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78 Perfect Preschool Activities For 3-Year-Olds

November 15, 2023 //  by  Eileen Zajac

Whether you’re planning for a full term or just a week of curriculum, we know the challenge of preparing activities for your 3-year-old preschoolers! We also realize that finding learning experiences that meet the different abilities of your kiddos takes a lot of time and energy. Implementing three to four 15-minute activities is the perfect way to hold your little learners’ attention. Use this list to find a few activities that can be easily integrated into your lessons, or used throughout the day during mini-breaks and transition periods. Let’s dive in!

1. Rainy Names

Did you know that learning and understanding names can boost confidence and build community in the classroom? This activity has your students paste raindrops with the letters of their names in the correct order. It’s perfect for a rainy day and for enhancing your students’ name recognition, pre-writing skills, and much more! 

Learn More: Instagram

2. Baby Tub Time

Your little ones will adore using dolls to improve social skills in this engaging educational activity! Hands-on activities like this one where they’ll wash and care for their doll will help your children gain a better understanding of how to treat others appropriately. 

Learn More: The Imagination Tree

3. Letter Fishing

Engaging and challenging activities for your preschool children that also enhance their letter recognition skills? Where do we sign up? Use a basket or fill a tub with water and let your little fishermen start casting for letters! This fun learning experience will engage even your most lively kiddos.

4. Counting Caterpillars

Your kiddos will love practicing their motor skills and number recognition by building little caterpillars! Draw some circles to create a caterpillar and then write a digit from 1 to 10 in each circle. Your preschoolers will match these to numbered dots on other circles that you have made from construction paper. 

5. Building With Magnetic Tiles 

Get your hard hat ready and start building with magnetic tiles! This activity helps develop your children’s motor skills and creativity, and is simply a lot of fun! Use MAGNA-TILES (or blocks) and have them either copy your creations or create their own designs! 

6. Kids Busy Boxes

‘Busy boxes’ will be a definite game changer for your preschool classroom! For this quick activity, fill individual compartments of plastic containers with items such as markers, dried cereal, or anything else that will keep busy little hands and minds occupied! You don’t need to get fancy – even a shoe box will work! 

7. Mini Pies

Preschoolers love being outside! Outdoor play gives your students the space to observe nature while they test out their skills! Imaginations will soar as they make mini pies by filling muffin tins with natural objects like black walnuts, dirt, and a sprinkle of grass to top it off! Just hope they don’t expect you to try their creations!

8. Color Sorting

By preschool, kids are usually pretty skilled at recognizing different colors, but that doesn’t mean this toddler activity shouldn’t be practiced. Have your children sort colored objects into matching colored dishes to learn critical thinking and organizational skills. This is a great activity to supplement lessons focused on categorization. 

9. Obstacle Courses

There’s no doubt that building motor skills is extremely important for childhood development.  This fun obstacle course activity will be a hit with your youngsters! It will also help them develop muscle strength, balance, problem-solving skills, sensory processing, and coordination – all essential components of motor skills! 

10. Name or Letter Recognition

You’ll love this activity that requires little prep and has multiple uses! Whether your kiddies are working on building names or identifying letters, these colorful sticker dots will spark their interest and enhance their recognition skills. Get them to match the letters with those on paper or use the stickers to practice building sight words.

11. Boo Boo Counting

Boo Boo Counting is great for developing math skills and for practicing empathy. Your young mathematicians will relate to matching numbered band-aids to the owie spots on a cardboard cutout of a child. Consider laminating the cardboard and using velcro to make this activity last longer – it’s a keeper!

Learn More: Toddler Rat Play

12. Logical Sorting

Add this one to your week of activities focused on logical sorting. Your little ones who are ready for a challenge will love using a grid to sort colorful little houses into categories to match both the house color and the roof color!  This activity will go a long way in helping them understand the relationship between different patterns. 

Learn More: Teachers Mag

13. Arrow Matching

This is an adorable hands-on learning activity that will develop motor skills and increase your children’s curiosity about nature. They’ll love matching arrows to create paths for a caterpillar on its journey to become a butterfly and for a spider to get to its web! 

14. Elephant Ring Toss

Any animal activity is sure to spark even your most difficult students’ interest. Use a recycled box to create a cardboard cut-out of an elephant’s face with a 3D trunk. Next, construct three cardboard rings. Have your children help paint the elephant before they start the ring toss game! 

Learn More: Pinterest

15. Swing Painting

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This was one of those activities that couldn’t be left out of this list!! It combines two activities that are particularly calming for children – swinging and painting. Have them hang from a swing, paintbrush in hand, and let their creativity shine! This art project is a super way to vary things up if you’ve got kids who struggle to stay focused all day! 

Learn More: Homegrown Friends  

16. Splitting Hairs

Scissor skills are pretty vital as your preschoolers move on to kindergarten and elementary school! They’ll love using scissors to cut the hair of little paper people in this fun activity that builds their motor skills. They can build up to more wavy or zig-zag lines as their skills develop.

Learn More: Facebook

17. Dot Puzzles

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This one will be a good challenge for your little ones! Create a paper puzzle and puzzle pieces with a colored dot pattern and let your preschoolers work independently or with a partner to place the pieces over the matching part of the puzzle. This can be tricky so encourage them to ask for help if they need it!

18. Bubble Wrap Popping

Number recognition and bubble wrap? Now this sounds like a good time! Write numbers on the bubble wrap; the bigger the bubbles, the better! Next, read out a number and your children will pop the bubbles with a toothpick or even just their finger! Remember to mix up the numbers and spread them out when creating this exciting resource to boost their recognition skills.

19. All About Me Process Art

@art.is.smart All About Me process art with 3 year olds! #preschoolteacher #artissmart #teachersoftiktok ♬ Colors of the Wind – Instrumental – Vesislava

Sometimes slowing things down is the way to go! Have your kids participate in an artistic mini-portrait experience that focuses on the process of art more than the finished product. This project is great for getting them to understand the steps in making art, while also discovering different techniques, materials, and tools. 

Learn More: Tiktok

20. Playdough Shapes

@planningplaytime 70+ pages of Preschool Fun #preschoolmom #preschoolteachers #toddlermoms #preschoolathome #preschoolactivities #learningthroughplay #playtolearn ♬ Cute – Bensound

Everybody loves playdough, but using it for educational activities is a surefire way to get your class excited about learning! There are benefits to playdough free-play, but this tactile activity will also reinforce your kids’ knowledge of shapes. Simply print this template and watch your students mold their dough to match the shapes. 

Learn More: TikTok

21. Artsy Preschoolers

@carreyme Preschool teacher thangs. 3 year olds are amazing! Artist study 👩‍🎨 #pietmondrieaanstyle #preschool #preschoolteacher #preschoolactivities #earlychildhoodeducation ♬ Kyoto Flow – Official Sound Studio

Do you have an old art history book lying around? If not, track one down to inspire an early love of art in your preschoolers. Show them one of the masterpieces, open the fingerpaint jars, and let them get to work on creating their own interpretation of the painting! 

22. Spaghetti Play

Who doesn’t love a little spaghetti play? Add some different colored slimy ‘spaghetti’ noodles to your activity table and watch your students as they use their tiny hands to play with different tools to cut their noodles! They’ll have the time of their life with this super sensory activity!

23. Dancing Corn

@byemilylawson This is the number one preschool science idea on my blog for 5 years now #stemforkids #preschoolstem #prekstem #prekactivitiesathome #toddleractivitiesathome #activitiesfortoddlers #keepingkidsbusy #scienceismagic #scienceforpreschool #fallactivitiesforkids ♬ original sound – Emily | relatable mom life

It’s never too early to start experimenting with different science projects. This dancing corn demonstration is sure to be a hit with your preschool students! Place corn in a clear cup and then add baking soda and some vinegar to have your kiddos jumping with joy when the corn starts to dance! 

24. Painting Ice

@littlebirchpreschool #ice #preschool #earlyyears #tufftray #tufftrayactivities #heatwave #playingandlearning ♬ Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice

This activity is great for a hot summer day; the combination of ice cubes and paint is the perfect mix to cool little hands! Add plenty of ice and paint to your activity table, and have your students use paintbrushes to explore the melting ice and the changes in the water’s color! What a cool activity!

25. Race and Paint

@daynursery Racing the cars while making marks! #makingmarks #preschoolactivities #activityideas #fyp #viral #trending #earlyyears ♬ Roary The Racing Car Main Theme (From ""Roary The Racing Car"") – Geek Music

On your marks, get set, paint! Your kids will have a blast dipping plastic cars into paint and letting them race to the finish, creating beautiful streaks of color in the process! Whether you have them race each other or just drive the cars around,  this activity will surely result in smiling faces and some eye-catching artwork!  

26. Alphabet Practice

@bigcityreaders #abcs #alphabetactivities #readingteacher #teachersoftiktok #teachertok #momtoks #preschoolactivities #preschoolathome #preschoollunch #preschoolmom #StJudeDadPhotos #fypシ゚viral #learningtoread #3yearoldbrain #alphabethack #letters #letterssong ♬ Face Dance – Funny Tok

Make learning the alphabet more fun with missing letters! Write part of the alphabet on a strip of paper, but cover a few of the letters with sticky notes. Then start singing the alphabet song and either have your children write the missing letter or let them reveal it by uncovering the hidden letter! 

27. Patterning

@play.inspire.grow Hands on patterning #earlymaths #simplemaths #preschoolmath #preschoolactivities #prek #teachermom #homeschool #earlyyearsideas #kindergarten #learningisfun #canadianmom #montessoriathome #learningthroughplay ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

Get creative by starting a pattern for your kids to practice ‘what comes next’! This activity uses a range of objects like stickers, dot markers, and manipulatives to teach them more about this important skill. Your little ones will love the variety in this task as they work to identify patterns and create their own!

28. Dressing Dolls

@mrs_burland Dress the dolls activity, encouraging children to strengthen their hand muscles and develop their fine motor skills. Also, encouraging independence. #earlyyearsactivities #finemotoractivity #earlyyearspractitioner #preschoolactivities #eyfsactivities #handandeyecoordination #finemotorskills ♬ Low Down – venbee & Dan Fable

Playing with dolls is always a great opportunity to help your students better understand themselves and others. You can gather a variety of small dolls and let your kids get creative by dressing them up! The small size will be more challenging for their little hands, making this the perfect practice for developing fine motor skills.  

29. Listen & Do

How good are your kiddos at listening and copying? Have them point to the body part they hear you say to increase movement and develop active listening and cognitive skills. Playing this game daily or a few times a week will reinforce important vocabulary and is a perfect break to get your active kiddos moving! 

Learn More: YouTube

30. Shake Your Sillies Out

Preschoolers have A LOT of emotions and brain breaks are vital to creating a positive learning experience. Your little ones need the time and space to express their feelings and  ‘Shake Your Sillies Out’ is the perfect song to make that happen! Play this video and let them go for it!

31. A Hole In the Bottom of the Sea

Are you planning a lesson about the food chain? This song is absolutely adorable, and the animation of the video provides a great visual for your little learners! They’ll love the repetitive lyrics that will help them better understand and remember the concept of a food chain.

32. Sight Word Surprise

Providing consistent exposure to letters and sight words is essential throughout the preschool years. This online learning game offers your kiddos this practice, and gives you the flexibility to use it for either in-person or distance learning!

33. Beginning Sounds

Your learners’ oral language development starts with an understanding of different sounds. This online phonics video is a great way to introduce initial letter sounds to them! Make this even more fun by projecting the video onto your whiteboard and having your children use magnetic letters to identify the beginning sounds of words. 

34. Guess the Fruit

By preschool, your students are probably familiar with many different types of fruit. This video can be used to assess what they already know while also giving them a chance to learn about some new delicious examples! Even your shyest kids will love showing off their knowledge on this topic!

Learn More: Youtube

35. Where Will It Land?

Making predictions in the early years is a great way to prepare your little ones for studying STEM subjects in elementary school and beyond!! This exciting activity introduces them to the concept of friction and to skills like problem-solving. Fast-track their interest in STEM by incorporating this into your preschool curriculum today!

36. Finger Painting

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Foster creativity and sensory development with this messy art project! Give your students non-toxic paint and large sheets of paper, and let them use their fingers to create anything their heart desires! You can always rely on finger painting for a wonderful and relaxing tactile activity that enhances fine motor skills.

Learn More: Raising Children Network

37. Animal Yoga

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

No, it’s not yoga for animals! Your children will adore transforming their bodies into the shapes of different animals in this fun movement activity. It’s a playful way to promote physical activity, and flexibility, and introduce mindfulness and relaxation techniques to your young learners.

Learn More: Mother Natured

38. Puzzle Time

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Puzzles never get old and are a perfect down-time activity! They’re a fantastic way to help your preschoolers develop problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and persistence! Offer a selection of simple puzzles with large pieces and let them explore this challenge individually or in small groups.

Learn More: Amazon

39. Nature Walks

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Take learning outside by going on a nature walk with your kiddos! Encourage them to observe their surroundings and collect leaves, stones, or sticks to use for art projects in class. Not only are these walks fun, but they also promote physical activity, observation skills, and an appreciation for the environment.

Learn More: The Artful Parent

40. Story Cubes

These story cubes are made with pictures and are perfect for your younger learners! Have them take turns rolling the dice to create a story based on the image shown. It’s sure to spark imagination, enhance language skills, and if done in a small group or whole class setting, increase collaboration skills!  

41. Playdough Creations

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Playdough is an excellent choice for fine motor development and creative expression. This fantastic resource includes 16 activities with playdough to engage your preschooler in some hands-on fun! Your kids will love squishing, rolling, and molding playdough into figures, animals, and abstract shapes! 

Learn More: My Bored Toddler

42. Water Play

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This activity is guaranteed to make a splash with your little ones! Set up a water table or fill a basin with water and add cups, sponges, and toys. It’s sure to be an enjoyable and soothing activity to introduce them to concepts like volume, buoyancy, and cause and effect.

Learn More: Kildare County Childcare Committee

43. Sensory Bins

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This activity is a great addition to your preschool toolbox! Grab a few bins and fill them with items like rice, beans, or water beads, add scoops, small toys, or natural elements like twigs and leaves, and you’re good to go! Have your kiddies feel the items to explore textures and calm their active minds. 

Learn More: Sheeking Out

44. Rhyming Games

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Engaging your preschoolers in rhyming games is a fantastic way to boost their phonemic awareness! Choose songs or storybooks to recite and identify rhymes, or have them create their own for an added challenge! Not only are the rhymes delightful, but they also serve as an important step toward developing reading and writing skills. 

Learn More: 20 Great Rhyming Activities for Preschool

45. Collage Making

Collages are an excellent way for your preschoolers to express their ideas in a visual way! With safety scissors, glue, magazines, and construction paper, your little artists will explore textures, colors, and composition. Have them share their stories about their creations to gain insight into their thinking and to give their oral language skills a boost! 

46. Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses can be tailored to any skill level, ensuring an inclusive experience for all! Design a course using cushions, ropes, and hoops to encourage movement and problem-solving. Your kiddies will navigate by crawling, jumping, and balancing to improve their gross motor skills. Watch as they overcome obstacles – both literally and figuratively! 

47. Dress-Up Play

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

A box full of costumes, hats, and accessories is a treasure trove for imaginative play! When your little ones dress up and start role-playing, they’ll delve into the world of make-believe, fostering creativity, empathy, and social skills! This activity will lead to spontaneous storytelling performances that will certainly showcase and celebrate your kids’ unique ideas.

Learn More: Healthline

48. Letter Hunt

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Transform letter recognition into an adventure by hiding foam or magnetic letters around the classroom! Your children will love practicing their gross motor skills by reaching and stretching on their hunt for the hidden letters. This is a dynamic way to reinforce alphabet knowledge in a context that feels more like play than instruction!

Learn More: Hands On As We Grow

49. Parachute Games

Bringing out the parachute always sends the excitement sky-high! Your kids will love working together to lift and lower the parachute to make waves, bounce balls, or billowing mushroom shapes.  Games like this are not only fun, but also enhance teamwork, coordination, and gross motor skills. This activity is bound to captivate their attention!  

50. Bubble Popping

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

There’s something irresistible about bubbles! Blowing and chasing bubbles engages your children in a playful pursuit that enhances their hand-eye coordination while getting them to burn off some energy! They’ll soon tire themselves out trying to pop the bubbles before they float away!

Learn More: Red Ted Art

51. Matching Games

Matching games that use cards or objects are excellent cognitive exercises for your littlest learners. As they match pairs based on color, shape, or theme, they’ll be enhancing their visual perception, memory, and concentration. This simple social game encourages cooperation while also laying the groundwork for them to develop some more complex problem-solving skills.

Learn More: PBS Learning Media

52. Salt Tray Writing

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

It’s not just a tray of salt, it’s a tactile and sensory-rich experience for your preschoolers! You can guide them to use their fingers or sticks to practice writing letters, numbers, or shapes in the salt. This is a super way to encourage experimentation and reduce the pressure of perfectionism by having them just shake the tray to “erase” any mistakes! 

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

53. Balancing Beam

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

A balance beam is a great tool for developing coordination. Have your little tight-ropers walk across a real beam or a line of tape on the floor to practice controlling their body movements and strengthening their muscles. You could also integrate it with other learning, such as counting or reciting the alphabet while taking steps.

54. Homemade Musical Instruments

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Creating musical instruments out of household items is a dual-learning activity! Your students will use their fine motor skills and creativity to craft their instruments, and use them to explore sounds, beats, and rhythms!  Have your mini musicians fill bottles with rice, or string rubber bands across a cereal box and start jammin’! 

Learn More: Playgroup NSW

55. Shadow Play

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Shadow play is a totally captivating activity that blends art, science, and storytelling! Using a flashlight and a blank wall, let your children explore the properties of light and shadows by creating shapes and figures with their hands or with cutouts on sticks. This magical form of play invites them to use their imagination like never before!

Learn More: Koko Tree

56. Bean Bag Toss

This simple game is a great way to get your kids playing all together! Set up the targets and give them some bean bags for throwing; it’s a simple way to develop their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. Focus the play on cooperation or switch things up by adding some healthy competition! 

57. Gardening

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Grow your little ones’ wonder with this hands-on activity! Have them plant seeds in cups filled with dirt or in a garden plot and watch their enthusiasm grow as they tend to the new sprouts! Along with learning about the life cycle of plants, this activity is a simple way to let them experience a little bit of responsibility.

Learn More: Baby Sparks

58. Cooking Simple Recipes

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Get cooking with hands-on learning in the kitchen! Introduce your children to essential skills like following instructions and measurement using simple recipes to make sandwiches or fruit salads. These easy kid-friendly recipes are perfect to get them excited about cooking and they’ll love tasting their creations!

Learn More: Good To

59. Alphabet Fishing

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This is the perfect activity to get your kiddos excited about the alphabet! Write letters on small squares with a paperclip attached, then have your learners use a fishing rod with a magnetic cast to reel in a letter! Fishing for the alphabet is a fun way to reinforce their learning around letter recognition and helps develop focus!

Learn More: First Palette

60. Mask-Making

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This fun activity might result in an imaginative play or an outrageous costume party! Let your children make masks using a variety of materials like paper plates, feathers, sequins, and glue. Their creativity will come to life as they explore the world of make-believe and develop fine motor skills.

Learn More: Artful Parent

61. Puppet Shows

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Puppet play is a great way for your preschoolers to explore drama and storytelling! They can use soft toys or even make their own puppets from old socks or paper bags. They’ll delight in the magical play and storytelling of puppetry that encourages creativity, language development, and even sharing their feelings!

62. Lacing Cards

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

These adorable cards will help your littles learn how to lace! This tricky skill makes for a quiet and calming activity that is also excellent for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Get going by printing these cards, cutting the holes, and gathering some old shoelaces! 

63. Recycled Material Building

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

No need for fancy materials with this creative activity! Collect recycled materials like boxes, tubes, and cartons, and have your little ones start building their structures. They won’t even notice that they are learning about physics and developing their creativity and problem-solving skills in the process!

64. Sorting Games

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Sorting activities will help your kids to develop their foundational math skills like categorization.  Gather common items like coins, playing cards, and different types of beans and pasta, then challenge your learners to sort them by their shape, size, quantity, or category.

Learn More: Keep Toddlers Busy

65. Ice Cube Melting

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This sensory experience is perfect for a hot day! Give each of your students an ice cube to hold and have them watch it melt; it’s a great way to teach them about temperature, states of matter, weather, and seasons. You’ll be surprised at how this simple activity can lead to such engaging student discussions!

Learn More: Stir The Wonder

66. Sticker Stories

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This activity incorporates a little learning into your kiddos’ love of stickers! Give them some sheets of stickers and paper and let them go crazy!  Foster their creativity and narrative skills by encouraging them to create scenes or stories with the stickers. They will also practice fine motor control as they master peeling and placing the stickers.

67. Hopscotch

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Sometimes classic games are just what you need and hopscotch is certainly one that never gets old! Draw a hopscotch grid with chalk outside or use tape indoors for a rainy day brain break. It’s a timeless game perfect for your little ones that promotes number recognition, balance, and coordination!

Learn More: WikiHow

68. Bubble Wrap Stomp

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Your kiddos will love this activity if they can contain their excitement! Lay out a large piece of paper on the floor and set up some trays of paints. Next, wrap your little learners’ feet in bubble wrap and let them stomp out a colorful masterpiece! 

Learn More: Mess For Less

69. Shadow Tag

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This fun twist on the classic game of tag is the perfect way to engage your children in an outdoor movement activity! Instead of tagging each other with touch, they’ll have to step on each other’s shadows! What a fun introduction to the concept of light and shadow! 

Learn More: Joyful Parenting

70. Kinetic Sand Play

Your learners will love this amazing sensory experience! Kinetic sand is less messy than traditional sand, but is still moldable; so they’ll still be able to make creative shapes and structures! This is a great way to encourage creativity while also keeping your classroom a little cleaner!  

Learn More: Access and Inclusion Model

71. Story Stones

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

There are no fancy materials required for this activity; just some stones! Have your children paint pictures on stones or do this yourself, and then encourage them to use the stones to tell stories. This fun activity encourages their creativity and is a great way to explore sequencing events. 

Learn More: Early Impact Learning

72. Color Mixing

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Experimenting with paints is a sure way to hold your preschoolers’ attention! Provide primary colored paints and let them mix their own colors on paper or in containers, and use this printable sheet to record their results! It’s a hands-on way to learn about colors that can also feel like a magical experiment.

Learn More: Little Bins For Little Hands

73. Marble Run

There’s a reason marble runs have been around for generations! They help develop problem-solving skills, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Have your littles build a marble run using tubes, boxes, or a pre-made set. They’ll love predicting the path of the marble as they learn a basic understanding of physics principles like gravity and momentum.

Learn More: HABA USA

74. Stomp and Catch

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Test out your kiddos’ stomping ability with this fun game! Create a launching board out of a wooden plank and a strong cardboard tube, then load it up with a beanbag on the end. Next, let your preschoolers stomp down, and then try to catch the beanbag as it’s thrown up into the air before it hits the ground! Is their hand-eye coordination up to the task?

75. Memory Tray

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

This fun activity will test your students’ memorization skills! Place several objects on a tray, let your children observe them for one minute, and then cover them with a cloth or piece of paper. How many objects can they remember?  

Learn More: Play To Learn Preschool

76. Nature Collage

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Complete this collage activity after you’ve taken your class for a walk outside! Have them collect leaves, sticks, and flowers that they’ll use to create a beautiful collage. This is an artistic activity that ends up being a wonderful tribute to our wonderful planet!

Learn More: Mama Teaches

77. Alphabet Bingo

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Shake up the classic game of Bingo by playing it with letters instead of numbers! Your children will love practicing letter recognition by identifying the letters they hear them called out and the excitement of calling out Bingo when their card is full! It’s a fun group activity that encourages active listening. 

Learn More: New Horizon Academy

78. Dance Party

There’s nothing like watching your little ones get their wiggles out by dancing to a good tune! Play some upbeat music and let them dance freely; we’ve even found the perfect playlist to get you started!  Dance parties are a simple way to encourage physical activity and rhythm, and to foster a little bonding during a joyful group activity! 

Learn More: Miss Nina

I Can Teach My Child!

Fun Activities For 3 Year Olds To 5 Year Olds

The kindergarten and preschool years are characterized as the age of pretend play… In the mind of a 3, 4 or 5 year old child, 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!

So if you have been asking yourself, “What do I teach my 3 year old at home?”, use these learning activities as a guide for fun lesson plans for your little one through play.

The following simple learning activities for 3 to 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? Find out what to teach a 3 year old in this post>>>  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.

Activities for 3 Year Olds To 5 Year Olds

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Language Development Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

Start with this…

How to Teach Your Child to Read

how to teach kids to read

Alphabet Christmas Lights

Alphabet Crafts (by letter)

Alphabet Hop and Pop!

Alphabet Matching on Balloons

Alphabet Parking Lot:

Alphabet Pumpkin

Alphabet Sort & Match

Alphabet Squish

Alphabet Train Game

Alphabet Turkeys

b, d, p, q spinner

Beginning Sound Letter Hunt

Build-a-Word Magnetic Tray

Clothespin Matching Activity

Dr. Seuss ABC Letters in Shaving Cream

Flashlight Spot-and-Tell

Floor Tape Letters

Hide-and-Seek Alphabet Puzzle

Invisible Letters

Letter Boxes

Letter Pounding

Letter Recognition using Cheez-Its

activities for 3 year olds

Letter Scavenger Hunt at the Park

Magnetic Capital and Lowercase Letter Matching

Making Letters in Cranberry Sauce

Olympic Ski Matching

“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” Fishbowl Craft

Outdoor Alphabet Track

Outdoor Fairy Tale Game

Playdough and Alphabet Stamps

Pound-a-Sound

Printable Journal for Kids

Reading Comprehension Beach Ball

Sight Word Activities for Kids

Sight Word Bingo

Sound It Out Parking Lot

Venn Diagram with Letters

Watching TV to Improve Your Child’s Reading Ability?

