: Children use the xylophone to add musical elements to a story, enhancing the narrative with sound and exploring how music can influence emotions and storytelling.
• A simple story or book
• Choose a simple story or book that can be enhanced with musical sounds.
• Prepare the xylophones and a space for storytime and music playing.
• Read the story to the children, pausing at moments where musical sounds or melodies can enhance the narrative.
• Encourage children to use the xylophone to create sounds or melodies that correspond with the story's events or emotions.
• Discuss how the added music influences the story's atmosphere and the listeners' feelings, reinforcing the connection between music and storytelling.

71. Artists and Art Techniques

The Artists and Art Techniques theme introduces preschoolers to the world of art. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's understanding of art history, cultural expression, and visual communication
• Promotes fine motor skills, color recognition, and encourages individual expression through diverse artistic mediums
• Exposes them to various artists and their unique styles and techniques, fostering creativity, self-expression, and an appreciation for visual arts, encouraging children to explore and develop their artistic talents

Exploring Art Styles

• Overview: Children learn about different art styles by exploring the works of various artists, followed by creating their own artwork inspired by these styles.
• Images of artwork from different artists, representing various styles
• Art supplies that correspond to the styles being explored (paint, crayons, clay, etc.)
• Prepare a display or presentation of different artists and their artwork, ensuring a diverse range of styles.
• Set up art stations with the necessary materials for children to create their own pieces.
• Introduce the children to various artists and their unique styles, discussing the characteristics that define each style.
• Encourage children to choose an art style they feel connected to and provide them with the materials to create their own artwork inspired by that style.
• Guide and support the children as they create, encouraging them to express their interpretation and understanding of the chosen style.
• Once completed, allow children to share and discuss their artwork, fostering an appreciation for diversity in artistic expression.

Art Technique Workshop

• Overview: Children participate in a hands-on workshop where they explore and practice various art techniques, such as painting, sculpting, or collage-making.
• A variety of art supplies for different techniques (paints, brushes, clay, paper, glue, etc.)
• Organize different stations, each dedicated to a specific art technique, with all necessary supplies.
• Introduce the children to each art technique, demonstrating basic methods and showcasing examples.
• Allow children to rotate through the stations, experimenting with and practicing each technique.
• Provide guidance and encouragement as children explore the materials and methods, allowing them to discover their preferences and express their creativity.
• Discuss the experience with the children, asking them about their favorite techniques and what they learned through the process.

72. Cooking and Baking

The Cooking and Baking theme introduces preschoolers to the basics of culinary arts. This theme is beneficial for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's knowledge of food, health, and safety, promoting an understanding of nutrition
• Develops their fine motor skills, ability to follow instructions and introduces basic math and science concepts through practical, enjoyable experiences
• Teaches about different ingredients, simple recipes and the joy of creating and enjoying food, promoting math through measuring and science through cooking reactions, all while fostering life skills and creativity

Fun with Fruit Pizzas

• Overview: Children create their own fruit pizzas, learning about different fruits and practicing their fine motor skills by cutting and arranging the toppings.
• Whole grain English muffins or small pita bread
• Cream cheese or yogurt
• Various fruits (berries, bananas, kiwi, etc.), pre-sliced if necessary
• Plastic knives for spreading and cutting
• Prepare a clean workspace with all ingredients and utensils.
• Pre-slice fruits if they're too challenging for children to cut safely.
• Discuss the importance of a balanced diet and the health benefits of fruits.
• Demonstrate how to spread cream cheese or yogurt on the muffins or pita as a base.
• Encourage children to choose their fruits and arrange them on their pizzas, practicing cutting if appropriate.
• Discuss the flavors, colors and textures of the fruits as children create their edible art.

No-Bake Snack Balls

• Overview: Children mix ingredients to make no-bake snack balls, learning about mixing, measuring, and forming foods with their hands.
• Ingredients like oats, peanut butter, honey, and add-ins like raisins or chocolate chips
• Mixing bowls, spoons, measuring cups, and plates
• Prepare all ingredients and utensils on a clean workspace.
• Pre-measure ingredients if necessary to simplify the process.
• Explain the recipe steps and the role of each ingredient in the snack balls.
• Guide children in measuring and mixing ingredients, emphasizing the sensory experience of textures and smells.
• Assist children in rolling the mixture into balls, discussing the concept of size and quantity.
• Talk about how combining ingredients can create a new, enjoyable food, linking to basic chemistry concepts.

