Below, I’ve sorted my favorite snowman picture books by age, with books for toddlers and young preschoolers (ages 2 to 3) and books for older preschool and pre-K kids (ages 4 to 5). Each book comes with a simple companion activity to extend the story. Happy reading!

Using Snowman Books in Your Winter Preschool Unit

One reason snowman books are such a hit in a winter preschool unit is that they celebrate the season of winter rather than a specific holiday. Stories about particular winter holidays have their place in a diverse, inclusive classroom, but a snowman picture book is an easy home run for story time. Pair it with a themed activity, and you’re all set for a day of engaged learning! For even more ideas, see our best winter books for kids and snowman activities for kids.

Snowman Books for Toddlers and Young Preschoolers (Ages 2–3)

There are many children’s books about snow, but these are especially great for younger readers with shorter attention spans who are curious about snowmen.

Safety note: Several activities below use small items like buttons and pom-poms. For 2- and 3-year-olds, choose larger pieces and supervise closely.

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

This is a classic for a reason! The illustrations are beautiful and timeless, and although the book has no words, it’s rich with story. I love it for younger readers because there are no long paragraphs, so if the group starts losing interest on a page, you can move at their pace.

Activity: “My Snowman Story.” Ask the children what they see happening on each page and narrate the story together. Write down their words exactly and add them to photocopies of each page. Keep your class’s shared story in the classroom, or make one for each child to take home as an end-of-year keepsake that parents will treasure.

Community Snowman by Deborah Kerbel

Like The Snowman, this book has no words. The story invites conversation about how we work together as a team and support one another, and the funny pieces used for the snowman’s face are sure to make your toddlers giggle!

Activity: Helper connections. Use this book as a springboard for talking about how we help each other. When you notice children being good helpers throughout the day, tie it back to specific scenes in the book. (“When you helped put the block on top of Millie’s tower, it was just like when the big kid helped put the snowman’s head on!”)

Building a Snowman by Jasper Bix

This nonfiction book follows a family as they build a snowman of their own. Think of it as a how-to book for snowman building, which is especially helpful for young children who don’t remember last winter or children in warmer climates who have never seen snow.

Activity: “Snowman Sensory Bin.” Sensory snow is super easy to make: mix about 2 1/2 cups of baking soda with 1/2 cup of hair conditioner for a crumbly texture that holds together well enough to build a tiny snowman. Add snowman accessories like buttons and sticks, or a few unexpected loose parts that might invite interesting play. Pair it with our building a snowman sequencing printable.

Frozen Noses by Jan Carr

The quick, simple rhyming structure is a big hit with younger readers, and there’s some great onomatopoeia in this book too!

Activity: Winter dramatic play. Pair this book with your dramatic play area and add hats, mittens, and scarves to invite play about the winter activities children might enjoy.

The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel

I remember my mom reading this book to me every winter growing up! I loved all of Shirley Neitzel’s books, and the cadence, illustrations, and repetition are all so nostalgic to me. This book is longer than others for 2- and 3-year-olds, but its use of rebus (pictures in place of words) makes it more accessible and engaging for younger learners.

Activity: “Storyboard.” Print an image of each piece of clothing in the book, enough for every child to have one, and add Velcro to the back. Hand them out before the read-aloud and put a felt board next to you. As each piece of clothing comes up in the story, the children holding that picture come up and add it to the board.

Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright

This silly story is such a crowd-pleaser for 2- and 3-year-olds. The solution at the end that keeps Sneezy at just the right temperature is just as memorable as his friends’ dedication to rebuilding him each time he melts.

Activity: “Sneezy’s Cones.” Set up an art table invitation to make ice cream cones like Sneezy’s with glue, pom-poms, and paper triangles.

Snowman Books for Preschool and Pre-K (Ages 4–5)

These snowman books for kids are great for older preschoolers who can think a little deeper and are ready for longer, more detailed winter read-alouds for preschool.

How to Catch a Snowman by Adam Wallace

This wily snowman manages to escape the snowman-building contest!

Activity: “Snowman Trap.” Could your preschoolers build a better trap? Invite them to work together on a snowman trap, supporting them as they decide what to build with and what might tempt a snowman.

The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll

Desmond and Clayton, the mouse friends, are important figures at my house every season! We love this book just as much as The Biggest Pumpkin Ever, which my 3-year-old calls “such a funny book.” It’s on the longer side, but still so engaging!

Activity: Big block builds. Add this story to your block area to encourage children to team up on big block creations, just like Desmond and Clayton do.

All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle

I love the illustrations and rhyming pattern of this book! It makes a great read-aloud, with children giggling at each “EXCEPT.”

Activity: “Feltboard Snowman.” Make felt pieces for each item the book lists so children can assemble their own snowman as you read.

Snow Dude by Daniel Kirk

Snow Dude is a funny, modern take on the story of the Gingerbread Man.

Activity: Compare and contrast. Read it alongside other versions of The Gingerbread Man and talk about the similarities and differences. It makes a great mini literacy unit!

The Biggest, Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler

This book has an important message that children really need to hear: no task is too big when you try your best!

Activity: “I can do it like Little Nell.” When your preschoolers feel too small to tackle something big, remind them of Little Nell. Ask, “What would Little Nell do?” and talk through how she broke her big job into small steps.

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert

Lois Ehlert creates such visual treasures with found items, nature, and cut paper. Her snowmen have character, personality, and a story.

Activity: “Snowman Self-Portraits.” Use glue and loose parts like the ones in the book (buttons, seeds, fabric scraps, and yarn) to make snowman self-portraits!

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

This classic snowman story invites children to wonder what snowmen do when no one is looking. It’s silly, it’s fun, and it’s sure to become a new classroom favorite.

Activity: “Fill in the Blank Art.” Photocopy a page of the book with a sticky note covering the snowmen to leave a blank space. Ask the children to draw the snowmen doing something new that they think snowmen might do at night!

Tips for the Best Snowman Storytime

The best snowman storytime is one you’re excited about! When children can tell you’re interested in a story, it piques their interest too.

• Bring the characters to life: Use fun voices for each snowman, pretend to be confused by the silly things they do, and act shocked when they end up in a sticky situation (or worse, melted!).
• Connect it to the classroom: Storytime works best when it’s tied into the rest of the day, so try some of the activities above. After reading, try our snowman telling time game or pipe cleaner icicles for fine motor fun.
• Set up a listening center: Let children revisit favorite stories on their own, like with our December listening center books with QR codes.
• Grab ready-made printables: Our Printables Club has winter literacy printables, snowman writing prompts, and sequencing cards to pair with your read-alouds.

You never know what might spark winter joy for your preschoolers!

Frequently Asked Questions

The post The Best Snowman Books for Preschool (With Activity Ideas) appeared first on Teaching Mama.

Table of Contents

• What’s Included in This Winter Bingo Printable
• How to Play Winter Bingo with Preschoolers
• Ways to Use This Winter Bingo Printable
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Get Your Free Winter Bingo Printable

What’s Included in This Winter Bingo Printable

This preschool bingo printable is set up to use in your classroom right away. Inside the free download, you’ll find:

• Multiple unique bingo cards: Every card is different, so only a few children get BINGO at a time. That keeps the fun going for many rounds while building patience and perseverance.
• A teacher’s set of calling cards: Just shuffle and draw to pick the next picture. No guesswork, no extra prep. The calling cards basically put this game on autopilot, which we all need come wintertime!
• Winter pictures kids recognize: Snowflakes, mittens, snowmen, hot cocoa, sleds, icicles, hats, scarves, boots, cardinals, and pine trees.

Just print and pass out. So easy!

