Keeping the attention of preschoolers can sometimes be a challenge, but everyone knows that it is super important to make sure that they are engaged. If preschoolers aren't engaged, they will likely end up finding their own fun - and it isn't usually the kind of fun we as adults find "acceptable." Fortunately for you, this list of 35 interactive ideas will keep all the preschoolers busy and happily entertained!
1. ABCya Activities and Game
If this website isn't on your preschool list of things to do yet, it needs to be. ABCya offers educational games, themed activities, and more that can be played on a computer or tablet to not only entertain but teach!
Learn More: ABCya
2. ABC Mouse
ABC Mouse has been around for quite some time now and for good reason. It is chock-full of preschool games for literacy skills and more that will help your preschooler become prepared for Kindergarten.
Learn More: ABC Mouse
3. Count Around the House
Getting kids up and moving is important for engagement. This particular activity teaches actual life skills by allowing preschoolers to move around seeking out those things around the house while learning to count.
Learn More: Natalie Lynn Kindergarten on Teachers Pay Teachers
4. Aquarium Field Trip
What preschooler doesn't love animals? Taking kids on a field trip to your local aquarium is the perfect way to help teach them in the field. It also gets them away from the hours of screen time they are usually subjected to at school and home.
Learn More: Florida Aquarium
5. Animal Yoga
Social-emotional learning is something adults forget that little ones need too. This adorable video helps blend together the basic concepts of yoga with cute cartoon animals to help kids relax.
Learn More: Smile and Learn - English
6. Jack Hartmann
This popular YouTuber has been around teaching little children for years through his educational music videos and entertaining songs. From phonics to math, he will have preschoolers wiggling along to his catchy tunes.
Learn More: Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel
7. Colored Corn Mosaic
This fun version of mosaic art gives little practice with motor skills and color matching. Kids will love the variety of colors available for them to get crafty and creative.
Learn More: Fun A Day
8. Snowy Owl Bath Sponge Painting
When it comes to learning about animals, winter animals are always a hit with kids. When you're done teaching about the beautiful Snowy Owl, have kids use a bath sponge to create their very own adorable version!
Learn More: Fantastic Fun and Learning
9. Mess-Free Magnetic Center
Get preschoolers engaged with science inquiry. In this center, they'll learn about magnets and what items are magnetic and what items are not. A few easy-to-find supplies get you off to a good start!
Learn More: Left Brain Craft Brain
10. Muffin Tin Letter Sounds
This hands-on letter activity will help preschoolers with letter-sound recognition, which is an important foundation for reading. They'll enjoy matching the letter sounds to the correct letter as they sort objects into their correct places.
Learn More: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
11. Cloud Writing Sensory Letter Formation
Another fun letter activity to help kids with basic reading skills. This activity for preschoolers also helps with motor skills and letter-writing and although it can be a little messy, paves the way for high engagement.
Learn More: Turner Tots on Teachers Pay Teachers
12. Alphabet Kaboom!
This fast-paced game will help preschoolers practice their alphabet (and sounds, if you alter the gameplay) as well as keep them on edge because if they collect a Kaboom! then they have to return all of their popsicle sticks!
Learn More: The Many Little Joys
13. Monster Races
With Halloween creeping up right around the corner, this adorable monster math race using eyeballs and dice will have your kids squealing with delight! Hands-on games are one of the best ways to learn!
Learn More: Pocket of Preschool
14. Mummy Paper Plate Craft
Dexterity and motor skills only get better with opportunity. This cute little mummy will help your preschooler with both as they thread yarn through the holes of their mummy face.
Learn More: Our Kid Things
15. Counting Raindrops
What kid doesn't love a good mess? A little stamping pad, some numbers on clouds, and kids will be ready to fingerprint and count until their heart's content.
Learn More: Planning Play Time
16. Building Names
There are many times kids come to primary grades in elementary school and do not know how to spell their names. This activity is a perfect way to help kids learn the spelling of their names.
Learn More: Busy Toddler
17. Rainbow Roll Handwriting Practice
Tie colors, handwriting, math, and more together with this educational activity. Preschoolers will love being able to use multiple colors to practice their handwriting.
Learn More: Super God Not Super Mom
18. Go on a Nature Hunt
Getting outside is another fun way to get kids interested in learning. This adorable nature hunt will offer kids a way to expend some energy and learn at the same time.
Learn More: Natalie Lynn Kindergarten
19. Five Senses Bulletin Board
Have kids help you build a Mr. Potato Head as they learn their five senses! This is a fun activity that kids will love because they get to help you put it together and admire it afterward.
Learn More: Play to Learn Preschool
20. All About Me
This is a favorite activity among preschoolers and parents. It serves as a time capsule and an entertaining way to look back on toddler memories.
Learn More: Totschooling
21. Cat in the Hat
Make a read-aloud interactive by adding on an adorable craft like this one. Get kids learning patterns with the Cat's striped hat.
Learn More: Wild and Fun in PreK
22. Shape Pizza
When it comes to entertaining art activities, you can't go wrong with pizza. Preschoolers can practice learning shapes by "making" their very own pizzas!
Learn More: The Teacher's Backpack
23. Santa's Scissor Skills
A lot of people do not realize that cutting takes practice and motor skills. This adorable cutting craft allows preschoolers to practice these skills by giving Santa's beard a good trim.
Learn More: From the Pond
24. Roll and Dot the Number
Bingo dobbers are a fun tool that kids absolutely love! Having them practice their counting and number recognition will set them up for success with math literacy.
Learn More: Fun Learning for Kids
25. Just a Dot
Knowing that a mess looms makes many teachers shy away from those more crafty ideas. With this lesson, though, you can prep students in their early years with how to use the tools properly.
Learn More: Just Teachy
26. Playdough Name Activity
This is another clever name activity for littles. Playdough and a nameplate will keep kids busy rolling and placing as they practice the spelling of their names and letter shaping.
Learn More: Just Reed Blog
27. Teach Texture
This adorable little craft will help kids learn the basics of how to describe texture. The best part? You can use any found objects for an affordable way to create this project!
Learn More: Pinterest
28. Activity Mats
These reusable activity mats are perfect, no-mess, interactive activities for preschoolers to practice a multitude of skills. Activities for colors, numbers, letters, and more are included in this adorable set.
Learn More: Planning Play Time
29. Preschool Emotions
Here is another dough activity to help kids with dexterity and most importantly, emotions. Social-emotional learning is incredibly important to teach at this young age.
Learn More: We Are Teachers
30. Salt Writing Trays
Young children need to practice writing with many modalities. Handing them a tray of colored salt makes this practice much more exciting for them.
Learn More: Pinterest
31. Shorter and Longer
Teach the foundations of measurement starting with the terms "shorter" and "longer." Kids will cut and glue their pieces to the correct place on the graphic organizer.
Learn More: Preschooligans
32. Number Seeds
Teach kids about gardening and counting by having them count seeds and put them in the correct packages.
Learn More: Planning Play Time
33. Farm Letter Sensory Bin
Have kids dig through corn kernels to grab letters and then trace them on a worksheet. This helps with letter recognition and offers a bit of fun for kids as they learn to write their letters correctly.
Learn More: Planning Play Time
34. Alphabet Memory
I've never met a little kid who doesn't like the game of memory. This one is super easy, too, because all you need are squares of paper or sticky notes!
Learn More: Pinterest
35. Shape Sorting
Turn some paper shapes and some painter's tape into an easy shape sorting activity. Or, get creative and up the challenge factor by making it a color sort. Either way, these are both important skills for child development.
Learn More: Pinterest
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