Activities Archives - Homeschool Preschool

DIY Halloween Treat Bags Bat with Printable Template

October 19, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool Leave a Comment

Have a Halloween class party coming up, or will you have a Halloween party at home? You need these DIY Halloween treat bags with a free printable template!

These DIY Halloween treat bags are simple enough for your preschoolers to help you make. Older preschoolers may even be able to complete them all on their own.

Kids will love putting together their own Halloween treat bags. Then, they can fill them with candy and small toys to share with others. Or, they can use them to collect treats at their next Halloween party.

DIY Halloween Treat Bags

With just a few simple household items, your preschoolers will be on their way to creating some simple DIY Halloween treat bags.

What You’ll Need:

What You’ll Do:

To begin, click HERE to print out the Halloween Treat Bag Template. Cut the template out and trace onto cardstock.

Turn the bag over and glue the bat wings onto the back.

Glue the ears on the inside of the bag.

Glue on white fangs and googly eyes.

Add candy and small toys to the treat bags for a fantastic Halloween party favor!

Bat Books for Kids

Fill your book basket with a great collection of bat books for kids. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore. If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them on Amazon by clicking the images below.

Treats to Fill Your Bat Treat Bags

https://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/2017/10/08/lets-read-find-science-book-series-activities/

Here's a great collection of Halloween crafts that are cute not scary. They're perfect for little hands. And, they'll get you in the Halloween spirit for sure!

Check out these last-minute Halloween costume ideas that your preschoolers (and your pocketbook) are sure to enjoy!

Candy Stuffed Pumpkins: A Simple Pumpkin Craft for Kids

October 18, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool Leave a Comment

Candy stuffed pumpkins will make cute centerpieces at your autumn celebrations. The best part is that they’re simple enough for kids to do!

My daughter loves giving hand-made gifts. And, every holiday season is spent working on gifts and homemade decorations for our celebrations. Your crafty kids will love making these candy stuffed pumpkins.

They’ll make great class gifts, place settings on your holiday table, or treats for friend and family. And, everyone will love the fact that the kids made them!

Candy Stuffed Pumpkins

You will need just a few items to make this low-prep craft.

What You’ll Need

1 pkg. Orange Tissue Paper
1 pkg. Green Tissue Paper
Green Pipe Cleaners
Candy—small pieces like tootsie rolls, gumballs, mini candy bars

What to Do

Cut orange paper into approximately 10 inch squares and stack 3 squares for each pumpkin.

Cut green paper into strips about 13 inches long and about 2 inches wide.

Stack 2 green strips on top of each other and lay on top of each stack of orange squares so that the ends will stick out past the orange paper edges.

Put a handful of candy in the center of the paper and pick up each corner and start bringing the paper together in a ball shape hiding the candy inside.

Be sure to make sure the ends of the green paper stick out at the top of the orange ball you have made.

Take one of the pipe cleaners and wrap it tightly around the top of the pumpkin to hold it all together.

Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner to look like vines, and trim off excess green paper to make sure it looks like a pumpkin stem.

These candy stuffed pumpkins make a fun and easy Halloween project for kids!

You may want to read some pumpkin books while your kids make this craft. If so, here is a small collection of some of our favorites:

This is a great time of year to incorporate pumpkins into your preschool lessons. It's the perfect time of year to learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin.

Here is a fun list of pumpkin books that are not Halloween related. These books are perfect for your preschoolers, and they'll lead to some great autumn conversations.

Simple Scarecrow Craft and Book List for Kids {Free Template}

October 16, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool Leave a Comment

Autumn means scarecrows and sunflowers and great autumn read-alouds. Combine all of those things with this simple scarecrow craft and book list for kids.

Whether you use craft foam (as shown below) or construction paper, your kids will enjoy creating a one-of-a-kind simple scarecrow craft as you work your through an amazing list of scarecrow-themed picture books.

Simple Scarecrow Craft and Book List

Younger children may need help cutting out the pieces, and they’ll definitely need help with the hot glue gun. Although, you can use white glue if you choose to use construction paper for this craft.

They’ll love assembling the pieces to create fun scarecrow they’ll want to display all season long!

What you’ll need

Craft Foam or Construction Paper
Hot Glue
Scissors
Black Marker
Plaid Ribbon
Artificial Sunflowers
Straw
Scarecrow Template (Click HERE to download!)

What you’ll do

Download and print the SCARECROW TEMPLATE. Cut out.

Trace template onto craft foam. Cut out.

Glue the head on top of the dark brown portion of the hat.

Glue the straw onto the dark brown portion of the hat.

