Planning engaging activities for a large group of preschoolers can be a challenging task; however, with some creativity and the right ideas, you can keep them entertained and stimulated. Here are some fun and interactive activities that cater to their age group and needs. From music and movement to art and games, these activities will help you manage your little ones’ energy while fostering social skills, creativity, and learning.
So, take a look at this collection of 31 large group activities designed specifically for preschoolers.
Edible Volcano
While volcanoes have been a staple at science fairs for centuries, a unique twist has rarely been seen – an edible volcano featuring dinosaurs. This creative combination is sure to captivate young minds. For a sensory bin activity that’s both fun and educational, try creating a dinosaur-themed edible volcano with your preschoolers. I’m confident they’ll be delighted by the process and eager to make it happen.
Classroom Escape Room
Imagine planning an escape room activity for a group of preschool children – it’s an intriguing concept that may spark both excitement and apprehension. However, with careful planning and execution, it can be a fantastic way to celebrate a school event like a fair or activity day. The idea can even be expanded to incorporate the entire school, fostering social skills among students as they work together to solve puzzles and challenges.
Alphabet Bingo Game
There’s something undeniably charming about classic bingo games – they strike the perfect balance between excitement and fun. Moreover, incorporating bingo into your preschool teaching can have a profound impact on young students’ skills; it encourages them to listen attentively, follow instructions, and monitor their progress, which are essential abilities for any classroom setting.
By leveraging bingo, you can help your students develop essential literacy and numeracy skills, such as recognizing the alphabet or counting numbers, and the best part: You don’t need to start from scratch – a free template is available for download, allowing you to quickly get started. Alternatively, feel free to create your own unique bingo card design.
Number Bingo
If you’ve witnessed the success of alphabet bingo in enhancing your young ones’ understanding of letters and their ability to recognize and recall them, it’s time to take it to the next level with a number bingo activity that yields similar results. Simply print out the template, distribute it among your preschoolers along with pencils or fun stamps, and get ready to start calling out numbers.
Bucket Drumming
Who hasn’t, at some point in their childhood, fantasized about becoming a drummer and joining a band? The thrill of transforming noise into music is a powerful draw for kids as young as preschool age. One of the simplest ways to create your own makeshift drum set is to upturn an old bucket, grab a few spoons and ladles, and let the creative chaos begin. If you’re not too fussed about the racket that comes with using pots and pans, then by all means, add those to the mix as well.
Feed Me Monster Bean Bag Toss
As I reflect on my recent bean bag toss escapade as an adult, it’s thrilling to consider how much more joy a group of preschoolers will derive from playing it during circle time. The simplicity and accessibility of this activity make it an ideal choice for large school celebrations like fairs or carnivals. To add an extra layer of fun for your little ones, you can create a ‘Feed Me’ monster version, perfecting their gross motor skills in the process.
Rainbow Jelly Sensory Bin
Sensory play is a vital component of early childhood education. For young children, these activities provide a valuable opportunity to explore and become familiar with various textures, colors, and sensations. One engaging sensory bin I’ve found particularly effective is the ‘Rainbow Jelly Delight’. This unique combination of jiggly jelly and vibrant hues invites preschoolers to engage in a tactile adventure, searching for hidden treasures while refining their gross motor skills.
As an added bonus, getting the jelly-strewn hands into their tummies can be just as enjoyable.
Colour Matching
When it comes to fostering an early understanding of colors, introducing simple activities that involve color matching is an excellent approach. This exercise not only helps young children develop their ability to recall and recognize colors but also serves as a fun group activity for toddlers. The beauty of this activity lies in its versatility – it can be adapted to suit the needs of children across various age groups and skill levels, from preschoolers to school-age kids.
To take it up a notch, consider incorporating a rainbow color wheel into your lesson plan. This visual tool not only facilitates color matching but also provides an opportunity for children to develop their reading skills by learning corresponding color words.
Spider Web Obstacle Course
When faced with a group of energetic youngsters confined to a schoolroom on a rainy day, obstacle course activities like a spider web challenge can be a lifesaver. Simply gather the kids into a room and set up the obstacles, which require minimal equipment – just some string that can be looped across the space in a web-like design. This activity is not only engaging for the children but also offers an opportunity to practice teamwork as they work together to create the obstacle course.