How to Play Winter Bingo with Preschoolers

1. Pass out the cards: Give each child one winter bingo card.
2. Choose your markers: Pom-poms, counting bears, buttons, or mini erasers all work great for covering pictures.
3. Call the pictures: Shuffle the calling cards and hold them up one at a time.
4. Find and cover: Help your preschoolers find the matching picture on their card and cover it.
5. Shout BINGO! Keep going until someone fills a whole row, then have them call out, “BINGO!”
6. Play again: Repeat a few times so there’s a chance for lots of winners.

Tips for Playing with Young Preschoolers

Playing bingo with young preschoolers can seem intimidating, but with a few adaptations it’s just as much fun!

• Skip the letters: Focus only on finding the matching picture. This makes rounds go faster, too.
• Show, don’t just say: Young children match more easily when they see the picture instead of just hearing the word. Hold your calling card up so everyone can see it.
• Slow down: Make sure everyone has found the match before moving on. Walk around and hold the calling card next to each child’s card while you name it: “This is a scarf! Do you have a scarf too?”
• Keep rounds short: A few quick rounds beat one long one for little attention spans.
• Celebrate every winner: High fives and applause keep spirits high and build classroom community.

Safety note: For children under 3, use larger markers (like big pom-poms or bingo daubers) instead of small buttons or mini erasers.

Ways to Use This Winter Bingo Printable

• As a full lesson: Build a whole winter lesson around the game and the vocabulary on the cards.
• During transitions: A quick round holds preschoolers’ attention during tricky parts of the day.
• In sub plans: Winter bingo is a no-brainer for sub plans if you’re home with a winter cold.
• With parent volunteers: It’s an easy, ready-to-go activity for classroom helpers.
• At a table center: Once children know the rules, let them run bingo on their own in small groups.
• At home: It’s a perfect winter activity printable for snow days or a cozy family game night.

You could truly use this winter bingo game for kids all season long! Looking for more games? Try our snowman telling time game and Thanksgiving I-Spy printables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Your Free Winter Bingo Printable

Download your free winter bingo printable below!

If you love it, consider joining our Printables Club, where you’ll get access to hundreds of other ready-to-use resources just like this free bingo printable for kids. There are even more seasonal bingo games to keep the fun going all year, like our free printable Halloween bingo game and summer bingo printable.

The post Free Winter Bingo Printable for Preschool (Multiple Cards Included) appeared first on Teaching Mama.

Choosing a few simple December themes for preschool can give your month enough structure without adding more to your plate. Seasonal books, easy sensory activities, printables, and materials you already have can keep preschoolers learning while still making room for all the excitement that comes with December.

Below you’ll find four of my favorite themes, plus easy literacy and math ideas, sensory and science activities, a December book list, and my best tips for managing holiday energy. Here’s how I keep December simple and fun!

Why December Themes for Preschool Make Planning Easier

Preschoolers do well with predictable routines, especially during a month that can feel anything but predictable. Using a weekly theme helps you organize your December classroom activities without having to reinvent your plans every day.

One theme can easily include:

• A read aloud
• A simple literacy activity
• A counting or sorting activity
• A sensory bin
• A craft or fine motor activity
• A short science activity

You do not need to fill every part of the day with a themed activity. Keep your regular routine and add one or two seasonal activities where they make sense. That’s how you balance fun and learning: the routine stays steady, and the theme adds the sparkle.

Teaching Mama Tip: If you’re planning at home, a simple home preschool schedule makes it easy to see where one themed activity fits each day.

Our Favorite December Themes for Preschool

The best December themes for preschool are Winter Wonderland, Gingerbread, Arctic Animals, and Holidays Around the World. Each works well for ages 3 to 5 because it builds on things preschoolers already love, like snow, cookies, and animals. One theme per week gives you a ready-made plan for read-alouds, counting games, sensory bins, and crafts using materials you already have.

There are so many directions you can take your December plans, but these four are some of my favorites because they’re easy to plan around, with plenty of books, activities, and simple learning ideas to choose from.

Winter Wonderland

A winter theme is one of the easiest places to start because it can be as simple as snowflakes, mittens, snowmen, and ice.

Try:

• Writing letters in shaving cream “snow”
• Counting cotton ball snowballs
• Sorting mittens by color or size
• Making paper snowflakes
• Building snowmen with play dough
• Painting snow with watercolors

Winter is also a great theme if you want preschool winter activities without focusing heavily on holidays. You can pair these ideas with a set of my snow activities for preschoolers.

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is one of those December themes that preschoolers instantly recognize and get excited about. It is easy to build a full week around, and there are plenty of simple ways to carry the theme through your learning activities.

Try:

• Retelling The Gingerbread Man
• Counting buttons on gingerbread people
• Decorating paper gingerbread cutouts
• Making gingerbread scented play dough
• Building gingerbread houses with blocks
• Practicing positional words with a hidden gingerbread person

One year we did a “where is the gingerbread man” hunt and had parents send in postcards and letters so we could try to track him down! It was an instant hit, and my preschoolers were talking about it for months. This theme really gives you endless opportunities!

Arctic Animals

Polar bears, seals, walruses, arctic foxes, and other cold weather animals are always fascinating to preschoolers. An Arctic animal theme works especially well because you can combine science, vocabulary, early math, and pretend play.

Try:

• Sorting animals by habitat
• Counting plastic animals
• Building icy habitats with blocks
• Talking about how animals stay warm
• Painting an Arctic scene
• Matching animal figures to picture cards

This theme also works well with winter sensory bins and small world play! If you’re looking for more activities and worksheets on arctic animals, take a look at this polar animals preschool packet.

Holidays Around the World

December is a great time to talk about the different ways families celebrate. Keep this theme simple for preschoolers. Focus on families, traditions, and the ways people spend time together rather than trying to teach every detail of every holiday.

You might talk about:

• Family traditions
• Special foods
• Music
• Decorations and lights
• Ways families spend time and celebrate together

Read books about different celebrations and invite children to share traditions from their own families when appropriate. At this age, simple conversations about how families celebrate in different ways are plenty. If your group loves this one, it pairs nicely with these preschool family theme activities.

Teaching Mama Tip: Choose themes that fit your group. If your preschoolers are especially interested in snow, animals, or gingerbread, spend more time there. You do not need to cover every December theme. Most of these ideas also work as holiday themes for toddlers; just use bigger materials and keep activities shorter.

Literacy and Math for December

December is a great time to give the literacy and math skills you’re already working on a seasonal spin. You don’t need to introduce anything brand new. A few simple swaps, like snowflakes for counting pieces or gingerbread letters for matching, can make familiar skills feel new again.

December Literacy Activities

A few easy ideas include:

• Form letters in shaving cream snow
• Match alphabet cards to snowflakes
• Build names with letter tiles
• Retell a gingerbread story with picture cards
• Find letters hidden in a sensory bin with fake snow

You can also use seasonal printables when you need something quick to pull out during centers. The Five Beautiful Christmas Trees booklet is an easy one to print and read together.

December Math Activities

December math can stay very hands on. Here are some of my favorites that are easy to add to the rotation:

• Counting pom pom ornaments
• Matching numerals to groups of snowballs
• Making red and green patterns
• Sorting bows by color or size
• Rolling a die and adding that many buttons to a snowman
• Counting marshmallows into pretend cups of cocoa

These types of activities keep preschool math concrete and easy to understand. If you are looking for printable winter math activities or other print-and-go pages, use them as a support instead of making them the entire lesson.

Teaching Mama Tip: Let preschoolers touch and move real objects before asking them to complete a paper activity. Count pom poms first, then move to a printable if you want extra practice.

Seasonal Sensory and Science Activities

Winter is one of my favorite times to switch up our sensory bin and add in a few simple science experiments. There are so many easy ways to bring snow, ice, and hands-on winter learning into your day, and my kids always love the change of pace.

