Fun for Black Hills Early Learners
We are here to bring you fun activities for any child age 0-5 years.
Happy learning!

At the end of each activity domain and goals for the activities are provided.
For a copy of the Early Learning Guidelines click on the photo
FUN ACTIVITIES
Infants

Once babies are sitting up (perhaps with support), introduce treasure baskets using lots of manmade and natural objects.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Create your own sensory book for baby. Great for tummy time.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

This simple star box can be put together in a short period of time but can be used for months before it gives out.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Toddlers

Tape paper under a chair or coffee table and invite your toddler to lay on their back and draw!
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

This process art for toddlers makes vibrantly colored prints with rolling pins and yarn.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

Let your toddler make their own beautiful suncatchers to decorate windows.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
Preschoolers

This is a very open-ended activity. Pick an emotion to try to paint. It could be ‘sad’ for instance. Have your child(ren) select some colors that remind them of sadness, and then encourage them to paint. Although many people associate sadness with greys and blues, this is really subjective. Many children will pick unusual colors, like bright sunny yellow. It is best for them to make their own decisions, and craft their own artwork based on their independent ideas.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

I remember playing this simple game with my siblings. Children sit in pairs. If only one child you can be their partner. One child tries to make the other one laugh or smile. They are going to use all their best tricks – silly faces, funny jokes, noises, impressions or whatever. The other one has to resist smiling or laughing. This game helps children to think about how they can control their reactions and facial expressions.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-5

This art project for kids doubles as a wonderful STEAM challenge: Ask kids to make DIY Paint Brushes. The sky is truly the limit with this project, all you need are some clothespins and some creative ideas for what might make an interesting paintbrush.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
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OUTDOOR FUN
Infants

Summer is the perfect time to explore, and there’s nothing more fun than spending time in water. No matter if it’s in the ocean, lake, creek, community pool, or tub in the backyard, playing in the water may help children grow and develop in essential ways. Always remember safety rules around water!
Self-Care, safety and well-beign Goal HPD-7
Toddlers

This sensory activity for toddlers let's kids get their toy cars dirty and then use soapy water to clean them up! Two sensory experiences in one activity.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2

This spray art activity for toddlers only requires a few things and is fun to do again and again!! It is also messy so be prepared! I did this with my grandson and have used the final product to wrap presents!
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
Preschoolers

When we think about mindfulness, we often associate it with stillness.
However, mindfulness can also involve movement, and this is especially good for children. The Eagle Flying activity is a relaxation technique that combines deep breathing and movement.
Physical, Health and Growth HPD -2

I tried a smaller version of this nature weaving and l loved it. Kids had fun creating over time and it decorated my garden for over a year.
Creative Arts and Expression CD-12

This Hula Hoop Lasso Challenge is the perfect game to keep preschoolers engaged and moving!
Physical, Health and Growth HPD-2
EVERYDAY MOMENTS
Infants

Bath time is a regular part of your child’s routine that sometimes may not be as enjoyable as you would like. But instead of rushing through it, take advantage of bath time by turning it into a fun, sensory activity!
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Toddlers

Encourage your child to be a part of meal preparations by reading out the ingredients of what you're making. Show them the different items and let them touch, smell, or even taste what you're using, asking, "Do you feel the soft flour?" Continue the conversation. When talking back and forth about recipes and ingredients with your child, you're showing them the importance of reading in everyday life and exposing them to new words.
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-2
Preschoolers

You can play this rhyming game anywhere, anytime. Think of a fun word, then have your child think of another word that rhymes with it. Take turns and keep going back and forth as long as you can! Plan? Fan? Ran? Rhyming games, like this one, help your child focus on word sounds. This will help with reading and writing later on.
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3
LITERACY
Infants

Even if they can’t form words yet, baby is still trying to communicate with you through cries, coos, facial expressions, and body language!
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1

When babies coo and babble, adults should pause (waiting until the baby is "done" in the same manner you would wait for someone to finish a sentence) and then respond with a comment or sentence of your own. This helps babies understand the pattern of a conversation.
Toddlers

Thick markers, crayons and paint brushes are ideal for the youngest writers since they are still developing the small muscles in their hands that help them hold tools. Likewise, large paper is helpful as they explore drawing and making marks. Give them time each week to color on blank paper. Though their art may look like scribbles, they are developing vital fine motor skills that will help them in the future.
Foundations For Writing CLL-9

Create a ziplock book with or for your toddler.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-5

A toy telephone can be an active part of a toddler's playtime. Get a pair of toy telephones and pretend that you are dialling his number to call him. Encourage him to pick up the phone and answer. Teach him how to say ‘hello’ when he answers the phone. Doing this activity regularly can help your child develop good phone etiquette and improve his speaking skills
Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1
Preschoolers

There is research that strongly links the benefits that experiencing rhyme has on development in literacy. It is not easy, though, and many children find learning to rhyme one of the hardest elements of early literacy. However, fun games like Rhyming Simon Says may help this process for some.
Foundations For Reading CLL-7

Head outdoors with some chalk and create Sidewalk Chalk Word Families.
Foundations For Reading CLL-6

This activity gets preschoolers moving while they need to listen carefully to the instructions given by adult.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4