Wet, Dry, Now You Try

Word Family LEGO Buildings

Wordless Picture Books:  Their Hidden Value

Cognitive Development Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

Abacus (Make Your Own)

Apps for Preschoolers

Animal Cracker Counting and One-to-One Correspondence Practice

Apple Graphing

Apple Patterning

“April Showers” One-to-One Correspondence Activity

Bathtub Shapes

Biggest to Smallest with Dinosaurs

Best Board Games for 3 to 5 Year Olds

Bottle Cap Sorting

Caterpillar Counting

Chicken Beak Counting & Guessing Game

Christmas Box Counting & Number Matching

Christmas Memory Game

Christmas Pom-Pom Sorting

Christmas Present Patterning

Color Sorting Hunt

Conversation Heart Graphing

Counting Kisses Game

Counting Robots

Counting Sun Spots Busy Bag

Counting Up to Big Numbers with an Abacus

Do-A-Dot Number Activity

Domino Addition with Dot Markers

Early Graphing Activity

Flower Patterning

Giant Shape Sort

“Heart Breaker” Number Game

Icy “I Spy”

Interactive Counting

Invent Your Own Indoor Kite

Invent Your Own Bubble Wands from Kitchen Tools

“I Spy” Activity Bottle

“I Spy” Mats

Jelly Bean Guessing Game

Learning Based on the Interests of Your Child

Learning Walk

License Plate Rubbings

Making Shapes

Measuring with Dinosaur Feet

Mixing Colors

Mixing Colors {in a most unique way}

Mixing Colors with Water Balloons

Monster Finger Puppet

Number Detectives

Number Pound

Number Snake

Overhead Projector Learning

Paint Sample Rainbow Fan

Pattern Train

People, Places, Things Farm Sort

Plastic Baggie “My Shapes” Book

Pop ‘n Learn

Pumpkin Seed Puzzles

Pushpin Numbers

Sand Numbers

Science Kit for Kids

Seek and Find Color Hunt

Shape Chick

Shape Fire Engine

Shape Investigation

Shape Ornaments

Silver Bells Memory Game

Snowy Shape Hunt

Sorting a Snack with Dinosaur Teeth

Sticker Graphing

Sticky Learning

Story Sequencing {The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything}

Stretchy Band Shapes

Summer Math Fun for Preschoolers and Kindergartners

Supermarket Scavenger Hunt

Tape Shapes

Ten Apples Up on Top

What Puts Out a Fire?

“Why are there craters on the moon?” Experiment

“Why do I need to wear sunscreen?” Experiment

“Will It Slide?” Science Experiment

Fine Motor Development Activities

Apple Star Stamping

Bathtub Painting

Car Painting

Cloud Dough

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” Sensory Play

Christmas Sticker Letter Tracing

Dinosaur Fossils

Edible Playdough

Fine Motor Practice (Before Dinner)

Hot Air Balloon

I Love You To Pieces Craft

Lick-and-Stick Stickers (DIY)

“Little Cloud” Activity

Painting at the Pool

Peach Pit Painting

Pedicure Stegosaurus

Pounding Golf Tees into a Pumpkin

Sensory Tub with Shredded Paper

Spaghetti Designs

Tangled Pumpkin

Vertical Writing with Window Markers

X-Ray Playdough

Gross Motor Development Activities

Balance Beam with Fiery Leaves

Hula Hoop Jumping

Indoor “Ice” Skating

Sponge Relay

Stoplight Beanbag Toss

Sword Fighting

Throw a “Snowball”

Turkey Toss of Thankfulness

Social and Emotional Development Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

Diffusing Temper Tantrums

“Feelings” Matching and Memory Game

Spiritual and Moral Development Activities

Apple Garland (The Fruit of the Spirit) Apple Theme Sensory Tub

Apple Turkey Autumn Tree Balloon Terrarium

Beach Scene

Butterfly Tie-Dye Craft Candy Wrapper Snowflake

Christmas Countdown to Santa

Ice “Fishing” Indian Attire

Leaf Bracelet Leaf Rubbing (Personalized)

Making Rain

Penguin Puppets Race-Car Snack Rain in a Jar

Red Hot Applesauce

Santa Says Save, Spend Give Coin Bank

Snowflakes (Puffy)

“Spooly” Pumpkin

Submarine Art

W is for Window

—————————————————————————————————–

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Busy Blooming Joy

75 Easy Outdoor Activities & Play Ideas For Preschoolers

  • Last Updated: November 23, 2022

By Sarah Peerless

Inside: easy outdoor activities for preschoolers to keep 3-5 year olds busy all summer long! And, if you’re lucky, give you a bit of peace…here’s hoping!  Plenty of outdoor activities suitable for a preschool setting too.

If you’re little, nothing beats good clean fun outside.  Actually, what am I saying, the messier the better! But that’s the beauty of taking things outdoors – getting messy is totally fine and just about every toddler or preschooler’s mission in life (only mine?!)

Here are my favorite outdoor activities for preschoolers aged 3-5 years old; they’ve kept my two (now 3 and 4 years old) busy and happy for several minutes, sometimes hours, at a time.

Many will also be suitable for toddlers, but for outdoor activities specifically aimed at 1 and 2 year-olds, watch out for a post coming soon.

Most are super simple to set-up or even better, no prep, because, you know, life is busy…

But a few of these activities do require a little more time – when I’ve seen something too cool looking to pass up and am procrastinating other important life stuff (probably my finest skill in life).

So I’ve split these outdoor activities for preschoolers accordingly…

This post contains affiliate links.  If you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

So what kinds of outdoor activities do preschoolers enjoy (& need)?

There are certain things that little kids gravitate towards – preschoolers AND toddlers.  What’s fascinating is that this love of a certain type of activity (e.g. throwing) is often driven by a skill your child is trying to master. 

So there’s a very real need to give your preschooler the opportunity to practice this skill, in a way that doesn’t destroy your house, garden or other stuff in one way or the other.

The types of things that both toddlers and preschoolers love to do, inside or outside, is pretty infinite.  The list below are some examples.

  • packing (and unpacking)
  • opening (and shutting)
  • move, move, move!*

Most of the preschooler activities listed in this post involve one or more of the above.  And of course, taking these types of activities outside just opens a world more possibilities, for any activity that involves, water, paint or any other type of mess… 

So expect a bunch of these types in this list of easy outdoor activities for preschoolers.

For simple play ideas that allow little ones to practice these emergent skills inside, try this bumper list of indoor activities for toddlers and preschoolers or these dry messy play ideas .  Minimal mess and virtually no prep, they got me through many days of lockdown! 

These are outdoor activities for 3-5 year olds

This post is aimed at outdoor activities for preschoolers aged 3 – 5 years old.  My two, pictured frequently throughout this post, are 3 and 4 years old, the ideal age. 

In fact, many of these outdoor activities were aimed at my 4-year-old, who is a typical boy with plenty of energy to burn and who loves to build and get as messy as possible!  The types of activities he likes the best, need to be outside.

However, we’ve been doing many of these outdoor activities since the toddler years and my two still haven’t tired of them.  So there will be a bit of an overlap between this outdoor activity post for preschoolers and the one for toddlers (coming soon).

If you have more than one kid to entertain set the difficulty level for the youngest – simple is always best!

Importantly – just go with the flow and adapt as you need! And enjoy – it’s got to be fun, right?

Preschool outdoor activities (for preschoolers in childcare)

Not only are these outdoor activities ideal for preschoolers aged 3-5 years old, there are so many that’ll work in a preschool setting. 

Given the lack of schools locally, a few days a week we do “school with Mommy” where I attempt some kind of learning activities with my two, with as many as 4 other little ones.  I’m not professionally trained in this capacity but I’m definitely getting in some experience. And loving it too!

There’s definitely scope to up the ante with several and turn them into preschool outdoor activities with a more specific learning element.  For example by adding in a counting or sorting element or even some number recognition.  I’ve noted some ideas throughout.

In addition, there are two sections with more focus on STEM and other preschool learning concepts:

  • “Outdoor activities for preschoolers who love to build” – there’s lots of STEM in there
  • “Outdoor preschool activities with a specific learning element” with more learning activities and ideas

WATER-BASED outdoor activities for preschoolers

Water provides an abundance of easy sensory activities and is lots of fun for little ones too.  Here are some water-based outdoor activities for preschoolers perfect for the summer.   Good for preschool, good for at home in the garden.

#1 Bubble snakes

Activity supply list: 0.5l plastic water bottle, sock, dishwashing liquid, water

They require a bit of puff from your preschooler but once they get the idea this is an outdoor activity that can keep them busy for quite some time.  It’s also fairly tiring – double win when they feel they need a bit of a rest after!

Quick how-to:

  • make bubble mixture – 1 part water to 1 part dish liquid
  • cut the end off an old plastic bottle and cover with a tight-fitting sock (clean the mouth-piece of the bottle – a clean sock would probably be preferable too)
  • dip the sock end of the bottle into the bubble mixture

For a video tutorial, check this one here .

#2 Aqua limbo

Activity supply list: garden hose

Get the hosepipe out and challenge your little ones to limbo under the stream of water without getting wet. Of course, if your little ones are anything like my two, getting wet will only add to the fun; this is a perfect outdoor activity for preschoolers on a hot summer day.

#3 Water gun target practice

Activity supply list: toy water guns, empty cans, bottles or similar

Set up a row of cans or bottles and with a loaded water gun, your preschooler can have fun knocking them down. Simple, outdoor fun!

(I absolutely recommend these foam water guns over more sophisticated as your preschooler will easily be able to fill it themselves.)

#4 Water transfer with pipettes

Activity supply list: plastic containers, food coloring, pipettes

There are many fun ways for little ones to practice fine motor skills . This outdoor activity for preschoolers will help develop the pincer reflex, simply by transferring colored water (water with a few drops of food coloring) from a large container into upturned bottle lids.

It does take a bit of coordination just to use the pipette – Learning Resources has some large preschooler friendly pipettes which are slightly easier for younger kids or you could swap out the pipettes for 1/4 and 1/2 teaspoon measuring scoops.

The beauty of pipettes is that they don’t hold very much water.  It’s an interesting experiment for a curious preschooler to see how many pipettes one bottle-lid will hold and how quickly he can fill them without spilling!

Plenty of opportunities to play with color mixing too – this is an outdoor activity for preschoolers with a ton of learning!

Preschooler washing her toys as an outdoor activity

#5 Washing trucks, animals or another favorite toy

Activity supply list: water table or large tub, baby shampoo or dishwashing liquid

If you have a little boy that loves his trucks and diggers and is constantly in the sand and mud with them, then they probably need a clean…

But the toy of choice doesn’t even need to be dirty – that can be part of the game. Kids have got such a wonderful imagination at this age they probably won’t need much convincing that “Clover really needs a mane and tail wash, don’t you think?” – as was the case with my 3-year-old daughter above. 

She spent a good half an hour giving Clover the spa day from preschooler heaven!  Of course, for my 4 year old, this outdoor activity was all about getting his fleet of trucks clean.

balls and water - outdoor activity for preschoolers

#6 Scooping, transferring and sorting colored balls

Activity supply list: a few water holding devices, colored play balls, kitchen utensils, colored plastic bowls (optional)

The picture above is not the best since it only shows one tub of water (a cooler box – many ways to improvise if you don’t have a “water table”).  There were actually 3 – another cooler box and a water table.

Dump the plastic balls into one of the tubs of water, then grab a number of different kitchen utensils (ladle, tongs, sieve, jug, salad servers etc) to transfer them with and lastly some colored plastic bowls (optional).

Then let your preschooler enjoy this outdoor activity whichever way he or she chooses!

My son, who’s just 4, absolutely loves order and matching things together – so his mission was to sort the different balls into the different colored bowls…. While my daughter who was 2 at the time, just moved balls from one tub of water to the next, trying out all the different utensils.

#7 Chalk line erase

Activity supply list: chalk, paintbrush, water

Draw a pattern onto your outside paving or verandah with chalk and hand your preschooler a paintbrush and a pot of water to erase the chalk lines…

Easily adapted into a learning game if you draw shapes, letters or numbers and challenge your preschooler to erase the shape, letter or number you call out.

#8 Washing something!

Activity supply list: dishwashing liquid, water, sponge, spray bottle

Not toys this time – if you’ve got small kids then you’re bound to have something outside that actually really needs cleaning.  

Combine this with a preschooler in a phase of being helpful – only if helping is fun of course, but I’ll take it – and who loves using a spray bottle.  That’s pretty much every preschooler, right? You’ve got yourself a no-prep outdoor activity for preschoolers that everyone’s going to love! 

This activity really helps strengthen the finger muscles.  (I’d also recommed trying this simple twist-top board or this puffy paint spider web which works on similar skills.)

More impotantly, it can keep a whole host of 3-5 year old busy for a good half an hour.  I speak from experience!

It’s an ideal preschool outdoor activity too.

#9 Water balloon pinata

Activity supply list: water balloons, string

After the faff and fiddle of filling and tying water balloons, I no longer hand them straight to the kids, because they’re on the floor in seconds (the plastic waste for all of 1.5 seconds of fun does not sit well with me either…)

Instead, hang them up in a tree high up and let them throw things and poke sticks at them to break them.  Ok, so there is a bit more faff to tye them in the tree, but this does keep them entertained for quite a while.  The water normally manages to hit them straight in the face, adding to the fun!

#10 Sponge water bombs

Activity supply list: sponges, water

Again, this saves on the faff, fiddle and waste of water balloons.  Have a bucket of water and a bunch of sponges to throw at, to or with your preschooler.

#11 Frozen tiny toy excavation

Activity supply list: water, small plastic toys, plastic container, freezer space, scoops, salt, pipettes, toy hammers etc

This outdoor activity does require a bit of prep – collect some small toys (think Playmobil characters, plastic cars and animals, pompoms etc) and dump into a freezer-friendly container with lid.

We are all ice-cream lovers in our family and so have an abundance of 2 litre ice-cream cartons, so that was my container of choice.

You need to do the freezing part in stages, to ensure a good sprinkling of toys all the way through the ice.  So put a few toys in, fill the tub about 1/3 full with water and give it a few hours to freeze.  Then put more toys in, more water and so on until it’s full of ice and toys.

Onto the excavating… Depending on how warm it is outdoors, will determine how quickly the ice will melt… So if it’s super hot, cold water and a pipette may be all your preschooler needs to free those toys.

Warm water, some kind of child-friendly hammer and some table salt can speed the melting up – see how you can throw in a little bit of science too!  A perfect outdoor activity for preschoolers on a hot summers day!

#12 Build a “water wall”

Activity supply list: plastic pipes, plastic bottles and other empty plastic containers, push pins, wooden fence to attach to

Simply pin all your plastic to the fence to make a water version of a giant marble run.  Ours did not work out so well but this one from Where Imagination Grows looks a lot more successful.

SENSORY & PROCESS ART outdoor activities for preschoolers 

The beauty of being outdoors is that you have a little more freedom when it comes to the materials you use.  You can be messy without the worry of ruining your house or classroom.  Or need to spend several hours cleaning up. 

So most of these activities for preschoolers are strictly for outdoors. Only if you have an art studio or clear garage would it be wise to try them inside!

Most also have a sensory element and/or artistic component.  However, typically the end result is not important, rather the activity is all about the process.  Hence this is termed process art.  

Hose pipes at the ready – your preschooler is going to love these fun outdoor activities!

If you are looking for some art projects where the end result is important (product-based art) then why not try one of these easy arts and crafts ideas , a Christmas ornament or another easy Christmas craft , or something made from toilet rolls .

life-size painting activity for kids in childcare

#13 Full-sized portraits

Outdoor activity supply list: a large sheet of cardboard, bigger than your preschooler, sharpie, paints & paintbrushes

The trickiest part of this outdoor activity for preschoolers is finding a sheet of cardboard large enough.  If you’ve just bought a new TV, the box it was delivered in should do the trick.

First, have your preschooler lie down on the cardboard and draw around the with the sharpie.  Then simply prop the cardboard against a wall and it’s time for your preschooler to get painting their self-portrait.  It’s such a fun and revealing insight into your childs mind, to see how they paint themself!

Alternatively, they could paint their self-portrait with the cardboard on the floor.  Or you could mix it up, since painting at different angles and in different positions works different muscles.

#14 Make mud pies

Outdoor activity supply list: mud or sand and water, items from nature

We struggle to grow lawn in our garden – there are sandy bare patches everywhere.  Turn the sprinklers on and then there’s mud…. perfect for making mud pies!  Pat and shape them, decorate them with small stones and leaves.  Add sticks as candles and you have a mud pie birthday cake.

#15 Bubble foam cupcakes

Activity supply list: bubble bath, food coloring, water, electric whisk, muffin tins, pompoms, 

Bubble foam is a lovely sensory experience for toddlers and preschoolers and playing with it is such an engaging activity.  This time, for my two I wanted to change it up a little bit so they made bubble foam cupcakes!

I don’t know what it is about pretend baking – I can’t say I do much “real” baking (whatever my best intentions) – but there’s no end to the number of cupcake recipes my two have tried.  Playdough, dyed rice, sand, mud, pompoms….

So bubble foam cupcakes with a pompom cherry have now been added to this never-ending list.

To make the bubble foam, take:

  • equal parts water + bubble bath
  • whisk with the electric whisk (my preschoolers loved the making part two)

I used pink bubble bath, hence the pink cupcakes, but otherwise you can add a drop or two food coloring.

toy painting activity for outdoors at preschool

#16 Painting toys

Activity supply list: washable tempera paint, paintbrush, large plastic toy that’s not too special (it may not be quite the same after

If you have a little girl with a toy horse, paint it pink and turn it into a unicorn! My daughter, aged 3, loved this simple outdoor activity as did my 4 year old, who painted his plane red.  Then they can have fun washing the paint off (preschool outdoor activity number 5…)

I’m not sure the airplane will ever be the same but Clover, the toy horse, recovered very well!

#17 Spray paint artwork

Activity supply list: washable tempera paint, water, spray bottles, paper, painters tape 

This a fun process art that also works those finger muscles.

Simply fill some spray bottles with a few dollops of washable paint and top up with water.  Then tape some watercolor paper or even newspaper onto a wall of the house and hand over to your preschooler.  Just be sure to be clear that the paint is for the paper, not the entire house, otherwise clean-up may be rather lengthy…

Once the paint is finished and your budding artists have finished, remove the “masterpieces”, refill the bottles with water and get your preschooler to clean up the stray paint…

Some great pictures of the finished paintings in this post from Play Ground Park Bench .

process art come small world fun for preschoolers - outdoor activity for sure

#18 Giant small town process art

Activity supply list: see below

This outdoor activity is a real winner!  So much so, picture above is take two.

This is art come imaginary play on a grand scale – an outdoor activity for preschoolers that involves painting the truck wheels and then driving them on paper to make tracks.  I can’t even say I can take much credit, it was all down to my 4-year old and his amazing imagination.

Anyhow, you need:

  • one heck of a large piece of paper – or lots of small ones, as I used above – with a decent weight (I used 60 gsm weight paper)
  • some bits and bobs to make up your town or countryside – we had foil as a river and then some strips of cereal boxes as a bridge, because you can’t possibly have a river without building a bridge or two to cross it, right?!
  • painters tape to stick paper to table, river and bridge to paper etc
  • paint and painting implements to paint the roads, farm tracks, fields, car parks etc. By implements, anything will do really; brushes, rollers, sponges, hands even…. (The latter was my 3 year-olds “implement” of choice, hence the random handprints…)

This particular town and country work of art was so popular and provided a ton of play opportunity and stayed taped to the table for several days. If you’re looking for an outdoor activity that’ll keep your preschooler entertained again and again, this one’s an absolute must.

#19 Window painting

Activity supply list: washable tempera paint, paintbrushes, dry erase marker, a window  

Painting on a vertical surface works the wrist and forearm muscles – quite a different skill to painting on a horizontal surface.  If you don’t have an easel or even if you do and want to mix it up, window painting is a fun outdoor activity for preschoolers.

Another good one if you want to introduce some learning – draw some shapes, letter or number outlines on the inside of the window and let your preschooler paint on the outside.  You just need to be clever at drawing the mirror images of letters and numbers…(If you draw them on the outside, your preschooler will inadvertently wipe them off…)

#20 Paper mache castle

Activity supply list: large sheet of sturdy cardboard, lots of smallish empty boxes and cartons (cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, other packaging, toilet rolls, tin cans, milk cartons etc), newspaper, flour, water, paint, paintbrushes

This would fit equally well on the list of outdoor activities for preschoolers into building… if your little one is into construction AND into stickiness AND painting this is sure to be a win.

You’ll probably have to lend a hand in the first stage but after that, there will be several hours of quiet, spread over two days, as your preschoolers will be very busy.  I mean, look at that concentration!

How-to as follows:

  • position the various boxes, toilet rolls, tin cans etc into a fort structure, ontop ot the large sheet of cardboard
  • stick down and together with painters tape
  • make up your paper mache mixture (flour and water until it’s a rather revolting gloopy consistency)
  • tear newspaper into strips
  • “plaster” the castle by dipping newspaper strips into the flour gloop and sticking onto and all over the castle
  • allow to dry – around 24 hours

frozen painting outdoor activity perfect for preschool

#21 Frozen painting activity for outdoors

Outdoor activity supply list: paint, dish soap, water, ice cube trays, popsicle sticks

Here’s a fun process art activity best taken outdoors that preschoolers are going to love.  It’d be fun to include as a party activity for a summer birthday celebration for little ones.. Mix up paint, water and dish (1/4 paint, 1/4 dish soap and 1/2 water) and pour into ice cube trays. Stick a craft or popsicle stick in as a handle and freeze.  

Not only is this outdoor sensory activity nice and cool, ideal for summer, there are no paint tins to knock over or palettes to accidently lean over…. Bonus!

For the full tutorial, check out the post from Taming Little Monsters .

#22 Cardboard box painting

Activity supply list: cardboard box (larger the better with as little marketing print as possible), paint, paintbrushes

Never waste a cardboard box….you can play in them, smash them, decorate them, paint them.  My preschoolers love them too (!)

Switch out the paints for crayons and stickers and this makes a wonderful indoor activity too.

For more indoor activities, check out:  39 simple & sanity-saving activities for toddlers & preschoolers to do at home (minimal prep, minimal mess)

sidewalk chalk art - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#23 Homemade sidewalk chalk paint

Activity supply list: cornstarch, water, food coloring, paintbrushes

I was so surprised, firstly, that this paint came out so well and, secondly, it kept a 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old, 8 year old and an 11 year old busy for so long!  (My two preschoolers, their friend on a playdate and my two neices.)

3 ingredients:

  • food coloring

Simply mix the ingredients together to a fairly runny consistency and let your preschooler paint your verandah, paving stones, sidewalk etc… Since this paint is taste-safe, it’s ideal for young toddlers too who may prefer to paint with their fingers rather than use a brush.

This paint does dry very pale and pastley, so you need to go as deep with the color as possible when mixing.

For deeper, more vibrant chalk paint, check out this tutorial from Simple Fun For Kids which uses chalk sticks mixed with water.

Or if you’re short of time you could buy some baby-safe paint , like this washable tempera . 

outdoor painting activity for preschoolers and toddlers

#24 Paint an old piece of wood

Outdoor activity supply list: random old piece of wood, any type of paint if your preschooler had outgrown the stage of painting his hands, the table etc…

Another surprisingly engaging outdoor activity for preschoolers – my 3 and 4 year old still have their random pieces of painted wood proudly displayed in their rooms, for this reason it’s one up from painting a cardboard box, which never survives more than a day or two (thank goodness).

#25 Water balloon painting

Outdoor activity supply list: water balloons, paints, large sheet of paper

Here’s another outdoor activity for preschoolers that extends the life of those pesky water balloons. Here, they’re used as the vehicle to put paint to paper.  You’ll need to explain that to your kids before you get started, and they’re thrown them and broken them already!

Start by squirting blobs of paint onto the paper. Then your preschooler can use the balloons to move the paint around and create their masterpiece.

frozen sand sensory outdoor activities for 4 year olds

#26 Frozen sand sensory bin

Outdoor activity supply list: sand, water, small plastic toys, large plastic tub that’ll fit in freezer, spoons, bowls, cups

A fun sensory bin and activity that toddlers and preschoolers will love playing with outside, particularly when it’s hot. Start by filling the tub with the sand and burying the toys.  Then fill with water and freeze.

Once frozen, it’s time to play! Your preschoolers can pick away at the sand with the spoons, dig out the toys and experience the changing texture of the sand as it melts…

For some themed sensory bins and activities, why not check out these Christmas sensory activities or these fake-snow sensory bins .

Outdoor activities for preschoolers who love to build (STEM & ideal for preschool)

There has to be a whole section of outdoor activities for preschoolers who love to build and create things, particularly machines and vehicles of transport, because, well, my 4-year-old is into building, big time!

Some great learning in these ones too with plenty of STEM & STEAM concepts.  These ones are ideal outdoor preschool activities. 

For little ones that love cars, trucks, planes and trains, these fun transportation crafts for preschoolers  should be your next port of call.

