Learning Centers

Preschoolers are busy people. Their minds are always racing and their bodies never seem to stay still. If you are home for extended periods of time with young children, it can feel like you run out of ideas to keep them entertained. Your regular toys might not be as exciting anymore. However, there are still so many exciting activities to do in and around the house. All of these use very basic materials that you either already have or can easily obtain. This list is sure to inspire even more ideas to keep your little one happy, healthy, and active. Here are 50 at-home activities for Preschoolers broken down into 30 simple indoor activities and 20 around the house ideas.

30 Indoor Activities for Preschoolers

1. Paint on construction paper with water.
2. Build a fort out of pillows and blankets.
3. Have a living room picnic.
4. Practice fine motor skills.
5. Plant a seed and watch it grow.
6. Build a bird house. (or a hummingbird feeder)
7. Make homemade playdough.
8. Learn to sing a new song.
9. Have a dance party.
10. Keep a weather journal.
11. Make a drum out of an oatmeal container.
12. Have a tea party.
13. Experiment with colors.
14. Play musical chairs.
15. Fill up measuring cups with water and transfer to a bowl.
16. Bake a cake and decorate it.
17. Build a castle out of blocks.
18. Make a hopscotch on the floor out with painter’s tape.
19. Create an indoor obstacle course.
20. Play follow the leader.
21. Have a slow race—who can get there the slowest?
22. Learn American Sign Language (ASL) and practice together.
23. Make an empty box into a car and host a “drive in movie.”
24. Set up a bowling alley in the hall. Use plastic cups for the pins and a soft ball.
25. Make homemade butter with heavy cream and salt in a mason jar.
26. Build pictures with pattern blocks.
27. Make puppets out of lunch bags and have a puppet show.
28. Learn how to play Sudoko.
29. Play balloon volleyball.
30. Create a stuffed animal zoo and pretend to tend the animals.

20 Around the House Preschool Activities

1. Draw an obstacle course on your driveway.
2. Have a backyard camp out.
3. Hang up a bird feeder and keep track of which birds visit.
4. Lay down a jump rope and practice walking a “tight rope”
5. Pick flowers to press inside a book.
6. Have a nature scavenger hunt.
7. Play tag and hide & seek.
8. Set up a family car wash (bikes welcome).
9. Find shapes in the clouds.
10. Play hot potato with a very wet sponge.
11. Plant a butterfly garden.
12. Learn to identify the trees or plants around your home.
13. Watch the sunset.
14. Try to count the stars.
15. Fly a kite.
16. Roast marshmallows over a campfire or grill.
17. Paint rocks to decorate the garden.
18. Keep a science journal of the animals, birds, and insects you see.
19. Plant a sunflower and watch it follow the sun.
20. Make a map of your yard/home.