Hands-On Activities

How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts

January 6, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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T is for teeth, and I have a bunch of preschool letter T crafts and activities in the theme to make a full and fun study. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

Young children, especially, learn best when you engage all their senses – smell, touch, taste, sound, and sight in hands-on activities.

T is a great letter to use to learn all about dental health and dentists, but you can absolutely expand on it and include all kinds of T words.

How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts

I have a great variety of preschool letter T crafts to help you build a hands-on unit study that will have your preschooler begging for more.

From snacks to books and crafts, they will help you build an amazing and full theme.

I also have step-by-step instructions for a fun alphabet teeth-cleaning activity that does not require any special supplies other than a toothbrush and can be used over and over.

If you want your study to coincide with National Children’s Dental Health Month, it falls in February.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Introduce the letter T as well as its lowercase counterpart. Practice the sound it makes with your little one over and over to familiarize them with it.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Alphabet Teeth Cleaning- See instructions at the bottom of the post for making this super fun letter recognition activity.

Book – The Tooth Book. This book is absolutely silly and is not only on theme with teeth, but it introduces lots of words that start with T as Booth waits for his tooth to grow in.

Craft/Activity- Digging in with this Dental Health Sensory Play will give your preschooler exposure to teeth-related items, spark their interest with a sensory activity, and make the lesson memorable.

Song/Fingerplay – Jack Hartman is a fantastic choice if you are going to allow small amounts of screen time, his alphabet songs are upbeat and catchy like Learn The Letter T.

Snack – Not just one snack option but here are options for 5 Snacks for Kids That Start With T for you to choose from.

Science Focus Day 2

Focus on the parts of the mouth, and teeth, and how to care for teeth for science.

This is something you will cover all week but give it extra focus today. If you haven’t already, this is a great time for a first dental checkup/field trip.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Book- Learn about all the amazing things teeth can do and all the different kinds of teeth in Dr. Seuss’s The Tooth Book.

Craft/Activity- Simple Science: Rotten Teeth

While this activity is written for a first-grade class I think it is very adaptable to preschoolers and will help teach them early on what certain foods and not brushing can do to their teeth.

Another super fun option for an activity is Crocodile Dentist, games are great for teaching children to take turns and follow directions.

Song/Fingerplay – Watch this video once or twice and you will have the words down pat to teach your preschooler –Brush Your Teeth.

Snack- The Tooth Book covers the teeth of more than just people, all kinds of creatures are featured, and their teeth. Try this Shark Tooth Snack Mix to highlight different kinds of teeth

Math Focus Day 3

Math is an everyday subject, but you can incorporate some intentional activities to teach number recognition and counting with nothing more than playdough and construction paper.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Counting Teeth. For this activity I simply cut an oval out of pink construction paper that resembled a wide open-mouth model.

Then provide your child with white playdough and a die.

Have them roll the die and then make that many teeth to put in the mouth.

Encourage them to count the teeth, roll again, and start over. You could also have them keep going until it’s full.

Book- How to Catch The Tooth Fairy – For a simply fun whimsical book I really like this story.

Craft/Activity- How cute is this Toothpaste slime? Throw in some plastic teeth and dental-related tools and this will keep the kids busy for a long time.

Song/Fingerplay – Make the motions with your hands as you teach your child this fingerplay/song.

This is The Way We Brush Our Teeth

This is the way we brush our teeth,

brush our teeth, brush our teeth.

This is the way we brush our teeth,

so early in the morning.

Brush them up and brush them down,

in little circles or round and round.

Don’t brush them from side to side,

for those sugar bugs will surely hide.

Snack- Make an adorable, silly, and fun mouth full of teeth by cutting apple slices, spreading peanut butter on one side, and filling with a row of mini marshmallows in between.

It’s tasty and educational!

History & Geography Focus Day 4

History and geography for preschoolers is largely learning about community helpers and jobs.

This is a great opportunity to talk about the dentist and what they do. I found this little dental set at Dollar Tree.

And it is a great way to demonstrate what a dentist does and what they look at. You can also use it as a model for good brushing techniques.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Practice making T’s with q tips, popsicle sticks, pretzels, sticks, or any similar object you find.

Book- Llama Llama Loose Tooth Drama – Within the next year or so your preschooler may begin to lose teeth, classic Llama is a great way to introduce the concept.

Craft/Activity These Popsicle Stick Toothbrushes also happen to start with T and are a cute little craft for them to make.

Song/Fingerplay Letter T Song is simple and repetitive teaching not only the t sound but words that begin with t and even teaching that it is a consonant.

Snack- A cute but simple lunch this Dental Health Month Lunch will be a big hit.

Books to Go With the Preschool Letter T Crafts

Next, look at the books you can use in this Letter T is for Tooth unit study.