#27 Build a giant-sized marble run

Activity supply list: cardboard tubes (inner tube from cling wrap, paper towel, baking paper etc, empty Pringles tubes, toilet rolls etc, wood glue or hot glue gun, wall/fence you can stick to

This proved a lot more taxing than I first thought – we lost a lot of marbles in the process but it was a fun project to do with my preschoolers who played with it for days…

#28 Paper serviette parachutes

Outdoor activity supply list: paper serviettes, string, painters tape, small toy

Tape string to each corner of a paper serviette, knot the string together and then tape to a toy – this is “Ken” from my daughters Playmobil camper van.

They are a little bit fragile, no surprise there, but fly really well!

#29 Paper airplanes

Activity supply list: paper, patience!

These do work well indoors, but to get them flying higher and further, heading outdoors is the way to go.

Here’s a video tutorial for an easy paper airplane if you’re a novice like me. That was about the only tutorial I could follow with an impatient 4 year old breathing down my neck! Trust me, don’t look at any other tutorials that say they’re “easy” unless you’re on your own or an origami expert!

#30 Tinfoil and egg box carton boats

Activity supply list: half dozen egg carton box, tin foil, wooden skewers, paper

Here’s another preschool outdoor activity with lots of fun and learning. 

After the classic “sink or float” experiment we made these boats simply by wrapping the bottom half of the egg box with aluminum foil.  Short wooden skewers became masts and rectangles of paper attached with tape, the sails. 

(Totally the wrong positioning for all those in the know about boats – my father would be most unimpressed!)

How strong are our boats? Let’s see how many stones we can load into them without letting any water in, which makes the egg carton very soft and eventually causes the boat to collapse…

How can we make them sail quickly? My two instantly went to blow the boat, rather than the sail…

#31 Build (and knock down) tin can towers

Outdoor activity supply list: tin cans

Empty cans if you don’t want squashed toes!  You can suggest building tall towers or build a triangular wall of cans and have fun throwing or kicking balls at them to knock them down.

ball run fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#32 Giant ball run

Activity supply list: balls, old drain pipes + anything else balls can run along or through, chairs and stools as support structures

Of the whole list, this is probably THE absolute favorite outdoor activity for my preschooler.  We have made soooo many different versions (it does help that my husband is a builder so we always have things lying around at home perfect for the job!)

An outdoor play activity perfect for your budding engineer and a creative activity for children of so many different ages.  It’s definitely not limited to 3-5 year olds.

#33 Mud bricks

Activity supply list: ice cube trays, mud

Using an ice cube tray your preschooler can make mini “bricks” with some dampish mud.  Allow them to dry and “bake” in the sun and then build.

Some good pictures in this post from Play Teach Repeat .

#34 Build a fort

Activity supply list: garden or backyard with a little space, some good hidey holes in and amongst bushes, sticks and branches

I remember building forts in my grandparents garden with my brother when I was little, making tent-like structures with all sorts of random sticks, logs, dead leaves or leaf-covered fallen branches.  Our garden isn’t quite as ideal for fort building but we’ve had a good go – another fun outdoor activity for a preschooler who loves building!

NATURE-INSPIRED outdoor activities for preschoolers

A few of these may be best avoided if you have a really smart garden since.  There’s a fair amount of foraging for plants and leaves – several are well suited to Fall and appear among this list of Fall activities .

Of course, I’ve long since given up on our garden, what with two preschoolers, two puppies and very little time!

If you have a decent back yard and play area at preschool or your childcare setting, most of these will work really well to engage several 3-5 year olds.  

nature pictures preschool outdoor activity for 4 year olds

#35 Make faces out of nature

Outdoor activity supply list: area fit for foraging, something to collect things in

Ok, so this outdoor activity started out as an attempt to make a face out of bits and pieces collected from the garden. The above didn’t look much like a face to me, but then my 4 year old told me he’d made a tree instead. It makes a much better tree! And who am I to argue if he’s happy?

This one would make a fu

#36 Paint with nature

Outdoor activity supply list: toddler-friendly scissors, a garden you don’t mind being trimmed!

Use leaves, petals and sticks as paintbrushes.  A simple outdoor activity for preschoolers that’ll encourage experimentation and creativity and may even produce a little piece of art. 

nature collage activity for preschoolers outdoors

#37 Make a nature collage

Activity supply list: contact adhesive, painters tape, bits and bobs from the garden

Makes a cute keepsake or gift for a loved one too.

With the painters tape, secure the contact adhesive to the table, sticky side up.  Then have your preschooler decorate it with bits and bobs from the garden.  My two decided theirs were birds nests, so i cut out a paper bird for them to stick on too.  Then cover the top with another sheet of contact paper.

Not only is this a fun outdoor activity, but a rather lovely craft for the Fall season .

#38 Make a simple bird feeder and watch the birds

Outdoor activity supply list: pine cone or empty toilet roll, peanut butter, bird seed

You can make a bird feeder by covering a pine cone or empty toilet roll in peanut butter and rolling it in bird seed. Then hang it in the garden and wait and see who comes along.  Here’s a more detailed tutorial from Two Pink Peonies .

If you have a bird book to hand you can try to identify them in the book.  A good outdoor activity for preschoolers with a considerable element of learning as they compare and contrast the different colors and markings of different birds.

You may also be able to show them that males and females of the same species can look very different.  Small details that can fascinate a nature-loving preschooler.

#39 Leaf matching scavenger hunt

Activity supply list: different leaves from the garden

This one is a great outdoor activity for getting some wiggles out while practicing observation and matching, double win!

Forage for a few different leaves in the garden, out of sight of the little ones if possible. Collect 5 or 6 types of leaf, 2 of each if you’re doing this for 2 kids, 3 of each for 3 kids etc.

Give each preschooler the first leaf type and send them off looking for a leaf to match.  I was amazed how many plants have quite subtle different leaves (I’m not much of a gardener). 

Talking about how the leaf your child found is the same or different to the one you gave them is great communication practice.

#40 Make plant soup

Activity supply list: bowls, pots, pans and other old kitchen implements to “cook” with, preschooler scissors, a garden you’re not too precious about!

First, collect your ingredients – this is best done under supervision unless your preschooler is very trustworthy with scissors and/or there are some plants that are a definite no-no for trimming.

So scissors and bowl (our rule is scissors in the bowl when walking from plant to plant) and allow your preschooler to snip different leaves to cook with.  You can also gather a few flowers and seed pods or other things that interests.

Take back to your “kitchen” – like for our mud kitchen activity, we use a small white plastic table and old pots, pans and implements.

Cook and enjoy being served up delicious plant soup.  Loads of fun for everyone!

#41 Playdough nature printing

Activity supply list: playdough, things from the garden (flowers, dried leaves, seeds, sticks, small stones)

If your preschooler loves playdough (which don’t?) then this is yet another outdoor activity they’re going to enjoy.  Forage around the garden for some interesting objects – seed pods, pebbles, sticks etc.  Then let your preschooler experiment with the shapes and textures they print onto playdough.

You could also try this with salt dough and create some nature-inspired ornaments for Christmas .  

nature bracelets - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#42 Make a nature bracelet

Activity supply list: duck tape, preschooler friendly scissors and more items from your not-too-precious garden

Firstly, more snipping and gathering of leaves and petals from the garden.

Then, cut a short strip of tape and fasten it around your preschoolers’ wrist, sticky side out.  Then, like those nature collages, your little one can make their bracelets with the petals and other things they’ve foraged.

Simple and so cute!

#43 Make a maze out of sticks and rocks

Outdoor activity supply list: rocks, pebbles and sticks

We’ve yet to try this one, but my 4-year-old loved making a maze inside on the carpet out of craft sticks.  It took up a significant proportion of the lounge and no one was allowed to pack it away for days… (You’ll see it in the toddler indoor activity post ) So I know this outdoor version of the activity will be a winner for any maze-building preschooler.

Start by collecting rocks and sticks, then arrange them to create a maze with an entrance and plenty of dead ends.  

cutting the lawn - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#44 Mowing the lawn

Activity supply list: preschooler-friendly scissors

More scissor skill practice and a good few minutes of peace… A simple and very effective outdoor activity for preschoolers that love to snip, snip, snip… 

#45 Hunt for bugs

Activity supply list: bug viewer or large magnifying glass

All kids are fascinated by creepy crawlies! So this is a great outdoor activity for preschoolers allowing them to explore all sorts of creatures up close and personal. 

They may be a bit reluctant to touch them and pick them up, this is where you can lend a hand.

All the other extreme: they’re rough and want to squash and flatten them.  Get in there quick and try to save the bug!  Once they’ve got the hang of it, this is one your preschooler should be pretty happy to do independently…

Outdoor play activities for preschoolers that love to PRETEND

Pretend play is such a valuable way young children develop social skills, practice everyday tasks they see others accomplish as well as work through emotions.  There’s no end to the number of pretend play scenarios you can think of.

You’ll likely see your preschooler coming up with their own pretend play games without any prompting.  But here are some outdoor play activities for preschoolers that definitely need a bigger space, would make too much mess inside or just work better outside.

#46 Make fairy houses

Outdoor activity supply list: leaves, acorns, seeds, small sticks and pebbles, pine cones, moss and anything from the garden 

The idea that fairies live outside in little houses made from natural items and move around as and when they please is really quite fascinating for little ones.  Your preschoolers are sure to love making miniature houses for any visiting fairies .  This is even more so the case when their teeth start to fall out!

Making fairy houses makes for a fun outdoor activity and can keep a preschooler or two busy for an age.  They can make pretend fairies too or put their favorite toy characters in.  But remember, leave the house empty at night for a real fairy to enjoy! 

#47 Setting up camp

Activity supply list: the garden/backyard, your preschoolers’ wonderful imagination

During lockdown our Saturday night family fun was camping in the garden, setting up camp, cooking on the fire, warm bucket bath for the kids and then all sleeping in our 2 man tent (well not quite “all” of us – I normally crept back into the house at the earliest opportunity…)

Now out of lockdown, this has come to an end, but the kids love re-living every part of the camping experience.  A pile of stones becomes the fire, a stick to stir the pots, imaginary plates and food, an imaginery tent… You get the picture?!

#48 Coffee shop fun

Activity supply list:old teapot or coffeepot, old whisk, dishwashing liquid, ladle/spoon, sand/mud from the garden, water

Similar to mud kitchen, but this outdoor activity where your preschooler gets to play at being a coffee shop barista!  Mud/sand and water is the coffee, then they whisk up the frothy milk (water and dish liquid) and serve up their lucky clients a delicious coffee.

#49 Go on a bear hunt

Activity supply list: the garden/backyard, toys to hide, homemade binoculars (optional)

Or a dinosaur hunt or toy car hunt…. hide whatever type of toy you have a few of (plastic dinosaurs or stuffed teddies in our case) and get your preschooler to hunt for them around the garden. 

If you’re kids are a fan of “We’re going on a bear hunt” then they’re sure to love re-enacting the story.  A perfect preschool outdoor activity.

erupting volcanoes - fun outdoor activity for preschoolers

#50 Dinosaur world with volcanoes

Activity supply list: sand, plastic dinosaurs or other toy animals, tea light holder or similar, bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar

This is the classic bicarbonate of soda and vinegar experiment with a little twist – pretending it’s a volcano in dinosaur world…

Setting up the dinosaur world totally adds to the fun of this only-to-be-done outdoors, activity; damp sand to make a muddy mountain, leaves, grass and plant trimmings as vegetation and finally the dinosaurs and some random over-sized insects.

For the volcano, place your tea light holder in the top of the sand mound.  Then heap a generous scoop of bicarb inside and pour vinegar on top – you do need to be generous on both to get a decent-sized eruption where the lava makes it all the way down the side of the mountain, as in the picture above.

For more fun ideas for dino-lovers, try this list of fun dinosaur activities for preschoolers . 

#51 Have a teddy’s bear picnic

Activity supply list: teddies and soft toys, pretend cups and sauces and toy good, blanket

You can have a teddy’s bear picnic indoors, but it’s so much fun to turn this into an outdoor activity for your preschoolers and let them set everything up in the garden.  They can spend a lot of time packing all the supplies needed, transporting them all and then setting the picnic up. 

A classic game that never tires.

Outdoor MOVEMENT activities for preschoolers 

Not only do preschoolers have bucket loads of energy they need to burn, but they need change to develop their gross motor skills.  Hence these movement activities ideal for outside.

Lots need very little explanation.  This list of outdoor games and physical activities to get your preschooler moving is fairly short and sweet…

For a giant list of movement games for inside, check out these indoor gross motor activities . You can never have enough ideas to get the endless wiggles out!

#52 Paper plate ring toss

Outdoor activity supply list: paper plates , tin cans

Grab out those empty tin cans and arrange them outside on the floor in a triangle shape (like you’d set up bowling pins). Alternatively, you could use paper cups but a breeze could knock them down.

Next, you’ll need to cut out the middle of some paper plates, to turn them into hoops.  Then it’s a case of throwing the paper plate ring onto a tin can.  It’s such a fun outdoor activity for preschoolers.

You could easily extend this activity and add in a different learning element.  For example by placing a fridge magnet letter in each. Throw the hoop on the can and sounds the letter inside. 

#53 Junior version of “Egg and spoon”

Activity supply list: water ballons, salad server

Another one which uses water balloons but preserves them for quite a long time… great to set up as a relay up and down the garden if you have a few kids to entertain.  This is an ideal outdoor activity for preschool.

water cup running races activity for preschoolers

#54 Water cup racing

Activity supply list: plastic cups, water, plastic bowl/bucket/container

Run with a cup of water to a bucket without spilling it, pour in the bucket and run back again refill and so on…

You can see how much my 3-year-old loved this one; she’s definitely got a competitive streek.

#55 Sack race

Activity supply list: old pillowcases

Don’t save the sack race for birthday party games . It’s a classic outdoor activity for preschoolers that will never lose its appeal!  

#56 Visual treasure hunt 

Activity supply list: camera or smartphone, toys

Take photos of different areas of the garden or the outdoor area your utilizing.  Then place a toy at each location.  Then the challenge for your preschooler is to figure out where the photo was taken and retrieve the toy. 

This outdoor activity is easy to adapt for preschoolers of different ages.  For older kids, you can make it trickier by zooming in more and taking pictures that are harder to decipher. For little ones, you can be a lot more obvious!

This would be good to do at home but would also make a good outdoor preschool activity. 

Balance beam outdoor activity

#57 Balance beam & obstacle course

Activity supply list: plank of wood, something sturdy to lean it on (we used a car ramp in the picture above), alternatively your balance beam doesn’t even need to leave the ground, just lay the plank on the ground

We combined our balance beam activity with color sorting balls – doubling the concentration needed to balance on the beam while holding the ball.

As for more lengthy obstacle courses, it’s all about getting creative:

  • hop from one stepping stone to the next (alternatively use hula hoops lying on the ground)
  • use pool noodles to jump over or limbo under
  • peg a cargo net to the ground to crawl under
  • turn a large cardboard box into a tunnel by cutting holes in each side

Plenty more ideas in this post from Happy Toddler Playtime .

#58 Wheelbarrow races

Preschoolers are not too little to try wheelbarrow races – expect about 2 or 3 steps in the beginning but once their arms get used to it and grow a little strength, expect lots of giggles and some tired preschoolers!

#59 Hide and seek

You can have fun with this one indoors from the toddler years.  It’s one of many fun and simple activites for 18 month olds that the twis have started to enjoy. 

But the appeal of this old classic lasts way beyond the preschooler years so why not take it outside. It never fails to keep kids of all sizes and ages occupied.

#60 Blow bubbles

Activity supply list: bubble solution and wand

I keep wondering when my two will grow out of this fascination for bubbles!  Not anytime soon it would seem…

#61 Tin can stilts

Activity supply list: empty tin cans, string, drill, paper, crayons, tape and stickers to decorate (optional)

Another classic that my 3 and 4-year-old just about managed but I had to help them a lot to get going – this was a lot harder for them than I thought it would be.  Definitely, one to try again in a few months time.

#62 Race around the house

Activity supply list: access all the way around the house, preschoolers with too much energy!

This one never fails to amuse – it’s a regular outdoor activity when I’m hosting playdates at ours.  “Let’s go – I’m going to catch you, quick around the house… 10 times” that’s all it takes.  Keeps me fit too.

#63 Learn some gymnastics

Activity supply list: internet & TV to research and a large outdoor space to practice

I’m not a gymnastics expert, but this video from Coach Meggin has some basic moves that even I could manage and my kids love it!

#64 Bean bag balance race

Activity supply list: bean bags

The simple act of balancing a bean bag on your head is pretty challenging. Even more so for a 3-5 year old! Great for posture and balance. If you’re doing this outdoor activity with preschoolers in childcare, then this is easily turned into a relay race.  Race up and back and pass the bean bag to the next team member.

Simplify this one for younger preschoolers or if you want to make it more energetic and have them run carrying the bean bag.  Pass it to the next team member or throw it into a bucket.  Oh, the versatility of a simple beanbag! A definite must for entertaining and keeping toddlers and preschoolers moving.

#65 Chalk obstacle course

Outdoor activity supply list: chalk, large verandah or similar

Rather than lugging chairs, poles and other things outside to make an obstacle course, draw one on the ground in chalk.  You can make different shapes mean different movements are required. 

Here are some ideas:

  • Draw a line of squares – your preschooler must hop on their right leg from each one to the next
  • Draw a line of circles – your preschooler must hop on their left leg from each one to the next
  • For numbers – clap your hands as many times as the number (when you get to a 1, clap once etc)

A great outdoor activity for preschoolers in childcare as there’s plenty of opportunity to practice shape and number recognition, whilst getting those wiggles out!

Outdoor preschool activities with a specific LEARNING element 

To reiterate, kids love to play and it’s through playing that they learn. So all these outdoor play activities for preschoolers will invite so much learning.  But here are some with a specific learning element or focus. 

These are educational activities for outdoors that are perfect for 3-5 year olds in childcare as well as those at home.

leaf sorting outdoor activity to do at preschool or childcare

#66 Nature sorting and graphing

Outdoor activity supply list: garden/outside for foraging, small wheelbarrow, sack or large bag

Sorting is an important pre-maths skill.  Start by foraging for various items from outside, like leaves, seeds, sticks, stones, feathers etc and then sorting them into groups.  

Then you can choose something to create a visual graph. You could do lots of different leaves or pebbles of different sizes. Group them into different types and then line them up to create a visual bar chart.  

#67 Listening walk

Outdoor activity supply list: a listening preschooler (ha ha, I hear you say…)

So far there’s been so much emphasis on keeping hands and bodies busy.  Now it’s time to use those ears! 

This is fun to turn into a listening walk scavenger hunt activity.

  • Start by discussing all the sounds you might hear
  • Write a list
  • Go outside, listen and see how many you can tick off
  • Try this activity another day at a different time and listen for different sounds

Plenty to discuss and a great outdoor activity for preschoolers in a childcare setting.

#68 Beginning sound nature hunt

Outdoor activity supply list: garden or backyard

Whether you do preschool activities at home or in a childcare setting, there’s normally a letter of the week.  This emphasizes letter recognition and the sounds that letter makes.  A good way to do this is to hunt for items with that beginning sound.

This is a great outdoor activity for preschoolers.  

What can you find outside that has the sounds “b” at the beginning. And so on.

outdoor activities for preschoolers AGED 3-5

#69 Colors in nature tic-tac-toe

Outdoor activity supply list: paint chips in various colors, scissors, tape

This is another scavenger hunt around the garden, backyard or park. This time it’s all about hunting for colors that match the paint chips . Cut holes in each color to create a little window to view flowers, leaves and other items outside.  When your preschooler has got a match they can tick it off. Find 3 in a row to complete the tic-tac-toe.

For more details check out the tutorial from Homan At Home .

#70 Make a windsock

Outdoor activity supply list: construction paper or card, stapler and crepe paper 

With a roll of construction paper and some crepe paper streamers you can make a very simple windsock. Hang it outside and you can start to explain to your child simple weather concepts.  A fun craft come outdoor activity to do at preschool or home.

Sadly I’m unable to find our windsock pictures but  I Heart Crafty Things has some good ones.

seed planting activity for summer outdoors toddlers and preschoolers

#71 Plant runner beans and measure them as they grow

Outdoor activity supply list: runner bean seeds, cotton wall, clear container (we used the bottom of a 5L water bottle cut off)

Runner beans are quick to grow and not too fussy about conditions (aka if you’re not green fingered this should still work!)  So this little gardening project makes an ideal outdoor activity for preschoolers.

Start by lining a clear plastic container with cotton wool soaked in water.  Scatter the beans over the top and wait for them to germinate and sprout little shoots.  This is why it’s better to use a clean container so you can see underneath and through the sides to watch for the shoots.

Once they’ve sprouted, remove the seeds and replace the cotton wool with compost, then replace the seeds. Then it’s time to nurture the bean plants and watch them grow!

To up the learning, start a simple chart to record the growth every day.  My 4 year old loved this outdoor activity as did the other little ones! The recording and measuring are right up his street. 

This is an ideal outdoor activity for preschool or for preschoolers in a childcare setting.  We did this in “school with Mommy”.

#72 Make letter shapes with things from nature

Activity supply list: garden/outside for foraging

Another good outdoor activity for letter of the week at preschool. Simply gather items from outside and make the shape of the letter of focus.

nature discovery outdoor activity for preschoolers

#73 Nature discovery or mystery bags

Activity supply list: garden/outside for foraging for items from nature & old pillow case

Blindfolded discovery and mystery bags are tons of fun. They encourage and help develop communication skills and vocab.

They’re especially good with a group of kids, making this an ideal preschool outdoor activity.  They’re also fun to do at home with one or two kids. 

Blindfold your preschooler, then pass them something from outdoors to explore with their hands. Alternatively, you can fill an old pillow case with things and have your preschooler feel in the bag without looking.

First, can they guess what it is they’re touching?  Why do they think it’s that particular thing? Can they describe it? What do they know about it?  This can create great hilarity from little friends and siblings when they’re totally wrong!

Then pull the object out of the sack or remove their blindfold and talk about it.

#74 ABC letter hunt

Activity supply list: foam or fridge magnet letters

Hide the letters outside and then the activity is to find each one and sound it out when found. A fun and simple outdoor activity to practice letters and sounds and also gets preschoolers moving.

#75 Sink or float

Activity supply list: large water table or paddling pool, items from garden/outdoors

Here’s a classic preschooler learning activity that can be done successfully inside, but if you take it outside, you can be more adventurous with the size of the items tested.  Which will sink – that huge log or that small stone?  A fascinating experiment for budding scientists.

Just be sure not to leave the water unattended so there’s no risk of drowning.

#76 Dirt inspection

Activity supply list: magnifying glass, handfuls of dirt

Simply grab a handful of dirt and examine it under the magnifying glass. What can you see? Where did it come from? How was it made?  A fun activity, with plenty to explore and discuss.

So many outdoor activities for preschoolers to choose from!

I hope that’s given you a good few outdoor activity ideas for your preschooler.  Whether they’re for outside in your backyard or garden at home or for at preschool or a childcare setting, there should be plenty to keep you busy outdoors this summer.

Got any to add? I’d love to hear from you. Please comment below.

__________________________________

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Hands On As We Grow®

Hands on kids activities for hands on moms. Focusing on kids activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Activities for Preschoolers

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Welcome to our Preschooler Activities Archive – your go-to destination for over 999 fun and engaging activities crafted with your little ones in mind! Here, we celebrate the joy of learning through play, offering a range of activities suitable for preschoolers aged 3-5.

Discover the Magic of Preschooler Play:

In this archive, you'll find activities designed to nurture your child's development through various types of play.

From academic play-based learning encompassing numbers, letters, shapes, and names to sensory play that sparks creativity, science experiments that ignite curiosity, and gross motor activities for energetic adventures – we've got it all! 🚀

Learning Through Play:

At Hands On As We Grow, we believe every moment is a chance to learn. Dive into the world of academic play, where numbers , letters , and shapes come to life in exciting and interactive ways.

These play-based activities make learning a fun journey for your preschooler, fostering a love for knowledge that lasts a lifetime. No worksheets will be found here!

Sensory Adventures:

Explore the sensory wonders of play with activities designed to engage your child's senses. From touch and taste to sight and sound, our s ensory play ideas captivate young minds, providing a rich and immersive learning experience.

Science Explorations:

Ignite your child's curiosity with captivating science experiments! This type of hands-on activities transform everyday items into fascinating discoveries, fostering a love for experimentation and inquiry.

Gross Motor Galore:

Embark on outdoor escapades or enjoy indoor adventures with our gross motor activities. Scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and lively games ensure your preschooler stays active while having a blast (and under control for you)!

Gross motor play is essential to build the big muscles before you can focus on the little muscles to work on hand-eye coordination and writing.

Fine Motor Fun:

Develop essential skills like writing, cutting, and hand-eye coordination through our fine motor activities . These engaging exercises lay the foundation for future academic success while making learning enjoyable.

Whether you're looking to infuse a bit of education into playtime or seeking creative outlets for your little one, you'll find an abundance of ideas here. Remember, every activity is an opportunity to create memories and strengthen your bond with your child, but most importantly just to have some fun!

Ready to Dive In?

Start your preschooler's play and learning journey by downloading our free week of preschooler activities – a delightful taste of what awaits you  inside The Activity Room.

Then, explore our extensive collection below and let the playtime adventures begin!

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5 Fun Developmental Activities for 3-Year-Olds

5 indoor activities for 3-year-olds, 5 engaging art activities for 3-year-olds, how educational activities transform kids’ lives.

