Fun for Black Hills Early Learners |
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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
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Create a fun sensory bin for your child to splash around in on a hot summer’s day. This water-play activity is themed around the sun with different materials that will assist in your child’s sensory development and exploration.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Try this simple sensory activity with materials you may already have in the closet and recycling a can.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
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Is it sand, or is it play dough? You decide! This amazing sensory material actually acts as both! Link below to see how you can easily make quicksand play dough at home.
Construction of Knowledge: Thinking and Reasoning Goal CD-1
Painting with magnets is a fantastic way to explore magnetism and create a unique piece of art. This magnet art project is a hands-on way to learn using simple materials. Paint, hardware, and magnets.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Gaod CD-8
To set this activity up for a toddler who’s working on fine motor skills, I recommend using a non-white sheet of paper that white glue will show up against. Add big dots of glue to the paper and provide your child with buttons, pebbles, beans, pom-poms or other small objects of uniform shape to add to the glue.
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
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Preschoolers
Can you lift an ice cube into the air using nothing but a piece of string? This classic experiment with salt and ice is an absolute winner with preschoolers who love the “magic” of simple science experiments.
Scientifc Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Another way to experiment with ice and salt is to make your own slushes without a blender. This needs set up the night before to freeze to freeze the water and salt in bags.
Scientifc Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Kids can be picky eaters sometimes, what better way to introduce them to new foods and incorporate some fun into meal time than eating and exploring tasty fruit! Who knows, your child may discover a new favorite fruit.
Physical Health and Growth Goal HPD-1
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Remember that EVERYTHING is brand new to a baby. Go outside and let your baby hear some new sounds. Listen to birds chirping, a train whistle, wind chimes, or whatever else is going on outside.
Construction of Knowledge Goal CD-8
When little ones bang on pots and pans indoors, it can be headache-inducing. So take all that noise and energy outside. Take the pots and pans outdoors and let your baby make music. Attach the makeshift instruments to a fence, tree or other stationary object so they don't disappear. Or, lay them down in the grass for a different kind of sound.
Creativie Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
Collect objects from your yard or a local park and place them in a clear plastic bottle. (dirt, grass, flowers, sand, stones, sticks, acorns and other small items that fit in the bottle). Then seal the cap with glue and let your child turn and shake it to their heart’s content.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-8
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Is there a better place to spend a hot summer day than outside?! This activity is a great way to explore what will melt in the sun and why. The possibilities are endless and children will want to do this activity over and over again!
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Create cupcakes with goop and flowers. Whip up some cornflour,(cornstarch) salt, water, white vinegar and cream of tartar. Add spoons for stirring, whisks, cupcake cases and a muffin tin for making some cakes. Add toddler fistfuls of grass and dandelion flowers.
Scientific Exploration and Knowlege Goal CD-8
This activity is guaranteed to be messy and fun. Try Cotton Round Splatter Painting.
Scientific Exploration and Knowlege Goal CD-8
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Here’s a great craft that will get kids outside and experimenting with STEM! Home made parachute toys can be personalize with markers or crayons. Experiment with different toys and different chute materials. If you have a backyard tree house or 2nd story deck, those are great places to drop your parachutes.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Learn about gas and expansion through this simple and fun Exploding Lunch Bag activity.
Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-9
Get outdoors, paint pictures, and enjoy a kid-favorite fizzing chemical reaction. What’s better than that? Have the kids help you whip up this easy homemade sidewalk paint!
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
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Singing during bath time can help your baby acquire new knowledge and vocabulary. Try some favorite bath time songs, including Row, Row, Row Your Boat; Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes; and Five Little Ducks.
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3
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Hand-washing or bath time? Say to your child, “This is the HOT water (point to the faucet); this is the COLD water. Together they make warm water! This is the soap. Soap and water make BUBBLES that clean our hands. Now, let’s rinse off the bubbles. Can you help me dry my hands with this towel?” Through sharing the science of how things work, you’re helping your child learn a routine to stay healthy!
Self-Care, Safety, and Well-Being Goal HPD-6
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Offer your preschooler some clothes to fold. Show how you usually fold them and talk about each step, "First I bring the sides together, then I fold in the middle." Encourage him to try folding and talk about what he does, "You folded in the middle first. What will you do next?"
Motor Development Goal HPD-5
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What “universal” language promotes reading, creativity, and comprehension skills all at the same time? MUSIC provides us with a natural and rhythmic way to learn. Many studies show that there is a very strong connection between literacy and music.
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3
Here are some music activities to do with your baby to help develop language skills.
Creative Arts and Expression Goal CD-12
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Expose little ones to the alphabet early in fun, simple activities that they can be hugely successful at. This Letter Hunt was a great way to build on my toddler’s growing literacy skills.
Foundations of Reading Goal CLL-8
During water play is a good time to incorporate new concepts and new vocabulary for your toddler.
• In/out concepts when transferring water into bowls/buckets or for toys
• Full/empty concept
• Wet/dry
• Action words: pour, splash, mix, scoop, swim (actions for toys), dive, jump
• Float/sink – collect items in the yard and predict if they will sink or float
Communication and Oral Language Development Goal CLL-3
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Story retelling is one of the best ways to build reading comprehension and bring about excitement and a love of reading. These super simple approaches will help to make story retelling a fun and engaging hands-on activity.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-5
Combine music and movement for a fun way to explore the alphabet.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-7
A small hardware storage box can be turned into a letter box. Let children explore making words with the letters.
Foundations For Reading Goal CLL-8
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