Spring is almost here! Need some ideas on fun, age-appropriate learning activities to play with your kids? Check out these games and crafts that are perfect springtime activities for Phoenix kindergarten and preschool children.
Valentine’s Day: Valentine Heart Animals:
Kids love this holiday that is filled with candy and cupids, so why not plan a fun activity to do with them on Valentine’s Day? One activity that kids love is making animals from paper hearts. These make great decorations for the classroom or home, plus the children have a chance to learn about different kinds of animals during the process.
Supplies: Construction paper, scissors, glue, markers and crayons, pipe cleaners (optional, for whiskers)
Directions: Cut out lots of heart shapes in different sizes using the construction paper. Have the children make animals by gluing various sizes and shapes of paper hearts together. Add eyes, nose, and other details using a marker. See how many different animals the children can make, like dogs, cats, mice, worms, butterflies, elephants, pigs, fish, etc. Make sure each kid participating can identify all of the animals created. You can even imitate the sounds that each animal makes as you ask each kid to name the animal!
St. Patrick’s Day: Hunt for the Pot-O-Gold:
St. Patty’s Day is definitely a favorite among children in Phoenix preschool. What’s not to love about leprechauns, shamrocks, and pots of gold? To celebrate, spend time outdoors with your little ones searching for the mysterious pot-o-gold. This activity will need a little preparation from the adults beforehand but will be well worth in the end. All you need is a little creativity and some miniature chocolates wrapped in gold foil. Go hide the chocolates somewhere in your backyard (if you don’t have a backyard, this can be played indoors or at a playground or park.)
Next, write down some easy clues about the location of the pot of gold and place these around the area as well. Tell the children that the leprechaun has hidden the pot of gold somewhere in the backyard and it’s up to them to find it! Help them navigate to each clue and watch the fun and excitement unfold as they get closer and closer to the treasure!
Spring Activities: Rainbow Paint Flower Pots:
This activity is guaranteed to be as much fun for the adults as the children. The finished flower pots can be given away as gifts to teachers, friends, moms, etc.
Supplies: 8 small terra cotta pots, cardboard (for protecting the work area), white spraypaint, acrylic paint in rainbow colors (in squeeze bottles)
Directions: Go outside and lay down a bunch of cardboard to protect the ground. Put your pots upside down on the cardboard. Spray them with white spraypaint. Let dry. Then, have the children squeeze paint, one color at a time, onto each pot and watch as the paint drips down the sides. Repeat with different colors until the pot is covered. Let dry completely.
These are just a few activities parents can expect to see in private Phoenix kindergarten and preschool classrooms. Try them out the next time you need something fun to do with your preschooler.
Valentine’s Day: Valentine Heart Animals:
Kids love this holiday that is filled with candy and cupids, so why not plan a fun activity to do with them on Valentine’s Day? One activity that kids love is making animals from paper hearts. These make great decorations for the classroom or home, plus the children have a chance to learn about different kinds of animals during the process.
Supplies: Construction paper, scissors, glue, markers and crayons, pipe cleaners (optional, for whiskers)
Directions: Cut out lots of heart shapes in different sizes using the construction paper. Have the children make animals by gluing various sizes and shapes of paper hearts together. Add eyes, nose, and other details using a marker. See how many different animals the children can make, like dogs, cats, mice, worms, butterflies, elephants, pigs, fish, etc. Make sure each kid participating can identify all of the animals created. You can even imitate the sounds that each animal makes as you ask each kid to name the animal!
St. Patrick’s Day: Hunt for the Pot-O-Gold:
St. Patty’s Day is definitely a favorite among children in Phoenix preschool. What’s not to love about leprechauns, shamrocks, and pots of gold? To celebrate, spend time outdoors with your little ones searching for the mysterious pot-o-gold. This activity will need a little preparation from the adults beforehand but will be well worth in the end. All you need is a little creativity and some miniature chocolates wrapped in gold foil. Go hide the chocolates somewhere in your backyard (if you don’t have a backyard, this can be played indoors or at a playground or park.)
Next, write down some easy clues about the location of the pot of gold and place these around the area as well. Tell the children that the leprechaun has hidden the pot of gold somewhere in the backyard and it’s up to them to find it! Help them navigate to each clue and watch the fun and excitement unfold as they get closer and closer to the treasure!
Spring Activities: Rainbow Paint Flower Pots:
This activity is guaranteed to be as much fun for the adults as the children. The finished flower pots can be given away as gifts to teachers, friends, moms, etc.
Supplies: 8 small terra cotta pots, cardboard (for protecting the work area), white spraypaint, acrylic paint in rainbow colors (in squeeze bottles)
Directions: Go outside and lay down a bunch of cardboard to protect the ground. Put your pots upside down on the cardboard. Spray them with white spraypaint. Let dry. Then, have the children squeeze paint, one color at a time, onto each pot and watch as the paint drips down the sides. Repeat with different colors until the pot is covered. Let dry completely.
These are just a few activities parents can expect to see in private Phoenix kindergarten and preschool classrooms. Try them out the next time you need something fun to do with your preschooler.
