Manual Clock Made From ScrapsMy eldest is having a hard time reading time in an analogue clock. I found a paper plate under my desk and came up with the idea of making a manual clock where I could teach him how to read time.
Dinosaur Counting PuzzleTeach toddlers to count 1 to 10 with a simple interactive puzzle. Make them participate in this craft and let them enjoy the game. It will develop analytic skills on putting the parts in exact place and learn basic counting as well.
Paper Bag Nature Journal with Collection PocketsInspired by lalala...'s post, I made my kids these paper bag nature journals to carry on our walks. There are pockets so they could collect special leaves or anything they'd like.
Nature WeavingThis is a fun activity to do with your kids. They can take them on walks to collect things they find along the way. Then once they are finished you can display their collection!
Trace, Cut, and Draw (Worm)I started these with my preschool students as part of our summer remote learning program. Each one relates to the current unit we are doing. It is a great way for them to practice their skills and then do a fun little project at the end. Here is the worm worksheet, if you would like to work on it with your kids, grandkids, etc.
Feed the Monster Math GameThis is a fun and free addition math game. This concept could be applied to many different types of games including: subtraction, division, alphabets, etc., but here's my example teaching my daughter addition - adding to #5.
Crafting Supplies from Baking Soda and Vinegar ExperimentThis is a fun indoor experiment for your kids to do and then you can make a nice card or decoration too. They will be exploring the chemical reactions of baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring - fun fizzing!
Making an Egyptian HeaddressA very last minute activity was assigned to me. This was urgent so I had to gather random materials that could be used to make an Egyptian headdress.
Carrot Counting Activity for ToddlersThis is a perfect craft that doubles as a learning resource and game to help your toddlers learn to count.
Planetary ArtworkOne of the books we (my children and I) read was about the solar system. After reading a book, we like to have a hands on activity. Today's hands on activity is using watercolors to recreate some of the planets. We did Earth, Mars, Venus, and our moon. We used glittery watercolors and it's extra sparkly and pretty (according to my toddler girl).
Heart Shaped Caterpillar Name PuzzleAfter making the caterpillar Valentine's Day card, I thought the concept would be an amazing way for my daughter to learn how to spell her name. She knows her alphabet and that her name starts with a "J", but without having the letters in front of her physically, to complete her name she says them out of order.
Paper Plate ClockThis is an inexpensive learning tool you can make to help your child learn time. This paper plate clock is made with household supplies you probably already have at home!
Marble Painted Paper Spider WebMost kids are fascinated by insects and enjoy learning about them. Some may be more reluctant to get close, while others can't wait to. Spiders are technically considered to be arachnids and not insects, and students love to learn that too. I still include spiders in my spring insect theme, as well as during Halloween.
Laurel Leaf HeaddressHere's another year for my kiddo's United Nations Celebration. This means another DIY costume. His country was Greece and so I'm gonna need a headdress. Mostly they are laurel leaf headdresses, so I'm gonna make one.
Starter Reading NotebookI saw simple and free printable reading materials for beginners. Then I thought it would be great to compile a notebook rather than just simply secure them with clips or a stapler. It looks much more presentable.
Movable Reading CardI came up with this idea when I observed my little boy struggle with his reading. I created an improvised reading tool to make it easier for him to read and pronounce the sounds of different letters.
100th Day of School Paper Plate Gumball MachinesThe 100th day of school is often celebrated with games, activities, art projects, costumes, and parties. I think it started because the 100th day is when Kindergarten students get around to counting to that number. One enjoyable craft for the occasion is making these paper plate gumball machines.
Halloween Memory and Number Matching CardsThere are so many games and learning activities that you can make from just a few materials. These math cards are fun, festive, and easily adaptable for different ages. Kids will practice number recognition and counting, as well as, improve their concentration and memory.
Printed Velcro Apple TreesA popular theme in pre-k is apples! Students enjoy learning about them through field trips, games, and hands on experimentation. These apple trees are an easy fine motor activity that you can make for the classroom.
Haunted House Math MatThis haunted house printable math mat is perfect to help younger children practice addition skills. You only need a few materials to make something that will provide fun and learning for years. It is perfect for use at home or in the classroom, using the Halloween theme!
Bottlecap Pattern StripsTeachers are always on the lookout for any material to use in the classroom. If an item can be recycled to create a game or activity, it not only saves us money, but helps the environment too.
Kids Abacus for LearningAn easy and educational learning tool for kids learning their name, numbers, and alphabet. Made with soft felt and pipe cleaners perfect to bring on the go and fits in your child's hand. As you can see it got a lot of usage from the bent pipe cleaners!
Alphabet RocksThis is a fun, quick, and free educational project that is perfect for kids who are learning their alphabet. Especially if you have a child who loves dump trucks, you can make learning the alphabet fun and as your child advances, you can start learning simple 3 letter words and progress from that!
Painted Lego MathKids learn best through hands-on activities. Any new material that is introduced needs to be presented concretely, prior to any abstract learning. A fun way to teach math skills is with Legos and paint! I have included examples of counting, addition, and multiplication for beginners.
Insect Stamping ActivitiesEvery theme and holiday, I would incorporate new materials into my Pre-k classroom. The art center was definitely the easiest because just about anything can be used in art.