Melting Snowman Experiment

For a simple winter science activity, make a small snowman using real snow or crushed ice and place it in a shallow tray. Before it starts to melt, ask preschoolers what they think will happen and encourage them to make a few predictions.

You can ask questions like:

• What do you think the snowman will look like later?
• Where do you think the water will come from?
• Do you think it will melt faster in a warm spot or a cold spot?

Check on the snowman throughout the day and talk about the changes you notice together. If you do not have snow, ice works just as well.

Winter Sensory Bottles

Fill a clear bottle with water and a few winter materials such as:

• Glitter
• Snowflake confetti
• Pom poms
• Small beads
• Sequins

Seal the lid securely (a line of hot glue or strong tape inside the cap helps keep curious hands out) and let children shake and watch the materials move. Sensory bottles are especially helpful when preschoolers need a quieter activity during a busy month.

Small beads, pom poms, and sequins can be choking hazards, so keep a close eye on younger children during sensory play.

Teaching Mama Tip: Before buying anything for a sensory activity, check what you already have. Cotton balls, dry rice, cups, spoons, pom poms, and plastic animals can be used again and again.

December Books to Read Aloud

Some of my favorite preschool books are winter books! There are so many great stories to pull out this time of year, and they fit perfectly with the themes and activities we are already doing.

Cozy Winter Read-Alouds

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
• Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
• The Mitten by Jan Brett
• The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth

Books About Holiday Traditions

• Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
• Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
• Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind

I like to have a mix of winter stories, holiday favorites, and books that show different family traditions.

Teaching Mama Tip: If your preschoolers ask for the same book over and over, read it again. Repetition is so good for this age, and you will be surprised how much more they notice each time.

Tips for Managing Holiday Energy

If you have ever taught preschool in December, you know the energy can be a lot. The excitement is high, routines are a little off, and even your most focused preschoolers can suddenly seem extra wiggly.

This is usually the time when I remind myself to simplify instead of adding more.

• Keep the routine steady. Keep your normal routine as steady as you can, even if you are squeezing in parties, special projects, or holiday activities. Preschoolers do so much better when they still know what is coming next.
• Shorten activities and add movement. I like to keep activities shorter this time of year and build in more movement when I can. A quick dance break, pretending to skate around the room, or acting out a winter story can go a long way when everyone needs to reset. These Christmas songs with actions are perfect for a quick wiggle break.
• Offer quiet choices. Books, play dough, puzzles, coloring, and simple fine motor activities are great for those moments when the room starts to feel a little too busy.

Teaching Mama Tip: If you planned five adorable December activities and only get to two of them, that is completely fine. You do not have to do it all for the month to still feel fun and memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Simple, intentional activities can carry you through December without adding more stress to an already busy season. Pick a theme or two, pull out a few books, and let your preschoolers’ excitement lead the way.

Which December theme are you trying first this year? Let me know in the comments!

The post December Themes for Preschool: Activities, Books, and Printables appeared first on Teaching Mama.

Have you ever been so excited for an activity, worked hard to set it up just right, introduced it with enthusiasm, and then watched in disbelief as your children lost interest in minutes? Been there! I dislike the diminishing returns of elaborate setups. It sometimes feels like the more time I put into preparing, the less excited the children are. What’s so great about these gross motor activities is that they’re quick to set up and run, and children actually want to play them. Some of these games were so popular that children were still requesting them months after I first introduced them.

Why Movement Matters in the Preschool Day

Preschoolers are incredibly physical beings. Their emotions course through their entire bodies. They bounce, jump, and twirl while sharing a story. To support preschool-aged children, we need to make room for whole-body learning, including gross motor movement.

When we ask children to sit still, listen quietly, and stop wiggling, it takes up all their focus. Instead of listening to what we’re sharing, they’re thinking only about sitting correctly. It’s so much more equitable (and honestly, way easier for you and the children) to build big body movement into the learning instead. Movement also helps children work through their thoughts and feelings, regulate their minds and bodies, and process their experiences throughout the day. The World Health Organization recommends that 3- and 4-year-olds get at least 180 minutes of varied physical activity spread across the day, so short movement games add up quickly. Learn more about why gross motor skills are important.

How to Set Up Movement Games with Preschoolers

• Keep instructions short: Children need the basic guidelines, and the finer details will sort themselves out as they play. Overloading them with specifics up front can confuse them out of trying.
• Keep the tone light and fun: This is a game, after all! The point is to get their bodies moving and their gross motor skills growing, so following the rules perfectly is secondary.
• Show, don’t tell: Sometimes a wordless demonstration is all you need. Act it out once before inviting the children to join you.

10+ Preschool Movement Games to Try This Winter

Below you’ll find 11 movement games for kids, grouped into four categories. Each category serves a different purpose in the classroom:

• Musical movement games help channel energy through song when your class is getting a little rowdy.
• Chasing and catching games raise the energy and get a quieter group giggling together.
• Cooperative movement games build collaboration and community as children cheer each other on.
• Brain break games are short bursts for transitions or for breaking up a block of focused work.

Musical Movement Games

1. Listen and Move by Greg and Steve

This song is a mainstay for a reason: kids really love it! It’s no-frills, has straightforward instructions, and has an upbeat tune that gets children grooving. There are many songs that encourage children to try different gross motor movements, but Listen and Move is still my favorite. As a bonus, it’s the least annoying of the bunch for adults, so if your class wants to play it over and over, you won’t end up with a headache! For more ideas, check out these circle time songs and winter songs for preschoolers.

2. Musical Statues

Musical statues is such a fun game for eager listening ears. It’s similar to freeze dance, since children have to pay attention while they dance so they can freeze when the music stops, but with the added creativity of turning into statues. Encourage even more gross motor skills by suggesting different statue poses, like standing on one foot or reaching up high. You can use any song you like: an upbeat song for fast dancing, or a slow instrumental to encourage stretching or quiet tiptoeing. You could even pick your own favorite song so you can get your boogie on too!

3. A Round Little Seed

This song was introduced to me by a more experienced co-teacher during one of my first years of teaching. She had such a presence with the children, and one of the ways she built it was through song. A round little seed could be anything, not just a seed! Is it October? A round little pumpkin! Christmas? A round little holly berry! Feeling silly? A round little basketball! The possibilities are endless. What made this song special was the way she took her time with each child so they felt included and noticed. I also learned that while playing music on a speaker is fun, there’s something special about simply singing aloud to children without accompaniment.

How to play: Have each child curl up in a ball on the ground, pretending to be a little seed. Go around to each child and pretend to cover them in dirt by gently patting their back, burying them so they can grow and blossom. Once every child has been buried, sing:

A round little seed grew in the sun

It grew and it grew and it grew to a great, big one

It grew and it grew and it grew for you and me

The biggest flower you’ve ever seen!

As you sing, the children “grow” by slowly standing up and stretching their arms as high as they can. Then have them crouch back down quickly and repeat.

Chasing and Catching Games

4. Scarf Throwing

Play scarves are so versatile, and children get really excited about them. They’re perfect for indoor gross motor play because even when children throw them as hard as they can, they float gently to the ground. Here are a few ways to use them:

• Snowball throwing: Have each child ball up a scarf and throw it like a snowball. Chase it, pick it up, and throw it again!
• Scarf dancing: Let children express themselves by moving to music with their scarves. It will look different for each child, and as long as they’re safe and joyful, all movement is welcome!
• Blow with the wind: Pretend a big gust of wind is coming to blow your scarf away! Hold on tight as the wind “blows” you and your scarf to the other side of the room.

5. Modified Duck, Duck, Goose

Duck, Duck, Goose is such a classic, but it can be tricky for preschoolers because of the race back to the open spot, which often ends in tears or a tumble. For a gentler indoor version, have one child pick a “goose” as usual, but instead of chasing, the goose runs (or skips) around the circle to you for a high five, while the first child sits in the goose’s spot. The goose then picks the next goose, and so on until everyone has had a turn.