Toddlers are very active and always on the go! As a parent, it can be tough to keep up with their energy levels. However, it’s important to find ways to keep your toddler occupied and engaged and learning!

Here are 15 activities for 3-year-olds that are both fun and educational:

A screenshot of the online phonics game

1. Recognizing Letters and Sounds

Learning activities for 3-year-olds are most fun when they are dressed up as family games, pretend plays, or become parts of our daily activities and observations. Recognizing letters and their sounds is one such activity that can be done in several ways.

Things you need:

A whiteboard or chalkboard, some colored markers or chalk. You can also use letter cards, board games, or online games for kids .

How to play:

You can play games where you write a letter on the board and teach your child to read it. Preschoolers can start learning both uppercase and lowercase letters . If they get it right, give them a point. If not, give them a clue and let them try again.

You can also play the “sound it out” game. Write a letter on the board and ask your child to make the sound it makes. Again, if they get it right, give them a point. If not, give them a clue and let them try again.

Pointing to letters written somewhere as you go about your day—a cereal box, a signboard, a magazine, etc.—is also an easy activity to help your child learn to read them. Children can also trace letters with their fingers on the sand, match uppercase and lowercase letters, erase letters on a chalkboard, etc. 

If you are busy, play some alphabet songs for your toddler to dance or let them play some online English games .

Skills your preschooler will learn:

Letter recognition, phonemic awareness, letter sounds

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2. Reading with Your Child

Reading books with your child is one of the best things you can do for their development. Not only does it improve language skills, but it also helps them learn sight words, develop their imagination, and understand the world around them.

Books that are appropriate for your child’s age and interests, such as picture books, easy readers, etc.

Sit down with your child and read a book together. You can take turns reading the pages or have your child read the whole book to you.

Books for toddlers should be short and have many pictures supporting the story. This will help keep their attention span, and they will be more likely to understand the concepts in the book.

Read word by word, pointing to each word with your finger, and ask inferential questions based on how, why, what, when, and where to encourage the thinking skills in kids .

Language skills, sight words , attention span, comprehension, memory, imagination

3. Making Up Stories

Children love to listen to and tell stories, and this is an activity that can be done anywhere, anytime. It’s the perfect thing to do in a car while traveling, at bedtime, or even while waiting in line at the grocery store.

None! Just your child’s imagination

Have your child make up a story, either on their own or with your help. Encourage them to use their imagination and be as creative as they want. If they get stuck, you can prompt them with questions or ideas. You may also correct their grammar along the way, but it’s important to let them be creative and have fun with this activity.

If your child is stumped, set an example by asking them for three or four words and make a story that uses all of them. For instance, if they give you the words “cat,” “green,” “ball,” and “tree,” you could make up a story about a green cat that climbs a tree to fetch a ball.

Eventually, you can give words to your child and have them make up a story using those words.

Creativity, imagination, storytelling, communication

4. Playing a Number Game

Offline and online, math can be fun for kids if it’s taught interactively and creatively. Playing the number sense games is one such activity that will help your child learn numbers, counting, and basic arithmetic operations in a fun and engaging way.

A whiteboard or a chalkboard, some colored markers or chalk. You can also use games focusing on numbers and counting, such as board games, card games, etc. Online math games are also available.

There are many games that you can play with your child to help him learn numbers and math concepts. One such game is the “guess the number” game. Write down a number between 1 and 10 on the board, and ask your child to guess it. If he gets it right, give him a point. If not, give him a clue and let him have another try.

You can also play the “greater than or less than” game. Write down two numbers on the board, such as 3 and 5, and ask your child which number is greater. If he gets it right, give him a point. If not, give him a clue and let him try again.

Numbers , counting , and basic arithmetic operations include addition , subtraction , multiplication , and division .

5. Sorting Activities

Sorting is a fun activity that helps children learn about different attributes such as size, shape, color, etc. It also helps them develop problem-solving skills.

Various objects can be sorted according to size, shape, color, etc. You can use blocks, balls, toy cars, berries, buttons, etc.

Let your child choose a few objects and ask him to sort them according to size, shape, color, etc. For example, they can sort blocks by size or toy cars by color. As they sort the objects, help them identify the attribute they use for sorting.

Sorting, categorizing, and problem-solving.

Check out the best sensory activities for 3-year-olds you can try!

A little girl drawing something

One of the favorite preschool activities for 3-year-olds is drawing. At this point, the artistic skills of a child are not really important. Drawing is a fun activity for toddlers to express themselves, work on their fine motor skills, and have fun!

Paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils

Sit with your child and encourage them to draw whatever comes to mind. You can also give some drawing ideas to kids , such as “Draw a picture of your family,” “Draw a picture of your favorite animal,” etc. You may make a drawing and ask your child to trace it or copy it.

Creativity, fine motor skills, imagination, attention span

7. Building with Blocks

One of the easy, no-mess activities for 3-year-olds at home is to let them build with blocks. It is amazing how much fun and creative they can be with this simple activity.

Blocks are also a great way for children to learn about shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns.

Blocks of various shapes and sizes

Let your child play with the blocks freely or give him or her some challenges, such as “build a tower as tall as you can,” “make a house for your favorite stuffed toy,” etc.

Creativity, imagination, problem-solving, eye-hand coordination, shapes, colors, patterns

8. Paper Cutting with Safety Scissors

Children feel empowered with a tool in their hands. And they are so proud of themselves when they can cut the paper!

Paper, safety scissors, craft supplies like pom poms, googly eyes (optional)

Give your child a piece of paper and let him or her cut it any way they want. If you like, you can also give some challenges, such as “cut out a circle,” “make a snowflake,” etc. You can help your child decorate the cutouts with craft supplies if desired.

Fine motor skills, creativity, imagination, attention span

*Please note that only safety scissors should be used for this activity. Regular scissors are too sharp for little ones.*

9. Doing Daily Chores

You’ll be surprised at all the things your toddlers can do if only you let them try. Giving them some simple chores to do not only helps them learn some valuable life skills but also makes kids feel proud and accomplished.

Chores that are appropriate for your child’s age and abilities, such as making their bed, dusting furniture, setting the table, etc.

Choose a chore that you would like your child to help with. Then, show them how to do it and let them try it themselves. Some of the chores that a 3-year-old can do may require some assistance or supervision, but it’s important to let them explore their capabilities and try new things.

A toddler can easily be overwhelmed with too many chores, so it’s important to start small. Choose one or two simple tasks that you know your child can handle. As they get older and more capable, you can give them more chores to do. Remember to praise them for a job well done!

Daily living skills, responsibility, independence, pride, satisfaction

10. Role-playing

What’s funnier than seeing a tiny toddler acting like a fat aunt or an old grandpa? Role-plays are one of the best activities for 3-year-olds as they help them learn about different emotions, people, and situations.

None! Just your child’s imagination. A few props like a walking stick, a hat, a lady’s purse, or a wig could come in handy to help set the scene.

Have your child choose a character that he or she would like to play. It could be anyone—a family member, a friend, a cartoon character, an animal, etc. Then, encourage them to act out the part. They can speak differently, use props, and do whatever they want to bring the character to life. Children learn to observe people around them and understand their emotions in this way.

Creativity, imagination, emotional intelligence, communication, problem-solving

Check out the best outdoor activities for 3-year-olds here!

A little girl wearing an astronaut costume

11. Playing Dress Up

Dress-up games are not gender-specific. Most children love them! This activity helps 3-year-olds use their imagination, learn about social norms and roles, and have lots of fun!

Old clothes, hats, scarves, jewelry, etc., can be used as dress-up items. You can also use old sheets or towels to make capes or skirts. You can also use actual costumes if you have them.

Let your child choose what they want to be, and then help them get dressed in the appropriate clothing. If you like, you can also act out a play or story together with your child in their new costume.

Creativity, imagination, role-playing, problem-solving

12. Making Music with Household Items

This is one of the fun activities for 3-year-olds that can be done with items that you already have around the house. It’s a great way to introduce your child to music and help them develop a sense of rhythm.

Household items that can be used as musical instruments, such as pots and pans, plastic containers, wooden spoons, etc. You can also use actual musical instruments if you have them.

Let your child choose what he or she wants to use as an instrument. Then, encourage them to make music with it however they want. You can also sing along or dance to the music!

Music skills, sense of rhythm, gross motor skills, creativity, imagination

13. Making Art with Thumb , Hand, or Foot Impressions

Most toddlers do not know how to go about making an art piece. But they love to play a role in helping make one! This activity allows them to do just that, resulting in a beautiful piece of art that you can hang on your fridge or wall.

Non-toxic paint, paper, and something to use as a stamp (such as potato, carrot, or eraser)

Let your child choose what paint color he or she wants to use. Then, help them make a thumbprint, handprint, or footprint on the paper. You can also make patterns with stamps by carving a shape into a potato, carrot, or eraser. Once the paint is dry, you can hang up the artwork!

Creativity, imagination, fine motor skills, color recognition

14. Creating a Collage

A collage is a great way for toddlers to express their creativity. They can make amazing birthday cards with photo collages, make wall-hanging art, or have fun tearing up paper and gluing it back together!

Paper, safety scissors, glue, and any other materials you want to use for the collage (such as tissue paper, construction paper, feathers, buttons, ribbons, etc.)

Let your child choose what they want to use for their collage. Then, help them cut out the paper or other materials into small pieces. Once they have a good pile of pieces, they can glue them down onto another piece of paper. You can help them with this if needed.

Creativity, imagination, fine motor skills, color recognition, pattern-making

15. Drawing with Chalk on the Sidewalk

If you live in a safe neighborhood, your children can display their artistic skills outside the home by drawing with chalk on the sidewalk or driveway. This activity is great for gross motor skills and allows you to teach your child about shapes, colors, and patterns.

Chalk in various colors

Let your child choose what color of chalk he or she wants to use. Then, help them draw a picture or make patterns on the sidewalk. You can also join in and create your own chalk masterpiece!

Educate children about different cultures where making art to decorate entrance gates and doorways is a tradition. Indians make rangoli, Chinese make a dragon or zodiac animal drawings, while in the Philippines, it is common to see people painting on bamboo mats called banig . In this way, you can introduce your toddlers to other cultures.

Creativity, imagination, gross motor skills, shapes, colors, pattern-making

Happy girl on a trampoline in the park

A study on Chinese children found that organized extracurricular activities (EAs) are strongly associated with early reading, math, and social skills. Another study indicated that the involvement of parents in preschool children’s learning activities at home during the COVID-19 pandemic was beneficial to kids’ learning behavior and emotional health. 

These studies seem to suggest that any activity that encourages learning, socialization, and creativity would benefit our little ones and shape them into more confident, woke, and aware individuals. 

Some benefits of educational activities for 3-year-olds are:

  • They help develop cognitive skills, including problem-solving, memory, and attention span.
  • EAs also nurture social skills such as cooperation, empathy, and communication.
  • These activities can also boost self-esteem and confidence in children.
  • Fun and educational activities are also great for developing gross and fine motor skills.

So go ahead and try out some educational activities with your 3-year-old today! You might just be surprised at how much they enjoy it—and how much they learn from it too.

Explore more online educational resources for kids to aid their learning experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to choose a good educational activity for my 3 year old.

When choosing an activity for your 3-year-old, it is important to consider their interests, abilities, and attention span. You also want to ensure the activity is developmentally appropriate and safe. If you are unsure whether an activity is appropriate for your child, you can always consult their pediatrician or a child development expert.

How can I get my toddler to sit still and focus on an activity?

This can be a challenge for many parents! One tip is to try to find activities that your child is interested in and that they enjoy doing. Also, make sure you provide plenty of breaks during the activity so that your child doesn’t become overwhelmed or frustrated. Finally, praise your child when they display good behavior so that they know that you are pleased with their efforts.

How to help my toddler express their creativity?

There are many ways in which you can help your toddler express their creativity. One way is to provide plenty of opportunities for them to explore different materials and mediums, such as crayons, paint, clay, etc. You can also encourage them to sing, dance, or act out stories. And finally, make sure to praise their efforts and creativity, no matter what the outcome may be.

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Activities for 3 to 5 Years Old: Educational Ideas for Preschoolers

What should a 3-5 year old be doing.

Between three and five years old, your child may start to show more social development. They might start to play with other children, tell stories, and even start to develop a sense of self.

What The Experts Say

"From ages 2 to 4 years old, play takes on new dimensions, becoming a dynamic platform for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. During early toddlerhood, toddlers begin to engage in repeated symbolic play that expands in later toddlerhood to more complex, sequenced, and imaginative play scenarios, expanding their creativity and problem-solving skills. They also practice and refine their motor skills, coordination, and balance through locomotor play, as they run, jump, climb, and manipulate objects. Play also becomes a powerful tool for language and social development, as toddlers engage in fantasy and pretend play, having more nuanced conversations with themselves and others, and exploring the power of words. And because play teaches toddlers valuable lessons in sharing, turn-taking and cooperation, it’s critical to social development." Noreen Commella, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist for HYM

Children aged 3 to 5 years old, also known as preschoolers, are at a crucial stage of development where they are eager to learn and explore the world around them. Engaging them in various activities can help develop their cognitive, social, and emotional skills. This article presents 21 educational ideas for preschoolers, including arts and crafts, math games, imaginative play, science experiments, group games, writing practice, reading, and puzzles.

1. Arts and Crafts: Collages and Clay Sculptures

Arts and crafts activities are an excellent way to develop preschoolers' creativity and fine motor skills. Encourage them to create collages using different materials like paper, fabric, and buttons. Provide them with clay or playdough to make simple sculptures, which can help improve their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

2. Basic Math: Counting Games and Simple Addition

Introduce basic math concepts to preschoolers through counting games and simple addition and subtraction activities. Use objects like toys, beads, or blocks to help them visualize the concepts and make learning more engaging.

3. Imaginative Play: Role-Playing Games

Foster imaginative play by encouraging preschoolers to participate in role-playing games. This can help develop their social and emotional skills, as well as their creativity and problem-solving abilities. Provide props and costumes to enhance their play experience.

4. Simple Science Experiments: Mixing Colors and Observing Plant Growth

Introduce preschoolers to the wonders of science through simple experiments like mixing colors with paint or observing plants grow. These activities can help develop their curiosity and understanding of the world around them.

5. Group Games: Sharing and Cooperation

Encourage group games that involve sharing and cooperation to help preschoolers develop their social skills and learn the importance of teamwork. Games like Duck, Duck, Goose or Musical Chairs are great options for this age group.

6. Writing Practice: Name Recognition and Letter Formation

Start teaching preschoolers to write their names and recognize letters by providing them with tracing activities and worksheets. This can help develop their fine motor skills and prepare them for more advanced writing tasks.

7. Reading: Storytime and Book Exploration

Introduce preschoolers to a wider range of books and encourage storytime to help develop their listening, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. Allow them to explore books independently and ask questions about the stories to enhance their understanding.

8. Puzzles: Increasing Difficulty and Complexity

Provide puzzles with more pieces and varying levels of difficulty to help preschoolers develop their problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. As they become more proficient, introduce more complex puzzles to keep them challenged and engaged.

9. Music and Movement: Singing and Dancing

Encourage preschoolers to participate in music and movement activities, such as singing and dancing. This can help develop their physical coordination, rhythm, and self-expression.

10. Outdoor Exploration: Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts

Take preschoolers on nature walks or organize scavenger hunts to help them explore and appreciate the outdoors. These activities can help develop their observation skills, curiosity, and appreciation for nature.

11. Cooking and Baking: Simple Recipes and Measuring

Involve preschoolers in simple cooking and baking activities to help them develop their math skills, such as measuring ingredients, and learn about different foods and flavors.

12. Sorting and Categorizing: Objects and Shapes

Teach preschoolers to sort and categorize objects based on their attributes, such as color, size, or shape. This can help develop their logical thinking and organizational skills.

13. Memory Games: Matching and Recall

Engage preschoolers in memory games, such as matching cards or recalling sequences of objects. These activities can help improve their concentration, attention, and memory skills.

14. Fine Motor Skills: Lacing and Beading

Provide activities that involve lacing or beading to help preschoolers develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

15. Gross Motor Skills: Obstacle Courses and Ball Games

Encourage preschoolers to participate in activities that develop their gross motor skills, such as obstacle courses or ball games. This can help improve their physical coordination, balance, and strength.

16. Emotional Development: Identifying and Expressing Emotions

Teach preschoolers to identify and express their emotions through activities like role-playing, storytelling, or drawing. This can help them develop their emotional intelligence and empathy.

17. Social Skills: Sharing and Taking Turns

Encourage preschoolers to practice sharing and taking turns during playtime to help them develop their social skills and learn the importance of cooperation and fairness.

18. Cultural Awareness: Exploring Different Cultures and Traditions

Introduce preschoolers to different cultures and traditions through stories, music, and art. This can help them develop an appreciation for diversity and a broader understanding of the world.

19. Environmental Awareness: Recycling and Conservation

Teach preschoolers about the importance of recycling and conservation through hands-on activities and discussions. This can help them develop a sense of responsibility for the environment and an understanding of sustainable practices.

20. Technology: Age-Appropriate Apps and Games

Introduce preschoolers to age-appropriate apps and games that promote learning and development. Ensure that screen time is limited and balanced with other activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.

21. Community Involvement: Visiting Local Attractions and Participating in Events

Involve preschoolers in community events and visit local attractions, such as libraries, museums, and parks. This can help them develop a sense of belonging and an understanding of their community.

What are some engaging activities for 3 to 5-year-old children?

For 3 to 5-year-old children, engaging activities should focus on developing their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and social skills. Some enjoyable activities include playing with building blocks or puzzles, engaging in imaginative play with dolls or action figures, participating in arts and crafts projects, and playing group games like Simon Says or Musical Chairs.

Always follow your child's cues and adjust the activities according to their needs and preferences. Supervise your child during these activities and ensure their safety and comfort at all times. Remember that every child is different, and their development may vary.

How can I support my 3 to 5-year-old child's development through activities?

Supporting your 3 to 5-year-old child's development involves providing them with a variety of stimulating activities that encourage motor skill development, cognitive growth, and social skills. Playing with building blocks or puzzles can enhance their problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. Engaging in imaginative play with dolls or action figures can support their creativity and social skills.

Participating in arts and crafts projects can improve their fine motor skills and self-expression. Playing group games like Simon Says or Musical Chairs can promote physical activity, coordination, and cooperation. Be patient and consistent with these activities, and always create a nurturing and supportive environment for your child to explore and learn at their own pace.

What are some activities to promote the physical development of 3 to 5-year-old children?

For 3 to 5-year-old children, engaging in activities that promote physical development is essential for their overall health and well-being. One activity is to encourage outdoor play, such as running, jumping, climbing, or playing ball games. This helps your child develop their strength, coordination, and balance.

Another activity is to introduce your child to structured physical activities, such as dance, gymnastics, or martial arts classes. This not only helps develop their physical skills but also promotes discipline, focus, and social interaction. You can also engage your child in activities that involve fine motor skills, such as drawing, painting, or threading beads, which helps to develop their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

How can parents support their 3 to 5-year-old children's creativity and imagination through play?

Supporting the creativity and imagination of 3 to 5-year-old children is crucial for their cognitive and emotional development. One way to do this is by providing a variety of open-ended toys and materials that encourage exploration and creativity, such as building blocks, art supplies, or dress-up clothes. This allows your child to create their own stories, designs, and scenarios, promoting their imagination and problem-solving skills.

Another activity is to engage your child in imaginative play, using toys or props to create stories and scenarios. This encourages creativity, critical thinking, and social development. You can also introduce your child to different forms of artistic expression, such as music, dance, or theater, which helps to stimulate their creativity and appreciation for the arts. By providing opportunities for creative play and expression, you are fostering your child's overall development and growth.

More Child Development Activities

Activities for 2 to 3 years old, activities for 5 to 7 years old, explore hym, our offerings, autism, adhd, occupational, speech & language.

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Preschool Crafts

Keep kids ages 3 to 5 years busy with these fun and educational craft activities.

Cupcake Liner Flowers

Cupcake Liner Flowers

Have fun turning colorful cupcake liners into pretty paper flowers

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Paper Plate Crown

Transform a paper plate into an easy crown—make it into a prince or princess crown, or decorate it for special occasions like Valentine's day, St. Patrick's day or even Mardi Gras

Crayon Resist Lines

Crayon Resist Lines

Draw invisible images on white paper with white crayon and reveal the images after painting over them

Baby Birds in a Nest

Baby Birds in a Nest

Welcome spring by crafting your own nest of fluffy pompom baby birds

Coffee Filter Flowers

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Create brightly-colored paper flowers using coffee filters and some food coloring or washable markers

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Alphabet Drawing Board craft

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Car Track Painting craft

Car Track Painting

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Christmas Stick Puppets

Christmas Tree Shapes Activity craft

Christmas Tree Shapes Activity

Circles Bear craft

Circles Bear

Circles Lollipop craft

Circles Lollipop

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Circus Finger Puppets

Clothespin Dragonfly craft

Clothespin Dragonfly

Clothespin Farm Animals craft

Clothespin Farm Animals

Coffee Filter Butterflies craft

Coffee Filter Butterflies

Coffee Filter Flowers craft

Community Helper Stick Puppets

Craft Stick Photo Frame craft

Craft Stick Photo Frame

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activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

20 amazing things to do outdoors with your preschooler

Balloon tennis, Listening Lions, ice painting, treasure hunts – and more... We've 20 fun-filled outside-play ideas for preschoolers

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

  • Tara Breathnach
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Your 3 to 5 year old loves getting outdoors for active play – and there are lots of fun games you can play together in the garden, the backyard or the local park without too much prep or faffing around for materials.

We've pulled together here some of our favourite preschooler games for playing outside – from making a nature table to playing Avoid the Crocodile to balloon tennis, mud painting, making teepees and hunting for dinosaur eggs.

Here's our pick of 20 amazing outdoor games to play with your preschooler...

1. ride to the number.

Your child will need a ride-on toy, balance bike, micro scooter or trainer bike for this one. Make a number of chalk circles on on a driveway, patio or pavement and chalk a different (simple) number inside each one. Call out 1 of the numbers and see how fast your child to zoom, scoot or pedal their way to it. Repeat, with a different number – for as long as you and your child like. If your child's not old enough to recognise numbers yet, you could chalk colours inside the circles instead.

2. Colour in chalk shapes

Drawing chalk mathematical shapes

Use some masking tape or parcel tape (or sticky tape) to mark out simple geometric shapes (triangle, square, rectangle, quadrilateral) on your patio, fence, shed or wall. Give your child some coloured chalks and get them to colour in the shapes in different colours – it won't matter if they go over the edges. Then peel off the tape together to reveal the perfect shapes – and talk about the names for the shapes you can see, and which ones are bigger and smaller, and so on.

3. Play Float or Sink

Fill a washing-up bowl with water and give your child different items to place on the water in turn – to see if they float or sink. Help your child to group the items into 2 piles: those that drop to the bottom and those that stay on the water. What do the items that sunk to the bottom all have in common?

More like this

4. find and hatch dinosaur eggs.

Frozen dinosaur eggs looking

This one needs a little prep the day before with some balloons and a freezer (see our step-by-step guide to making dinosaur eggs for all the instructions you'll need). But it's so worth it for the sheer thrill on your child's face as they discover the nest in your garden or backyard. And, once the eggs have been found, your child can have fun slowly pouring warm water from a bowl or jug – or even squirt warm water from a squeezy bottle or meat baster – to slowly melt away the frozen egg casings and reveal the dinosaurs inside.

5. Build a toy teepee

Help your child find a handful of sticks to tie together at the top with string. Drop a tea towel or two or over the top to make a tepee for your child’s toys. Enjoy the pretend-play that follows: who knew Teddy was so bad at going to sleep properly?!

  • Rather buy a play tent instead? See our pick of the best kids' teepees and play tents

6. Create arty bark (or coin) rubbings

tree bark with toddler hands

All you need to make great rubbings are chunky crayons and large sheets of paper – old newspaper is fine. Put the paper over a lovely gnarly bit of tree bark and then rub with the crayon to produce a print. If you can't find any suitable trees in your garden or park, your child could make rubbings, in the same way, with coins from your purse. The finished rubbings make great wrapping paper for birthday presents – a lovely way to show off your child's artwork.

7. Do some mud painting

Find a patch of dry earth. Fill a bowl or jug with water and let your child pour it onto the earth to make a little mud puddle. Or, for a slightly less messy alternative, you could add the earth to the bowl and mix your mud in there. Lay out a large piece of paper on the ground (you can weight it down with stones at the corners) and let your child paint with the mud – either using their fingers or paintbrushes or even nearby twigs.

8. Play the Spotting Game

spotting list game

Download and print out our free 'Today I have seen' template and take it with you as you and your child go on a walk round your neighbourhood. What can you spot while you're walking? Can you tick off any of the things on the list?

9. Make your own ice lollies

What makes an ice lolly even more lovely than usual? When you've made it yourself. And your child can do just that – with a little help from you. Put some squash or fruit juice into a jug and show your child how to pour it out gently into separate plastic cups or (empty) yoghurt pots or shop-bought moulds. Add small slices of banana or strawberries, if you like, stick a teaspoon in each one (unless your mould has a 'stick' included), pop in the freezer – and stand impatiently in the kitchen until they frozen enough to eat.

  • Looking for lolly moulds? Here's 10 we really like

10. 'Blow out' dandelions

girl blowing dandelions

This is such simple thing but it's a source of endless preschooler joy – and a lifesaver if you're pegging out the washing! Pick some dandelions and show your child how to blow on them and send the fluffy seeds flying. If they have difficulty grasping the idea of blowing (rather than blowing raspberries!), you could try giving them a straw to blow through at first. Once they've got the idea, you can challenge them to see how few blows it takes them to blow all the seeds away.

