Practicing social distancing, but needing new activities to do with your toddler or preschooler? We’ve got you covered! Welcome to another edition of Preschool Fun! This week we’re celebrating puppies.
Start by asking your child a few questions about puppies, just for fun! It’s always fun hearing their answers.
- What does a puppy sound like?
- What color are puppies?
- What’s a grown-up puppy called?
- Can you crawl like a puppy?
If you have a book on puppies, read it!
Paw Patrol anyone? Any book that mentions a puppy or dog or anything like that. If not, no worries, we’ll get to a substitute later.
Next, let’s sing!
Remember the classic “If You’re Happy and You Know It?” Do that first. Clap your hands, stomp your feet, shout hooray, do all three! Now, let’s add a puppy spin!
If you’re a puppy and you know it, wag your tail
If you’re a puppy and you know it, wag your tail
If you’re a puppy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you’re a puppy and you know it, wag your tail
Add other verses such as “bark like this,” “scratch your ears,” “do all three.” Or, make your own! What else do puppies do?
Next, let’s go with another old favorite – “B-I-N-G-O!” You can just sing it or write down the letters on separate pieces of paper and take them down when they’re eliminated. Don’t forget to clap!
Now it’s time for an activity!
Let’s play Hide the Bone. Make a paper bone (draw one on a piece of paper) and hide it in your house. Have your child try to find it. Try again!
For today’s science, we’re going to focus on archaeology.
Hide a toy in the sand. Then, let your child dig it up using their hands like a puppy. (Or, of course, a shovel if they prefer!) Once it’s out, clean it up! Have them dust it off with a paint brush or tissue. Wash it clean in a bowl of water. Analyze it. Would a puppy like this toy? What would they do with it?
Craft time!
Let’s make paw prints! These are super simple and very cute to make. You only need a used toilet paper tube and paint.
- Pour some paint onto a plate or container.
- Have your child dip the circular end of the tube into the paint and then press it onto the paper. You made a circle!
- Now, have them use their finger (or a Q-tip if they prefer) and put five dots around the top of the circle. They made a paw print!
- Repeat to make lots of paw prints. Use different color paints. Have fun with it!
Last, make your own puppy book!
- Staple some papers together and have each page represent a color.
- Write (or have your child write) “The puppy is _____” (e.g. The puppy is running.)
- Illustrate! (Draw, color, cut out pictures from magazines, print out pictures, etc.)