Cooperative Movement Games

6. Parachute Play

If there’s one thing preschoolers love, it’s the parachute. Keep one on hand for harsh-weather days, and it will keep them busy for a while! Mix it up by adding balls on top to pop like popcorn, taking turns running underneath, or playing freeze dance music so children have to coordinate their movements together.

7. Roll the Ball To…

Sit in a large circle with one ball. Announce who you’re rolling the ball to by describing a feature or characteristic of one child (like “someone wearing a red sweatshirt” or “someone who loves cats”), and let the children guess before you roll it. Tell the children you’ll all work together to make sure everyone gets a turn.

8. Modified Red Rover

Do you remember playing this in school? I definitely do! For preschoolers indoors, skip the part where children run into linked arms. Instead, have two lines face each other, call a child’s name, and have them hop, crawl, or waddle across to join the other line.

Brain Break Games (Quick 2-Minute Bursts)

These brain breaks for preschoolers are perfect for transitions. Want them ready to go? Join our Printables Club for printable movement activity cards you can pull out whenever your class needs a reset. You’ll find more ideas in our brain breaks for kids post, too.

9. Preschool Zoo

Can anyone show me how a penguin walks? What about an elephant? An alligator? After a couple of minutes of silliness, transition back to work by asking to see some kind, quiet preschoolers again.

10. How High Can You Jump?

So simple, but so effective. Just ask them to show you how high they can jump. Preschoolers love showing off their skills! Jumping releases so much energy and activates muscles throughout the whole body, so you know they’re getting good gross motor movement.

11. Willoughby Wallaby Woo

This Raffi song is great for practicing rhyming. Play along by making up your own rhymes and having children search the room for an item that completes them. For instance, “Wallaby wallaby wall, an elephant sat on a…?” The children might find a ball or a doll! It gives them a chance to get up, move around, and take a little break.

Looking for more winter game ideas? Try our snowman bowling or snowman telling time game, and when spring comes around, our spring shape game.

Tips for Playing Movement Games in Small Spaces

Big body movement in a small space can be tricky, but not impossible!

• Go vertical: If you’re really cramped, choose activities that happen in one spot, like jumping in place, standing on one leg, or reaching as high and as low as they can.
• Take turns with an audience: Have half the class act as the “audience” for a game like musical statues, practicing being a polite audience by watching and clapping, then switch.
• Clear the floor: Push chairs to the edges and move anything children could trip over before you start.
• Try “spots”: Give each child a carpet square or piece of tape on the floor to be their home base for games like Preschool Zoo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you have a few of these preschool movement games in your back pocket, those long winter days indoors get a whole lot easier. Pick one to try tomorrow and see which becomes your class favorite! For more inspiration, browse our free printable games and other preschool activities.

The post Preschool Movement Games Your Kids Will Actually Want to Play appeared first on Teaching Mama.

What You Need to Make Sugar Cone Christmas Trees

The beauty of this craft is that you probably already have most of it at home. No craft store run required — just a quick pantry check.

Supplies:

• Hand mixer
• Plastic kids’ spatulas
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Ceramic bowl
• Ceramic plate or paper plate (one per child!)

Icing:

• 2 cups icing sugar (also called powdered sugar)
• ¼ cup salted butter
• 1 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Green food colouring — gel or liquid

Decorations (this is where the magic happens):

• Box of sugar cones
• Jelly Tots or any small round candy
• Rainbow Laces or candy string
• Edible glitter

A word on the decorations: don’t stress too much about having exactly this list. The whole point is creative freedom, so use what you have. Smarties (M&Ms), different shaped gummies, mini chocolate chips, festive sprinkles — it all works. In fact, some of the most creative trees I’ve seen came from kids who went completely off-script.

How to Make Sugar Cone Christmas Trees

Make the Icing

1. Add icing sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla extract to a bowl and mix with a hand mixer until fluffy and smooth.
2. Add green food colouring drop by drop, mixing as you go, until you hit that perfect Christmas tree green. (A little goes a long way with gel colouring!)

Frost the Cones

3. Using a spatula, spread a small amount of icing under the rim of each cone and press it firmly onto the plate. This acts as “glue” to stop the cone from tipping over while you decorate — and trust me on this one, you don’t want to skip it. A falling tree mid-decorating sends a preschooler into full meltdown territory.
4. Let it stand for about 10 minutes to harden. This is a great time to set out all the decoration options.
5. Now cover the whole cone in icing! Smooth and neat is lovely, but rough and wild is just as beautiful — let the kids lead on this one.

Add the Decorations

6. Starting at the bottom, wrap Rainbow Laces (or candy string) up and around the cone to the top.
7. Press Jelly Tots into the icing along the Rainbow Laces, working your way up to the tip.
8. Once all the trees are decorated, place them on a tray and sprinkle edible glitter over the whole batch in one go. LESS MESS! LESS STRESS!

Encourage your children to decorate however they like — there are no wrong Christmas trees here! Some kids go for perfectly symmetrical candy placement. Others want every Jelly Tot in a different colour. Both are absolutely correct.

Teacher Mama Tips for Success

This activity works for a surprisingly wide age range — I have seen toddlers as young as 3 and adults happily decorating side by side. Here are a few things I’ve learned from doing this with kids at different stages.

Set out more decoration options than you think you need. The moment a child runs out of their favourite topping is the moment the whole thing falls apart. Put out a small variety — Smarties (M&Ms), gummies, glitter, sprinkles — and let them pick freely. Having that sense of control and choice keeps kids invested and focused much longer than you’d expect.

Adjust your approach by age. Children around age 3 may need some help with the icing step — spreading with a spatula takes more hand strength and coordination than it looks. But pressing decorations into the icing? They can absolutely do that independently, and they love it. For older kids ages 7 and up, try letting them use a piping bag instead of a spatula. It takes a little more patience, but the look on their face when they see a perfectly piped tree is worth it.

The colour is up to them. Classic green is the obvious choice, but don’t be afraid to let kids pick their own icing colour. Red and white makes a candy-cane tree. Blue makes a Hanukkah bush. Gold or silver icing turns into something that looks genuinely fancy. My neighbour’s two sons went for red and refused to reconsider, and honestly their trees were the most festive ones on the tray.

Mess is part of the deal — own it. Icing-covered fingers, sprinkles on every surface, one cone that somehow rolled off the plate before it set. This is all normal, it is all fine, and it is all going to get cleaned up. Tell yourself that before you start, so you can be the calm, fun mom in the moment instead of the one stress-watching the counter. The mess cleans up in a jiffy, and the memory lasts a lot longer.

Related Holiday Activities

If your kids loved making their sugar cone Christmas trees, here are a few more holiday favourites that pair beautifully with it.

For a quiet follow-up activity after all the excitement, this beautiful Christmas trees booklet is perfect for settling back down — just crayons and a printer, no prep required.

For a hands-on holiday craft that sneak in some fine motor practice, these fingerprint Christmas tree ornaments make the sweetest keepsakes to hang on the real tree.

And if you need a calm wind-down option to end the afternoon, these Christmas-time puzzles are a great way to keep little hands busy without ramping the energy back up.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Sugar Cone Christmas Trees: Easy No-Bake Edible Craft for Kids appeared first on Teaching Mama.

Why Christmas Songs with Movements Work for Toddlers

The holidays can be chaotic for grown-ups and kids alike. The holiday rush is fun to get swept up in, but it can sometimes leave everyone feeling frazzled. As a mom, we want to make every moment count this time of year and not lose our cool with our high-energy preschoolers, even when we are on our last ounce of patience! What has been the most challenging for my preschooler during the holidays has been the transitions into and out of every highly anticipated festive activity. To keep these moments simple and fun, I have been utilizing these holiday songs and motions. My preschooler loves them, they’re easy to remember in the moment, and it sprinkles in some extra holiday magic — so he sees fun, singing mom instead of holiday-stressed-out mom.