Spring Flowers Fine Motor Coloring and Velcro ActivityThis activity is very simple for younger children. They can help make it by coloring the picture and adding the Velcro. In the classroom, it is a perfect spring addition to the manipulative or quiet centers.
Bee 1:1 Correspondence Math GameKids love to learn about insects, even the ones who are afraid of them! It is a very popular pre-k theme that tends to stick around longer than other themes. And bees are the most fascinating to study. A simple, yet educational game, is this bee 1:1 game.
Robin's Nest CraftWhen I think of spring, I think of new growth and new life. Both of these are so fun to incorporate into the classroom. Many times, kids can explore outside first and then create replicas inside. For this robin's nest craft, it is always exciting to go on a nature walk in search of real life examples.
Grow Grass Hair for Project or PetsI created this learning project for some 1st graders, but it's also a great springtime/Easter project that can benefit pets and wildlife too! We grew rye grass in plastic cups. Once grown they are pretty decorations around the house or can be offered to the family cat.
Simple Paper Easter Egg MatchHolidays are the perfect time to introduce new activities to this center, like this Easter egg match. It's very easy to make and perfect for preschool and pre-k classes, in that it allows students to practice recognizing similarities and differences.
Egg Carton Pre-K MathThere are so many ways to utilize an egg carton when teaching math. Pre-k math concepts included in this post are: 1-to-1 correspondence, patterns, counting, and sorting by color and size. There are variations of every activity, as well as different concepts you could do for other grade levels.
Easter Egg Sound Matching ActivityGames and activities that created noise were always very popular in my pre-k classroom. One of their favorites during Easter was this sound matching game, which is best played with 2-3 kids.
Magnetic Discovery BottlesMagnets are very popular in a pre-k classroom. They can be incorporated into many areas, especially the discovery center. I've found that kids really enjoy trying to move anything and everything with magnetic wands. A fun and simple way to explore moving different objects with magnets is to make discovery bottles.
Pot of Gold Number MatchingIf you need an easy St. Patrick's Day math activity, these pots of gold are an excellent choice. They don't take long to make and if you laminate them, they'll last for years. My Pre-k students had so much fun with matching the gold pieces to the pots.
Dr. Seuss Matching GameDr. Seuss books can be incorporated all school year long into numerous teaching themes. I came up with a simple matching game that uses several characters from different books. It doesn't take long to make and will last for years.
How to Make Pattern StripsOne skill used to foster cognitive development is patterns. Children learn to recognize, complete, and create patterns beginning in preschool. You can either make your own pattern strips or print them from numerous education sites.
Minion Reading PointersWhen learning to read, children lose their place frequently. In the classroom, the teacher usually has students use their index finger to point to each word as it is being read. When the boredom ensues, it's time to break out fun reading pointers, like these Minion wands.
Handprint Winter CardinalsAll birds are beautiful, but I find the male cardinals breathtaking, especially during a snowy winter. They don't molt and therefore retain that vivid and eye-catching red plumage all year long. If you are teaching children about cardinals, this craft is the perfect choice to incorporate into the lesson.
Fingerprint Snow GlobeIf you are looking for an easy, fun, and adorable craft for kids to make during winter, try this fingerprint snow globe. You won't need many supplies to create something that will be cherished forever. Besides the winter theme, you could incorporate this snow globe into learning about snow and the letter 'S'.
Doctor's Bag CraftA popular theme in early grades is community helpers. Students learn about fire fighters, police officers, nurses, doctors, vets, teachers, farmers, and a few others. A favorite in my class one year was the doctor's medical bag. The bags are simple to make and are fun for kids to role play with.
Rorschach SnowflakesGrowing up, you hear that every snowflake is unique. Whether this is true or not, this craft is perfect for demonstrating that. No matter how many times you do this craft, each flake looks different from the previous one. Kids of all ages have fun creating these symmetric patterns.
Christmas Sticker Memory GameChildren love to be a part of everything! And with this game, they can choose their own stickers and create their own cards to play with! It will be more exciting to play a game they made. It can be tailored for individual or small group play and for Pre-K and up.
Toddler Pom Pom SorterI am always looking for activities to keep my toddler busy. This pom pom sorter is simple and stuffing the pom poms into the holes is great for working on fine motor skills. You can even color around each hole and turn it into a color match game!
Felt Popsicle Color Matching GameThese cute felt Popsicles are a great tool for teaching your toddler their colors. They also work well for pretend play!
Geometry Bird ProjectMy son recently had to make a sculpture using geometric shapes for his middle school geometry class. It turned out really cute and could easily be the start for a fun crafting project.
A Very Hungry Caterpillar PlaysetInspired by the Eric Carle book and similarly armed with a hole punch, you and your child can create an interactive extension of learning playset.
Apple StampsMake apple stamps from a real apple and teach your child about the letter A.
Picture MeThis is an easy craft for kids of all ages and something we just did with the kindergarten class that I volunteer in. It does not take much time but makes a beautiful gift for parents, grandparents or someone special. This craft can be done anytime of the year.
Race Car GameThis game is simple to make and fun to play. It will also give your kids practice in addition.
Collage "Teach Me" Book For KidsThese books can be made on any subject and your kids can help make them. Cut out pictures from magazines about your subject: colors, numbers, animals, etc. Great for preschoolers.