73. Musical Colors

The Musical Colors theme explores the fascinating intersection of music and visual arts. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's sensory awareness, emotional intelligence, and creative expression
• Introduces the concept of synesthesia in a simple, accessible way, encouraging them to explore and articulate their feelings through art
• Helps children understand how music can evoke emotions and complement visual experiences, encouraging them to express their feelings through color while listening to various musical pieces and fostering an appreciation for the arts

Color the Music

• Overview: Children listen to different genres of music and use colors to express the feelings and images the music evokes, promoting an understanding of emotional expression through art.
• Paper and art supplies (crayons, markers, paint)
• A selection of musical pieces from various genres
• Set up a comfortable space for children to listen to music and create their artwork.
• Prepare the art materials and audio equipment.
• Play a selection of musical pieces, one at a time, covering a range of genres and emotions.
• For each piece, ask the children to choose colors and create artwork that represents what they feel or imagine when listening to the music.
• Discuss the artwork after each piece, exploring how the music influenced their color choices and the emotions they expressed.

Musical Color Wheel

• Overview: Children create a color wheel while listening to music, associating different colors with specific musical elements or emotions, enhancing their understanding of color theory and musical expression.
• Paper plates or circular paper for the color wheel
• Paints or colored markers in primary and secondary colors
• Music selections that evoke various emotions
• Prepare a space with materials for each child to create a color wheel.
• Organize the paints or markers and have the music ready to play.
• Introduce the concept of a color wheel, explaining primary, secondary, and complementary colors.
• Play different music selections, asking children to associate each one with a color or group of colors from the wheel.
• Guide them in painting or coloring their wheels based on the music, discussing how different sounds or melodies can be linked to specific colors.
• Reflect on the completed color wheels, discussing how music can influence visual art and vice versa.

74. Nature's Palette

The Nature's Palette theme encourages preschoolers to explore and appreciate the natural world's colors and textures. This theme is valuable for several key learning outcomes:

• Enhances children's observational skills, fosters an appreciation for the environment, and encourages creativity through the use of natural materials in art
• Introduces basic concepts of ecology, botany, and artistic expression, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the natural world and the arts
• Promotes an understanding of environmental science and art, helping children connect with nature and recognize the beauty and variety in natural elements, using them as inspiration for creative expression

Natural Art Collage

• Overview: Children create art using natural materials, exploring textures, colors, and patterns found in nature, fostering an appreciation for the environment and artistic expression.
• Collection of natural materials (leaves, flowers, twigs, stones)
• Large paper or cardboard for the collage base
• Glue or non-toxic adhesive
• Gather a variety of natural materials for children to use in their collages.
• Prepare the workspace with paper or cardboard bases and adhesive.
• Introduce the concept of a collage and how natural materials can be used to create art.
• Encourage children to explore the materials, discussing the different textures, colors and shapes they observe.
• Guide them in arranging and adhering the materials to their bases, creating their own nature-inspired artworks.
• Discuss the completed collages, highlighting the natural elements used and what they represent or evoke in the artwork.

Nature Walk and Color Match

• Overview: Children participate in a nature walk, collecting items and matching them to a color chart, enhancing their awareness of the diversity of colors in nature and promoting observational skills.
• Color charts or swatches
• Bags or containers for collecting items
• Outdoor area with accessible natural elements
• Prepare color charts or swatches that represent a range of colors found in nature.
• Organize a safe and accessible route for the nature walk.
• Distribute color charts to the children and explain the goal of finding natural items that match each color on their chart.
• During the nature walk, assist children in identifying and collecting items, discussing the colors they find and the plants or objects they come from.
• Encourage children to compare their collected items with the colors on their charts, reinforcing color recognition and observational skills.
• After the walk, discuss the variety of colors found in nature and the importance of preserving natural environments to maintain this diversity.

Encouraging Parent Involvement in Preschool Lesson Plans

According to studies on the impact of school and family connections, there's a strong link between positive learning outcomes and parent involvement. When planning preschool themes, always consider ways to encourage parental participation.

Parent involvement is a crucial component of a successful preschool education. By engaging parents and caregivers in your preschool theme activities, you can help reinforce the concepts and skills being taught in the classroom and strengthen the home-school connection.

Some ways to encourage parent involvement include:

• Sending home weekly newsletters that outline the current theme and provide ideas for related activities families can do together.
• Inviting parents to volunteer in the classroom and participate in theme-related activities.
• Hosting family events that allow parents and children to explore the theme together.
• Providing resources, such as books or activity kits, that families can use at home to extend the learning.

By involving parents in your preschool themes, you can create a more cohesive and effective learning experience for your students.