Toddlers’ little bodies experience emotions all the way from the top of their heads to the tips of their toes. When they get excited, they literally cannot contain it to just their brain. Movement and motion help children process these big feelings, taking the confusing surges of energy in their body and giving an outlet for that energy to go. Once that excited energy has been processed, their minds and bodies are more ready and able to focus on the next bit of holiday fun. That’s why these movement songs are perfect for circle time! Get the holiday wiggles out so they can focus on thoughtfully crafting their letter to Santa or carefully decorating their salt dough ornament.

If you love using songs as a learning tool year-round, rhyming songs are another wonderful way to keep building language skills between the holiday festivities.

15 Festive Christmas Songs for Toddlers with Simple Actions

1. Jingle Bells

For this song, having something for your toddler or preschooler to shake makes it fun and easy to get them to move their body. Shake along with them, demonstrating how to shake on the beat.

Teacher Mama Tip: Egg shakers are the easiest instrument for toddlers to hold.

Lyrics:

Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh. O’er the fields we go, laughing all the way. Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright. What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!

2. Up on the Housetop

Encourage your children to tap up on their head when the song says “up” and down on their feet when the song says “down.”

Teacher Mama Tip: If you have older preschoolers, you could start practicing snapping with them on the “click, click, click.” This skill may be harder for younger toddlers.

Lyrics:

Up on the housetop reindeer paws, Out jumps Good Old Santa Claus. Down through the chimney with lots of toys, All for the little ones Christmas joys.

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Up on the housetop, click, click, click, Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick!

First comes the stocking of little Nell, Oh, dear Santa, fill it well. Give her a dolly that laughs and cries, One that will open and shut her eyes.

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Up on the housetop, click, click, click, Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick!

Next comes the stocking of little Will, Oh, just see what a glorious fill. Here is a hammer and lots of tacks, Also a ball and a whip that cracks.

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Up on the housetop, click, click, click, Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick! Up on the housetop, click, click, click, Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick!

3. Five Little Snowmen

This song is great for a finger play! Begin with all five fingers standing tall, and as each snowman melts away, put a finger down until there are no snowmen left!

Teacher Mama Tip: For bigger body movements with this song, have your children melt down like the snowman at the end with their whole body, then jump back up to start the next verse.

Lyrics: (To the tune of Five Little Ducks)

Five little snowmen were standing in a row, Each wore a hat and a big red bow. Out came the sun and it was hot all day. One little snowman melted away.

(Continue for four, three, two, and one — until no snowmen are left!)

4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Get your toddler to pretend to be a reindeer! Put your hands on top of your head pointing out like antlers, and point to your nose when singing about Rudolph’s red nose.

Teacher Mama Tip: This song would be great for a whole class transition from one place to another. Have your preschoolers pretend to be reindeer while “flying” in a line to neatly and happily get where your class is going.

Watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on YouTube →

5. I’m a Little Christmas Tree

If your preschooler needs to stretch and calm down, sing this song while stretching as you pretend to be a Christmas tree together. When the balls drop at the end, fall to the floor together before stretching back up to sing again.

Teacher Mama Tip: If you wanted to give each child in your class some individual attention, you could go around the room and “decorate” a few of their trees by pretending to put ornaments on each time you sing “here are my branches…” Sing this song enough times so that each child gets decorated.

Lyrics: (To the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)

I’m a little Christmas tree tall and straight, Here are my branches for you to decorate. First you put the star on the very top, Just be careful that my balls don’t drop.

6. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

This classic Christmas carol is great for rhythmic clapping! Clap along to the beat, encouraging your children to listen closely to find the right rhythm.

Teacher Mama Tip: Clapping on the beat is so fun! Mix it up by patting your knees, tapping the floor like a pretend drum, or trying to clap on the off-beat for a challenge.

Lyrics:

We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We won’t go until we get some; We won’t go until we get some; We won’t go until we get some, so bring some out here.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

7. Frosty the Snowman

Roll your arms along with this song as you pretend to make a snowman!

Teacher Mama Tip: This song is pretty lengthy — get your preschoolers to listen closely for the word “snow” and challenge them to roll their arms each time they hear that word.

Watch Frosty the Snowman on YouTube →

8. Deck the Halls

This is another great song to introduce instruments to your toddler. Maracas, tambourines, egg shakers, or bells help your child shake their body and get some great movement.

Teacher Mama Tip: Try to get your toddler to hold still on the words, then shake it all out on the Fa la las!

Lyrics:

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la, la la la la. While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

9. Santa’s Coming

Wiggle your belly like a bowl full of jelly on the Ho Ho Hos!

Teacher Mama Tip: Like the original B-I-N-G-O song, you could clap instead of saying the first Ho in the second verse, the first two Hos in the third verse, and so on.

Watch Santa’s Coming on YouTube →

10. Little Snowflake

With floating arms out to the side, help slow your child’s body down with this sweet song. You can slowly move around the room until the snowflake falls on your head, nose, or hand, then touch your hand to that corresponding body part and freeze. When the music picks back up, continue floating around the room.

Teacher Mama Tip: Pick your child’s favorite body parts to swap out for head, nose, or hand. My son loves talking about his hair and eyes right now, so that would be an easy swap.

Watch Little Snowflake by Super Simple Songs on YouTube →

11. Ring the Bells

This song is great for echo singing or call and response. Have your preschooler listen closely and then repeat each line after you while ringing bells. Sing this one many times until they have it!

Teacher Mama Tip: Make it easier to learn call and response by designating who is singing with a bell. When you sing, ring the bell and then hand it over to your child for their turn. They will quickly learn that they should wait to sing until they are ringing the bell. It also helps with learning turn taking, which we practice a lot at our house!

Watch Ring the Bells by Love to Sing on YouTube →

12. Christmas Wiggle

Need a festive song to help get those wiggles out? Wiggle along to Christmas Wiggle together!

Teacher Mama Tip: Some kids are very intuitive dancers, while others need some instruction to feel comfortable joining. If you notice a child apprehensive to wiggling, try giving them some specific ways to wiggle their body, like shaking their foot or waving their hands above their head.

Lyrics: (To the tune of Wiggle Song by Moo Music)

Let’s do the Christmas wiggle, Christmas wiggle, Christmas wiggle, Let’s do the Christmas wiggle all day long!

Let’s do the Christmas wiggle, Christmas wiggle, Christmas wiggle, Let’s do the Christmas wiggle all day long!

Wiggle your arms, Wiggle your fingers, Wiggle your ears and nose.

Wiggle your hips, Wiggle your legs, Wiggle your feet and toes!

Let’s do the Christmas wiggle, Christmas wiggle, Christmas wiggle, Let’s do the Christmas wiggle all day long!

13. Sleeping Santa

Practice your quiet voice and loud voice with Sleeping Santa. Try to be as quiet as you can until you call out loud that the Christmas bells are ringing! Hand bells would be great here if you have them.

Teacher Mama Tip: This could become a turn taking lesson by letting one child pretend to be Sleeping Santa, lying on the floor with their eyes closed until the Christmas bells ring. Because this song is short, each child could have a turn.

Watch Sleeping Santa on YouTube →

14. Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star

Get those little finger muscles warmed up by doing the following motions to this song.

Teacher Mama Tip: This tune is so classic, children will likely immediately recognize it. See if you all can hum it together after singing a few times. Humming will support their body calming down as it requires much deeper breaths.