Glue the light brown hat on top of the head, slightly overlapping the straw.

Glue a straight line of red or green craft foam onto the top of the hat. Cut off any excess.

Glue the eyes, nose and rosy pink cheeks onto the face.

Turn the scarecrow over and glue the plaid ribbon to the back. Fold the ribbon over so that you don’t have any rough edges.

Glue another piece of plaid ribbon on the outside of the scarf. Fray the edges with scissors.

Glue an artificial sunflower on top of the hat.

Use a black marker to draw a smile onto the scarecrow.

Now your child’s scarecrow is complete, and ready for display. Hang them in your classroom. Prop it on the mantle. Put a magnet on the back and let him live on the refrigerator door.

I hope your kids enjoy this fun fall craft!

Picture Books About Scarecrows

Fill your book basket with a great collection of picture books about scarecrows. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore. If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them on Amazon by clicking the images below.

Fill your preschool math centers with these autumn count and clip cards. Crows, pumpkins, sunflowers, and leaves adorn the cards in this printable bundle!

25 Not-So-Spooky Halloween Crafts for Kids

October 15, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool Leave a Comment

I’ve rounded up a great collection of Halloween crafts that are cute not scary. They’re perfect for little hands. And, they’ll get you in the Halloween spirit for sure!

Are you getting into the spirit of Halloween?

Do you need some fun new craft ideas for your preschoolers?

This collection of Halloween crafts is sure to entertain your little ones and put them in the holiday spirit!

Halloween Peg Dolls – These peg dolls are probably best made by mom or dad, but your preschoolers will love playing with them. Add them to your Halloween sensory bin for some open-ended play.

Spider Web Art – Kids will enjoy using wax crayons and water colors to create their own, one-of-a-kind spider webs.

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet Halloween Sign – Not only is this canvas art super cute, the footprints make it a fun keepsake after the holiday.

Conker Spiders – Do you know what a conker is? I didn’t until I saw this craft. Now, I want to find some so I can make some spiders myself.

Decorating with Butternut Squash – These remind me of Larry the Cucumber! I love them!

Bubbling Eye of Toad Witches’ Brew SLIME – Kids will have hands-on fun with this Halloween slime.

Tissue Paper Ghost Craft – These tissue paper ghosts will make simple Halloween decorations for kids and adults.

Halloween Pumpkin Salt Painting – Your little ones will likely need a little assistance with these pumpkins, but the results will be worth the teamwork!

Shake It Up! No Mess Pumpkin Painting – No mess? Yes, please!

Halloween Treat Bags – Kids will love decorating their own Halloween treat bags.

Jack-o-Lantern Cut and Paste Activity – Kids will have fun creating one-of-a-kind jack-o-lanterns with this fun cut and paste activity.

Handprint Spider Craft – Another great keepsake craft… made with handprints instead of footprints.

Soda Dough Ghosts – With a few kitchen staples, your kids can create and decorate soda dough ghosts.

Paper Plate Monsters – These paper plate monsters are so spooky cute.

Spider Web and Spider Craft – With some craft closet staples, your preschoolers can make a spider. Then, they can hone their motor skills while they create a spider web for their spider to live in.

Sponge Painted Pumpkins – Preschoolers love using alternative craft supplies. Let them try painting with a clean kitchen sponge. Fun!

Paper Plate Craft Spider – When they’re done painting pumpkins, let your little ones paint some spiders.

Stained Glass Pumpkin Suncatcher – Your little ones will love displaying their artwork in the window for everyone to see.

Recycled CD Spider – If you’ve got old, scratched CD’s lying around the house, let your preschoolers turn them into spiders for Halloween!

Playful Rock Spider – There’s nothing spooky about these rock spiders.

Halloween Handprint Bats – This fun bat craft is the perfect craft to do with your preschoolers after you read Stellaluna (one of my favorite October picture books.)

2 Fun Pumpkin Crafts for Toddlers – Even your youngest kiddos can have fun crafting this Halloween season.

Toddler Made Glowing Ghosts – Oohh… spooky and cute all at the same time!

Glow in the Dark Loom Band Pumpkins – This is a great activity that allows little ones to work on their hand-eye coordination.

Egg Carton Spider Puppets – Don’t throw away your empty egg carton. Let your little ones turn it into a spider!

Ghost Mask – Your kids will love trying to scare you as they hind behind their ghost mask. Will you be able to ‘be scared’ without cracking a smile?

Are your kids gearing up to go trick-or-treating? Have you bought the costumes and the candy bags? Follow these simple tips for keeping kids safe on Halloween.