11. Play the balloon toss game

Fill a few (uninflated) balloons with a few spoonfuls of rice (use a funnel or a thin cardboard tube to make this easier). Knot one end of a longish piece of string or ribbon around the balloon neck. Now make your 'targets': chalk a few biggish, separate circles on a pavement, backyard or driveway. And then, a little distance away, draw a 'launch line' for your child to stand on. Hand your child a rice-filled balloon to hold by the end of the string or ribbon and see if they can toss it so it lands in a target circle.

12. Make a nature table

child gathering nuts and seeds

From pieces of fallen-off tree bark, twigs and flowers to leaves, bird’s feathers and plain old pebbles, there’s loads of natural treasures to find and collect when you and your child go exploring together. Give your child a bowl to collect things in and then, when you're both home, set up a little table to display found treasures on – and help your child label them with sticky notes. Add to your table over several weeks, even as the seasons change, and encourage your child to show off their finds to visitors with a little show-and-tell session.

13. Make leaf and grass art

For a slightly different twist on nature-collecting, gather up all of one day's collected petals, grass, leaves, flowers, seed pods and twigs, find a big piece of paper (or 2), and let your child glue their nature treasures into a picture collage.

14. Hatch a butterfly

Find a caterpillar that you can watch turn into a butterfly or moth. June and July are the best months to for finding them: don't pick up one from the ground – you need to find one on a leaf, so you know what to feed it (most caterpillars only eat 1 type of plant). Once you’ve found your caterpillar, put it in a large plastic container with holes punched in the lid, and add in a few stems and leaves of the plant you found it feeding on. Feed it every day with the same plant type. Once it’s in its chrysalis (for butterflies), or cocoon (for moths), it’ll take a month or so to hatch out. When it hatches, you and your child can release it in the same spot you found it – and watch it flutter away.

15. Play Listening Lions

grassy

This take on the classic children's game Sleeping Lions is great way to calm down after lots of running around. Lie down on your back and get your child to do the same. Tell your child you're both sleepy lions who need a rest, You're both going to close your eyes and see you can be still for the longest – no fidgeting! Play the game this way a couple of times so your child gets the idea – then introduce the twist: next time, you'll both close your eyes and lie still for 30 seconds and listen to the sounds around you. When the time's up, tell each other what you heard.

16. Play Nature Circles

Take a piece of string, tie it in a medium-sized circle and place it on the grass. Then get your child to lie face down and talk about what they can see within the circle. Move the circle to different area of grass – can they see anything the same? Anything different?

17. Do some ice painting

Fill a bowl or plastic crate with ice cubes. Put some red, yellow and blue paint into (separate) squeezy bottles, with a little water to make the paint a bit more fluid. Let your child squeeze some paint from 1 of the bottles onto the ice cubes and watch them change colour. Then they can squeeze another colour in – what happens to the colours in the crate of ice? Repeat with the 3rd colour. By this time, your ice may be melting: but that's fine – time for some (colourful) water play!

18. Play Avoid the Crocodile

Tear newspaper into sheets and arrange them randomly around outside to make stepping stones. In the middle of your stepping stones, arrange several sheets to make a larger island. Tell your child their challenge is to jump from 1 stepping stone to the next until they've visited them all but, when you shout 'Crocodile!', they have to jump back to the island as quickly as possible.

19. Play balloon tennis

little girl playing with balloon

Blow up a balloon and show your child how to pat it up in the air and over towards you – for you to pat back. See how long you can keep your balloon 'rally' going. You could even use your washing line as a 'net', if you like. If your child gets really into the game, you could even make 'rackets' – using 2 wire coat hangers and a pair of tights. Cut the legs off the tights, bend the coat hangers into a diamond shape (and squash the hook down into a short handle, then, holding the 'handle', push the rest of the coat hanger down the leg of the tights, so that the nylon stretches over the wire, knot the rest of the tights legs around the handle, pad with cotton wool and secure with sticky tape. Your serve!

20. Hunt for treasure

Treasure hunts are super-fun for preschoolers. Give your child simple picture clues to find or write short clues that you can read out, such as ‘Look under a plant pot’ or ‘Find the next clue under a yellow flower’. Don't forget to make sure that the last clue leads to a little prize!

  • Free downloadable treasure hunt clues (they're mostly Easter-themed but 'toddler' clues are also great for preschoolers – and work all year round)
  • Amazing outdoor games for toddlers
  • Outdoor games for babies
  • Indoor games for preschoolers

Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

5 ways to play with the Surge Blaster by Gelblaster

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25 Easy Stem Activities for 3 5 Year Olds

Introducing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities to young children can be a fun and educational way to foster their curiosity and develop essential skills.

Engaging kids between the ages of 3 and 5 in hands-on STEM activities can help them explore the world around them, build problem-solving abilities, and encourage critical thinking.

To get you started, here are easy STEM activities for 3 5 Year Olds specifically designed for preschoolers, featuring simple materials and age-appropriate concepts.

These activities will not only provide hours of entertainment but also lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Let’s dive in and watch your little ones’ imaginations soar as they embark on these exciting STEM adventures!

Sink or Float Experiment:

20 Easy Stem Activities for 3 5 Year Olds

Introduce the concept of buoyancy to young children with a simple sink or float experiment. Fill a basin with water and gather a variety of objects such as a toy car, a rubber duck, a sponge, and a small rock. Encourage the children to predict whether each object will sink or float before placing them in the water. Observe and discuss the results together, noting the characteristics of objects that sink and those that float. This activity not only introduces the scientific method but also helps develop critical thinking and observation skills.

Building with Blocks:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Building structures with blocks is an excellent way to introduce engineering and spatial reasoning to young children. Provide a variety of building materials such as wooden blocks, plastic bricks, and cardboard tubes. Encourage the children to construct different structures, such as towers, bridges, and houses. Ask open-ended questions to prompt their thinking, such as how to make a tower taller or how to create a stable bridge. This activity promotes creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.

Nature Scavenger Hunt:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Take the children on a nature scavenger hunt to explore the world around them and introduce basic scientific concepts. Create a checklist with items such as leaves, rocks, flowers, and insects. Guide the children to observe and collect these items while discussing their characteristics and functions. Encourage them to ask questions and share their findings. This activity fosters curiosity, observation skills, and an appreciation for the natural world.

Related: 20 Wonderful Wall Games for Kids

Color Mixing:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Explore the wonders of color mixing by conducting a simple experiment using primary colors. Provide three small cups filled with water and add a few drops of red, yellow, and blue food coloring to each cup. Give the children pipettes or droppers to transfer the colored water and encourage them to mix different combinations in clear containers. Observe the changes in color and discuss the results. This activity introduces the concept of primary and secondary colors, as well as promoting fine motor skills and creativity.

Building a Simple Circuit:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Introduce basic concepts of electricity and circuits with a hands-on activity. Provide materials such as batteries, LED lights, and copper wire. Demonstrate how to connect the components to create a simple circuit that lights up the LED. Encourage the children to explore and experiment with different ways to connect the components. Discuss the flow of electricity and how the circuit works. This activity promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and an understanding of basic circuitry.

Related: 20 Brilliant Geoboard Activities for Kids

Magnetic Exploration:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Introduce the concept of magnetism by providing a variety of magnetic and non-magnetic objects such as paper clips, buttons, plastic toys, and wooden blocks. Allow the children to experiment with magnets and explore which objects are attracted to them. Encourage them to sort the objects into two categories: magnetic and non-magnetic. This activity promotes observation skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of basic magnetic properties.

Shadow Play:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

On a sunny day, take the children outside to explore shadows. Provide objects of various shapes and sizes, such as toys, leaves, and blocks. Encourage the children to experiment by placing the objects in the sunlight and observing the shadows they cast. Ask questions about the size and shape of the shadows and how they change when objects are moved closer or farther from the light source. This activity introduces basic concepts of light and shadow and promotes observation and prediction skills.

Sensory Science:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Engage the children’s senses by creating a sensory science station. Set up different sensory bins filled with materials like rice, sand, water beads, or shaving cream. Add small objects like measuring cups, funnels, or toy animals for exploration. Encourage the children to touch, pour, and explore the materials while discussing their observations. This activity promotes sensory development, fine motor skills, and scientific exploration.

Nature Engineering:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Take a nature walk with the children and encourage them to collect natural materials like sticks, leaves, and rocks. Back indoors, provide playdough and challenge the children to use natural materials to build structures or sculptures. Discuss the different properties of the materials and how they can be used in construction. This activity promotes creativity, problem-solving, and an understanding of basic engineering principles.

Sink or Swim Boat Challenge:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Using aluminum foil, challenge the children to design and build boats that can float in a container of water. Provide various materials such as straws, popsicle sticks, and tape to assist with construction. Encourage the children to experiment with different boat designs and sizes to see which ones float and hold the most weight. This activity introduces the concepts of buoyancy, design thinking, and problem-solving.

Bubble Science:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Engage the children in the fascinating world of bubbles. Provide bubble solution and various tools such as bubble wands, straws, and pipe cleaners. Encourage the children to experiment with different bubble sizes and shapes by blowing bubbles or using the tools provided. Discuss what makes bubbles form and pop, and how different factors like air and surface tension affect them. This activity promotes curiosity, observation skills, and understanding of basic scientific principles.

Pattern Play:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Introduce patterns to young children using objects like colored blocks, buttons, or stickers. Start a simple pattern and invite the children to continue it, or let them create their own patterns. Encourage them to explore patterns in different ways, such as color, shape, or size. This activity develops critical thinking, pattern recognition, and mathematical concepts.

Gardening Exploration:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Allow the children to get their hands dirty and learn about plants and nature through gardening. Provide small pots, soil, and seeds or seedlings. Guide the children in planting and caring for their own plants. Discuss the growth process, parts of a plant, and the importance of sunlight and water. This activity fosters a connection with nature, observation skills, and an understanding of the plant life cycle.

Shape Hunt:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Take the children on a shape hunt adventure, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. Provide them with a list of shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles. Encourage them to search for objects that match each shape. Discuss the attributes of the shapes they find and how they can be found in everyday objects. This activity promotes shape recognition, observation skills, and spatial awareness.

Sensory Experiments:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Engage the children in sensory experiments that explore different materials and their properties. Set up stations with materials like sand, water, clay, and rice. Provide tools such as spoons, funnels, and cups for exploration. Encourage the children to manipulate the materials and observe their characteristics, such as texture, weight, and responsiveness to touch. This activity stimulates the senses, develops fine motor skills, and encourages scientific exploration.

Shadow Tracing:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

On a sunny day, bring out large sheets of paper and various objects with interesting shapes. Place the objects on the paper and let the children trace their shadows with pencils or crayons. Encourage them to compare the shapes of the objects and their corresponding shadows. Discuss why the shadows change shape and size throughout the day as the position of the sun changes. This activity promotes observation skills, critical thinking, and understanding of light and shadow.

Straw Rockets:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Engage the children in a fun and interactive engineering activity by making straw rockets. Provide paper, markers, scissors, and tape along with flexible straws. Help the children decorate and cut out rocket shapes from the paper, then attach them to the straws using tape. Encourage them to blow through the straw to launch their rockets and observe how far they fly. Discuss the concepts of force, motion, and trajectory. This activity stimulates creativity, fine motor skills, and understanding of basic physics.

Animal Tracks Exploration:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Take the children on an outdoor adventure to explore animal tracks. Look for tracks in mud, sand, or snow, or use pictures or plastic animal footprints if outdoor exploration is not possible. Encourage the children to observe and identify different animal tracks. Discuss the unique features of each track and encourage them to make predictions about the animals that made them. This activity promotes observation skills, critical thinking, and an appreciation for nature.

Sensory Sink or Float:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Create a sensory bin with various objects and fill it with water. Gather objects that sink, float, or do both, such as plastic toys, wooden blocks, and foam shapes. Invite the children to explore and predict whether each object will sink or float by placing them in the water. Encourage them to use their senses to observe the objects’ textures, weights, and buoyancy. This activity combines sensory play with scientific exploration and fosters observation skills and critical thinking.

Straw Building Challenge:

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Provide the children with a set of straws and connectors like pipe cleaners or tape. Challenge them to build structures using the straws and connectors, such as towers, bridges, or houses. Encourage them to experiment with different designs and discuss what makes their structures strong or stable. This activity promotes creativity, problem-solving, and an understanding of basic engineering principles.

Recommended:

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  • 22 Polar Bear Art & Craft for Preschoolers
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activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Sohaib Hasan Shah

Sohaib's journey includes 10+ years of teaching and counseling experience at BCSS School in elementary and middle schools, coupled with a BBA (Hons) with a minor in Educational Psychology from Curtin University (Australia) . In his free time, he cherishes quality moments with his family, reveling in the joys and challenges of parenthood. His three daughters have not only enriched his personal life but also deepened his understanding of the importance of effective education and communication, spurring him to make a meaningful impact in the world of education.

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Best Activities for 3-Year-Olds

Medical review policy, latest update:, what skills is your child developing at 3 years, social and emotional skills, language and communication skills, cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills , best activities for 3-year-olds, string together pasta necklaces, rescue the toys, take care of the baby, introduce a board game, mix the colors, build with blocks.

Pasta necklaces, simple board games and gigantic block towers are just some of the easy ways you can make your 3-year-old's day both entertaining and educational. So find what sounds like fun and get started!

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Resources for parents to get through the challenges.

21 Fun Things to Do with a 3-Year-Old: Put that Toddler Energy to Good Use

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

If you’re the parent of a rowdy toddler, you’re not alone! Fortunately, you can positively channel all that energy and curiosity with our suggestions for 21 things to do with a 3-year-old below.

Things to do with a 3 year old

Three-year-olds are amazing, they have such a sense of wonder about the world and are so full of fun. But keeping them busy can feel like a full-time job.

We have put together some fun activities that you can do with your 3-year-old . Whether you’re stuck inside on a rainy day or embracing it boot-in-puddle style, these 21 great ideas help develop creativity, fine motor skills, imaginative play. (Not to mention, keeping them busy and entertained!)

In this article

Sensory Play Activities

Pretend play/imaginative play activities, five fun outdoor activities for 3-year-olds, six fine motor skills activities for 3-year-olds, what should a 3 year old know educationally, should a three-year-old know the alphabet, should a three-year-old be potty trained, can 3-year-olds draw people, fun with toddlers: summary, ten indoor activities for 3-year-olds.

There are a wealth of activities that you can do with a 3-year-old when the weather is less than favorable. As much as kids may enjoy the freedoms of the outdoors, this doesn’t mean you should underestimate the importance of some creative ideas and a few pieces of paper!

Sensory stimulation is a vital way to develop the sensory pathways and promote healthy development in your child. This stimulation can also promote wonderful opportunities for communication and strengthening bonds.

1. Playdough

A great fun way to get your children to use their imagination and make some amazing creations.

You can also have some fun making your own salt dough if you find you don’t have play dough to hand.

This is also a fun activity for them to practice their fine motor skills. Just provide them with some simple tools for cutting, chopping, and shaping the dough. Working the dough hones the strength and coordination of those tiny fingers and hands whilst they play.

2. Rice and Beans

This activity is so much fun and really helps your 3-year-olds to use their imagination.

All you need is some dry rice or beans and then lots of different-sized containers for them to pour them back and forth. Give them spoons, scoops, cups, and even a mesh strainer, and see the fun they have.

You can even encourage your kid to have some fun by mark-making, or showing them how to draw in the different textures.

For some added fun you could always dye the rice a range of colors using food coloring. This gives an extra layer of creativity to this activity for all kids and can help your three-year-olds to recognize colors and their names.

3. Water Beads

Water beads are a fantastic way to make learning fun and improve children’s hand-eye coordination through sensory play, and they can also double up as a fun outdoor activity.

You can use a variety of play ideas to improve kids’ pouring and counting skills and even include other toys and puzzles to create your own racecourse to blow the water beads through!

4. Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts

Arts and crafts cover a broad range of activities from finger painting , using pipe cleaners, working with a glue stick, cutting out, and using chalk or markers.

You really can let their imaginations run wild. Depending on the time of year you could make cards using colored paper, do some potato printing or use some toy cars and run them through the paint to see the patterns that their wheels make.

These activities provide a fun sensory experience for your little one.

Making fun craft activities doesn’t need to be expensive either, often activities for 3-year-olds can involve several steps such as outdoor exploring to collect materials that can be attached to colored paper using a glue stick or printing using leaves and other items that you may have collected.

You could even just print off some coloring sheets and let your child have some fun exploring their own ideas.

5. Making Lunch

Another great way to involve your preschoolers in daily activities is to let them help you prepare lunch. It’s the ultimate hands-on task that can help to improve their relationship with food in the future too!

Having more control over what your little ones choose and prepare for food can increase the likelihood of them clearing their plate. It also taps into different developmental domains, eliminating the need for lots of toys overwhelming them.

You can help them get creative with different shapes and patterns when chopping up fruit and veggies and make games out of everyday activities to promote wonderful fun for your little ones.

Not only can cooking together improve your kids reading skills, but it can also teach your child valuable life skills that will stay with them throughout the course of their life.

If your young kids struggle to maintain focus on a task then you can draw or write the recipe onto some paper and watch them stay focused to ensure a great outcome.

One of the most widely recognized methods of improving kids’ speech and imagination is through play.

Many a qualified professional says this quality time together can make learning great fun. It helps teach kids exciting new ways to play in the world around them as well as improve fine motor skills, without the need for expensive toys.

Imaginative play activities for 3-year-olds work best when your child can re-enact experiences you have noticed them taking an interest in. L their ideas and imagination take the lead to enable open-ended fun with no structure.

6. Reading Books

Reading books

Although you may already read with your three-year-old every day, you can make your child’s face light up by adding funny faces and voices. Not only will it delight your little one, but it will help them to identify characterizations and follow narratives.

Kids love this type of quality time together when you read books; eye contact can help to immerse your three-year-old in the story further.

It will promote a great bonding experience and help your kids associate reading as a positive experience (a net benefit well into adulthood).

There is plenty of information online showing the best books to read to your kids , and sometimes this website provides printouts for activities related to these books.

Before reading a book you could mentally take some ideas for a nice list of questions you can ask throughout the story to encourage your kid’s imagination. This will help make the most of that childlike creativity and vivid imagination when reading books with them.

7. Put On a Puppet Show

One of the most overlooked and hilarious activities for 3-year-olds is to put on a puppet show using anything you can find around the house.

You can set up a stage, make up stories together and see what great ideas your little one can come up with in their very own first performance.

Your child will love something as simple as a sock puppet, or you can even encourage them to draw a paper puppet for you to play with together.

You could use this as a chance to re-enact a difficult scenario your child may have encountered. Address their emotions at the time to enable a healthy outcome to any tantrums in the future.

8. Run a Store

Running a store is a fantastic role play experience that kids love, you can take on any role and even spend time doing fun crafts to create a store sign beforehand.

Kids love to mimic the activities they see in everyday life, and you can often find many children’s toy websites that will feature their own pretend play and toy sections to help your kids take part in their favorite roleplay scenarios.

Toddler Teatime: The Best Tea Sets for Imaginative Play

You could sell board games, pretend to play in a bowling alley or even include their own favorite activities into the play on the days when you don’t want to leave the house!

Engaging in these forms of communication gives your kids the chance to improve their language and writing skills by using phrases they wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to use.

9. Safari Adventure

This is a great activity for your 3-year-old or any other kids for that matter! Your child will love this play set up and can be fully customizable using the toys your child has available.

You can get creative in the house, by drawing on paper to make little hiding spots for your safari animals, or take your child outdoors and hide their safari toys around for them to spot!

You could put together a list on a piece of paper and develop their knowledge of animals by printing fun fact sheets from any website your child enjoys and turn this pretend play into a great learning experience.

10. Doctors and Nurses

Setting up your child their very own hospital playset is a great way to eliminate any fears your toddlers may have of a medical setting and familiarize them with some of the familiar medical terms and equipment.

With some paper signs, or even some website print outs you can decorate the walls to replicate a doctor’s office and treat your patients (dolls, toys, anything your child wants!) and let their creative sides go wild.

Outdoor activities for 3 years olds

One of the best ways to cheer up a grumpy preschooler is by adventuring on outdoor activities and letting their imagination take over, from a scavenger hunt to pretend play, you can find so many great ideas for activities that your three-year-olds are going to find fun.

11. Mud Kitchen

Mud kitchens are a staple preschooler activity that helps to make learning fun by improving knowledge of the outdoors.

The best part about a mud kitchen is that it is fully adaptable and can be used for older kids too.

From a muddy tea party to mixing bowls full of grass and seeds, the number of ideas for your 3-year-olds mud kitchen can lead to hours of great activities and endless fun craft, without having to worry about any mess on your kitchen floor.

12. Toy Car Race Tracks

Toy car races

It often feels like you can miss out on all the fun if your garden space is less than desirable. Even if you only have a small space, this doesn’t mean imaginative play needs to be limited to inside the house.

You can create an obstacle course for your child and their toy cars to race through by drawing chalk on the floor to create a fun race track kids will love. It’s simple fun stuff like this that makes the best activities for 3-year-olds.

13. Blow Bubbles

Blowing bubbles

Bubbles are a great way to play with any kid of all ages. Taking some out and about with you and your preschoolers is a great game to involve others and even watch your kid make friends with others effortlessly!

You can make some great games with bubbles which require lots of imagination that your kid will love. Some firm favorites include-

  • Making bubble wands
  • Hula hoop bubbles
  • Clap the bubbles
  • Add paint to your bubbles

You can make your own bubbles by mixing 1 cup of dish soap with warm water and bending an old coat hanger to make a DIY bubble blower and letting your kids enjoy this fun activity.

14. Board Games

Board games are not only a great idea for activities for 3-year-olds, they can be a fun way to include kids and toddlers of all ages and teach them wonderful new ways to solve puzzles and play a game in a social setting with the whole family.

You could even include it as a once-a-week treat to spend some quality family time together doing something you all enjoy.

Even simple board games can help to improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity in any child, as well as teaching the valuable lesson of learning to follow rules and wait your turn.

Your 3-year-old may be struggling with the idea of sharing their toys and involving others in their game, but a board game can help to encourage your 3-year-old or any other child to play as a team and work together.

15. Car Wash

Water play is always a winner with kids–and you can also get a free car wash out of this activity!

Fill a bucket with water and some toddler-safe shampoo/soap and give them a variety of brushes, sponges, and cloths to clean with. You can get them to clean the family car, a favorite  toy fire truck , their bike or scooter, or even an older sibling’s bicycle.

On a hot day, you can finish up the activity by letting them rinse off their car wash with the hose before drying up and showing off their clean new ride around the block.

Fine motor skills activities

16. Threading Objects

Threading beads is a fantastic and highly versatile activity that focuses on supporting your child as they work on those fine motor skills.

It will involve their perceptual, visual, and pincer grip as they focus on correctly threading the objects onto their string.

This can be a great calming activity to relieve stress and unwind after a hard day and allow your child to get creative and explore the different patterns they can make within their beads of choice

You can use anything to make this activity come to life which is a fantastic way to reduce spending on new toys you don’t have room for. You can thread any beads of choice from wooden beads, metal, buttons, leaves, felt, or even shapes.

You don’t have to use string either! It could be spaghetti, pipe cleaners, macaroni, a colander, holes in a lid, or anything you can find that would fit the activity!

Threading is a highly versatile activity that your child will enjoy at any age and can be highly adaptable to your three-year-old preferences.

17. Building Blocks

One of the most highly recognizable toddler toys is the wide variety of stacking and building blocks that are all designed to have a versatile approach to aid their learning.

These blocks can be solid and easy to stack or interlink to focus on their engineering skills.

Structured block play is highly adaptable and can help improve color work and mathematic skills as a visual representation can help your little ones to understand basic mathematic concepts easier.

18. Webbed Baskets

Grab a small basket and some string and watch your kids love trying to solve this puzzle!

You can alter the amount of yarn you use in order to suit their abilities with this task and give them some tweezers, tongs or even a clothes peg to fish out small toys you place under the layers of string.

You can use any toys you have to hand such as plastic spiders, wooden pegs, or figurines your child loves! This activity is suitable for older children too if you want to improve their fine motor skills.

19. Gem Patterns

If you want to start focusing on patterns and shapes within letters then this is a great idea that kids love!

Using any buttons, beads, or shiny gems you have, trace a pattern onto some paper and get your child to follow the pattern with their chosen material.

You can even get them to focus more on creating a repetitive pattern with the colors of their buttons and beads to work on their concentration skills.

You could also alter this activity to include pipe cleaners and get your kids to bend and wiggle them into the right shapes and focus their hand strength.

20. Fidget Objects

Fidget Toys

Making your own fidget pillow isn’t as difficult as you may think, although there are several available online to purchase.

You can introduce a variety of different developmental activities to help improve your child’s skills. You can include zippers, buttons, switches, locks, or even doorknobs and attach them to a board or block for your toddler to focus on the individual skills that they’re most interested in.

21. Scissor Skills

Introducing the use of scissors can be a highly scary topic for a 3-year-old, but around this age, it is perfectly normal for them to develop an interest in this exciting-looking object.

Showing your child the safest ways to use scissors is the best way to introduce the use of scissors and also improve their visual-motor skills as well as an appreciation and understanding for appropriate tool usage.