Lyrics: (To the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

Twinkle, twinkle Christmas star (twinkle fingers) How I wonder what you are (tap index fingers to temples) Up above the world so high (point up as high as you can) Like a diamond in the sky (make diamond shape with index fingers and thumbs together) Twinkle, twinkle Christmas star (twinkle fingers) How I wonder what you are (tap index fingers to temples)

15. Marching to the North Pole

March around the room together as you pretend to travel to the North Pole.

Teacher Mama Tip: This would be another great song for a walking transition. See how well your preschoolers can march while staying in line!

Lyrics: (To the tune of The Ants Go Marching)

We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah

We’re marching, marching one by one The little elves stopped to join the fun And we all go marching down to see Santa

We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah

We’re marching, marching two by two The reindeer winked as they flew And we all go marching down to see Santa

We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah

We’re marching, marching three by three Mrs. Claus waved merrily And we all go marching down to see Santa

We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah

We’re marching, marching, four by four We see a present, could there be more? And we all go marching down to see Santa

We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah We’re marching to the North Pole, Hurrah, hurrah

We’re marching, marching five by five Santa’s here, let’s dance a jive! And we all went marching down to see Santa

Tips for Managing Holiday Energy

This time of year, everyone is antsy for the big day! Do your best to keep instructions short and simple. Sometimes having no instructions works best — just start singing and doing the motions until everyone catches on. With younger toddlers, having visuals to support the songs can help them follow along. You could print out a picture that correlates with each movement or instrument, or even a picture that represents each song so the children can anticipate the next activity.

When incorporating instruments, use them as intentionally as possible. When my son gets an egg shaker in his hand, it’s only a matter of time until it becomes a ball. Try to have a true purpose for the instruments, like shaking to a particular word or practicing loud versus quiet.

If your toddler or preschooler is not following along with the listed instructions for movement, but is enjoying the song and moving in their own way, let them! The point is to get their body moving to expel holiday energy, not mimic the motions perfectly. As long as they are moving and having fun, these Christmas songs are working exactly as they should.

If you feel as though your child is only ramping themselves up with more energy, start singing much, much quieter but with more theatrical facial expressions. Suddenly, they will become quieter too, so they don’t miss something interesting!

For more structured December music time, our December listening center with QR codes pairs holiday books with audio — a great quiet-time companion to these active songs.

Making memories with your little ones this time of year doesn’t have to be elaborate. A few songs, some silly motions, and a whole lot of holiday spirit is all you need. Pull this list up whenever you need it — on your phone in the middle of circle time, on the drive to a holiday party, or anytime you need to redirect some of that big Christmas excitement. Pair the singing with our Five Beautiful Christmas Trees booklet for a complete holiday circle time your kids will ask to do again and again.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post 15 Christmas Songs for Toddlers with Actions and Movements appeared first on Teaching Mama.

Why This Gingerbread Playdough Recipe Is a Holiday Must-Try

This super easy, no-cook gingerbread playdough recipe is a quick and fun way to invite your preschooler into the holidays! The calming scents of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg will not only warm up your kitchen, but provide your children with all the benefits of sensory play from home.

This fall, my eldest son began preschool. He was one of the youngest in his class, so it came as no surprise when his teacher told me he was having a hard time gripping a pencil to write his name. Luckily, I knew that we could strengthen those fine motor skills with something as simple as playdough. When he pinches the dough, presses the cookie cutter down, and rolls out little playdough snakes, I know his hand and finger muscles are getting stronger (with the added benefit of my kitchen smelling like the inside of a bakery).

So squish, roll, cut, and sniff! This activity is sure to become a family tradition.

Materials Needed

Everything you need for this gingerbread playdough recipe, you likely already have right in your pantry. You’ll need:

Dry Ingredients:

• Flour
• Salt
• Cream of tartar
• Spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

• Water
• Oil
• Brown food coloring (optional — I didn’t use any and my dough came out the perfect nutty brown color)

Tools:

• Large mixing bowl (stainless steel works well)
• Wooden spoon for stirring
• Electric water kettle (optional, but helpful for making this recipe quick!)

Easy No-Cook Gingerbread Playdough Recipe

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot (not boiling) water
• 4 tablespoons oil (I used vegetable oil, but any oil you have will work)
• Brown food coloring (optional, to your liking)

Instructions:

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl (flour, salt, cream of tartar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg).
2. Add in the oil, mixing with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes crumbly.
3. If using food coloring, add it to the hot water before the next step.
4. Slowly pour in the hot water. The water should be warm to the touch, but not hot enough to burn. If the water is not warm enough, the playdough will not have the desired stretchy consistency.
5. Continue mixing with the wooden spoon until the mixture begins to form a dough ball.
6. Dump the dough out onto the counter and knead by hand until the dough has an even consistency with no crumbly flour.

Bask in the glory of a 5-minute set up for a 30-minute play time!

How to Store Your Dough

This dough is best stored in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place (pantry, not fridge). Take the playdough tools and additions like beads or cookie cutters out of the dough before storing, otherwise they might become impossible to clean (ask me how I know). Check before offering each time just to be sure that no mold has grown, and the playdough has retained its smooth consistency.

Learning Ideas with Gingerbread Dough

Math and Counting Practice

My son helped me scoop and measure each ingredient, so we did lots of counting together. We also noticed the different numbers on the measuring spoons and cups and compared the amounts of each ingredient. You could even sort the ingredients from largest to smallest amount! Once the playdough is made, there are endless opportunities for math play: cutting and counting the pieces, comparing the weight of two balls of dough, rolling out “snakes” of various sizes, adding and subtracting pieces from the dough ball, and so on.

Fine Motor Activities

Playdough is amazing for strengthening fine motor skills. Pinching the dough in between the tips of their fingers, squishing a dough ball with their whole hand, rolling the dough out with a flat palm, and even just pressing their fingers into the squishy dough get those fine motor muscles working. To enhance the fine motor focus, consider offering small items to press into the dough, like beads, pom poms, buttons, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, or even various pasta shapes. These items will provide the opportunity for your child to use that pincer grasp to maneuver them into the playdough however they please. A favorite at our house has been little wooden spools — my son likes to stack them up using playdough as the “glue” to hold them together. For another great winter fine motor activity that pairs beautifully with this one, pipe cleaner icicles are always a hit this time of year.

Creative Play

The amazing thing about this dough is that it takes on and holds the shape of whatever your child can make! Cutting out shapes using cookie cutters transforms the playdough from a round ball into a star, a gingerbread person, a tree, or really whatever shape you have! With our large gingerbread person cookie cutter, we like to “dress” them in their gingerbread clothes. We roll out “snakes” of playdough to make their hair, use buttons for their eyes, cut out a rectangle for their shirt, and so on. I can see my son thinking hard about what a gingerbread person might need, and coming up with new ideas each time, like making them into a baseball player or a racecar driver. Another classic pretend play scenario with playdough is making cookies, and this gingerbread scented dough is perfect for a pretend bakery!

Extend the Fun

This gingerbread playdough has a long shelf life, so you’ll find yourself pulling it out for play many times this holiday season. Once the “new toy” effect has worn off the typical playdough tools, try this: pair the gingerbread playdough with a reading of Jan Brett’s Gingerbread Baby. This retelling of the classic tale of the gingerbread man had my preschooler giggling the whole way through (and three-year-old giggles are just the best!). See if you could build a house fit to capture the gingerbread baby together just like in the story, or recreate the characters in playdough form.

If your kids fall in love with homemade playdough, our strawberry playdough recipe and marshmallow playdough are just as easy and make wonderful year-round sensory activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Easy No-Cook Gingerbread Playdough Recipe for Preschoolers appeared first on Teaching Mama.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to plan every minute of your preschooler’s day.

A good preschool learning schedule is less about following a strict timeline and more about creating a predictable rhythm. Children know what to expect, while you still have the flexibility to slow down, move on, or change your plans when the day doesn’t go exactly as expected.