Spinning Spiderweb Salt Painting Craft and Printables

October 11, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool 2 Comments

Discover a great nonfiction spider book for kids, a fun salt painting craft, and a spider-themed math printable! Perfect for your October homeschool preschool.

Spinning Spiders, from the Let’s Read and Find Out science series, is a great nonfiction picture book written for young learners. After reading it, kids can make their very spider web salt painting craft. Then, let your preschoolers practice counting to twenty with the spider counting mats and a bag of plastic spider rings, erasers, or mini-buttons.

Spiderweb Salt Painting Craft

All you need to complete this craft is salt, glue, paper, and watercolor paints (optional). It’s so easy!

On a sheet of black construction paper or cardstock, draw a spider web lightly with pencil. Now, have your preschool “draw” the web with white glue. It’s easiest to start in the center and work your way to the outside edge. Also, it’s best to turn the paper as you work so that you don’t run your hand through the wet glue.

Once the spider web is completely outlined with glue (and before it has time to dry), have your students pour salt all over the wet glue. Shake the excess salt back into a bowl (or in the trash if you don’t want to save it for a later craft). Now, set the web to the side to dry.

Spider Web Counting Mats

While your child’s spider web is drying, spend some time practicing counting with these fun counting mats (download link below).

Simply print out and laminate the spider web counting mats. Each mat features a large spider web with a “momma” spider in it. There is also a number in the bottom right corner of each mat. Students will add the same number of counters (spider rings, mini buttons, or mini erasers) to the web.

$Discover a great nonfiction spider book for kids, a fun salt painting craft, and a spider-themed math printable! Perfect for your October homeschool preschool.$

You can download the Spider Math Counting Mats by clicking the button below.

Perfect Read-Aloud

I love the Let’s Read and Find Out science series. In this series, kids ages 4-9 are introduced to a wide variety of science topics in a way that meets them at their level. In Spinning Spiders, young children are introduced to a variety of spiders, the difference between spiders and insects, and more.

More Preschool Spider Fun

Let’s Read and Find Out Activities

I’ve teamed up with a great group of bloggers. We’re all sharing different books and activities over the next few weeks. Check out the list of books here, or by clicking the image below.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Activities

October 10, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool Leave a Comment

Your preschoolers are sure to love these One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish activities! Each one features hands-on, low-prep Dr. Seuss-inspired fun.

Dr. Seuss books are always a huge hit with preschoolers. The funny rhyming text and non-sensical words draw kids in and keep them engaged from cover to cover.

I am always looking for ways to extend the fun when I teach with picture books. So, I’ve rounded up more than 20 hands-on One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish activities that your young learners will enjoy!

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Activities

Growing Book By Book shares a simple, handmade ABC matching game featuring red fish and blue fish!

Here’s a great Fish Catching Game from Pre-K Pages that will help kids hone their visual discrimination skills.

Young mathematicians can work on counting and beginning addition facts with these Montessori-Inspired One Fish, Two Fish Math Activities from Living Montessori Now.

This Red Fish, Blue Fish Sensory Science Bin from Parenting Chaos is the perfect activity to go along with this book.

If you have paper plates lying around, your preschoolers can make a paper plate handprint fish like this one from This Girl’s Life.

Learning 2 Walk has a fun and healthy One Fish, Two Fish Snack your preschoolers are sure to love!

Kids can practice mixing colors with this fun art project from Mini Monets and Mommmies.

Crafting doesn’t get any easier than this handprint fish activity from East Coast Mommy.

How about some One Fish Two Fish Popcorn Munch for an afternoon snack? Mom Endeavors shows you how to make it.

The Kindergarten Connection shares a quick and easy Red Fish Blue Fish Craft for Kids.

Preschool Toolbox shows how she used wikki stix to make the fish that star in One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. If you don’t have wikki stix, you could use pipe cleaners.

Your kids are sure to get excited about creating Origami Fish like these from Artsy Craftsy Mom.

I Can Teach My Child shares directions on how to paint a fishbowl.

Lalymom created some One Fish Two Fish slime, and I LOVE what she uses for the fish. If you’ve got a slime-maker in your house, you have to try this one!

This Dr. Seuss inspired Fish Canvas Art from Glued to My Crafts is so cute! It’ll make a great keepsake, too.

I love this idea of having kids search to find the “real” word in this word game from Rainy Day Mum.

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas created a fun fishing for numbers activity for her girls. This is a fun way to add some math to your lessons.

Follow these directions from Deep Space Sparkle, and your kids can create their very own one-of-a-kind fish art.

