The preschool years are characterized as the age of pretend play…in the mind of a 3-5 year old, they can be anyone or anything they want to be. Whether it is an astronaut walking on the moon or a princess waiting to be rescued by a big, bad dragon, your child’s creativity is at its finest in these years!
The following activities for children 3-5 years old are specifically targeted for your “little Einstein”, broken down into the appropriate domains of early childhood development. Be sure to also check out our thematic units page for activities broken down by theme (dinosaurs, transportation, apples, etc). Wanting to prepare your child for Kindergarten? Check out 71 Things Your Child Needs to Know Before Kindergarten!
Please note: These activities are simply suggestions for what the author believes is appropriate for this age. Please use your best judgement and consult your pediatrician when you have questions or concerns.
Language Development: Alphabet and Pre-Reading Skills
Ten Steps to Teaching Your Child to Read
Alphabet Parking Lot: Matching Capital & Lowercase Letters
Capital and Lowercase Letter Stamping
Clothespin Capital and Lowercase Matching Activity
Dr. Seuss ABC Letters in Shaving Cream
Letter Recognition using Cheez-Its
Letter Scavenger Hunt at the Park
Magnetic Capital and Lowercase Letter Matching
Making Letters in Cranberry Sauce
“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” Fishbowl Craft
Reading Comprehension Beach Ball
Sight Word Activities for Kids
Watching TV to Improve Your Child’s Reading Ability?
Wordless Picture Books: Their Hidden Value
Cognitive Development: Numbers, Colors, and Problem Solving
Animal Cracker Counting and One-to-One Correspondence Practice
“April Showers” One-to-One Correspondence Activity
Biggest to Smallest with Dinosaurs
Board Games for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Chicken Beak Counting & Guessing Game
Christmas Box Counting & Number Matching
Counting Up to Big Numbers with an Abacus
Domino Addition with Dot Markers
Invent Your Own Bubble Wands from Kitchen Tools
Learning Based on the Interests of Your Child
Mixing Colors {in a most unique way}
Mixing Colors with Water Balloons
People, Places, Things Farm Sort
Sorting a Snack with Dinosaur Teeth
Story Sequencing {The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything}
Summer Math Fun for Preschoolers and Kindergartners
“Why are there craters on the moon?” Experiment
“Why do I need to wear sunscreen?” Experiment
“Will It Slide?” Science Experiment
Fine Motor Development
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” Sensory Play
Christmas Sticker Letter Tracing
Fine Motor Practice (Before Dinner)
Pounding Golf Tees into a Pumpkin
Sensory Tub with Shredded Paper
Vertical Writing with Window Markers
Gross Motor Development
Balance Beam with Fiery Leaves
Social/Emotional Development
“Feelings” Matching and Memory Game
Self-Help/Adaptive Development
Spiritual/Moral Development
Apple Garland (The Fruit of the Spirit)
Apple Theme Sensory Tub
Apple Turkey
Autumn Tree
Balloon Terrarium
Butterfly Tie-Dye Craft
Candy Wrapper Snowflake
Leaf Bracelet
Leaf Rubbing (Personalized)
Penguin Puppets
Race-Car Snack
Rain in a Jar
Santa Says
Save, Spend Give Coin Bank
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