Sharing Preschool Theme Ideas with Families

In addition to encouraging parent involvement, it's also important to regularly share your preschool theme ideas with families. This can be done through:

• Email updates
• Social media posts
• Classroom websites or blogs
• Parent-teacher conferences

By keeping families informed about the themes and activities happening in your classroom, you can help them feel more connected and engaged in their child's education

Creating a Seamless Connection Between Home and School Activities

"A majority of today's children grow up in families where both parents work, income and earning potential aren't enough and time demands undercut traditional support. "

-Kathy Seitzinger Hepburn, a researcher at the University of Center for Child and Human Development

As Kathy Seitzinger reported in her report for the Annie E. Casey Foundation , parents are busy and they simply no longer have the times to fully nurture the growth of their students without a little help from preschool teachers. 

To create a truly effective learning experience, it's important to establish a seamless connection between the activities happening in your classroom and those happening at home. 

To facilitate this learning more effectively, it requires more facilitation from teachers. Here are some ways to create a seamless connection between home and learnings in school:

• Providing families with a list of theme-related books they can read together at home.
• Sending home activity bags or kits that include materials and instructions for theme-related projects.
• Encouraging families to share photos or stories of their theme-related experiences at home.
• Incorporating family input and feedback into your lesson planning and activity selection.

Themes for Preschool FAQs 

What are themes in preschool?

Themes in preschool are central topics or concepts that serve as the foundation for a variety of educational activities and lessons. These themes help to organize learning experiences and make them more meaningful and engaging for young children. Themes can address a variety of different topics, and lend themselves to a number of activities and preschool lesson plan ideas.

What are the best concepts for preschoolers?

The best concepts for preschoolers are those that are developmentally appropriate, engaging and relevant to their daily lives. Some examples include colors, shapes, numbers, letters, seasons, animals, feelings, and family, but there are lots of other fun concepts to consider as well.

What are basic concepts for children?

Basic concepts for children include ideas such as big/small, in/out, up/down, same/different, and more/less. These concepts help children understand and navigate the world around them and form the foundation for more complex learning in the future.

What is a thematic lesson plan for preschoolers?

A thematic lesson plan for preschoolers is a plan that outlines the activities, materials, and objectives for teaching a particular theme. These plans typically include a variety of learning experiences, such as stories, songs, art projects, and hands-on activities, that are designed to help children explore and understand the central concept.

What is an example of a thematic lesson?

An example of a thematic lesson might be a week-long unit on "Spring." This lesson could include activities such as planting seeds, observing the life cycle of a butterfly, creating spring-themed art projects and singing songs about rain and flowers. All of these activities would be designed to help children learn about the characteristics and changes associated with the spring season.

By understanding the importance of preschool themes and lesson plans and utilizing the resources and strategies outlined in this article, educators can create engaging and effective learning experiences that support the growth and development of young children.

Get 70+ Editable and Printable Templates for Almost Every Preschool Situation

Do you ever feel like your preschool resources are just not enough to truly captivate and educate? You're not alone. That's why we've created a collection of over 70 editable and printable templates, meticulously designed to address every facet of preschool education. From cognitive development to classroom management, these resources grow with your needs, gradually elevating your teaching approach and engaging young minds at a deeper level. Step by step, see the transformation in your students and yourself.

Download now and begin the journey to a more effective, more inspiring preschool experience. 

Related Posts

Free Resources

No items currently match your filtering criteria.

Download the free solar eclipse activities pages below.

Get ready for the amazing solar eclipse! Download our printable activity pages for hours of educational fun and a deeper understanding of this incredible event.

Click here:

Don’t miss:.

Ready to get started? Click the image above to access the freebie. The worksheets will open in a new tab. From there, you can choose to print the pages right away. Or, you can save them to your computer to print later.

SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 ACTIVITY MATH CENTER MORNING WORK NUMBER SEQUENCING PUZZLES

Description

FUN TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024 NUMBERS 1-10 MATH CENTER ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN ⭐️ NUMBER SEQUENCING PUZZLES FOR MORNING WORK, EARLY FINISHERS, ETC...

If you are looking for solar eclipse themed Math activities for your little ones, you have come to the right place! This resource includes counting 1-10 number sequencing puzzles which are fun and functional!

The number order puzzles are self-correcting, and will engage your students as they consolidate counting, number recognition, and number order. 11 different designs are included.

Puzzles included:

• Numbers 1-5 (11 puzzles)
• Numbers 6-10 (11 puzzles)
• B&W versions

The logo and 'preview' shown in the thumbnails are there for preview purposes only.

⚫⚫⚫ ⭐️Take a look at my other solar eclipse activities by clicking HERE! ⭐️ ⚫⚫⚫

⭐️ If you liked this resource, please consider leaving feedback. ⭐️

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be the first to know about my new products by clicking ⭐️ HERE! ⭐️

⭐️ Follow me on Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest ⭐️

Questions & Answers

Simply educational activities.

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think