The goal is to create a day that includes learning, play, movement, independence, and quiet time without making children feel like they’re moving from one activity to the next all day long.

Why Is a Daily Learning Schedule for Preschoolers Important?

Preschoolers thrive on routines. When children know what is coming next, transitions can become easier and they can begin to take more ownership of their day.

A consistent routine also gives children repeated opportunities to practice important skills. They learn how to clean up, wait for a turn, listen to directions, make choices, participate in a group, and move from one activity to another.

A learning schedule for preschoolers can help children:

• Practice independence
• Build early academic skills
• Develop listening and attention skills
• Become comfortable with daily expectations
• Practice transitioning between activities
• Make choices and take responsibility
• Feel more confident throughout the day

A schedule is helpful for adults, too. Instead of constantly wondering what to do next, you have a plan to guide your day. Think of your schedule as a framework, not a checklist.

You should be able to look at your schedule and know what comes next without feeling like you’ve failed if something takes longer than expected.

What Makes a Good Preschool Learning Schedule?

Every preschool schedule will look different. A classroom, daycare, homeschool setting, and preschool-at-home routine may all have different needs.

However, a well-balanced preschool schedule usually includes a combination of:

• Structured learning activities
• Child-led play
• Small- and whole-group activities
• Movement and outdoor play
• Art and hands-on exploration
• Snack and meal times
• Quiet or rest time
• Opportunities for independence
• Transitions and cleanup

Preschoolers don’t need to sit and complete structured activities all day to be learning. Some of the most valuable learning can happen when children are playing, exploring, talking, building, creating, and making choices.

Use Flexible Time Blocks

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when creating a preschool schedule is trying to plan every activity down to the minute.

Preschoolers need structure, but they also need flexibility. Sometimes an activity you expected to take a few minutes becomes a wonderful opportunity for conversation and exploration. Other times, an activity simply isn’t working and needs to be shortened.

Instead of creating a rigid timeline, think about your day in flexible blocks.

For example:

Morning: Greeting, morning meeting, songs, read-aloud, and a learning activity

Midday: Snack, centers, hands-on exploration, and outdoor or large-motor play

Afternoon: Art, sensory play, quiet time, read-aloud, and free play

This gives children the predictability they need while giving you room to follow their interests and needs.

Include Intentional Learning Activities

A balanced learning schedule for preschoolers should include intentional learning experiences. These are activities where you have a specific skill or concept in mind.

Learning activities might include:

• Letter and sound activities
• Name-writing practice
• Counting games and math manipulatives
• Sorting and patterning
• Science exploration
• Art projects
• Fine motor activities
• Read-alouds
• Songs and fingerplays

A simple counting game with buttons, a name-writing activity at the table, or a science experiment with water can provide meaningful learning without requiring a lot of preparation.

And remember, short, engaging learning experiences are often more effective than trying to stretch an activity longer than children are ready for.

Make Room for Play

Play needs to be part of your preschool schedule, not something children get to do only after the “real learning” is finished.

Dramatic play gives children opportunities to practice language, communication, problem-solving, and social skills. Building with blocks encourages planning, creativity, and spatial awareness. Sensory play can support fine motor development, language, and exploration.

When creating your schedule, think about where children will have opportunities to:

• Pretend
• Build
• Create
• Explore
• Solve problems
• Talk with others
• Make choices
• Use their imagination

You don’t need to turn every play experience into a teacher-directed lesson. Sometimes the best thing you can do is provide the materials and give children time to explore them.

Try some of my favorite play-based activities for more ideas.

Tips for Creating a Learning Schedule for Preschoolers

Creating a schedule does not have to be complicated. These tips can help you create a routine that works for your classroom or home.

And remember, you know your preschoolers best. What works for one classroom or home might not work for another, and that’s okay!

Start With Your Existing Routine

Begin with the parts of your day that already happen consistently.

Think about:

• Meal and snack times
• Arrival or morning routines
• Rest or quiet time
• Outdoor play
• Cleanup routines

Once you have these anchor points, you can add learning activities around them.

Create Predictable Routines

Children don’t necessarily need to know exactly what will happen at a specific time. They benefit from knowing what comes next.

For example, your morning might consistently move from:

Arrival → Morning Meeting → Learning Activity → Centers → Snack

The activities can change, but the overall rhythm stays familiar.

That predictability can make transitions easier and help children become more independent.

Build in Movement

Preschoolers aren’t meant to sit for long periods of time. If you have a structured learning activity, think about what can come before or after it that allows children to move.

Movement might include:

• Outdoor play
• Dance
• Music and movement
• Brain breaks
• Gross motor games
• Walking around the classroom
• Movement songs

Sometimes the best way to help a child refocus is to stop asking them to focus and let them move!

Adjust Based on Your Preschoolers’ Needs

No two groups of preschoolers are exactly the same. A schedule that works one year may need adjustments the next.

Consider:

• The ages of the children
• Attention spans
• Interests
• Energy levels
• Learning styles

Some children may enjoy longer activities, while others may need more movement breaks or shorter learning experiences.

Don’t Overplan

If you find yourself constantly rushing children from one activity to another, your schedule may simply have too much in it.

Preschoolers need time to finish what they’re doing, clean up, ask questions, talk with friends, and transition without feeling rushed.

A schedule should make your day easier, not make you feel like you’re racing the clock.

Sample Daily Learning Schedule for Preschoolers

If you’re wondering what a learning schedule for preschoolers actually looks like, the following sample can give you a starting point.

You can adjust this framework for a preschool classroom, daycare setting, homeschool, or learning at home.

Morning Routine

Your morning might include:

• Greeting and morning check-in
• Name-writing or a simple table activity
• Morning meeting
• Songs and movement
• Calendar or another daily routine
• Read-aloud
• Whole-group learning activity

I love using a sign-in sheet as part of the morning routine because it gives children a natural opportunity to practice name writing. I use this website to customize name-writing worksheets.

I’ve also adopted a linear calendar and found that my students loved being able to visually see where they were in the month.

Songs are another simple way to bring children together at the beginning of the day. Here are some of my favorite songs to begin a preschool day.

Midday Routine

Your midday routine might include:

• Snack
• Centers and independent play
• Teacher- or parent-guided learning
• Hands-on exploration
• Outdoor or large-motor play
• Cleanup

When setting up centers, I typically like to have at least one teacher- or parent-guided center while the other centers are more child-directed.

This gives you an opportunity to intentionally teach a skill while children at the other centers are exploring, creating, and practicing independence.

You can rotate through three or four centers depending on the size and needs of your group.

Here are some of my favorite learning centers that combine learning and play.

Afternoon Routine

The afternoon can be a great time for more hands-on and creative experiences.

You might include:

• Art or a structured craft
• Sensory play
• Small-group activities
• Quiet time or rest
• Afternoon read-aloud
• Outdoor play
• Free play

You don’t need to include every option every day. Think about what your children need and choose activities that create a balanced day.

Balancing Learning and Play in Your Preschool Schedule

One of the most important things to remember when creating a preschool schedule is that play is a powerful way children learn. Children are developing skills throughout their entire day.

A pretend grocery store activity can help children practice counting, sorting, communication, and problem-solving.

Building with blocks encourages creativity, planning, and spatial awareness. A sensory bin can support fine motor skills, language development, and exploration.

Instead of separating learning and play, look for ways to include learning opportunities within play experiences. Invitation to create tables are a great way to naturally connect play and learning.

If you’re wanting to learn more about how to incorporate play into your classroom, take a look at my play-based learning course.

Adapting a Learning Schedule for Different Preschoolers

Every family, classroom, and group of children will have different needs. A flexible learning routine allows you to make adjustments while still maintaining structure.