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
For preschoolers, an easy game of scavenger hunt can be a wonderful way to tire them out before naptime. The beauty of scavenger hunts lies in their versatility, allowing for various themes and types of hunts that can be tailored to fit your needs. One great example is the alphabet scavenger hunt. Here’s how it works: have your kids search around a designated space – whether it’s the playground or the classroom – for objects that start with each letter of the alphabet.
This activity not only keeps them engaged but also helps develop their observational skills and alphabet recognition.
Simon Says
When it comes to engaging young preschoolers with fun and interactive activities, Simon Says is an excellent choice. As the leader, or ‘Simon’, you have the power to direct their movements while ensuring they remain occupied and within your supervision. For a successful game, here are some command suggestions: Try these out: ‘Simon says touch your shoulder’ for a simple yet effective command, or get them moving with ‘Simon says run in place’.
You can also add some whimsy with ‘Simon says hop like a bunny’, or challenge their flexibility with ‘Simon says touch your toes.’ These commands are sure to keep your preschoolers entertained and active.
Yoga for Kids
Incorporating yoga into a child’s life from an early age is often a winning combination. Preschoolers, in particular, can greatly benefit from this practice, potentially fostering a lifelong passion for physical activity. To capture their attention and maintain their interest, it’s crucial to design a yoga sequence that showcases the best of what yoga has to offer.
This can be achieved by incorporating various elements such as breathing exercises, stretches, and other engaging activities, all carefully crafted to make the experience enjoyable and memorable.
Paper Plate Apple Craft
Paper plate crafts are a thrifty and efficient way to engage young children in creative activities. Their low cost and ease of setup make them perfect for large groups of preschoolers, eliminating concerns about expense or logistical hassles. One such activity is the paper plate apple craft, which requires minimal supplies: paper plates, paint, cardstock, and basic crafting materials. To guide their creativity, you can also print out an apple template to distribute among your young artists.
Apple Stamp Pumpkin Craft
While the apple-themed craft activity was a hit with your little ones, it’s only natural to want to create even more excitement around this juicy topic. One way to do just that is by introducing an apple pumpkin stamping activity, which strikes the perfect balance between fun and messiness, ensuring your kids stay engaged and eager to participate.
Kitchen Utensil Collaborative Painting
When it comes to keeping preschoolers engaged, collaborative art activities are an excellent way to keep them occupied while also fostering creativity. To make the most of your supplies, gather a variety of kitchen utensils and set them up as unique painting tools. Your little artists will delight in experimenting with different textures and designs created using items like whisks, which can produce fascinating prints and patterns on their canvas.
Shaving Cream Art
The next time you find yourself at a local grocery store, grab a few bottles of shaving cream for an innovative art project. When you’re back with your little ones, whip up a batch of homemade paint using the following simple recipe. Fill several bowls with shaving cream and add a few drops of tempera acrylic paint to each one. The resulting mixture can be adjusted to achieve the perfect shade – whether it’s bright and bold or soft and subtle.
To take it to the next level, simply add a few dollops of glue to create an even fluffier texture.
Texture Rubbing Art
Texture rubbing art is an innovative form of print-making that allows individuals to create unique designs by manipulating textured surfaces. To start, you’ll need a colored applicator, such as a pencil or crayon, and a textured object like a leaf or stone. By running the applicator over the raised elements of the object, you can capture their intricate patterns and details on a new sheet of paper.
This fun and engaging process is perfect for kids, who will enjoy creating artistic reproductions of their chosen objects, complete with exaggerated textures and features.
Fall Playdough Sensory Craft
With the ability to create your own homemade playdough from scratch, the possibilities are endless. From captivating preschoolers in a classroom setting to unleashing creativity with friends and family, the versatility of this simple yet engaging activity knows no bounds. This autumn-inspired sensory experience is particularly noteworthy for its tactile nature and vibrant, leaf-like textures.
By incorporating cookie cutters, children can craft their own branches and leaves, further enriching the imaginative play process.
Hot Potato Game
In large group settings, such as preschool classrooms, this timeless game provides endless entertainment. It’s simple yet engaging, requiring minimal setup. Here’s how it works: you’ll need one ‘hot potato’ and a stash of ‘potato chips.’ Players take turns passing the hot potato around while upbeat music plays. When the tunes stop, whoever’s holding the potato gets to grab a chip. The player who collects three chips is the first to exit the game, adding an element of excitement and anticipation.
Letter Recognition Worksheet
Recognizing the alphabet, particularly one’s own name, is a crucial skill for preschoolers to master. The ability to identify letters in their name adds an extra layer of significance. To help facilitate this learning process, I’d like to share a fun and engaging activity that can be adapted to suit any theme. For instance, instead of a zoo-themed worksheet, you could opt for a more personalized approach based on your child’s interests.