T for Teeth Preschool Theme

Teach your preschooler and kindergarten the sound of T with a teeth fun study.

The Tooth Book

Learn about this very important body part that lets us talk, eat, and more in this useful guide from Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Joe Mathieu! From a lion's mouth to a clam's, explore all the things teeth can do, how they grow, and how to keep them in tip top shape! Dr. Seuss's rhymes will delight young readers and help them discover the world around them, starting with their own bodies!

The Tooth Book: For Children to Enjoy Learning about Teeth, Cavities, and Other Dental Health Facts

The Silliest Book You'll Read About Teeth!A few months ago, Booth lost a tooth. But what if, instead of a new tooth, another “T—” item pops out?Before you turn the page, have your child make a guess! Will it actually be a tooth or something else?

How to Catch the Tooth Fairy

From losing your first tooth to waiting for the arrival of the mysterious tooth fairy, How to Catch the Tooth Fairy celebrates this special event in your child's life with a lively story of the tooth fairy's escape from some very determined kids! Get ready to laugh along with this zany story as the tooth fairy dodges traps, drool, dental floss webs, and more in this fun bedtime book for children ages 4-10 that combines silly rhymes and bright illustrations with STEAM concepts! Can you catch her?

The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums

Taking good care of your teeth and gums is an important part of maintaining overall health. After all, you need your pearly whites to eat, smile, and talk. But what should you expect when you go to the dentist? What should you do if you lose a tooth? Full of straightforward advice and animated, colorful art, as well as some bite-sized bits of history and lore, this guide provides accessible information about taking care of your teeth. The much-needed dental advice in this book is both timely and accessible to today's children.

Llama Llama Loose Tooth Drama

Llama Llama's tooth is wiggling! Is it time for his first tooth to come out? He's excited, but anxious. Who is this tooth fairy everyone talks about? Mama Llama reassures him; the tooth will come out when it's good and ready. But no one is ready for what happens next...Suddenly, the tooth is GONE! Where did it go?

Crocodile Teeth Dentist Game for Kids

The joints that connect the lower and upper jaws have been redesigned and reinforced to ensure that the jaws will not loosen apart easily even when playing quite roughly.

Next, move on to Day 5.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Go on a tooth hunt around the house or outdoors.

All you need to do is to cut out simple tooth shapes from white construction paper and write lower- and upper-case t’s on them.

Then hide them here and there for your child to find.

Have your child make the t sound each time they find one.

Book – If you want a book that is full of facts and teaches without being too much like a textbook then The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums is a good way to go.

Craft/Activity- Create this Mr. Toothy Easy Tooth Craft For Preschoolers, repeating the t sound over and over as they create it.

Song/Fingerplay- The Tooth Brushing Song is super silly and fun, it will definitely get them moving and ready to brush.

Snack-Make up a tray of good-for-your-teeth snacks and a few not-so-good snacks to enjoy.

Talk about how most of the time we should choose foods that are good for our teeth and bodies but it is okay to occasionally have a treat, brushing afterward of course.

Finally, look how to make this fun alphabet teeth cleaning activity.

Fun Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity for Preschool Letter T Crafts

You will need:

Ziploc bag
White cardstock
Toothbrush
Permanent Markers
Dry erase markers

First, to remove the print from your bag you can wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and it will take it right off.

You will probably need to trim your cardstock down to fit in your gallon bag.

Do this before you make your pictures to be sure you don’t have to cut any of it off.

Use a circular object to draw a circle almost as large as the paper.

Inside the circle draw a big grinning mouth with teeth as well as eyes, a nose, and hair if you want to make it fun.

I like to add a little color to make it more appealing.

To vary the practice during the week make a second one with just a big smiling mouth.

Slip paper in a zipper bag and close the top.

To play, write letters like T, t, or any letters your child is practicing on the teeth with a dry-erase marker.

Give your child a toothbrush and call out letters for them to erase using the toothbrush.

You could do the same thing with numbers or if your child is a beginning writer you can have them use the dry-erase marker to practice upper and lowercase T’s.

Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study

January 5, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I have a letter H handprint craft and a fun preschool horse study that little learners will love. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

It may be your main topic, but you can expand and turn it into a study all about farms.

Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study

Another great idea is reviewing letters that you’ve already gone over.

For instance, if you’ve already covered P, put emphasis on P is for pig, or C is for cow along with hen, hay, and hog for H.

Too, listen to YouTube videos for prior letters but then go forward introducing another letter sound.

H is for Horse Preschool Theme and Letter H Sound

Add some of these fun books and resources for Letter H handcraft and for horse theme. Also, use a farm theme.

Big Red Barn

Margaret Wise Brown's simple, rhythmic text about the cycle of a day on a farm, where a family of animals peacefully plays and sleeps, has charmed generations of children. This board book edition features sturdy pages and is just the right size for toddlers.

