Preschoolers are a fun age. They are creative, up for anything and full of energy. Here are a few fun ideas that are targeted for the age group of 3-5.
Instruments. Its very easy to make musical instruments from items found around your house. Old bowls, or plastic containers can be made into drums and guitars. For a drum, put a piece of wax paper over a plastic container and rubber band in place. A wooden spoon makes a great thumper. Or experiment with other types of wrap to make a drum. Empty plastic bottles make great shakers when a few beans or some rice is added. Metal objects can be tied or clanged together for a chime. Rubber bands stretched over a bowl make a guitar. Then have a concert with your preschooler.
Flash cards. Using flashcards is a great learning tool, but a preschooler loves to create and often learns better and remembers what they have created. Using plain index cards have your preschooler draw and or paste pictures of whatever you want, Colors, animals, letters, and numbers are a few ideas. Then write the word under the picture.
Collages. Take family photos and magazine pictures and let your preschooler make a collage out of the pictures. Have them help you choose the shapes for the pictures then cut them out and glue them to card stock. Let them glue those sturdy images to a large sheet of paper or a poster board. Have a verity of fun things for them to add on. Glitter, ribbon, wrapping paper, yarn, crayons, makers. Many things can be used.
Puppets. Make a puppet out of a paper bag or old socks is fun for a preschooler. Allow them to decorate the puppet how ever they desire. Then put on a puppet show with your creations. Your preschooler will love seeing their art at work. Yarn, pipe cleaners, pompoms and markers are a few useful items to make puppets.
Painting. Sponge painting, and finger painting are a great way to bond with your preschooler while allowing them their creativity. Set up large sheets of paper outside where getting messy doesn’t matter. You can cut regular dish sponges into shapes, or buy craft sponges in a verity of shapes. Put small plastic containers of paint down and let your child go to work. Better yet sit with them and finger paint as well.
Make your own book. Use a hole punch to punch holes through several pieces of construction paper. Use yarn to bind the book, and have your preschooler draw pictures. Preschoolers have amazing imaginations, the stories they tell are fantastic. Help them write their stories down and illustrate them.
Jewelry. Pasta is a great jewelry item for preschoolers. With its fun shapes and holes through out its very easy to make necklaces and bracelets. They can be painted or left plain. Buttons, and large beads can also be used. String on yarn to make jewelry.
Make Clay. This is actually really easy to do at home, Mix 1 cup flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup salt, 1 teaspoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar in a pot. Cook over medium heat until it holds together, mixing constantly to avoid it sticking to the pain. Cool then knead on a floured table and knead in color with food coloring. Store in an airtight container to make it last. Children love creating with clay and its easy to make with ingredients generally around the house.
