Homeschooling Activities for Preschoolers

With the widespread school closures and increasing work from home, what activities can you do at home to entertain your kids? Well, this is what my family is made for!! I work from home and my kids do not go to school, so what do they do all day? Lots of homeschooling activities for preschoolers! I will share our “schedule” which is more or less made for two sets of twins (the baby just falls in wherever!) and include some activities to get the juices flowing. Some of the homeschool activities for preschoolers are ideas from their teacher and others are just some I come up with on the fly. I include links to free printables and materials where applicable.

Schedule

First, our schedule is set up around eating times. I think it is important for the kids to eat around the same time each day. From there, schedule in their nap and quiet times. Everywhere else, I sprinkle in different forms of free play, learning activities, and outside time. In order for all of us to keep track of the schedule, I have free kid routine cards here. We have boxes of toys that we TRY and keep organized throughout our days and helps with the rotation of things. We do not have all of our toys out and accessible at once. Hopefully this gives a flavor for what a more structured day could look like at home for your family.

Now for the homeschooling activities for preschoolers, toddlers, and young children in general. I just have a list and will link any materials or sites that can assist in the entertainment. I truly believe kids learn through play and fun activities, so this is not meant to be “strict” by any means. All of these activities are tried and true for our family and the kids love them! One item we use a LOT are these cubes here (and they are inexpensive!). We use them for measuring, patterns, color sorting, and all kids of things! The categories include art, math, reading, writing, science, sensory, motor skill development, outdoor, and other fun. Enjoy!! Please let me know what activities you like to do too!

Art

Color Wonder markers and coloring sheets – perfect for the littles because they can’t make a mess
Listen to different styles of music (upbeat, sad, dramatic) and ask your kids to paint with watercolors how the music makes them feel
Tempera paints are great for mixing. Use this color wheel printable and have them mix primary colors to learn about secondary colors
Put paint dollops in a ziplock bag and tape to the table – let them go to town with mess free finger painting
Use different utensils to switch up traditional coloring (oil pastels, color pencils, skinny markers, etc)
Make instruments by putting beans inside of water bottles – paint the water bottles for fun!
Color recognition with shapes from this free package (lots of other ideas included in this free bundle)
We love these Melissa & Doug paint with water books
Dot sheets with these daubers

Math

Cut out the same size squares or use cubes to measure things. Gather items around the house and see how many cubes they are
Practice patterns with blocks or cubes. Line up a pattern and have your kid repeat it, then switch! Have them make a pattern and you repeat it
Complete symmetry sheets such as this one
Number sequencing worksheets like this
Beginner counting and addition worksheets

Reading

I like coloring sheets like these so you kid can start associating the word with the color
Act out your favorite books
Print out characters and use them as puppets to put on a show
Print and color beginner reading books like this these (not free – but minimal cost)
Make reading boats out of storage bins

Writing

Write your kid’s name on a sheet of paper and insert into a plastic pocket. Then use dry erase markers to trace their names
Use this site to generate practice worksheets with your kids’ names
Use different color dry erase markers and boards for coloring – my girls can draw for hours on their boards
We love these tracing books

Science

Plant flowers in a pot from seeds
Add beans and wet cotton balls to a ziplock bag. Set the bag in the window and check each day for growth!
Bake!! Let the kids use the measuring cups
Make a rainbow and learn about capillary action
Nature walk around the neighborhood

Sensory

Get a baking tray and add flour or salt. Have your kid trace their name in the powder or just draw!
Same idea as above, but use shaving cream and give them paintbrushes to trace opposed to their fingers
Get a muffin tin and sort cubes in each of the circles
Play dough with these free play dough mats
Make fake snow

Motor Skill Development

Scissor skills are so important. Use some of these free printables or just draw shapes on papers for your kids to cut out
Use different tools (scoops, tweezers, etc) to pick up different items
Unload the dishwasher! Seriously! My older girls match and put together all of the munchkin 360 cups
Fold towels or simple laundry
Stringing cheerios onto pipe cleaners