For working parents, a preschool schedule at home does not need to include hours of planned activities. Reading together, cooking, exploring outside, and completing everyday tasks all provide valuable learning opportunities.

For younger preschoolers, shorter activities and more movement breaks may work best. Older preschoolers may enjoy longer projects, group activities, and more opportunities for independence.

The best schedule is one that supports the children in front of you.

Schedules are there to support you, and the best thing about a schedule is that it can be changed. It’s not set in stone!

A simple routine that includes learning activities, play, movement, and quiet time can help create a balanced and enjoyable day.

Whether you are planning a preschool classroom schedule or creating a routine at home, focus on providing opportunities for children to explore, learn, and grow through a variety of experiences.

Your Preschool Learning Schedule Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

When creating a daily learning schedule for preschoolers, remember that the goal isn’t to fill every minute. The goal is to create a rhythm that gives children opportunities to learn, play, move, explore, and become more independent.

Start with a few predictable anchor points. Add intentional learning activities. Make plenty of room for play. Include movement and quiet time. Then adjust as you learn what works best for your children.

And if your schedule needs to change? Change it!

A preschool schedule is there to support your day, not control it. A simple routine that balances learning, play, movement, independence, and rest can give preschoolers the structure they need while still leaving plenty of room for curiosity, creativity, and fun.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Learning Schedule for Preschoolers

The post Creating a Daily Learning Schedule for Preschoolers appeared first on Teaching Mama.

These sweet paper angels are an easy Christmas craft for preschoolers ages 4 and 5. There are a couple of steps where little ones may need some help, but overall, it’s a simple project that gives them plenty of opportunities to practice fine motor skills and creativity.

Once finished, these angels look adorable hanging on the Christmas tree, displayed as holiday decor, or even added to a wrapped present as a thoughtful homemade gift topper.

There are several angel templates to choose from, including ready-to-print designs, versions kids can color with paint or crayons, and blank templates they can decorate completely on their own. The angels are also available in two sizes, small and large.

If you are already planning your preschool Christmas activities, you may also want to save these Christmas activities for toddlers and preschoolers for later in the year.

Why You’ll Love This Angel Preschool Craft

I love crafts that are cute enough to keep but also give preschoolers a chance to practice important skills.

With this angel craft, children will practice:

• Cutting
• Gluing
• Folding
• Threading beads
• Fine motor control
• Hand-eye coordination
• Creativity

The finished angel can also become a special keepsake that families can bring out again each Christmas.

Supplies for Your Angel Preschool Craft

You only need a handful of materials to make these paper angels.

Materials and Tools

• Angel templates PDF
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Thin wool, ribbon, or string, about 30 to 40 cm per angel
• 2 beads, one large and one small
• Darning needle

Each angel template includes three circles. The circles with the wavy lines will become the angel’s wings.

Safety note: Beads and needles require adult supervision. Depending on the age and ability of your preschoolers, an adult may need to complete the threading portion of the craft.

How to Make a Paper Angel With Preschoolers

Before you begin, choose which angel template you would like to use and print it out.

You can use one of the ready-to-print designs or let children decorate a blank angel themselves.

Step 1: Cut Out the Angel Template

Start by cutting out the three circles from the template.

Preschoolers who are comfortable using scissors can cut out the circles themselves. If your child or student is still developing their cutting skills, this is a great opportunity to practice together.

Step 2: Fold the Circles

Fold each of the three circles according to the template instructions.

Two of the circles will form the angel’s wings, while the other will help create the angel’s body.

Encourage preschoolers to press along the folds with their fingers. Folding paper is a simple way to strengthen the small muscles in their hands.

Step 3: Assemble the Angel

Arrange the folded circles to form the angel’s body and wings.

Use a glue stick to secure the pieces together.

Give the glue a little time to set before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Add the String and Beads

Cut a piece of thin wool, ribbon, or string about 30 to 40 cm long.

Thread it through the angel using the darning needle, then add the beads to create the angel’s head and finishing details.

An adult should assist with this step as needed.

Step 5: Finish Your Angel

Once everything is secured, your angel is ready!

If you used a blank template, kids can add even more decorations with crayons, markers, paint, glitter, stickers, or other craft supplies.

Ways to Use Your Finished Preschool Angel Craft

One of the best parts about this craft is that there are so many ways to use the finished angels.

Make an Angel Christmas Tree Ornament

Add a loop of ribbon or string and hang your angel right on the Christmas tree.

Homemade ornaments are always some of my favorites because they become little reminders of how small the kids once were.

If you are planning an ornament-making day, you could pair this activity with these popsicle stick tree ornaments for another simple preschool Christmas craft.

Use It as Christmas Decor

You don’t have to put these angels on the tree. Hang several together in a classroom, add them to a bulletin board, or display them around your home.

Turn It Into a Homemade Gift Topper

Instead of adding a bow to a Christmas gift, attach one of the finished angels.

Kids will love knowing that something they made is part of the gift!

Make Each Angel Unique

One thing I love about this angel preschool craft is that kids can make it their own.

Try setting out a variety of decorating supplies and letting children decide how they want their angels to look.

They could use:

• Crayons
• Markers
• Washable paint
• Stickers
• Sequins
• Pom-poms
• Glitter glue

There is no need for every angel to look the same. Letting preschoolers make their own creative choices makes the project much more fun!

Turn This Craft Into a Christmas Learning Activity

This craft can easily become part of a larger Christmas lesson or classroom theme.

If you are teaching children about the Nativity story, angels can be a natural way to begin talking about the Christmas story. Teaching Mama also has a torn paper manger craft that works on fine motor skills and can be paired with this activity.

You could also use the angels alongside these Christmas I Spy printables, which include a Nativity-themed version featuring an angel, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and other elements of the Christmas story.

A Simple Christmas Craft to Save for Later

Yes, we may be getting a very early start on Christmas, but sometimes having activities planned and ready to go makes the busy holiday season so much easier!

Save this angel preschool craft now, print the templates when you’re ready, and you’ll have a sweet Christmas activity ready to pull out when December arrives.

Whether you use these angels as ornaments, classroom decorations, or homemade gift toppers, they are a simple way for preschoolers to practice fine motor skills while creating something special.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Easy Angel Preschool Craft for Christmas appeared first on Teaching Mama.

These would be great for morning work, small groups, or as great resources for independent practice. Add to your lessons and enjoy this free, great resource!

This packet works on a lot of skills for first grade, but doesn’t cover everything. It’s not going to last as homework for the entire year, but it does help with prep to continue to build and learn. 

Activities included in this packet:

• addition and subtraction facts
• simple addition and subtraction problems
• word problems
• comparing numbers
• adding 10 and subtracting 10 (great for working on teen numbers!)
• decomposing numbers
• 2D and 3D shapes
• measurement
• comparing lengths
• graphing and looking at data
• telling time by the hour and half hour
• identifying numbers with base ten blocks

These activities are meant to be a help to you during this time. If your first grader doesn’t know these skills yet, that’s ok! You can either take time to teach it to them or just do the activities of the skills they already know.

Common Questions about 1st Grade Math

What is the best way to teach math to 1st graders? 

It all just depends on the learner. Some do best with bundles that tackle a bunch of topics at once, while others need to go page by page. A small preview of a math problem is also a way to help them get over the fear of answering questions incorrectly. 

What should I purchase to help my 1st grader learn math? 

When it comes to math fluency, you don’t have to purchase anything. Worksheets like this are great because they’re free to print and can be accessed and used right away.

I hope you enjoy this free packet! You can download it by clicking the button below.

More Math Fun for Kids

• Counting Snowballs Addition Cards
• Camping Trip Math Fact Fluency Game
• Root Beer Float Math Cards

The post First Grade At Home Math Packet appeared first on Teaching Mama.