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

Infants love the human face. It’s one of the first things they get to focus on. As soon as your infant is able to focus, have him lay on his tummy and place a “tummy time” mirror on the floor in front of him.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1

Tummy time is so important, but not all babies love laying on their belly. This sensory hula hoop allows baby to enjoy tummy time more.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

We tend to take a lot of things around us for granted. But this is a new world if you start seeing it from the eyes of your baby. Take a light switch for example. The act of pressing a button and seeing a bulb light up may seem normal to you but is actually quite magical for a baby. Show your little one the one off of the light and join in their awe.The doorbell is another favourite and it can be interesting to track down the source of the sound.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Toddlers
This Olympic torch craft will be fun to do for younger children but older ones will be able to appreciate the significance of the Olympic torch.
Motor Development HPD-5

Looking for Olympic Craft Ideas for kids to make during the Olympics? This Olympic Rings Craft is as real winner. Using just cardboard rolls and paint to match the Olympic Rings.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12

Here is an Olympic twist to the ever favorite science of baking soda and vinegar experiment.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
Preschoolers

Make some salt dough medals with number imprints to celebrate the Olympics which are being held this summer.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5

Make a simple straw javelin throw using drinking straws and launch them through the air to see who can get it the furthest!
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

This activity is great for fine motor development. Use pipe cleaners and cut up straws to make Olympic Ring Bracelets.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
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OUTDOOR FUN
Infants

Entertaining babies and little ones can be tricky in the heat of summer try this fun summer sensory play idea: colored ice cubes on a string. These frozen cubes are so simple to create but they make water playtime lots of fun! 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8

When the sun's rays are intense parents naturally look for ways to keep the sun off a baby's delicate skin, but experts warn the common practice of draping a blanket (even a very thin muslin one) over a stroller or car seat can increase a baby's temperature drastically. An experiment conducted by a Swedish newspaper found that if it's 71F (22C) outside when a stroller is covered with a blanket, the inside of the stroller can reach a scorching 94F (34C) within about half an hour.
Self-Care, Safety and Well-Being Goal HPD-7
Toddlers

The motto of the Olympics is faster, higher, and stronger. This outdoor game for kids is a great way for your children to demonstrate that motto. Give them a set of bean bags to throw onto the Olympic rings. They will need to come up with ways to throw them fast. Then throw them high into the air onto the rings. Finally they use all the strength in their arms to make the strongest throw possible.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

Help your children create their own Home Olympics! Try to hold your event outside, or put mats on the floor indoors. Remind children that the object is not to win, but to have FUN! Check out these ideas from PBS kids!
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
Preschoolers

The shot put is one of the Olympic sports that most children have probably never seen. It isn’t often featured on television. Why not introduce your children to the shot put by creating a catapult that will fling a shot put across your yard. 
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9

Hula Hopscotch is a fun game for preschooers or older kids.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4

Another great "Olympic" game to play with preschooler is the Balloon Between the Knee Race. Inflate the balloon, but not too much so that it fits comfortably between the knees of the child. Have the children put the balloon between their knees and run or hop to the finish line.
Motor Development Goal HPD-4
EVERYDAY MOMENTS
Infants

Use books as part of your baby’s daily routines. Read before naptime or bedtime. Share books made of plastic at bath time.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-4
Toddlers

When toddlers start to out grow naps it's time to creat a "quiet time" routine.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-3
Preschoolers

Here is an incredible guide from the Pyramind Model Resource Library for families on how to get through routines with your child throughout the day.
Self-Regulation and Pro-Social Behaviors Goal SED-5
LITERACY
Infants

Nursery rhymes allow children to hear the rhythm and beat of language, which then prepares them for speech later. Many nursery rhymes have hand motions, and this allows young children about symbols for letters, words, and numbers.
Communicationg and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3

Play peek-a-boo. This simple turn-taking game is good practice for how to have a conversation later on. Try hiding behind a book, a pillow or a scarf. 
Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-1
Toddlers

Use this bean bag challenge a fun way for toddlers to practice the skill of listening and learn new words. Give each child a bean bag and repeat "Put the bean bag on your: arm, shoulder, knee, foot, stomach, elbow, back, calf, waist, thigh, etc."
Communicating and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3

If your kiddos need to burn off some energy, this letter activity will be perfect. Use a stack of paper plates, and write one giant letter on each one. Then use packing tape to secure each plate to a pillow and spread them around the room. Have the kids start on one side of the room and try to jump to the other without touching the floor. As they jump to each new pillow, say with them the letter.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8

It is important for caregivers of young children that behaviors such as biting or tantrums may happen because children do not have the words to communicate. Help children relax and give them words that can help them name and describe their feelings and commuicate their needs.
Communicating and Oral Language Development CLL-1
Preschoolers

The Olympic Games are an exciting world event of athletics and national pride. Get your kids excited about the different Olympic sports by reading children’s books to build up their background knowledge and anticipation for these athletic events.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-4

As a child begins to read, the first thing they will need to learn is sight words. Sight words are high-frequency words that appear often in a text but can't necessarily be figured out by sounding them out phonetically. Just someof the common sight words for preschoolers are A, am, and, at, big, go, have, he, I, not, we and you. Make learning sight words an outdoor activity playing Sight Word Soccer.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-6

Write a book together, using sight words in repetition. For example, you might tell the story of traveling to the Olympics, using the basic sentence on each page: "We went to the Olympics to see the (fill in the event)." The constant use and exposure to the words 'we,' 'went,' 'to,' and 'the' will help your little one learn them. Encourage them to illustrate their book.
Foundations For Writing Goal CLL-9