Kite Sizes - Activity for Preschoolers

Here is another quick and easy activity we did with our Kite theme!

This is good to help young children learn about sizes as they sort the kites smallest to biggest.

This was a cinch to make and LB(3) had fun with this one!

Prep Work:

• Using a piece of construction paper, cut out 5 rectangles of different sizes.
• Fold the rectangles in half, then in half again.
• Cut from one corner to the next, unfold and you've instantly got 5 kites! (pictures below):

•  Draw lines on the kites from corner to corner....to make them look more kite-like. :)
• Get out 2 pieces of white paper.
• Trace each of the kites from smallest to biggest on the paper.
• Draw strings coming off each kite.

How to Play:

• Lay out all the kites and the white pieces of paper. 
• Ask your child to find the smallest kite and put it in it's place on the white paper.
• Then the next smallest, and next, etc.
• Then you can go backwards, biggest to smallest.

HAVE FUN!

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Christmas Present Sorting Activity

Sorting is a good math skill to teach children. And when you can pair it with something we all love--like CHRISTMAS PRESENTS--the result it truly magical. :)

Prep Work:

• Get out 3 pieces of different colored paper (I used red, green and blue) and scissors.
• Stack the papers on top of each other and draw and cut out the following shapes:
• big circle, little circle
• big square, little square
• big triangle, little triangle

• Then get out 3 crayons that match the colors of paper you chose (for me: red, green and blue).
• Draw ribbon and bows on the shapes with the different crayon colors. Best to work in shape groups, for example: take all 6 circles and draw red bows on 2, green bows on 2, and blue bows on 2. Then move onto the next shape.

Then PLAY!

• Lay out all the shapes and give your child a category to sort by. If they need help, then show them how to do it first, then let them try.

• Here are all the ways your child can sort these "presents":
• Size: small and big.
• Color: red, green, blue.
• Bow Color: red, green, blue.
• Shape: triangle, square, circle

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Sorting Tray - Buttons

originally published: March 18, 2010

We brought out the sorting tray again and used it to sort buttons.

Once LM sorted them the first time, he wanted to do it again but with a bit of a twist. He grabbed my book holder off the kitchen counter that I use for my cookbooks and used it as a slide. He then proceeded to slide each button into its respective compartment.

Amazingly, they all got to where they were supposed to be! I guess sorting is sorting, no matter what the method used.

Sorting Tray - Colored pom-poms

originally published: January 26, 2010

I got this idea from some Montessori-inspired blogs and friends. Basically, you use a simple veggie-tray for sorting things. You can sort by color, size, shape, texture....ANYTHING.

I bought this tray at a thrift store, and the first thing we have used it for is sorting by color.

I cut out different colors of paper and put them in the tray.

Then I had LM sort colored pom poms.

LM used tongs to add some fine motor skill practice.

We even changed out the colors a few times.

Easy to make, and LM has had so much fun with this!

Color Sticker Matching

I saw this idea on The Activity Mom,

I drew 6 boxes on the paper and wrote the words of each color. We got out a bunch of stickers and I handed them one at a time to LM, who then placed them in the corresponding colored box.

Rock Color Matching

My energetic boys sat still & quiet for a good solid half hour just coloring rocks. Might need to make this part of our daily routine! :)

Supplies:

• Rocks
• Markers
• Construction paper

Here's what you do:

• Go outside with a bucket or bag and collect some rocks.
• Come inside and color them!
• After you're done coloring, sort them into cups, bowls, bags by color---marking each one with a small piece of colored paper.

Lego Number Race

We got a bunch of Mega Lego Blocks for Christmas this year. We made a game where I wrote the numbers, 1, 2, 3, 4, & 8 on little papers and put them on the couch. I sat at the table with the box of legos and handed them to LM one at a time. He would count the number of circles on the lego, run over to the couch and put it next to the corresponding number. We did this until all the blocks were gone. Then I had LM make towers out of each pile.

P is for PRESENTS

Activity: Present Games
I bought this package of present ornaments at the dollar store. I first had LM sort them according to color. Then he lined them up in a pattern. Then we had a present race where I would ask him to run and get me a present of a certain color. Was good to have him get some energy out!

Independent Sorting

It's the neatest thing to see your child do things on their own, using the skills that you taught them. The other day I came home from a baby shower with a bag full of yummy candy. LM found the bag, and did this:

He is a sorting maniac!!