There are a few fun activities you can introduce the use of scissors to your toddler:

  • Cutting Playdough
  • Cutting foam sheets
  • Cutting string/ yarn
  • Cutting paper

All of these methods are a great way to get creative with your little one, but of course, make sure you watch over them as they work on this new skill so you can appropriately help them learn how much fun this can be.

If your child is already familiar with the use of scissors you can draw some interesting patterns on paper for them to follow along with their scissors to work on their steady hand and gripping skill ready for all the crafts to come!

Frequently Asked Questions

As parents, we can spend a lot of time worrying about our children’s development and if they are meeting the correct milestones. Here are some frequently asked questions about your three-year-old to help.

At three years of age, most kids should be able to correctly name common colors, memorize parts of stories, understand a better concept of time, have a wider creative thought, understand differences in sizing and notice the difference in similar and different features.

By this age, your child will usually not remember the whole alphabet, but often will be able to remember around half the letters and their sounds in order to connect a letter to their sound.

Most children will not fully master potty training until their fourth year, although if you start around 18 months of age then they may begin being fully potty trained during their third year.

Usually, around this age, a drawing of a person will emerge with a “tadpole” style, and a head attached directly to the legs with some arms sticking from the sides.

Related Reading: 12 Kid-Friendly Card Games

At three-year-olds your child will be showing so much more emotion and awareness of the world around them.

During this important stage of understanding their own mind and body, you can really ease this developmental stage through creative play and educational learning to make the job of learning these new skills easy and stress-free for the caregivers.

Filling each day with exciting and entertaining age-appropriate activities can seem like an overwhelming task, but having access to open-ended toys and multi-purpose materials can do the world of good for your little one and help them play and learn together.

This article has covered some of the firm favorites that toddlers know and love, and given you some ideas for ways to improve your three-year-olds developing skills in a fun and appropriate way that can get the whole family involved.

15 Fun Places To Take Babies

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activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Music & Movement Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

If you have a little one, you already know preschoolers love to move, explore, and make noise! They are learning by exploring and experimenting. Attention spans are limited, and music lessons that insist on simply sitting still and listening will likely fail. Kids this age learn best by involving their bodies and moving. I’ve taught ‘piano’ to students as young as 3, but these lessons were filled with movement activities. You can easily do many of the same activities with your own kids at home!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the link. See the full disclosure for more information.

What are Music & Movement Activities?

Music and movement activities let preschoolers explore music through movement. They use their bodies, simple rhythm instruments, and large movements. This is ideal for learning music at this age and gives 3-5 year olds a chance to experience music, and rhythm in age-appropriate ways.

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Why are Music & Movement Important for 3-5 Year Olds?

Gross motor skills.

Movement games involving tapping and clapping help children develop coordination. They also develop an awareness of their bodies and personal space. Music and movement activities also help little ones build the foundation of motor skills for life skills like tying their shoes.

Kids enjoy moving creatively and exploring sounds. Music and movement encourage imagination. For example, kids might imagine and creatively act out an animal while listening to classical music. Encouraging creativity helps kids develop problem-solving skills as they get older.

Preparation for later music lessons 

Similar to language skills, this is an ideal age to start learning music by listening to it and imitating sounds. While reading music doesn’t happen any faster if you start at the preschool level, preschool children who have a music education will have a strong basis for music lessons later. They also often develop a strong sense of rhythm more easily than children beginning at an older age.

Listening skills

Musical movement games usually involve listening to and following directions. Children will also be actively listening in action songs and games. Building these skills before they are in school with fun music games is a great idea!

Social skills

In group settings, 3-5 year olds will learn to work alongside others and respect each other’s physical space while they are moving about. They also learn to cooperate and listen to each other. For example, when participating in a circle song or game, or when they are clapping, tapping, or singing in time together.

Tips for success

Open-ended activities are a great idea at home where children can explore and learn informally. Let them be creative and experiment with music, movement, and making sounds. More structured activities will be most successful for 3-5 year olds when they are well planned, flexible, and short.

Music and movement activities for preschool children

Activity Ideas for Preschool Music and Movement Activities

Below are 7 music & movement activity ideas for you to try with your preschooler. 3 year olds are very different from 5 year olds, of course, so adapt the activities to your child.

Shakers 

I think shakers are the best instrument for the youngest kids. They are easy to grasp and keep hold of, and they don’t need a high level of coordination to get started. Preschoolers will enjoy shaking along to the music, or holding them while dancing to create more noise. They can begin to follow the beat with their shakers, and also use them for the other activities below

Other rhythm instruments

Most rhythm instruments are a good fit for children by age 3 or 4. Fun options include small drums, jingle bells, or rhythm sticks. Let your children explore the different sounds and create their own music. Or use them to follow the beat in a simple song.

A fun example is to adapt ‘ The Ants Go Marching’ song for rhythm instruments to sing: ‘The sticks go tapping’ or ‘The bells go jingling’. The song has a strong beat and an easily learned melody with repetitive words, which are all good at this age. Preschoolers love repetition with small changes, such as the same song with a new motion or action.

Free movement & Dancing

Scarves and ribbons are a lot of fun to use as props for 3-5 year olds. Be sure to supervise of course, especially for the youngest ones.

Encourage your children to listen to the music and act out how it sounds. For example, if you played ‘The Skating Waltz’ (by Emile Waldteufel) they could glide around the room waving their scarf slowly in the air. Maybe they would pretend to be a princess or a ballerina, but probably not a dinosaur!

You could listen to ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’  (by Rimsky-Korsakov) and pretend to buzz around the room quickly. Perhaps another piece of music would encourage slow and heavy stomping like a dinosaur.

Motion songs 

Sing action songs with your children, or play them from YouTube or your favorite playlist. Some of my favorite action songs are:

  • ‘The Hokey pokey’ – this such a fun activity for kids, and will lead to lots of giggles! It also teaches about the body and awareness of space while moving your body.
  • ‘Wheels on the bus’ – This can be sung and acted out. It’s also fun to substitute the words. For example sing ‘The feet on the bus go stomp, stomp, stomp ‘ or ‘hands go clap, clap, clap’ or ‘noses go beep’. Encourage your kids to be creative and come up with some more ideas!
  • ‘Ring Around the Rosie’ and similar circle chants with actions are also a good fit for preschoolers. Although they are great for larger groups, you can still do these songs with as little as just 2 people at home with your child.
  • ‘Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around’ – rhyming song
  • ‘I’m a Little Teapot’ action song

Freeze dance 

You’re probably familiar with the freeze dance game. You play music for everyone to dance to, and they must freeze when the music goes off or be out. This game is a great movement break from other activities to get kids up and moving to some tunes.

Imitation 

Imitation and copycat games help develop listening skills and rhythm. For example, you could play Simon Says’ using rhythms. If your children have shakers you could say ‘Simon says shake up high’ and then shake a rhythm for them to copy. Have fun with very simple rhythms, clapping them, singing them, or even tapping them on your nose!

Marching encourages children to feel the beat and rhythm of the music. Let your child create their own musical instrument. A maraca, shaker, or drum are all simple ideas you can make from things you have around the house. For example, a coffee can and wooden spoon drum, a plastic egg shaker, or a toilet paper roll taped closed and filled with beans.

Find some marching band music on YouTube or play your favorite children’s songs with a strong beat such as ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’. Your preschoolers can march along to beat with their new instruments and have a parade!

A favourite resource for rhythm instrument activities for preschoolers

rhythm instrument activities book

I’ve had some questions about more resources for music and movement activities for 3-5 year olds, especially using instruments. (If you’re interested in preschool piano I have some relevant posts) But, more relevant to this topic, are rhythm instrument activities. Rhythm instruments give preschoolers the opportunity to move their bodies while developing motor skills and making music.

My favourite resource for rhythm instrument activities (practically an encyclopedia of familiar songs, movement rhymes, and games) is a book I’ve had for quite a few years: 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children by Abigail Flesch Connors . I’d suggest this book especially for preschool teachers, or anyone in early childhood education wanting to incorporate more music and movement activities.

Music and movement activities with your preschooler

Music and movement activities are the perfect way for 3-5 year olds to experience music-making. They benefit both your child’s physical development and their learning. These are simple activities for parents to do at home with their kids and would be easily adaptable for preschool teachers as well.

What music activities does your preschooler enjoy?

You might also like:

  • Music and movement activity ideas – using movement card s
  • Free music resources

animal-movement-cards-cover

8 Responses

Can you email me some more ideas for art, music and movement activities for 3-5 year olds. Thank you

I’d be happy to – thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I’m afraid I don’t currently teach art, but focus on music – although there are many, many sites with excellent ideas for art with 3-5 year olds. One of my favourite music activities for preschoolers that also incorporates movement is to use rhythm instruments or body percussion along with repetitive songs or rhymes. I have an excellent book I use for the preschool age range called ‘101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children’ by Abigail Flesch Connors. I have had it for years. Movement cards are also a lot of fun for ages 3-5. They can be done with music (for example to practise a steady beat) or without. Here are a selection of printable movement cards available to purchase. I also have a free printable set of movement cards on my free music resources page . I hope that helps!

Musical instrument activity for 3-5 years old. i need visual art too

Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for a great resource for musical instrument activities for 3-5 year olds, I’d suggest checking out ‘101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children’ by Abigail Flesch Connors. It’s my go-to resource for songs, rhymes, and games for preschoolers using rhythm instruments (shakers, sticks, drums, bells, etc.). I’ve had this book for years, but will see if I can find a link to add to this post since it might be helpful to others as well. I don’t teach visual art, so I can’t help there, but I know if you do a google search you’ll find some excellent resources.

I teach piano, and have a mom who wants her 3-yr-old to learn. After several tries I have recommended she wait another year or two with him. She still wants me to try. I am currently trying to adapt how I teach my 5’s, but could use some other ideas. Couldn’t find your posts about that. ????

Thank you so much for visiting my site! I have 2 posts about preschool piano meant mostly for parents wanting to try some piano learning before committing to lessons :piano by color and activity ideas for learning the keys

However, if you’re a piano teacher, I have a few more suggestions that might help. Keep in mind just turned 3 vs 3 1/2 say, are quite different development-wise. I have taught older 3 year olds using the ‘My First Piano Adventure’ book A by Faber. I don’t think it would work well for younger 3 year olds though. I do highly recommend the books called ‘Wunderkeys Piano for Preschool’ by Andrea Dow. They are designed with 3 year olds in mind, and should work for your student. They are available on Amazon, and created by the lady who blogs on ‘Teach Piano Today’. I hope that help, I’d love to know if this works for your student. Teaching 3 year olds even with a good program, is a challenge for sure, and takes a lot of patience. Take care, Katharine

i really love the actvities.

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activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Hi, I'm Katharine!

I help parents and teachers with music activities for preschool and elementary even if they don’t feel musical or have limited time.

Through the years I’ve seen first hand the transformation music can make in children’s development and emotional well-being. I’m passionate about helping all children access a music education.

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Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

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25+ Dramatic Play Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

June 9, 2018 by Sheryl Cooper

Inside: Providing dramatic play activities is a great way to engage toddlers and preschoolers in role playing. Social skills are strengthened as the children interact with one another, too!

Let’s hear it for play ! These dramatic play ideas for toddlers and preschoolers are open ended and fun!

Pretend play is an important part of children’s development. They learn by imagining and doing . If you stand back and observe children involved in pretend play, they are often mimicking what they’ve seen adults do. We take all of this into consideration when planning what to place in our dramatic play area.

  • How will it be meaningful?
  • What props will work best?
  • How should it be organized?

The dramatic play area is also a great place to build communication skills , also. Dialogue is created as children are part of the pretend play.

In this post I’ve selected over 25 different dramatic play activities that can be done anytime of the year.

25+ Dramatic Play Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Before I begin sharing this collection, it’s important for new teachers to know that they do not need to change out their dramatic play center with each theme. It takes time to build a collection of materials (see our favorites at the end of this post). You can easily keep your dramatic play area stocked with a few staples.

Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Flower Market (with Printables)

The Garden Shop (Pre-Kinders)

Pumpkin Stand

Apple Stand

Honeybee Stand (Planning Playtime)

Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Winter Bear Cave Dramatic Play

Post Office

Movie Theater (Research Parent)

Zoo Animals (Teaching Mama)

Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Veterinarian Office (with Printables)

Bird’s Nest (Creekside Learning)

What’s the Weather? (Pre-K Pages)

Space (Catch a Star Ideas)

Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Spaghetti Shop (Where Imagination Grows)

Ice Cream Shop (Learning 4 Kids)

Chinese Restaurant (Pre-K Pages)

Bakery (Pre Kinders)

The Taco Bar (The Mama Workshop)

Donut Shop (Sara J Creations)

Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Doll Diaper Station (Happy Hooligans)

Our Babies (Teach Preschool)

Baby Nursery (Pre-K Pages)

Making Pancakes (The Imagination Tree)

Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Hair Salon (Pre-K Pages)

Pet Grooming Salon (Sunny Day Family)

Grocery Store (Paper and Glue)

Clothing Store (Pre-K Tweets)

Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

More toddler and preschool centers resources:

  • Our Favorite Toddler Learning Centers and How to Set Them Up
  • How to Set Up Preschool Learning Centers

Most popular videos about toddler and preschool centers:

  • How to Set Up Learning Centers
  • How to Handle Preschoolers Not Using Certain Centers
  • Tips on Managing the Toddler and Preschool Block Center
  • Putting Together Table Activities During Centers Time

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

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About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

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March 18, 2015 at 4:24 pm

What a great collection of dramatic play links! Thanks also for including mine. 🙂

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March 18, 2015 at 9:44 pm

Loved including yours, Karen!

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22 Self Esteem Activities for 3-5 Year Olds (Preschool & Kindergarten)

22 self esteem activities for 3-5 year olds (preschool & kindergarten).

Self-esteem is an important quality to instill in children. There are even things you can do to instill it in your children when they are super young. It doesn’t have to be a long drawn out conversation.

You can do activities and little things to help your children gain confidence in themselves, and live a happy fulfilling life. It can help them build a foundation of success.

With that said, in this article I am sharing some ideas for self esteem activities for 3-5 year olds . So, let’s get to it.

Why Is Self Esteem Important for 3-5 Year Olds?

According to a study done by the University of Washington, self-esteem is already established in kids by the time they are five. So, those first few years are super important.

The study says, “self-esteem appears to play a critical role in how children form various social identities. Our findings underscore the importance of the first five years as a foundation for life.” With this knowledge, it is good to come up with self esteem activities for 3-5 year olds to help improve a child’s self-esteem.

This post contains affiliate links. 

Child that is happy with arms above her head.

What To Teach 3-5 Year Olds About Self Esteem

Teaching kids about self-esteem is less about lecturing them on what it means and how they can improve it. It is more about implementing certain activities and habits in their life, that helps them naturally build a foundation of good self-esteem.

There are certain things we can do that help young kids gain confidence, love themselves, and become self-aware.

The Best Self Esteem Activities for 3-5 Year Olds (Kindergarten & Preschool)

There are several ideas that you can use to help children with self-esteem. You will also want to find the best one that works for you and your family. Maybe just implementing one of these things will work, or maybe you like 4-5 of them.

If you have no idea where to start, just pick one that sounds easiest and the most natural for you to implement and start doing it. Just see what happens.

Here’s my list of the best self esteem activities for 3-5 year olds. I hope you find some that you like!

Small Chores & Tasks

Giving kids responsibility has been known to show an increase in how they feel about themselves. Knowing that they can accomplish a task on their own, gives them confidence and pride. Even if they complain about doing it or while they are doing it, the feeling of accomplishment is there.

Plus, the more kids realize they can do, the better they feel, and the easier it gets. Positive feedback is also a great way to encourage them to complete tasks. If you’re looking for some reward charts or chore charts to help complete daily tasks, you can check them out in the graphic below.

Cars reward chart printable.

One On One Time

Spending one on one time with your child helps to create a lasting closeness and relationship with them. It also makes them feel loved and safe. If children can feel loved and safe at home, they are more confident in the world. Some one on one time ideas include:

  • Go for a walk
  • Read a book together
  • Go out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner
  • Go get dessert
  • Learn a new skill together
  • Do a puzzle
  • Bake together
  • Build something with blocks or Legos
  • Watch a movie
  • Star gazing
  • Build a fort
  • Go play mini golf

There are so many different things you can do together. For even more ideas, check out this boredom jar activity .

81 Fun and Easy Activities to Make a Boredom Busting Activity Jar.

Read Books Together

There are some pretty awesome books out there that help kids learn to be confident, and can teach them at their level. See below for some ideas.

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Help your child set small goals for himself and help him achieve them. These can be simple like brushing teeth every morning or night, waking up with a dry diaper, or picking up toys once a day.

I Love It When

Kids love to hear positive things about themselves. I heard once that what you tell your kids everyday becomes their inner monologue.

So, one thing that is good to do is tell them everyday at least one thing you loved about them that day. I try to do this every night before my kids go to sleep.

Exercise has a huge effect on our mental health, and that includes little kids. Make sure your kids are getting plenty of exercise, and it’s even better if they get it outside.

30 day kid's exercise challenge printable.

Act Of Kindness

Serving others is one of the best ways we can feel good about ourselves. Teach your kids to be kind and help others when they are young. Do kind things together as a family.

30 day kid's service challenge printable.

Compliment Ball

Toss around a ball and compliment the person you are throwing it to. This game can be really simple especially for a three year old. Even if they are just repeating the same thing. Just compliment each other as you throw it around.

Happy Journal

Write down all the things that you make you happy each day. You can do this with a journal, or just ask your child what made her happy that day. Getting into the habit of recognizing the good and how they feel is great for self-esteem.

If your child is starting to read and write, you can get a happy journal for him or her.

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Decision Making

Try to let your child make some of their own decisions throughout the day. This can be as simple as what they are eating for lunch, what time you’d like them to take a bath, and what show they want to watch. You could have them make bigger choices when the choice really doesn’t matter.

Make Something Together

Do a craft together (there are some great ideas below for self-esteem crafts ), or make cookies or dinner. Find something you can create together.

Try to let your child take the lead most of the time, just be there to assist. It could even be as simple as building a house out of blocks together.

Write Down What They Are Good At

Point out something everyday that your child is good at, or at least once a week. You could write it down and hang it on the fridge, or just let him or her know. Build up confidence your child’s strengths.

Positive Thinking

Help create habits of good positive thinking. This could be a reminder each morning to “make it a great day”.

Remind your child that he is in charge of his own happiness. Another great book that we have worked on in the past is called Be Positive . I think it has some great activities in there.

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Mirror Activities

Do some mirror self talk. Tell your kids to look in the mirror and say “you’re awesome”, “you’re strong”, “you’re beautiful”, or whatever you decide.

Making this a habit is great practice, and helps them learn to really believe it! Some great things to say in the mirror include:

  • I am doing great
  • I believe in myself
  • I am full of love
  • I am capable
  • I am strong
  • I am hopeful
  • I am going to make today a great day
  • I love my life
  • I am healthy
  • I love my body
  • I am grateful

Self-Aware Mood Tracker

Helping kids become self-aware contributes a lot to their self-esteem. When they can recognize how they are feeling, and maybe why they are feeling that way, they can learn what makes them happy, sad, or angry, and work around those things.

Most adults don’t even know why they are upset or frustrated. If kids can figure out how they are feeling, maybe they can figure out the why and work on it. This mood tracker chart is great to help with this.

Mood tracker for kids.

The Top Self Esteem Crafts for Preschoolers

There are some simple crafts that you can do to help build a child’s self-esteem. Some of these compliment the above listed activities. These can easily be done in the home or at school. These crafts can be as simple or as advanced as you’d like. The templates included can help.

Color & Make a Reward Chart

As mentioned above, have your child or student complete daily tasks to help build confidence in her abilities. You can even have a reward chart to help her accomplish it each day.

Reward charts can be fun, and to help them get excited for it, you can make one together. Here is a fun coloring reward chart .

Mirror Craft

Make this fun mirror craft by using mirror paper , so it can look like an actual mirror. It’s easy and fun to put together and can help children feel empowered. The template includes instructions as well as positive affirmations on each mirror.

Confidence mirror craft - great for kids self-esteem.

Acronym Name

Create a fun acronym with their name. For example:

C- Charming H- Happy A- Amazing R- Radiant L- Loving I- Intelligent E- Excellent

Help your child come up with positive words that best describe him or her. You can create the acronym with a computer and print it out for each child.

Or, just write their name vertically on a paper or poster paper. You can also encourage your children to decorate their paper/poster when complete.

Color Their Face

It’s interesting to ask children to make a self portrait because you never know how they perceive themselves. This is a great way to help see how they see themselves and possibly correct it, or encourage them. A super simple craft, but lots of fun.

Self-awareness activity - blank canvas person template.

Affirmations Craft

Positive affirmations can go a long way. You never know which one will stick or which one they will learn to have on repeat in their head.

Color these fun affirmations cards , or make your own, and then store them in a jar and draw one every day or week. Or, you can read through them each day with your child. The printout includes different ideas on how you can use the affirmation cards.

Kids affirmation cards to help them grow self-esteem.

Confidence Flower

Make a confidence flower using this template . Children write the things they love about themselves on each petal and then glues the petals and center into a flower.

Their name would be written in the center, and they can color it however they like. Instructions are included with template. You can make this craft as simple or advanced as you like, there are 2 different templates to help.

Confidence flower - great for kids self-esteem.

Collage of Things They Love

Help your child make a collage of things that they love and things that they love about themselves. Use old magazines or print off some images and words online. You could do the cutting while the child glues the words and images onto a poster board or paper.

This is a fun way to see all the things they love. It is also a great way to do a vision board, if they wanted to set some simple goals. If you’d like to do all these crafts, you can check out the confidence bundle , which has all the templates!

Kids confidence crafts bundle.

Where Can I Use These Self Esteem Activities and Crafts for 3-5 Year Olds?

These self-esteem activities are really good anywhere. You can make or do them at home, at school, or help other loved ones in their lives to apply them as well. I mean, raising kids is definitely a group effort, it takes a village.

Some of these activities are super simple and can be slipped into your bedtime or morning routine. It can just become part of your everyday schedule. Other activities can be done at specific times and where you can make it more of a big deal, such as, in your classroom or preschool.

Teaching preschoolers and kindergartners how to have good self esteem is important. You can use the self esteem activities for 3-5 year olds above to help to do it.

Helping little ones build good self-esteem is more important in this age than we probably think. They have already established self-esteem by age 5. Try to start implementing some of these activities and crafts into your routine, so you can help facilitate their growth.

They don’t take up much time, and it’s the little things that make all the difference. A lot of these are also great for the classroom. You can do them in preschool, which can help parents at home.

However, don’t worry too much about not doing enough or doing it in time. Just do your best, and start small. It can even be just telling your child something you love about him or her before bedtime.

22 self esteem activities for 3-5 Year olds (preschool & kindergarten).

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12 comments.

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This article provides fun and engaging activities for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years to boost their self-esteem. The activities range from simple crafts like making a self-portrait to more challenging ones such as playing an empathy game. The article emphasizes the importance of building children’s self-esteem at an early age to help them become confident and resilient individuals.

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Thank you! I’m so glad you found it informative!

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hope that you keep posting informative articles like this. A big help to us parents.

Thank you, I’m glad it was helpful!

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I completely agree with what you have written. I hope this post could reach more people as this was truly an interesting post.

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Thank you! That is my hope!

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These self-esteem activities for 3-5 year olds are fantastic! It’s incredible how these simple yet meaningful activities can make a lasting impact on a child’s self-esteem. Thanks for sharing these valuable ideas to help kids grow and thrive with confidence.

Thanks for commenting! I completely agree!

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Your blog on “22 Self Esteem Activities for 3-5 Year Olds” is a treasure trove for parents and educators! Your thoughtful and practical approach to explaining each activity is truly commendable. I’m thankful for the effort you’ve put into making these activities engaging and beneficial for young children. Keep up the fantastic work! Thanks, John smith

“Thank you for sharing such valuable and engaging content for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Your list of self-esteem activities is not only informative but also practical and easy to implement. Keep up the great work in providing helpful resources for parents and educators! Thanks, John smith

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21 Creative Park Activities for Preschoolers (3-5 Year Olds)

By: Author Amanda L. Grossman

Posted on Last updated: September 25, 2021

As a Mom of a 5-year-old who loves parks, I’m going to share really creative park activities for preschoolers that keep us busy outdoors, for hours.

How do I entertain my child at the park?

preschooler running toward playground, text overlay

Mama, I started to ask myself this same question when my little guy was barely walking. It seemed like we had hours upon hours to fill up in the day, and I needed ideas that were cheap and convenient (and didn’t involve a screen).

We naturally turned to the parks near our home.

And I can honestly say that over the last 5 years of going to parks with my little guy, that we’ve (yes – some of these ideas were mine, and some my preschooler came up with on his own) come up with some of the most creative park activities for preschoolers (and toddlers).

Below you’ll find my favorite list of park activities we’ve done together over the last 5 years.

These are cheap and easy, meaning:

  • Everything you need you’ll find at the park, OR
  • They use common items that are easy to transport TO the park (we walk to many of the parks we go to)

I can’t wait for you and your preschooler to try some of these park activities!

Hint: I always like to let them use their own imagination and even be bored some so that they develop playing skills. BUT…it’s also a great idea to have a few of these activities in the back of your mind so that you can extend their outdoor play with a suggestion.

Park Activities for Preschoolers – Creative Things to Do at the Park

In this section, you’ll find perfect outdoor activities for 3–5-year-olds, no matter what your park looks like.

1. Play “Bubble Armies”

Someone (or a bubble gun) blows lots of bubbles, and your preschooler gets to swat at them until he smashes as many of the “army” of bubbles as possible.