As in her classic Goodnight Moon, Brown engages children and helps settle them down for sleep as they follow along with the animals from morning to night in the barnyard.

In the barnyard there are roosters and cows, horses and goats, and a pink piglet who is learning to squeal. Felicia Bond's atmospheric illustrations add to the tranquil simplicity of this gentle story.

Big Red Barn makes a lovely baby shower gift and is a wonderful addition to any preschooler's library.

Little Blue Truck Board Book

Beep! Beep! Meet Blue! Filled with truck sounds and animal noises, Little Blue Truck is a rollicking homage to the power of friendship and the rewards of helping others.

A muddy country road is no match for this little pick-up—that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck.

Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road.

Little Blue Truck is a joyful cacophony of animal and truck sounds that will have youngsters beeping and quacking—and begging for one more go-round! This board book edition is perfect for little hands.

The Little Red Hen

This timeless story of having your cake (and eating it, too!) comes to life with Paul Galdone's dynamic, amusing pictures. A classic storybook for all young readers--and a cautionary tale for lazy ones. Little Red Hen is a time-tested tale about how we reap what we sow.

When the Little Red Hen asks a cat, dog, and mouse for help planting some wheat, she gets no takers: "‘Not I!’ said the cat. ‘Not I!’ said the dog. ‘Not I!’ said the mouse."

They won’t water, cut, or grind the wheat... or help bake a cake with it, either. So in the end, the Little Red Hen eats the cake all by herself as well!

Paul Galdone’s delightfully detailed ink and wash illustrations—packed with charming details—add plenty of sly humor to the well-loved story that not only offers a sage message, but also shows children what it takes to make a cake from the ground up!

A Home in the Barn

Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown's words are brought to beautiful life by
Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney. This must-have for every child’s library is perfect for cozy wintertime readings.

"A glorious tribute to Brown's timeless classic." —Booklist (starred review)

This never-before-published picture book from beloved children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown tells the comforting, snowy story of animals seeking shelter from the cold in a big warm barn. An Indie Next List Pick!

Margaret Wise Brown's classic picture books include Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, Big Red Barn, and many more.

Jerry Pinkney was "widely acclaimed for his picture books honoring his Black heritage as well as for his richly detailed works reimagining well-loved fairy and folktales," noted Publishers Weekly. His version of The Lion & the Mouse by Aesop was awarded the Caldecott Medal, and his books also received five Caldecott Honor citations. He was recognized with two lifetime achievement awards: the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now known as the Children’s Literature Legacy Award) and the Coretta Scott King Virginia Hamilton Award.

Horseplay

Those horses didn't sleep one bit.They frolicked on the loose.They joined in games like Hide-n-Seek,Leapfrog, and Duck, Duck, Goose."So this is why you snooze all day. I thought I told you NO HORSEPLAY!"

When his stubborn horses insist on playing games all night instead of sleeping, one determined farmer wears himself out trying to change their habits.Told in clever rhyming verse throughout, Horseplay will engage parents and kids alike as they follow mischievous horses who just won't go to bed!

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

To explain the sound that H makes here is a really quick video demonstration to share.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Build an H

You will need construction paper, a marker, and 3 popsicle sticks. Cut the ends and about 1” off each end of one popsicle stick.

Form them into an H on construction paper and trace around with a marker.

Give the paper and sticks to your child and have them form the H.

Book – Start with Margaret Wise Brown’s Big Red Barn and see how many H words you can find.
Craft/Activity – Make this DIY STICK HORSE TUTORIAL and your preschooler will spend the week trotting, galloping, and kicking up their heels while they learn.
Song/Fingerplay- The Letter H Song is catchy and teaches the sound as well as a lot of H words. You will want to repeat this a few times this week-
Snack – These horse cookies are an absolutely adorable and fairly simple way to start your H week!

Then, add in some fun science based play learning.

Science Focus Day 2

Focusing on the science of horses can be learning about what they are called as babies.

Too, explain to your preschooler what horses eat, their life cycles, or you can even take the parts of horse activity we did here at my Horse Unit Study.

Adapt it for younger children by just having them verbalize the names of the horse parts.

You could also do a simple cut and paste activity like this Life Cycle of a Horse Worksheet which can teach your child simple concepts about the science of horses.

Finally, a little bit of tech that is a great science option is Wild Kratts, this episode is focused on Powerful Wild Horses.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Make a list together of other farm words that start with H like- harvest, hatch (baby chicks) ,hay, hen, herd, hoe hog,honey, horse, helper, horseshoe.
Book- Another great farm themed classic book is Little Blue Truck.
Craft/Activity – Playdough is a fantastic way to build fine motor skills and strengthen muscles which is key for pre-writers. These Horse themed playdough mats do just that.
Song/Finger Play- This Horse Song for kids is just too fun to dance to.
Snack- Make these tasty Haystacks that also happen to start with H for a midday break.