With a paper plate and some goldfish crackers, your kids can make a fishbowl like this one from Mrs. Thompson’s Treasures.

These craft stick fish from Glued to My Crafts would make great refrigerator magnets!

Literacy and Lattes shares a fun {and edible} silly science experiment based on the book.

This number matching game from Better Than Homework is a great activity for improving your preschooler’s number literacy skills.

Dr. Seuss's birthday is next month. Let's celebrate with a fun Dr. Seuss-inspired preschool printable full of fun activities for your little ones to enjoy! @homeschlprek

Pumpkin Apple Stamps: A Fun Fall Craft for Kids

October 2, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool Leave a Comment

How can your children turn an apple into a pumpkin? They can with this fun autumn craft! These pumpkin apple stamps are fun for kids of all ages.

It’s the beginning of October. That means it’s the end of apple season and the beginning of pumpkin season. However, you can combine the two with this fun fall craft for kids.

Pumpkin Apple Stamps

Have you been to the pumpkin patch recently? This craft is the perfect follow-up. Kids will love creating these pumpkins as a fun reminder of their trip.

What You’ll Need

1-2 Apples
Craft Paint—Green, Orange, Brown, Black
Paintbrush/Foam Brush
Sponge
Paper

What To Do

Cut the apples in half widthwise.

Take the sponge and cut out 2 little triangle pumpkin eyes, a jack-o-lantern mouth and a little rectangle for the stem.

Brush orange paint on each apple and press onto the white paper.

Brush black paint on the face pieces and brown paint on the stem. Press those onto each pumpkin.

Brush a little green leaf at the top of each pumpkin.

Fun and easy fall project for the kids!

Fun Pumpkin Books to Go with This Activity

Variation

If you don’t celebrate Halloween, you can leave off the jack-o-lantern face. If you found this early in the season, you could use red, green, or yellow paint to make apples.

Whether you’re celebrating autumn, the harvest, or Halloween, your preschoolers will love this fun pumpkin apple stamps craft.

Is Halloween really just a few weeks away? Here's a fun Halloween printable activity pack for preschoolers. It features characters from my favorite Nutty gang!

10 Outdoor Family Games That Are Perfect for Fall

September 7, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool Leave a Comment

The temperatures are dropping. After a long, hot summer, we’re enjoying the cooler days. We’ve got out windows open, and we’re enjoying being out in the backyard even more.

These fun outdoor family games are perfect for your next family game night, neighborhood block party, or just an relaxing afternoon with the kids!

Outdoor Family Games

1. Art on the Lawn | Grab an old bed sheet, and spread it out in the backyard. Give each member of the family some paint and paintbrushes, and you can work together to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

2. Make a Leaf Labyrinth | Is your backyard full of fallen leaves? Or, will it be before the season is over? Create a leaf labyrinth. The whole family can pitch in to rake the leaves into the center of the yard. Then, the parents (or older siblings) can create a leaf maze for younger kids to enjoy.

3. Scavenger Hunt | Print out an autumn scavenger hunt page (or several for teams). Split into teams, and see who can find all of the items first.

4. Pebbles and Pinecones | Gather sticks and stones and other nature items on your next nature walk. Use your findings to create a nature mandala as you play Pebbles and Pinecones as a family.

5. DIY Cornhole Boards | Got a handyman amongst you? Get the gang together to build a couple of cornhole boards. Mom and/or dad can build them. Kids can decorate them or fill some pre-sewn beanbags with dry corn. Then, team up and see who wins! Not crafty? You can buy a set, and then have fun!

6. Tic-Tac-Toe | While this example has ladybugs and bumblebees, you could totally paint your pieces to resemble pumpkins, candy corns, or autumn leaves.

7. Twister | With a couple of cans of spray paint and a large open space, you can set up your own Twister game in the backyard.

8. Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling | With some glow sticks and plastic water bottles, you can set up a bowling alley in your own backyard. To make it fall-ish, use a mini pumpkin as your bowling “ball”.

9. Pumpkin Ring Toss | Grab some pumpkins and a few rings (you could use plastic bracelets), see who can “ring” the pumpkins.

10. DIY Backyard Games | Any one of these ten DIY backyard games would be perfect for an autumn family game night!

What’s your favorite outdoor family game?

Fall is just around the corner! Woohoo! You have to check out these amazing fall crafts for preschoolers. Which one will you try first?

Are you looking for a simple fall craft to do with your preschoolers? This Fall Leaf Family is a simple leaf craft you can with with tots and preschoolers.