Hint: other kids and Moms will think you guys happened upon a nest of wasps, the way you’ll be flailing about! Also, you can use a new fly swatter to do this, too.

2. Measure things

Ahhhh the power of a ruler or one of those retractable measuring tapes (the smaller kind) to keep a preschooler’s attention!

Slip a measuring tape or ruler into your pocket, and when you get to the park, let your preschooler have fun measuring different nature items. 

3. Find a ______ Stick

Our little guy has always been into sticks. And since he hasn’t ever tried to poke anyone’s eyes out, we’ve been totally cool about it.

He loves to hunt for sticks.

Sometimes, we sent him off for a specific stick mission (this can really focus him for awhile):

  • Find the BIGGEST stick
  • Find a bent stick
  • Find a stick that still has leaves on it
  • Find a walking stick

Psst: not feeling good about sticks? I read and LOVED the book It’s Okay Not to Share , which talks about sticks, plus so much more .

4. Bubble Target Practice

5 year old using a water gun to spray down bubbles floating in the air

Fill up a few water guns (I used to bring a container of water, in addition to water to drink, and put it in the bottom of our stroller to re-load water guns), and bring a bottle of bubbles.

Each person takes a turn either blowing the bubbles and stepping back, or being the person with the water gun who is trying to shoot down as many bubbles as possible.

5. Setup an Imaginative Play Storyline Before You Leave the House

Before you head out to the park, read a story about fairies, or trolls, or something magical.

Then, tell your preschooler you’re going to help them look for this magical creature’s home at the park! This can go on for 30 minutes or more.

6. Time them Running around the Perimeter

My husband stumbled upon a goldmine of an activity once at a park when he told our little guy he was going to use his watch to time him running around its perimeter. This went on for like 15 minutes!

Playground Activities for Preschoolers

Is your outdoor time today at a playground?

Great! Here’s some awesome outdoor preschool play ideas specific for playgrounds.

1. Send Race Cars Down the Slide

Put a few of their favorite cars into your pockets, then let them sit at the top of a slide and watch the cars “race” down the slide.

2.  Create a 2-3 Step Circuit

3-year-old climbing up the small ladder on a playground, doing a circuit park activity

You can give your preschooler instructions for a circuit for them to complete. For example, tell them to first swing on a swing for 30 seconds, then run over to the big wheel he has to turn three times, then go down the slide.

You’ll need to talk them through it, but what great practice listening to instructions and doing a sequence of events.

Hint: they absolutely love it if you time them. Gets them soooo excited!

3. Spin off a Toy on the Merry-Go-Round

Suggest that your little one put one of their toys – something they can wash, like a car – onto the merry-go-round. Then, they can swirl it around as fast as it takes for the toy to magically swoosh off.

4. Bring Suction-Cup Bath Toys

You know those bath toy sets where you suction cup a few to the wall and then put water down through them ( like this one )?

After a rain, bring 3-4 of them with you, plus a little bucket or even spoon. Let your preschooler suction cup them to the outside of the plastic playground equipment, then have some awesome water play by scooping up rainwater from a puddle and putting it through the “system”.

Nature Park Activities

Nature activities make some of the greatest ideas for how to use a park and entertain your preschooler outdoors.

Not to mention, for some great learning opportunities!

1. Witness the Life Cycle of a Frog

preschooler with stick poking near where frog eggs were found in a really small pond

Do you have access to a pond or creek or body of water that you frequent often?

We had this little pond at a park near our home and it gave us the best surprise: frog eggs.

Over the days and weeks one summer, we got to follow frog eggs turn into little tadpoles, and then into baby frogs. What a cool experience that had my little preschooler really excited to come back!

2. Follow the Ants back to their Hill

Find a long line of ants, and help your preschooler follow it all the way back to their ant nest ( hint: not a good idea to do with fire ants, as we had in Houston. Works really well in other locations, though! ).

3. Find the Highest-Splashing Rock

Let them plunk different rock sizes into a pond or creek or river and see which makes the biggest splash.

4. Race Sticks Down a Creek

Put two different sticks into a moving creek at the same time, and see which one “wins” (reaches a certain point down the way first).

5. Conduct Citizen Scientist Experiments

Did you know that you can sign you and your child up to be what’s known as “citizen scientists”, and then collect data to help with big projects?

Use sites like Zooniverse.org to browse and pick out a project to work on together. Then, head to the park and collect your data!

6. Go Post-Rain, Mushroom-Hunting

large group of mushrooms in author's front yard after a rain

After a rain storm, mushrooms might pop up all over the place (depending on which part of the country you’re in).

Go on a walk to your nearest park, and make it a game to find any and all mushrooms you can. Keep count!

Bring a magnifying glass and let your little one check out any mushrooms they can find (without touching any – here’s some more information on safe mushroom play ).

7. Use a Species Identifying App

Identify a bird you find through the Merlin Bird Photo ID App , or a feather you find at the park through the Feather Gallery App .

You can find other apps to help you identify things in nature.

8. Do a Nature Scavenger Hunt

One day, I took a clipboard of mine, printed out a nature scavenger hunt , and gave him a crayon to use. He had SO MUCH fun going around our neighborhood and completing this.

Plus, he felt kind of important with his clipboard. Just sayin’ .

9. Start a Nature Journal

You can use a blank notebook, or an actual nature journal for kids – doesn’t matter.

Do things like:

  • Allow them to tape in items from nature, such as a leaf, a flower petal, a small twig, etc.
  • Allow them to trace the outline of something from nature.
  • Ask them for observations from the park, then write it down for them in their nature journal.

10. Find Shapes in Nature

Bring a set of post-it notes and a pen. Give your preschooler a mission: to find an object that is shaped like what you draw on the post-it note (and give them the post-it note, saying “ready, set, go!”).

Then, draw a shape on each note, like a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a circle, etc. See what they come up with!

Bonus Family Park Activity

Got the whole family, or at least a sibling, in tow?

Great. Check this one out.

1. Long-Distance Bubble Tournament

Bring a small bottle of bubbles for each kid to the park that you’ve dyed a different color ahead of time. Have your kids see whose bubble goes the longest distance.

Let your little one’s creativity and imagination (and turbo energy) play out in the great outdoors with these park activities for preschoolers. I have so many fond memories of each of these activities with my own little guy, and we’re still making up more as we go (even now that he’s in Kindergarten)!

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DAP with Preschoolers

Preschool girls playing with plastic blocks

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Dap with preschoolers, ages 3-5.

Preschool children learn best when they have positive and caring relationships with adults and other children; when they receive carefully planned, intentional guidance and assistance; and when they can safely encounter and explore many interesting things in their environment.

Children enter preschool with different strengths. One child might love picture books and already know lots of letters but have trouble with social interaction. A classmate may find it easy to initiate play and share toys yet have almost no experience with books and reading.

Preschoolers

  • thrive when they can experience new materials, roles, ideas, and activities—especially in pretend play;
  • take great interest in feelings and become better able to express their emotions and identify those of others;
  • make important cognitive gains that invite them to represent their world in pretend play, symbols, objects, drawings, and words; and
  • show astonishing gains in language skills.

Teaching Preschoolers

Good preschool teachers maintain appropriate expectations, providing each child with the right mix of challenge, support, sensitivity, and stimulation. With their knowledge, skill, and training, teachers—in collaboration with families—can ensure that programs promote and enhance every child’s learning.

Let’s see what DAP in preschool looks like:

In the dramatic play center, two 4-year-old girls are pretending to read menus. Maria, noticing that neither girl has taken on the role of waiter, takes notepad and pencil in hand and asks them, “May I take your order?” Over the next few days, more children join the restaurant play. Waiters set tables, take orders, give orders to the cook, and prepare checks for diners.

Maria is an observant, inventive, and intentional teacher. Her intervention sparks fresh play, tempting children to take on different roles, enrich their social and language interactions, and use writing and math for new purposes.

The classroom example on this page is adapted from  Learning to Read and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children .  

DAP Resources

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Which DAP Resource Is for Me?

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DAP Position Statement

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3 Core Considerations of DAP

Dap in action.

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Play Games, Learn Math! Explore Numbers and Counting with Dot Card and Finger Games

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Deepening Families’ Understanding of Children’s Learning in Centers

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Does Your Block Center Promote 21st Century Skills? A Checklist for Teachers

Motherly

Activities for a 5-year-old: Fostering your child’s development

B y age 5, your growing kiddo is on the move from morning till night, which can mean entertaining them outside of school hours can be a challenge. But your 5-year-old is eager to learn and help and play, and there are plenty of opportunities to engage them in low-lift activities that support their development and growth. Here are our 10 favorite activities for 5-year-olds. 

Related: Innovative company lets parents save money by renting toys for kids

Sensory activities for 5-year-olds

1. nature bracelets.

Before your next nature walk, wrap masking tape around your child’s wrist with the sticky side facing out. Let them collect small natural items like leaves, flowers, or twigs to stick onto their bracelet, creating a wearable sensory masterpiece that connects them to nature. You could also make a crown! 

2. Sponge paint

Gather a few various painting tools like sponges, feathers, or cotton balls, and let your child explore different textures and patterns while painting ( washable paint is our pick!). This activity enhances their creativity, fine motor skills and sensory exploration.

3. Rainbow sorting

Your local craft store might sell a big bag of random sewing buttons, which makes for a great rainbow craft opportunity. Ask your child to glue the buttons into a rainbow on a piece of cardstock, which helps with sensory discrimination and color recognition.

Related: 11 outdoor art toys that will keep your little one creatively entertained this summer

Developmental activities for 5-year-olds

1. paper maze.

Draw a maze on a large piece of paper for your child to complete, filled with turn-arounds, dead ends and traps. Can they draw one for you to try? Mazes help kids explore problem solving and critical thinking. 

2. DIY memory game

Make a customized memory game by cutting out pairs of pictures from magazines, printing out images of their favorite characters or drawing on index cards. Play the game with your child, taking turns to flip over cards and find matches, which helps enhance their memory, concentration and turn-taking skills.

3. Fort building

Hand your child a pile of blankets and a few pillows and set them to work on making a cozy fort. Is there room to read a book inside or have a snack? Can they find a way to hang up a strand of string lights? This activity empowers their creativity, problem-solving and STEM skills, like engineering. 

Related: 18 best books for 5 year olds

Things to do with a 5-year-old

Week 1: get cooking.

It can be fun to involve your 5-year-old in simple cooking or baking activities , allowing them to measure ingredients, mix, and observe chemical changes during the cooking process. This hands-on experience develops their math skills, following instructions, and understanding of cause and effect. Plus, they might be more motivated to try a few new foods!

Week 2: Grow a green thumb

Help your child create a mini garden in a container (an old egg carton works well) or a small patch of soil. Let them plant and care for seeds, like sunflowers or a tomato plant, teaching them about plant life cycles, responsibility and nurturing. 

Related: 6 ideas for indoor gardening with kids

Week 3: Volunteer in your community

Is there an organization in your community that’s in need of volunteers? Whether you’re dropping off donations at the animal shelter, staffing a bake sale at your church or signing up for a fun run/walk, incorporating your kids in charitable work instills a sense of pride and highlights the importance of giving back. 

Week 4: Sight-word scavenger hunt

Create a sight-word scavenger hunt for your child by writing out a few sight words (the, at, by, etc.) on sticky notes and placing them around the house. Give them a legend with the sight words to find and cross off their list as they locate them. This game helps them review and recognize any sight words they may be working on in kindergarten. 

Our favorite products for 5-year-olds

1. outfoxed.

At five, you can start to phase out games of chance like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders (you’re welcome) in favor of games that start to work their strategic thinking. Outfoxed is a favorite among parents and kids alike for its engaging game play that tests their thinking skills without being overly difficult. If Clue and Guess Who had a baby, this is the game that would result. It’s even fun for adults to play!

2. Creatibles DIY Window Cling Art Kit

With all the artwork they’re creating these days, you’re bound to run out of fridge space sooner than later. Why not mix it up a bit with this fun window cling kit? It comes with everything they’ll need to create fun and colorful designs that add a pop of color to a surface that isn’t already covered in their self-expression.

3. Rainbow Pack

What is Clixo? Well, a better question might be what  isn’t it ? A flexible, magnetic and modern-twist on building toys, Clixo sets invite kids to create any 2D or 3D structures they can dream up. The pieces, which are made from a durable and eco-friendly material they can bend and twist, feature secure magnets at the ends that click together with an impressive hold. From robots and jewelry to purses and rocket ships, the sky’s the limit on what they create!

4. Switch-Eroo Color Changing Markers

What’s more fun that a brand new set of markers? A brand new set of color changing markers. Each color has a secret alter-ego that’s revealed when they doodle over top with the other end!

Activities for a 5-year-old: Fostering your child’s development

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5 Senses in 3 Year Old Kindergarten

Jolinda Schmidt 5 Senses in 3 Year Old Kindergarten

I'm so excited to use these in my classroom! They will be perfect for learning about their 5 Senses. We will be starting the week with sound where we will do many activities using our ears. I put different items in eggs to shake, and then they need to decide what is in them. We will also use the worksheet to decide which items make sounds. We will finish off the morning by making our own LISTENING ears. The rest of the week will be spent learning about the rest of the senses, including SMELL, SIGHT, TOUCH and TASTE. I think their favorite will be taste. At the end of the week we will also do an activity with popcorn using our five senses.

The Five Senses It is important for preschoolers to engage in five senses activities? Not only does engaging preschoolers in see, smell, taste, hear, and...

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The Best Smartwatches for Kids

A Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 and an Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), the best smartwatches for kids, shown side by side.

If you don’t want to give your kid a smartphone, but you do want them to have a way to communicate as they become more independent, you have options.

Along with our own tweens and teens, we’ve tested 14 smartwatches for kids. These gadgets have drawn more attention recently as parents and caregivers weigh the benefits of delaying a child’s first smartphone . This increased scrutiny comes amid rising concerns —including a warning by the surgeon general in 2023—that social media could harm the mental health and well-being of kids.

Although we found that all smartwatches present some trade-offs, we have a couple to recommend. We also offer a guide to the best way to track your kids (if you want to) and the best parental controls , and we have advice on what to know about wireless carriers .

We will also soon be offering a separate guide to the best first phone for kids .

Everything we recommend

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Verizon Gizmo Watch 3

The best smartwatch for younger kids.

This kids smartwatch allows for voice and video calls and limited texting, and it lets you track your child’s location.

Buying Options

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular

The best smartwatch for older kids.

Of the smartwatches we tested, this one is the most versatile and the easiest to use. But it’s relatively pricey and available only for iPhone users.

What we considered

Kids and their designated contacts should be able to call, send texts, and leave voice messages reliably.

For peace of mind, we appreciated being able to accurately track the child’s location on a map.

For many families, the point of a smartwatch is to minimize distractions. Games and access to social media should be limited.

The watch should come equipped with a quiet or school-time mode, which disables apps, games, and non-emergency calls and texts.

A smartwatch lets you talk and text with your child, as well as track their location and manage their contacts. With fewer games and tiny screens, smartwatches can be less distracting than standard smartphones. Of the 14 kids smartwatches we’ve tested, the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 is one of the most intuitive for kids to use and for adults to manage, and it’s also one of the most affordable. But due to its graphics, it may feel too “kiddie” to older children. Also, sending texts with the Gizmo is more cumbersome than with our other pick, the Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular . It has also received poor to middling online reviews, though we’ve found that this smartwatch works more reliably and has an overall higher-quality feel than the other kids smartwatches we tested.

If your child is responsible enough to care for an expensive device, the Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular is the best smartwatch we tested with our kids, and it’s one of the best-performing smartwatches for adults, too. Once set up, it’s the easiest and most flexible to use, particularly because it offers the most ways to send text messages while still providing some parental-control features. Compared with the Gizmo smartwatch, however, the Apple Watch SE also has more potential for distraction, since kids can download games and apps and join group chats with their friends. And it needs to be managed by a parent or caregiver with an iPhone.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, which device is right for your child, our pick for younger kids: verizon gizmo watch 3, our pick for older kids: apple watch se gps + cellular, other good smartwatches for kids, how we picked and tested, what about mobile carriers, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve been testing smartwatches, phones, and other communication devices for kids for five years. A longtime technology journalist, I am also the author of Wirecutter’s guide to the best apps for managing a child’s smartphone and an article with advice on setting up a tablet for kids . Also, as a parent of three kids, now 15, 13, and 8 years old, I have a personal interest in finding the best gadget to keep in touch with them—without too many distractions.

This guide is for parents and other caregivers who want a device to communicate with their child but do not yet want to give their kid a standard smartphone.

A smartphone alternative for those who want their kids to Wait Until 8th , these smartwatches let you talk, message, and track your child’s location without giving them full access to the internet, social media, games, and everything else a regular smartphone offers. They’re designed primarily for kids between the ages of about 8 and 13, a time when many kids begin venturing out into the world on their own for the first time. Worn on the wrist, they’re not as easily lost as a phone, and many also come with apps and alarms that remind (and encourage) kids to do chores or finish tasks.

But just like training wheels, some smartwatches may be too limited for some kids or families. For instance, kids may not be able to use them to easily keep in touch with their friends or anyone aside from a few trusted contacts. If you’re looking for other options, in addition to general guides to the best iPhones and Android smartphones , we have advice on how to repurpose an old smartphone or tablet for a kid , a guide to the best apps for managing your kid’s phone , and a guide to tracking your child’s location .

All of these gadgets offer pros and cons. Choosing one that makes sense for your family depends on how much connection your child needs and whether you want additional features, such as GPS tracking and parental controls.

Kids smartwatches

Like a tiny computer on your child’s wrist, smartwatches allow your kid to communicate through text messages, voice calls, and, in some cases, video calls (though they’re best for short, basic conversations). Kids smartwatches with cellular service also allow you to track your child’s location via GPS. (We did not consider kids smartwatches that don’t connect to a cellular network.)

When a child’s smartwatch is paired with an adult’s smartphone, usually through an iOS or Android app, a parent or caregiver can designate who can contact their child. A kids smartwatch comes with a SIM card and a designated phone number for your child, and it usually requires a monthly cellular subscription.

Kids smartphones

Kid-specific smartphones are for parents who don’t yet want their child to use a full-fledged smartphone. Equipped with a touchscreen, a keyboard for easy text messaging, and a camera, they look and feel like adult smartphones. But they’ve been stripped of key features, such as an internet browser and an app store, and/or they have built-in monitoring software and parental controls.

Flip phones

Flip phones hail from a bygone era. These simple phones offer functionality (calling, basic texting) with limited distraction (although most flip phones can connect to the internet, navigation is slow and clunky). They can be used with cheap monthly or prepaid plans, and they’re a great option for a minimalist communication device or emergency phone.

But there are some clear downsides to buying a flip phone for your child: You can’t see who contacts them, track their location, or monitor how your kid is using the phone. For better or worse, kids also can’t join in group text chats. And because flip phones do so little, kids have no incentive to keep these phones with them.

Tracking devices

We did not consider wearable tracking devices, such as the Jiobit Smart Tag , Tile Mate , or Apple AirTag , because they lack a way to communicate. We address these tracking devices in our piece on tracking your child’s location .

Our pick for the best smartwatch for younger kids, the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3.

Best for: kids ages 8 to 12

Carrier: Verizon (though you don’t need to be a Verizon cellphone customer to get a plan)

Communication: voice, video, and texting

Location tracking: yes

Monthly service fee: starting at $5 per month (for Verizon customers with an eligible phone plan) or $10 per month (for non-Verizon customers)

How the watch works: Verizon’s Gizmo Watch 3 is a kids smartwatch that can make phone and video calls, as well as send audio messages and text messages—with limits.

Like a smartwatch for adults, the Gizmo Watch 3 has an intuitive touchscreen that kids swipe to access contacts, games, and other features. Kids can send emojis or one of 30 preset messages, such as “When are you picking me up?” or “I don’t feel well.” It also recently added the ability to type out a message on a small keyboard , as opposed to being able to send only preset messages; this is a notable upgrade.

A tiny camera above the screen allows kids to take photos (mostly selfies) and make short video calls. A speaker on the watch also allows your child to talk to you or to record a voice message for you. When we used it, our calls were clear (and, of course, not private, unless you connect the watch to Bluetooth headphones).

The watch must be paired with the GizmoHub smartphone app ( iOS and Android ), which we found easy to navigate. It allows you to designate up to 20 people who can communicate with your child. If someone calls the watch, and it’s not a designated phone number, the call is dropped and does not connect.

Through the app, you can also send emojis and texts up to 120 characters long. Note, however, that even though the Gizmo Watch 3 comes with a phone number, you cannot text it directly from your phone; you or a designated contact can text only through the GizmoHub app (you can call directly from your phone). That means if you want a grandparent, sitter, or anyone else to be able to message your kid, they will each need to download the app.

A view of the Gizmo Watch 3 with a contact's photo on the screen and icons to call, text, or video call.

Parental controls and tracking: You can track the Gizmo Watch 3’s location on a map in the GizmoHub app. You can also set up a geofencing alert to notify you when your child has left or arrived at a particular location, such as school.

Parents can also schedule the Gizmo Watch 3 to go into School Mode, which blocks all calls, messages, games, and sounds. The child can make emergency calls to a designated contact by holding down the SOS button on the side of the watch. The child can also send (repeated) requests to the designated guardian for School Mode to be turned off.

The hardware and additional features: The watch is enclosed in a plastic, water-resistant shell, with a Gorilla Glass 3 screen and a silicone strap that can be swapped out . In our test, the Gizmo Watch 3 held up through multiple drops, but it did not make it through a swim in the pool (the watch claims to be splash-proof but not waterproof). Some reviewers have complained that their children’s watches cracked or broke after coming into contact with water.

Because the Gizmo Watch 3 is sold through Verizon, you can potentially walk into a store for help with setup and customer support; your experience may vary depending on how familiar a particular employee is with the watch (we’ve had mixed experiences). And once your child graduates from the watch, customer support can help port the number to a phone.

Gizmo also makes an older but similar watch , including a Disney-themed Gizmo .

Potential for distraction: The Gizmo Watch 3 comes with three built-in games, as well as an activity game that encourages kids to jump around. Kids can also make a short voice recording and then filter it, so they can sound like they’ve sucked in helium or are growling like a monster. Another app is for making silly noises, such as fart sounds.

The camera, new to the Gizmo Watch 3 (and not available with the Gizmo Watch 2, one of our previous picks), also opens up potential distractions and challenges, such as taking inappropriate photos.

Privacy: Calling Verizon’s Gizmo privacy policy confusing is an understatement. It’s very short, but to fully understand it, you also have to read Verizon’s own privacy policy . Verizon can keep information “as long as reasonably necessary for business, accounting, tax or legal purposes,” but Verizon told us it keeps Gizmo data for only 60 days. Verizon assumes that the parent is the one agreeing to the policy, and the company collects data accordingly. Aside from the data you give it, such as your name, phone number, location, and email address, Verizon collects device details and may use that data for analytics. Verizon doesn’t use data collected from the Gizmo Watch for marketing, but it’s unclear whether Verizon can use data collected in the companion smartphone app or website for interest-based ads. Common Sense Media gave the GizmoHub app low scores because it collects data that can be used by third-party advertising or tracking services, among other privacy concerns.

Warranty: Verizon offers a one-year warranty for the Gizmo Watch 3. Customers can also return or exchange the watch during a 14-day window after purchase.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Many customers have given the Gizmo Watch 3 mixed (and, in some cases, dismal) reviews . However, we have found that all of the kids smartwatches we’ve tested—including the TickTalk 4, SyncUp, and Gabb 3—have received similarly mixed, if not worse, reviews.

One major complaint is the inconvenience of the GizmoHub app, which is required for text messaging and video calls. If a designated contact doesn’t have the GizmoHub app, they can only call (and receive calls from) the watch. Many of the kids smartwatches we’ve tested require a dedicated smartphone app, so this inconvenience is not unique to the Gizmo Watch.

Compared with the Apple Watch, the Gizmo Watch offers fewer options for sending custom messages, including the ability to send talk-to-text messages. And though the Gizmo Watch offers group texting , it’s limited to contacts designed as guardians, caregivers, or Gizmo Buddies (other kids who also have a Gizmo Watch).

Other complaints include a shorter-than-expected battery life. Although the watch is supposed to last more than three days on one charge, ours never did. Location tracking—which uses significant battery power—can sometimes be inaccurate and slow, so there can be a delay in seeing your child’s real-time whereabouts. It’s also water-resistant only to splashes; as mentioned above, ours malfunctioned after a brief dip in the pool.

The interface’s bright colors, cartoony graphics, and sounds make the Gizmo Watch feel young. But at the same time, it’s a bit bulky, especially for small wrists.

The Apple Watch SE, one of our best smartwatches for older kids, shown with a rainbow screen and fabric band.

Best for: older kids and teens who can care for a pricey device and whose parents or caregivers have an iPhone

Carrier: AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint (part of T-Mobile), and Verizon

Communication: voice and texting

Monthly service fee: $10 per month to add to a current plan at AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile

How the watch works: The Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular is an attractive, lightweight, and feature-rich watch for kids and adults alike. Unlike many kid-specific smartwatches, the Apple Watch is not stigmatized as “childish” or “babyish,” since the same watch is marketed to adults.

Though the Apple Watch SE can run just on Wi-Fi, to take advantage of all of its features, you need the GPS-and-cellular model with a monthly plan. This gives your child a designated phone number (which you can later transfer to a cell phone) and allows the watch to be used when no Wi-Fi networks are available.

