Kids learn best when they are directly involved in the process. Set a solid educational foundations with these hands-on activities for preschoolers.

My youngest daughter just turned 6 years old, so we are officially out of the preschool phase. I still end up with preschoolers hanging out at my house for one reason or another on a pretty regular basis, and they all LOVE hands-on activities. So I figure it’s past time to write up our absolute favorite hands-on activities for preschoolers. It makes a great resource for ME when we have young kids in the house, and hopefully it helps you, too!

The Best Hands-on Activities for Preschoolers

I’ve divided these activities into sections, but honestly there is crossover between all of them. Hopefully the organization makes it a little easier for preschool teachers, caregivers, and parents find what they need quickly! While this post showcases activities that come with some structure, don’t forget the importance of open-ended play! Remember, too, to spend plenty of time at the playground!

See Also: Why Children Need Play and How to Prioritize Play in a Busy World.

Art Hands-on Preschool Activities

• Animal Fashion Show. Besides encouraging kids to get creative, this activity builds fine motor skills since you have to get the clothes on the animals!
• Leaf Art for autumn, spring, and summer fun.
• Inspire Creativity with this simple DIY Makerspace.
• Open-Ended Nature Art.
• Sticker Mosaic Scenes
• Black Bean Mosaics
• Mess-Free Art
• No-Mess Color Mixing

Fine Motor Hands-on Preschool Activities

• Bird Themed Pre-Writing Activity. This also teachers one-to-one correspondance (important for math).
• Help the Squirrels Find Their Acorns – a fun printable activity that develops fine motor.
• Apple Tree Tracing Page.
• How to Teach Preschoolers to Use Scissors.

Learning Language with Hands-on Preschool Activities

• Five Fun Ways to Teach Kids Letters.
• Hop the Alphabet Board Game. This free printable keeps learning alphabet letter names fun.
• Sock Matching Rhyming Game. Another free printable game to practice language skills.
• Animal Stamping Farm Themed Literacy Activity.
• Read My Children’s Favorite Picture Books.

Learning Math with Hands-on Preschool Activities

• Building Shapes with Bears. Bear counters aren’t just for counting!
• Make a geometric shapes train – printable included.
• Learn with Buttons.
• Quick and Easy Shape Activities for Preschool.
• Printable Duck Themed Matching Game. I love each child can make their own personalized matching game, turning this into an art activity as well.
• Learning Colors with Owls.
• Pattern Block Preschool Fun.

Engineering Hands-on Preschool Activities

• Engineering Challenge: Can You Design and Build a Truck?
• Three Little Pigs Engineering Activity
• Bridge Building STEM Challenge.
• Spaghetti Tower STEM Chellenge.

Hands-on Science Activities for Preschoolers

• Easy Weather Tracking Printables for Preschool Scientists
• Track the Weather Around the World. This one doubles as an introduction to geography.
• Animal Observation Log.
• Explore the Science of Sound
• Fun Ways to Explore the Science of Flight

Social Studies Hands-on Preschool Activities

• Preschool Grocery Store Activities. Learning about communities is an important part of early childhood education. This is another activity that also allows for a lot of math learning.
• How Can I Be a Community Helper? This is a community themed learning unit for preschool. Check out my unit about community helpers, too.
• Use Picture Books to Build Emotional Intelligence.
• Vibrant World Geography for Kids.

Hands-on Preschool Sensory Activities

• Sea Shell Sensory Bin. This is a wonderful summer themed sensory bin that preschoolers love.
• Penguin Sensory Bin. This one is fantastic for inspiring all sorts of pretend play.
• Dress-Up Bears. Make these adorable bears out of felt – no sewing required!
• Easy Spring Sensory Play Idea
• Bring in the Snow Winter Sensory Play

Holiday Themed Hands-on Activities

Preschoolers LOVE holidays! Here are our favorite holiday themed hands-on activities for preschoolers.

Preschooler Valentine’s Day Fun

• Heart Themed Letter Matching
• Easy Stamped Valentines for Kids

Hands-on Preschool Easter Activities

• Crayon Shaving Decorated Eggs
• Eraser Stamped Bunnies
• Plastic Easter Egg Bunnies

Preschool Halloween Activities

• Ghost Balloons Halloween Science
• Spider Web Obstacle Course. This indoor activity doesn’t need much space at all, so it is perfect for stormy and rainy days!
• Halloween Coloring Pages and Felt Board Shapes
• Pumpkin Faces for Happiness, Sadness, and Surprise.
• Broom and Cauldron Drawing Activity for Room on the Broom. I created this activity with slightly older children in mind, but I found that even preschoolers enjoy it.
• Jack O’ Lantern Pumpkin Chains

Thanksgiving Activities for Preschoolers

• Make a Gratitude Tree Printable.
• Adorable Thanksgiving Turkey Crafts.
• Family Handprint Turkey
• Thankful Thanksgiving Tree
• Turkey in Disguise Craft
• Preschool Thanksgiving Crafts

Hands-on Preschool Christmas Activities

• Practice letters with this Reindeer Letter Matching Game – another free printable.
• Develop fine motor skills with these ornaments for kids to color and sew.
• Build a Christmas Train.
• Bring the Christmas Spirit Home with Kindness Elves.
• Christmas Picture Books and Activities for Kids.

 

What are your favorite hands-on activities for preschoolers? Share your favorite hands-on learning ideas on my Facebook page, or tag me on Instagram. Sign up for my newsletter to receive more parenting tips, crafts, and kids’ activities in your inbox every week.