Mystery Box
Imagine the excitement of unveiling a vibrant mystery box, complete with the promise of a thrilling reveal that keeps even the most restless students engaged until the very end. But what makes this activity truly special is its multi-sensory approach, designed to captivate young minds and spark their natural curiosity.
To help your kids develop a deeper appreciation for the sense of touch, it’s essential to present each sensory experience in isolation, allowing them to fully focus on one aspect at a time. The mystery box provides an engaging way to do just that, guiding students through a tactile exploration that will leave them eager to learn more.
Bubble Art
Combining bubble art with science creates an unbeatable formula for entertaining preschoolers. By incorporating fun and interactive experiments, you can effortlessly convey complex scientific concepts like hyperbolic pressure in a way that’s both engaging and easy to understand. Plus, the inevitable mess factor is always a hit with young children, making it a sensory-rich experience they’ll never forget.
Just be sure to have plenty of paper towels on hand to clean up any spills or splatters that may occur.
Freeze Tag
When it’s time to take a group of energetic preschoolers on an outdoor adventure, consider incorporating freeze tag with a unique twist inspired by classic games. This modified version combines excitement and messiness for an unforgettable experience. To set things in motion, gather your young players, fill spray bottles with water, and let the fun begin.
Sensory Walk
There’s something truly special about letting kids loose in nature – rain or shine. A sensory activity that combines learning with the great outdoors can be a winning combination for a lesson plan. Just imagine taking your little ones outside on a crisp fall afternoon, surrounded by vibrant foliage and the sounds of leaves crunching beneath their feet. The air is crisp and cold, begging to be tasted on their tongues – it’s an experience that’s hard to beat.
Stacking Cups STEM Challenge
Are you looking for an engaging way to encourage your preschoolers’ growth, problem-solving skills, and creativity? Do you want a single activity that fosters coordination, fine motor skills, and imagination? Look no further: A fun STEM challenge activity can be the perfect solution. To get started, gather the following materials: cups, large popsicle sticks, and a plastic character.
You’re not limited to these supplies – tongue depressors, craft sticks, or even cut-out cardboard strips will work just as well. Whatever you have on hand is perfect for this project.
Spaghetti Bead Tower
My treasure trove of beads has been growing for years, comprising a delightful mix of spaghetti beads perfect for crafting. To embark on this creative journey, gather a few dry spaghetti strands from your kitchen, along with your stash of beads. Don’t forget that vibrant rainbow-colored playdough leftover from the kids’ last playdate. With these materials at hand, submerge the spaghetti sticks into the clay and begin threading those beads onto them.
Alphabet Musical Chairs
There’s an infectious energy surrounding musical chairs, making it an ideal activity for rambunctious kids. The end result: Exhausted youngsters who’ll be primed to tackle more cerebral pursuits. To set the scene, gather flashcards featuring the alphabet – or get creative with materials you have on hand. A simple solution can be as effective as a dedicated alphabet display, such as foam letters that will suffice in a pinch.
Counting with Cards
Got a pack of UNO cards lying around. Perfect, you can turn them into a fun counting game for your preschoolers. Grab one or two decks, depending on how many little ones are joining in. To get started, sort out the numbers 1-10 from each color category within the deck.
Fizzy Painting
Imagine combining art, science, and excitement – that’s what fizzy painting is all about. This innovative activity seamlessly blends learning with fun, making it an ideal STEM experience for kids. To get started, gather the necessary supplies: watercolor paper, food coloring, vinegar, baking soda, and croppers. Don’t forget to have a stash of paper towels at the ready to handle any spills or messes that may arise.
Shadow Puppet Play
When looking for ways to keep rambunctious preschoolers occupied indoors during a quiet afternoon, consider using printable shadow puppets of animals. These engaging activities can provide hours of imaginative play, making them an ideal solution for keeping young minds active. To get started, simply download the desired animal printables and print them out on white cardstock, allowing you to quickly set up the activity.
The ease and versatility of these printables make them a great resource for parents and caregivers seeking to provide entertainment for their little ones.
Story Stones
It’s fascinating to think that ancient civilizations used to inscribe the tales of their lives onto rocks and cave walls. This creative expression highlights the versatility of storytelling mediums. Fast-forward to today, you can replicate this experience with your little ones by collecting flat stones and unleashing their creativity through painting.