Teaching preschoolers is so much fun! These hands-on learning activities for preschoolers will teach them early literacy skills, numeracy skills and STEM all through play and discovery!
With these activities your preschooler will learn the letters of the alphabet, beginning phonics, how to spell their name, number recognition, counting, measurement, animals science, shapes and much more!
If you have a preschooler at home, my program for 2-3 year olds will be your super hero! See how ONE playful activity each day can cover ALL core skills and get your little one ready to rock Kindergarten right here!
Learning Activities for Preschoolers
These learning activities for preschoolers all use basic craft supplies and normal household materials so you can easily get started teaching your preschooler some academic skills through play!
Literacy Activities for Preschoolers
Literacy activities for preschoolers include letter recognition, letter sounds and name activities.
Name in a Jar – Challenge your preschooler to find objects that start with the letter sounds of their name. For this activity you will need as many jars as letters in their name and small objects.
Popsicle Stick Name Puzzles – Teach your preschooler to recognize their name with this simple name puzzle made out of popsicle sticks. For this activity you will need craft sticks and markers.
Name Hockey – Active, sports loving preschoolers will have a blast playing Name Hockey. All you need are some paper plates with the letters of your preschoolers name on them and a little indoor hockey need and hockey stick.
Scoop and Dump the Alphabet Activity – Construction loving preschoolers will love this alphabet activity. You’ll need rocks with letters on them and some toy construction vehicles.
Letter Hunt Sensory Bin – With a simple sensory bin, preschoolers can learn letter recognition and letter sounds by searching for letters to match the letter sounds to pictures.
Alphabet Zoom Zip-Line Letters Activity by Stir the Wonder. Preschoolers will have fun learning letter recognition and letter sounds with this action-packed activity! All you need is string, paper, letter stickers and paper clips.
Alphabet Sensory Bin by My Bored Toddler. This simple alphabet sensory bin is a fun way for preschoolers to learn to recognize letters. For this activity you’ll need letter magnets, sensory bin filler like rice or sand and a plastic bin.
Rainbow Rice Sensory Writing Tray for Handwriting by Messy Little Monsters. This colorful activity is a great way for preschoolers to practice handwriting. All you need is some dyed rice in a shallow dish and letter cards.
Learn to Play the Piano with Simply Piano. Learning to play the piano is full of learning. Simply Piano shares the top ten songs to get your preschooler started in this blog post.
Numeracy Activities for Preschoolers
These numeracy activities for preschoolers cover number recognition, counting and early math skills.
Spring Math Flowers – Preschoolers will love this creative spring flowers math activity. For this math craft all you need is construction paper and glue.
Play Dough Numbers: Number Recognition and Counting Activity – Teach your preschooler number recognition, number formation and counting with this hands-on activity. You will need play dough, beads and these printable number mats.
Teaching Math to Preschoolers Using Playing Cards – Teaching math to preschoolers doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t need worksheets. All you need is a deck of playing cards and these fun game ideas.
Preschool Math Activity: Number Boxes by Busy Toddler. This hands-on activity will help your preschooler learn number sense. You’ll need a large piece of paper, a marker and stickers.
Count and Smash Play Dough Math Activity by Stir the Wonder. Your preschooler will have fun counting and smashing play dough balls with this hands-on math activity! For this activity you’ll need play dough, toy tools and a number die.
Learning Numbers: Simple Ten Frame Activities with Rocks by Little Pinch of Perfect. This hands-on number matching activity uses rocks and a simple ten frame to teach number recognition.
Touch & Feel Counting Cards by Teach Me Mommy. Make these simple touch and feel counting cards to teach number sense. You’ll need cardboard, pipe cleaners, pompoms and a hot glue gun.
STEM Activities for Preschoolers
These STEM activities for preschoolers include a variety of science areas including natural science, early chemistry and early physics.
Seed Germination for Kids– Show your preschooler how seed germinate with this simple science activity. You will need paper towels, bean seeds and a jar.
Playing with Volume in the Rice Table – Preschoolers will enjoy learning all about volume by scooping rice and filling different sized containers with rice at a sensory table.
Five Senses Activities for Kids Outdoors – Teach your preschooler all about the five senses with these wonderful outdoor activities.
Measuring Water Beads by Blue Bear Wood. Measuring water beads as they grow is such a neat idea STEM idea! It teaches preschoolers the scientific method and how to measure very small objects by length.
Kitchen Roll Magic Drawing Science by Learning and Exploring Through Play. This cool science demonstration is sure to wow preschoolers! For this activity you’ll need paper towels, markers and a shallow dish of water.
Animal Camouflage Hands-on Science Activity by Stir the Wonder. Teach your preschooler about animal camouflage and habitats with this simple hands-on science activity. You’ll need an assortment of little plastic animals from a variety of ecosystems and this free printable.
Symmetry Circles Math Activity by A Little Pinch of Perfect. Preschoolers will be interested in learning about shapes and symmetry with this simple math activity. To do this activity you’ll need some pattern blocks and these circle printables.
Walking Water Science Experiment by 3 Dinosaurs. This simple science activity will amaze your preschooler! For this activity you’ll need paper towels, cups, food coloring and water.
Melting Rainbow Preschool Science Experiment by Darcy and Brian. Let your preschooler experiment with chemical reactions and colors. This simple activity requires baking soda, food coloring and vinegar.
Rain Cloud in a Jar Preschool Science Experiment by Natural Beach Living. Teach your preschooler all about rain clouds with this easy science experiment. For this activity you’ll need a jar, shaving cream and colorful water.
How to make a Magnet wall by Days with Grey. Imagine having your very own magnet wall in your home! Beth, from Days with Grey, shows us exactly how to make this happen. Think of all of the learning that will take place on this wall.
If you are planning some learning activities for your preschooler I hope this list inspires you to incorporate some hands-on fun!
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