You can call and text the Apple Watch from a smartphone, just as you would any contact, including exchanging group texts and texts with images or videos; your child can also call, text, and group-text their friends from their Apple Watch. The child can communicate with generic messages and emojis, as well as type on a tiny keyboard or use their finger to handwrite a message. One of the most convenient features—that’s unavailable with the Gizmo Watch—is the ability to press an audio button to record and transcribe into text a lengthier message.

With clear calls (on speaker or Bluetooth headphones) and the most ways to send text messages, the Apple Watch is by far the easiest and most flexible to use of all the smartwatches we tested with kids. Unlike with the Gizmo Watch 3, with the Apple Watch I didn’t have to navigate to a special app to text my daughter; that meant there was one fewer step for keeping in touch with her—and that I wouldn’t accidentally miss a message. Through Apple’s talk-to-text function, my daughter could also easily respond with detailed, specific answers (not a preset message or voice message); when she needed to give me lengthy directions for pickup, for instance, she didn’t have to tap it all out or send an audio recording.

Parental controls and tracking: Kids need their own Apple ID, and adults need to have an iPhone 6s or later, running iOS 15 or later, in order to monitor and manage a child’s Apple Watch SE. Once you’ve linked the child’s watch to your account through Apple’s Family Setup , you can monitor and manage a child’s Apple Watch directly through your existing apps on your iPhone:

  • Through the iPhone’s Find My app, you can track the watch’s whereabouts on a map. You can also set up a Notify Me alert if your child has left or arrived at a location.
  • Through your iPhone’s Watch app, you can manage the features on your child’s watch.
  • In the Watch app, you can access Schooltime , where you can limit (to a degree) your child’s access to the watch during set hours. Schooltime keeps calls and messages from popping up on the watch, so your child is not distracted during class. And it makes it harder—though still possible—to access the watch’s games, apps, and messages. Messages and missed calls are still logged on the watch when Schooltime is enabled. Kids can see them by spinning the crown (the hardware dial on the side of the Apple Watch) to exit Schooltime temporarily, and you can see a log of how often your child exits Schooltime, as well as how long your child has interacted with the watch. If you need to reach your child, you can break through Schooltime by calling the watch repeatedly. (You can’t, however, break through Schooltime via text messaging. I found this limitation frustrating when I simply wanted to notify my daughter about an after-school schedule change.)
  • Through Apple’s Screen Time (in the Settings app of the parent’s iPhone or in the Watch app), you can set Communication Limits, restricting those your child can contact and who can contact them. Group chats can be limited to only the watch’s contacts, though group chats as a function cannot be blocked.
  • In the Screen Time app, you can also set up Downtime , a regularly scheduled time (such as at night) when access to the watch is limited. Calls can still come through but do not alert, and they can be limited to only the watch’s contacts, while calls and messages from outside the contact list are blocked. You can also limit access to the watch’s apps and games during Downtime; you must set this up in addition to Schooltime, if you want to prevent your child from playing games on their watch. (You cannot set time limits on individual apps on the Apple Watch, as you can on a child’s iPhone.)

Potential for distraction: Compared with kids smartwatches like the Gizmo Watch 3, the Apple Watch offers much more potential for distraction. Kids can enlist Apple Watch’s Siri voice assistant to find apps and games to download. They can also easily message their friends and participate in group chats, as well as receive and view photos and videos from any of their contacts, albeit on a tiny screen.

Through Screen Time, you can block the ability to download apps and games and turn off Siri. But for some kids, just knowing they could have access to Apple’s galaxy of apps could open up more begging and battles than you’d get with simpler, kid-specific devices like the Gizmo Watch, whose menu is significantly more limited.

Hardware and additional features: Kids can customize their Apple Watch SE with one of many kinds of fun watch bands .

The Apple Watch SE also allows you to set up Apple Cash Family , which enables your child to make purchases with the watch. You must connect a bank account (not a credit card) to Apple Cash; you can then send money to your child’s watch through a text message. Your child can also request money from you.

As with the Gizmo Watch (which can be brought to Verizon for help), with the Apple Watch SE, you can potentially walk into an Apple store for help with setup and customer support (though in some cases, the issue may be with the wireless carrier rather than with the watch).

Privacy: Common Sense Media gave the Apple Watch a passing grade for privacy and safety, scoring it much higher than the Gizmo Watch.

Although Apple’s privacy policy and privacy controls limit the sharing of personal data with third-party marketers, Apple does collect and share data with other third parties. To use the Apple Watch with parental controls, you must set up a separate Apple ID for your child. Apple outlines its policy for children under 13 in a separate disclosure ; this limits certain data sharing (no targeted ads, for instance) but does include data collecting (such as the child’s geographic location).

Warranty: The Apple Watch SE is covered for one year under Apple’s limited warranty .

The Apple Watch SE is an option only for families with iPhones because it must be paired to your iPhone. (Apple Watches can’t be paired to Android phones.)

If your child is frequently messaging friends and using apps, the watch can run out of battery and may not last all day (as has been the case with my daughter’s Apple Watch). You can turn on low-battery mode to help preserve the watch’s battery.

It’s also an expensive gadget to lose or break. Although the Apple Watch is water-resistant , it’s easier to crack or scratch than the Gizmo Watch 3. Within the first two weeks of wearing the watch, my then-10-year-old scratched the screen—the watch is not designed for rough handling, and we’d say that most kids can be rough on their belongings. (You can also buy Apple Watch screen protectors , which we have not tested.)

You don’t need to download a dedicated smartphone app to communicate with the Apple Watch SE, but it took more time—and was more confusing—to set up parental controls, since you have to do so in both Apple’s Screen Time and the Apple Watch apps on your iPhone.

If you want the convenience of having your child talk-to-text a message but don’t want to get your kid an Apple Watch: The Gabb Watch 3 is your best choice. Kids can call, send up to 20 preset texts, type out a message on a tiny keyboard, and record audio messages. As with the Apple Watch, with this watch kids can also tap a microphone button and record a message that is transcribed into a text message. But unlike with the Apple Watch, with this watch it takes multiple taps and swipes to navigate to this function, and the child has to have a separate Gabb ID .

As with the T-Mobile SyncUp and Apple Watch, you (and any designated contacts) can also directly call and message the Gabb Watch without an app. You do need Gabb’s parent app ( iOS and Android ) to manage the watch, such as tracking its location, setting up quiet times (which disables apps, calls, and texts), and adding designated contacts (up to 100 phone numbers).

Like the Gizmo Watch 3 , the Gabb Watch 3 is best for kids ages 8 to 12. Along with a basic mimicking game, it includes a digital pet that kids can care for and customize—by logging steps or finishing assigned tasks, kids earn virtual coins, which they can spend on features like teaching a dog to roll over or upgrading to a new animal, such as a unicorn or an axolotl. There is no camera, so kids cannot take photos or make video calls.

We found, however, that setting up, navigating, and using the Gabb Watch, Gabb app, and Gabb website was generally less intuitive than with the Gizmo Watch and the Apple Watch. For instance, it isn’t clear that you must set up a Gabb ID for the child; this requires its own password and is in addition to establishing the child’s profile on the watch. You can still use the watch without setting up the child’s Gabb ID, but having it allows the child to send talk-to-text messages and backs up contacts and other information to the cloud. Compared with those of our picks, Gabb’s monthly subscription also costs more—between $12.99 and $17.99 per month, depending on the length of your contract.

If you prefer the Gizmo Watch without a camera: The Gizmo Watch 2 is still available from Verizon. However, a Verizon rep told us it would be phased out by next year or so (when it runs out of the watch). Unlike the Gizmo Watch 3, the Gizmo Watch 2 can’t take pictures or make video calls, and that means fewer potential distractions. But we recommend the Gizmo Watch 3 because it uses a newer and more advanced chipset (Qualcomm 4100) to power the watch; this means it’s faster and has a longer potential battery life (though video calls will quickly drain it). The Gizmo Watch 3 also allows for 20 contacts, versus 10 for the Gizmo Watch 2.

If a watch with a cast of characters from Frozen , Black Panther , Star Wars , and other popular Disney movies would appeal to your kid: The Gizmo Watch Disney Edition is similar to the Gizmo Watch 3 in that it comes with a camera for video calls and photos—along with those characters, each of which makes special ringtones and sounds. But the Disney-branded Gizmo Watch costs more, allows for up to 10 contacts only, and uses an older processor than the Gizmo Watch 3 to power the watch.

If you want a particularly rugged smartwatch for a younger kid: The TickTalk 4 used to be one of our picks in this guide, and we still think it’s a good watch. Similar to the Gizmo Watch 3, it has an intuitive touchscreen and lets kids call, text, and video call (up to 53 contacts). Two cameras make it easy for kids to take both selfies and other photos. Like the Gizmo Watch, it must be paired with a dedicated smartphone app ( iOS and Android ), which also allows you to manage the watch, keep tabs on its location, and send messages .

But the TickTalk 4 is encased in a thick, rubbery, water-resistant case, which makes it big, heavy, and clunky, especially for small wrists. Setup is also more cumbersome. Once you activate the watch through TickTalk (and sign up for its $10 per month wireless subscription), you then must open a panel on the back of the watch and install the SIM card on your own.

If you hate the idea of having to use a dedicated app to text your kid: The T-Mobile SyncUp Kids Watch is a good option. Available online and through T-Mobile stores, this watch lets kids make calls, send preset text and audio messages, take photos, and play four games (Dino Run, voice changer, tic tac toe, and a puzzle game). One of the conveniences of the T-Mobile watch is that you (or any designated contacts) don’t need to use a dedicated app to send or receive texts or audio messages. The messages appear with all your other messages (if you have an iPhone, they appear in green). You do still need the SyncUp Kids app ( iOS and Android ) to track the child’s location, set up School Mode, and manage contacts.

Compared with the Gizmo Watch 3, however, the T-Mobile SyncUp’s touchscreen was not as responsive, sometimes requiring multiple swipes in our testing. Though there is a camera to take photos and record short videos (and send them), you cannot video call with the watch. It has also received more than its share of poor reviews, such as complaints that the watch stopped working for no reason.

Three kids holding out their wrist, each sporting a different smartwatch that we tested to find the best ones for kids.

Going by our conversations with parents and kids, we considered the following features and capabilities during our search:

Communication: Parents and kids must be able to convey basic information in real time, such as the location where a child needs to be picked up.

Messages: For the instances when a child or adult isn’t readily available, the other party needs to be able to leave a message that can be picked up later.

Distractions: We wanted minimal distractions on the device, meaning limited web and social media access and preferably few or no games.

Time out: We wanted to be able to disable the watch at certain times, such as during school.

Ease of use: We noted how intuitive or cumbersome it was to set up and use the device and its corresponding parent app(s).

Durability: Though we don’t expect a device to be unbreakable, it should withstand being tossed, bumped, splashed, or dropped on the ground.

Location tracking: We liked the peace of mind and convenience of tracking a child’s location, particularly for younger kids.

Appealing to kids: We took into consideration features that could be a draw for kids, such as a choice of colors, ringtones, or other ways to customize the device.

Since 2018, I’ve tested 14 smartwatches with my kids, who are now 15, 13, and 8. To check how effective the devices were for communicating, one of my kids took them to a playground half a mile away, called me, and read random passages from a book. The watches and phones were also tossed on the ground, worn while swimming, and roughly used. And about a dozen Wirecutter and New York Times staffers have used the devices with their kids.

Although some of these devices can work with Wi-Fi, all of the smartwatches in this guide require a monthly or prepaid cellular plan to take advantage of all the features (such as being able to communicate when out of range of an available Wi-Fi network). The cost varies by wireless carrier but generally starts at about $10 per month, in addition to an activation charge, taxes, and other fees.

The devices do not need to share the same cellphone plan or network as the parent’s device, as they function independently.

We plan to publish a new guide on the best first phones for kids by spring 2024. It will include both “dumb” phones—also known as feature phones and flip phones—and smartphones designed for kids, including the Bark , Troomi , Pinwheel , and Gabb Phone 3 Pro .

Many of the devices we’ve tested over the years are no longer available, or they’ve been replaced by newer versions. Below, we’ve listed models that are still available:

The Garmin Bounce can track workouts (including swimming), sleep, steps, and location. Kids can also play puzzles and basic math games and be rewarded for finishing chores. But communication is limited: The watch cannot make or receive real-time phone calls. Your child can only send preset text messages and record audio messages, which you receive through the Garmin Jr. app.

The XPlora X6 Play has a responsive touchscreen, which is framed by a protective, soft plastic case. But in the middle of our testing, the watch stopped connecting and could no longer make or receive phone calls or texts. It wasn’t clear at first why this had happened, but after installing a software update, we got the watch to work again. We believe a watch should still work even when it requires a software update.

We did not test the Cosmo JrTrack 3 , but we did try the no-frills Cosmo JrTrack 2 SE . Although it was the cheapest kids smartwatch we tested at the time, we noted that it charged high subscription costs and required an upfront minimum commitment. We found the navigation of the Cosmo JrTrack 2 SE to be somewhat clunky and the camera resolution to be notably less sharp than the Gizmo Watch 3 ’s. At one point, it also inexplicably glitched and could not send messages for a few minutes. It comes with no games or fun apps—that means no distractions but also little appeal for kids.

In 2021, we tested the Omate smartwatch, which comes with a Lego-like “nanoblock” band, which kids can decorate and customize with tiny, rainbow-colored bricks. But the Omate watch was painfully slow to boot up, the touchscreen often failed to respond and frequently lagged, and it shut down after the battery dropped to 20%.

Additional reporting by Thorin Klosowski.

This article was edited by Rachel Hurn and Kalee Thompson.

Christine Elgersma, senior editor, Common Sense Media , phone interview , September 13, 2018

Anya Kamenetz, author of The Art of Screen Time: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life , phone interview , September 17, 2018

Megan Moreno, MD, pediatrician and lead author of the American Academy of Pediatrics’s policy statement on kids and media use , phone interview , October 2, 2018

Ramon Llamas, research director for mobile devices, IDC , phone interview , May 24, 2019

Catherine Pearlman, author of First Phone: A Child’s Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety, and Etiquette , Zoom interview , September 16, 2022

Meet your guide

activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

Ellen Lee is a Wirecutter contributor covering parenting, kids, and teens. Her writing has also appeared in The Atlantic, BBC, and Real Simple, and she was previously a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. She is also the author of the (ADJECTIVE) Lunar New Year Mad Libs book. (We’re hoping you filled in the blank with “hilarious.”)

Further reading

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The Best Smartwatches

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We've tested dozens of smartwatches to help you find the best one, whether you're an iPhone or Android user.

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The Best Smartwatch for Android Phones

by Ryan Whitwam

Smartwatches offer a good way to wrangle notifications and track activity. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch6 is the best option for Android users.

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How to Clean Your Smartwatch

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Using the wrong cleaning products could ruin your hard-working wrist computer and its bands. Here’s how to do it right.

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Dear Wirecutter: Should I Get a Smartwatch, or a Fitness Tracker?

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Mostly just want notifications from your wearable but curious about fitness tracking? The Garmin Vivoactive HR does a lot for less than top smartwatches.

  • home invasion

Surveillance video shows suspects in home invasion that killed father in front of family, police say

KTRK logo

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Police are looking for three suspects who allegedly broke into a man's home in southwest Houston and shot him to death in front of his wife and two kids Sunday morning, according to officials.

The deadly invasion happened in the 5300 block of Castlecreek Lane.

Officials said around 2:30 a.m., the suspects forced their way inside the house through a side door near the driveway, causing a commotion that caught the man's attention.

It did not appear that anything had been stolen, HPD said.

The victim reportedly told his wife to get down in their bedroom for cover before he stood up and was shot by one of the suspects. Officials said he died in the hallway.

RELATED: Woman killed in shootout during home invasion robbery at apartment in east Houston, police say

A young woman, identified as the victim's stepdaughter, spoke to ABC13 off-camera. Per the family's wishes, they've asked us not to identify the victim due to family members in Cuba who have not been notified of his death.

She told ABC13 that she was not present during the shooting but said the victim's 5-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son witnessed their father being shot.

Family members who arrived at the scene later in the day also declined to speak on camera but told ABC13 that the man was in his mid-30s and didn't cause trouble with anyone. They tell us the victim's wife and children were not harmed and safe but are understandably distraught.

Det. David Higgs with HPD said that multiple shell casings were found at the scene, likely from two different guns.

"It's very traumatic for the wife and kids. It's a situation no one ever wants to be in. It's very senseless at this point. We think it's an isolated event. There's no reason for anybody else in the area to be concerned," Higgs said.

HPD asks anyone who might have seen suspicious people or cars in the area to call their Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.

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  • FATAL SHOOTING
  • CHILD ENDANGERMENT
  • INVESTIGATIONS

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  1. Fun Math Activities for Preschoolers

    activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

  2. Numerous Nifty Number Activities for Preschool

    activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

  3. Preschool Shapes Worksheets

    activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

  4. Pinterest Dinosaur Crafts For Kids

    activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

  5. 15 Fun Activities for 3 Year Olds!

    activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

  6. Easy Shape Activities for 2 and 3 Year Olds

    activities for preschoolers 3 5 years old

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  1. Preschool Learning Videos for 3 Year Olds

  2. Preschool Learning Videos for 3 Year Olds

  3. Preschool Learning Videos

  4. Preschool Learning Videos

  5. Preschool Learning Videos for 3 Year Olds

  6. Preschool Learning Videos for 3 Year Olds

COMMENTS

  1. 78 Perfect Preschool Activities For 3-Year-Olds

    1. Rainy Names Did you know that learning and understanding names can boost confidence and build community in the classroom? This activity has your students paste raindrops with the letters of their names in the correct order. It's perfect for a rainy day and for enhancing your students' name recognition, pre-writing skills, and much more!

  2. 35 Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers (3

    Play ball games, such as kickball, soccer, or basketball. These games help children develop their hand-eye coordination and improve their balance and strength. Bike Riding: Source: theinspiredtreehouse.com Encourage preschoolers to ride their bikes outside. This activity helps them develop their leg muscles, balance, and coordination. Nature Walks:

  3. Fun Activities For 3 Year Olds To 5 Year Olds

    The following simple learning activities for 3 to 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).

  4. 75 Easy Outdoor Activities & Play Ideas For Preschoolers

    Inside: easy outdoor activities for preschoolers to keep 3-5 year olds busy all summer long! And, if you're lucky, give you a bit of peace…here's hoping! Plenty of outdoor activities suitable for a preschool setting too. If you're little, nothing beats good clean fun outside. Actually, what am I saying, the messier the better!

  5. 10 Fun Activities to Do with Your 3-5 Year Old

    1. Trace letters together Three-year olds are often big fans of drawing. They'll make circular people with stick limbs and funny faces all day if you let them! Use this penchant for art by helping them trace letters. Buy paper meant for this purpose with red dotted lines where the middle of the letters will lie.

  6. 999+ Preschool Activities: Engaging & Educational Ideas for 3-5 Year Olds

    Activities for Preschoolers. Welcome to our Preschooler Activities Archive - your go-to destination for over 999 fun and engaging activities crafted with your little ones in mind! Here, we celebrate the joy of learning through play, offering a range of activities suitable for preschoolers aged 3-5.

  7. Learning Activities and Games for 3-5-Year-Olds

    Learning Activities and Games for 3-5-Year-Olds - Montessori Nature Printables Learning Activities and Games for 3-5-Year-Olds Hands-on Activities, Homeschooling, Preschool, Printables, Teaching • January 30, 2024

  8. 15 Best Learning Activities for Your 3 Year Old Preschooler

    5 Fun Developmental Activities for 3-Year-Olds 1. Recognizing Letters and Sounds Learning activities for 3-year-olds are most fun when they are dressed up as family games, pretend plays, or become parts of our daily activities and observations. Recognizing letters and their sounds is one such activity that can be done in several ways.

  9. 15 free preschool games 3- to 5-year-olds are sure to adore

    Articles & Guides Child care 15 free preschool games 3- to 5-year-olds are sure to adore From coordination-building social activities to indoor and online games that emphasize core learning, check out these free games for 3- to 5-year-olds. Julia Sullivan Updated on: June 12, 2023

  10. Activities for 3 to 5 Years Old: Educational Ideas for Preschoolers

    1. Arts and Crafts: Collages and Clay Sculptures Arts and crafts activities are an excellent way to develop preschoolers' creativity and fine motor skills. Encourage them to create collages using different materials like paper, fabric, and buttons.

  11. Preschool Crafts

    Keep kids ages 3 to 5 years busy with these fun and educational craft activities. Popular Cupcake Liner Flowers Have fun turning colorful cupcake liners into pretty paper flowers Popular Paper Plate Crown

  12. Outdoor games for 3 to 5 year olds: 20 fun 15-minute ideas

    Your 3 to 5 year old loves getting outdoors for active play - and there are lots of fun games you can play together in the garden, the backyard or the local park without too much prep or faffing around for materials. ... Indoor games for preschoolers; Authors. Tara Breathnach Content Editor and Social Media Producer. Tara is mum to 1 daughter ...

  13. 25 Easy Stem Activities for 3 5 Year Olds

    Engaging kids between the ages of 3 and 5 in hands-on STEM activities can help them explore the world around them, build problem-solving abilities, and encourage critical thinking. To get you started, here are easy STEM activities for 3 5 Year Olds specifically designed for preschoolers, featuring simple materials and age-appropriate concepts.

  14. 3

    Gail Gibbons: Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids Categories (3581) (1343) 3 - 5 years old (3333) 6 - 12 years old (4075) (963) (3) (942) (98) (93) (17) (49) (69) (172) (39) (110) (9) Dollmaking (124) (190) (317) (48) Easter Crafts (255) Edibles (403) Experiential (276) Fall Crafts (489) (3596)

  15. 5 Best Activities for 3-Year-Olds to Develop Social, Cognitive and

    What you'll need: A simple board game designed for kids as young as 3, like Snail's Pace Race or The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel. How to do it: Sit down with your child and play the game together according to the directions, or follow them as closely as you can. It may take several tries for your child to get the hang of it.

  16. 21 Things to Do with a 3 Year Old (Fun + Engaging Activities)

    2. Rice and Beans. This activity is so much fun and really helps your 3-year-olds to use their imagination. All you need is some dry rice or beans and then lots of different-sized containers for them to pour them back and forth. Give them spoons, scoops, cups, and even a mesh strainer, and see the fun they have.

  17. Music & Movement Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

    If you're looking for a great resource for musical instrument activities for 3-5 year olds, I'd suggest checking out '101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children' by Abigail Flesch Connors. It's my go-to resource for songs, rhymes, and games for preschoolers using rhythm instruments (shakers, sticks, drums, bells, etc.).

  18. 18 Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers

    Fine motor skills activities for 3-5 year olds. Please supervise children while they are doing these activities. Pushing Toothpicks I just love easy fine motor activities! This one requires 2 supplies and is pretty easy to take anywhere. It really works on those small muscles! You can find the cheese shakers here.

  19. 25+ Dramatic Play Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

    Dramatic Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers. Flower Market (with Printables) The Garden Shop (Pre-Kinders) Pumpkin Stand. Apple Stand. Honeybee Stand (Planning Playtime) Winter Bear Cave Dramatic Play. Post Office.

  20. Fun Indoor Exercises for Preschoolers (3-5 Years Old)

    They're improving their Improved proficiency, control, and balance while walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, and marching. They're also developing a stronger sense of body awareness. Listening & Understanding: They're developing the ability to follow simple and multiple-step directions. Physical Development:

  21. 22 Self Esteem Activities for 3-5 Year Olds (Preschool & Kindergarten)

    The Best Self Esteem Activities for 3-5 Year Olds (Kindergarten & Preschool) There are several ideas that you can use to help children with self-esteem. You will also want to find the best one that works for you and your family. Maybe just implementing one of these things will work, or maybe you like 4-5 of them.

  22. 21 Creative Park Activities for Preschoolers (3-5 Year Olds)

    In this section, you'll find perfect outdoor activities for 3-5-year-olds, no matter what your park looks like. 1. Play "Bubble Armies". Someone (or a bubble gun) blows lots of bubbles, and your preschooler gets to swat at them until he smashes as many of the "army" of bubbles as possible.

  23. DAP with Preschoolers

    Celebrate young children and their families with hands-on activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, food, and art. ... DAP with Preschoolers, Ages 3-5. ... two 4-year-old girls are pretending to read menus. Maria, noticing that neither girl has taken on the role of waiter, takes notepad and pencil in hand and asks ...

  24. Activities for a 5-year-old: Fostering your child's development

    Things to do with a 5-year-old Week 1: Get cooking. It can be fun to involve your 5-year-old in simple cooking or baking activities, allowing them to measure ingredients, mix, and observe chemical ...

  25. 5 Senses in 3 Year Old Kindergarten. TeachersMag.com

    Jolinda Schmidt 5 Senses in 3 Year Old Kindergarten. I'm so excited to use these in my classroom! They will be perfect for learning about their 5 Senses. We will be starting the week with sound where we will do many activities using our ears. I put different items in eggs to shake, and then they need to decide what is in them.

  26. The 2 Best Smartwatches for Kids of 2024

    We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› After additional testing, we continue to recommend the Verizon Gizmo Watch ...

  27. Castlecreek home invasion: Man shot to death in front of family inside

    HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Police are looking for three suspects who allegedly broke into a man's home in southwest Houston and shot him to death in front of his wife and two kids Sunday morning ...

  28. Trial begins for Bellevue man accused of killing children

    Mary Nielsen with her children, 5-year-old Emily and 3-year-old Theodore. Adam Price, who shared custody of the kids with Nielsen, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in his ...