Check out some really fun fall leaves preschool activities you can incorporate into your upcoming autumn homeschool preschool lessons.

10 Jolly Jellyfish Crafts for Kids

September 6, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool 1 Comment

Grab some coffee filters, cupcake liners, buttons, and other household items to create ten unique jellyfish crafts. These are perfect for your upcoming lessons including Jj is for…, oceans, and animal unit studies.

Jellyfish Crafts for Kids

This collection of crafts is perfect for preschoolers! Are you studying the letter Jj in your letter of the week lessons? What about animals? Or oceans? Choose one or more of these crafts to supplement your learning activities.

Jellyfish Cupcake Liner Craft | With simple party streamers and cupcake liners, kids can make these jellyfish and hang them in your craft area.

Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft | Paper plate crafts are so simple to create. This paper plate jellyfish is no exception!

Paper Bag Jellyfish | This is the most unique jellyfish craft I’ve seen so far! You’ve got to check it out.

Coffee Filter Jellyfish | Here’s a jellyfish craft simple enough for even the youngest of your preschoolers to make.

Glow in the Dark Jellyfish | This fun jellyfish craft not only glows in the dark, but it’s great fine motor practice for your little ones.

Stained Glass Jellyfish Suncatcher | Hang these sun catchers in the window and let the light shine through.

Jellyfish Decoration | These jellyfish are pretty enough to hang up at your next ocean-themed birthday party or to decorate your learning space.

Jellyfish Paper Lantern Decoration | Here’s another fun jellyfish that your kids will love decorating with ribbon, tulle, stickers, and more!

Colorful Jellyfish | This fun craft is a great way to introduce your little ones to paper-mache.

Colorful Button Jellyfish | This jellyfish is so fun and colorful! Your kids are going to love it!

More Kids Crafts

This cow craft is perfect for your farm preschool unit. With just a few simple household items, your preschoolers will transform a cup into a cute little cow.

Fall Leaf Family: A Simple Leaf Craft

September 2, 2017 by Homeschool Preschool 14 Comments

The leaves are beginning to change colors and fall from the trees. We’ve had a few chilly mornings in the past week or so. It sure makes me long for the crisp fall days that will be here before we know it.

That makes it the perfect time to do some fall crafts with your preschoolers. This “Leaf Family” craft is a simple leaf craft that will have your kids excited about the fall season!

Leaf Family: An Easy Preschool Craft

These leaf puppets can be used to retell favorite fall stories like Leaf Man or The Leaves Are Falling. Kids can use them to make up their own creative stories, as well.

Use leftover leaves in your favorite fall sensory bins or more fun fall crafts.

What You’ll Need

Red, Yellow or Orange Craft Sticks
Decorative faux leaves (easy dollar store find!)
Googly Eyes
Glue
Marker

How to Make Your Leaf Family

1. Place a small dab of glue on one end of each craft stick, add a leaf and let dry.

2. Glue the googly eyes in place. Make them look silly or serious! Use your imagination.

3. Use the marker to draw a face. Think about the members or your family, does your sibling make a silly face that makes you laugh? Draw it!

Now, allow your leaf family to dry. Use them as puppets to retell stories. Use them as props to sing Five Little Leaves.

Enhance your leaf-themed lessons:

If you’re looking for more fun for your leaf-themed learning plans, check out my top picks from Amazon!

Leaf Books

You can find these books at your local library or bookstore. If not, you can order them on Amazon by clicking the images below.

Educational Tools for Kids

What other fun ways can you think of to play with your new leaf family?

DIY Halloween Treat Bags

What You’ll Need:

What You’ll Do:

Bat Books for Kids

Treats to Fill Your Bat Treat Bags

Related Posts

Candy Stuffed Pumpkins

What You’ll Need

What to Do

Related Posts

Simple Scarecrow Craft and Book List

What you’ll need

What you’ll do

Picture Books About Scarecrows

Related Posts

Related Posts

Spiderweb Salt Painting Craft

Spider Web Counting Mats

Perfect Read-Aloud

More Preschool Spider Fun

Let’s Read and Find Out Activities

Related Posts

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Activities

Related Posts

Pumpkin Apple Stamps

What You’ll Need

What To Do

Fun Pumpkin Books to Go with This Activity

Variation

Related Posts

Outdoor Family Games

Related Posts

Jellyfish Crafts for Kids

More Kids Crafts

Leaf Family: An Easy Preschool Craft

What You’ll Need

How to Make Your Leaf Family

Enhance your leaf-themed lessons:

Leaf Books

Educational Tools for Kids

Other Fall Posts You May Enjoy: