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

It is so difficult to put babies in the sand and not have them eat it, right? Babies are all about sensory experiences…especially in the “taste” category. Try Cream of Wheats in a large bowl and let baby explore.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Use a small, soft, colorful toy, like a sponge ball or stuffed animal to encourage your baby to track the object with their eyes. While your baby is lying on her back, hold the toy in front of her face and, if needed, wiggle it slowly or gently touch her with it to get her attention. Then move the toy from side to side, and encourage her to follow along with her eyes.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

Fill a basket with the paper tube rings (cut from toliet paper rolls), and place it in front of your baby while she's in tummy time, propped on a pillow, or sitting on your lap with hands free to play. Encourage her to push and bump her hands up against the rings or use the wall of the container to help her grasp them.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Toddlers

Frozen shaving foam paint is a fun activity for children to experiment with color and texture.
Scienfific Exploration and Knowldge Goal CD-8

Toddlers will love painting with these textured pot scrubbers that add sensory fun to their painting experience.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

If you haven't made slime yet it is worth a try. Make a neon style slime without using borax.
Scienfific Exploration and Knowldge Goal CD-8
Preschoolers
Nothing is better than cool ice cream on a summer day, and the chemistry behind ice cream is even cooler. Salt and sugar play essential roles in making ice cream the texture we know and love by lowering ice's freezing point. When salt or sugar (a solute) is combined with water or ice (a solvent) and is evenly distributed, the freezing point is lowered. Make ice cream in a bag to learn the science of ice cream.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

How about some edible jewelry for a great fine motor activity that is nutritious too.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

Pool noodles aren't strictly for pool games any more - you can make lots of fun things out of a pool noodle. Try making this pool noodle marble run with your kids.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-2
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OUTDOOR FUN
Infants

Use water bottles to put natural materials in to let babies explore nature safely.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

Babies love mobiles, so naturally, they love wind chimes as well! Pick up a few colorful wind chimes and hang them. Hang them around your yard and walk around with baby listening to the music they make.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Toddlers

If you have a chain link fence you can provide children with ribbons and material cut into strips to weave into the fence! No chain link fence? Try to be creative and create your own frame.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

Pool noodles are an inexpensive items that can be used in many ways. Try the Pool Noodle Water Wall to keep toddlers busy.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

Here is a fun alternative to water balloons. Make Sponge Water Bombs.
Motor Development Goal HPD-2
Preschoolers

Help make math learning fun and easy as summer winds down with these three outdoor activities you can do with just a few household items — and some mud, of course.
Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-4

Try an obstacle course while carrying a water balloon. Fun for any day or a party game.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

This game might not be for everyone but is one way to cool down on a hot summer day and still stay active- Drip Drip Splash.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
EVERYDAY MOMENTS
Infants/Toddlers

Many families find bedtime and naptime to be a challenge for them and their children. It is estimated that 43% of all children and as many as 86% of children with developmental delays experience some type of sleep difficulty. Sleep problems can make infants and young children moody, short tempered and unable to engage well in interactions with others. Sleep problems can also impact learning. The following article can give you tips on making life easier at nap and bedtime.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-3
Preschoolers

Doctor and dentist visits can be very stressful for young children. Routine check-ups can cause anxiety, fear and distress in toddlers and preschoolers. The following tips will help ensure that these visits are easier for you and your child.
Self-Care, Safety, and Well-Being Goal HPD-6
LITERACY
Infants 

Fingerplays like Open, Shut Them allow toddlers to practice coordinating words and finger motions.
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1

Over the last few months of your baby's first year, his ability to use his hands, or his fine motor skills, will improve steadily. This means he'll be getting ready to pick up and use crayons.
Foundations For Writing Goal CLL-9
Toddlers

Because they float ping pong balls make a great Alphabet fishing activity.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8

Toddlers can learn the letters of their name with this easy letter matching game.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8

Here is another name game made from milk caps.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8
Preschoolers

Set up a fun phonics game for preschoolers children with this sorting objects into baskets game! This takes no preparation at all and can be played in different ways to suit the age or stage of each child involved.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-7

Pool noodle letters are quick to make and great for alphabet learning all year long. This time of year, pool noodles are everywhere so why not use them for learning too.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8

Engaging your child in letter-sound play is something you can do almost anywhere, anytime to help your child learn the names of the letters of the alphabet and the sounds those letters make.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-7