Also, add some math based fun.

Math Focus Day 3

Count farm animals and practice one to one correspondence, having your child point to each one as they say the number.

Add one and remove one to practice simple addition and subtraction.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Draw uppercase and lowercase H’s on colored construction paper. Hide them around the house and let your child go on a letter hunt.
Book – Read the classic The Little Red Hen and emphasize the H to teach your child another farm word that begins with H. Each time you find her, have your child make the H sound.
Craft/Activity-Check out these fabulous free Farm Lacing Cards, before learning to hold a pencil, little fingers learn dexterity and gain strength through activities like this.
Song/Fingerplay- If you don’t already know it here is a link to learn 10 Little Horses that is great for counting and exercising little fingers.
Snack-After you teach your child that H is for Horse but also hen in keeping with the farm theme these Cute Kids Chicken Snack Bags are a great way to reinforce it.

Next, here are some history and geography ideas.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Wild horses live on steppes and open grasslands, share pictures of these with your child.

Choose a couple unique breeds and find their origin on the map like Belgian Draft Horse or talk about the Kentucky Derby and point out Kentucky to your preschooler on your map.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Print and put together this little book to read to your child from The Letter H Book, highlight every h to draw their eyes to it.
Book – A H-H-H Home in The Barn is a realistically illustrated picture book that fits right on theme and gives another opportunity to search for H words while you learn about farm life.
Craft/Activity- Make this easy printable Paper Plate Horse Craft for an inexpensive art project.
Song/Fingerplay- Listen to the Horse Song by Blippi to learn about this beautiful and strong animal.
Snack- H is also for HAT as in Chocolate Cowboy Hat keeping with the fun farm theme.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition – H Farm Sensory Bin

Fill a few inches in a small container with hay, you can also use popcorn kernels, or straw colored yarn,etc.

Add upper and lowercase H letter tiles and a few farm items that start with H like horse and a hen.

Have your child search for the H’s and talk about the items that start with H and the sound it makes.

Book – Horseplay is a fun and silly book about the bedtime antics of the animals in the barn.
Craft/Activity – Do the Letter H Handprint craft below to round out your study.
Song/Fingerplay – End your week with a few rounds of Old MacDonald Had a Farm and don’t forget to place emphasis on the beginning sounds of horse, hog, and hen!
Snack- On The Farm Snack Mix Not only is it delicious but they can search for horses and make the H time each time they find one to practice the sound.

Letter H Handprint Craft

You will need:

Red, tan, and white paper
Craft paint
Google eyes
A sweet little hand
Yarn
Glue stick

First, paint your child’s entire hand with brown craft paint or whatever color they want their horse to be.

Press their hand firmly onto the white paper upside down with the thumb sticking straight out from the hand. This will be the horse’s head and the 4 fingers will make up the legs.

Lift their hand quickly, and carefully, and allow the paint to dry.

Cut yarn into various sized small pieces.

Run a bit of glue along where the horse mane and tail would be.

Let your child add the yarn to fill it in.

Once the paint is dry let your child draw on features like ears and hooves and glue on a google eye (or two).

To make a barn cut a small house shape and two thin white strips that will fit on it to form an x.

You can also cut varying thin lengths of brown construction paper, and let your child put together a fence for the horse.

Be sure to write a large capital and lowercase Hh on the paper to help make the connection.

Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study

January 4, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 5 fun-filled days of letter O activities and an O is for owl preschool craft. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

And instead of the usual paper owl shaped like an O we are making something a bit more creative.

Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study

Upcycle a milk jug and turn it into a Great Horned Owl after you read a fantastic living science book, watch a short documentary, or enjoy an owl-themed sensory bin.

Even though your child is young you do not have to dumb down the lessons, you can have a fun letter theme for preschoolers that is rich in math, literature, science, and more.

First, look at Day 1 and how to introduce the letter sound.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Letter/Sound Recognition- Create a “Find the letter O sensory bin”.

Add crumpled paper to a small container for a base.

Then add O letter tiles, use scrabble tiles, letter beads, or magnetic letters, whatever kind you have on hand.

Pop in any owl toys or flashcards you may have.

You can also layer in some feathers-we are using them for the craft later so here is a great way to get more use out of this supply.

Now have your child dig through and find all the O’s they can find; this is a fun way to use repetition for letter recognition.

You can extend the activity by having them count how many O’s they can find to work in some simple math.

Craft/Activity- This Fall Leaf Owl Craft is a great way to incorporate the beauty of fall and nature and learn about owls through artwork.
Song/Fingerplay- Watch The Letter O Sound video, it not only teaches the proper way to sound out O but also gives some good words that begin with O in a catchy song.
Book- The Owl Who Was Afraid of The Dark, a cute story about a little brown barn owl, I love introducing them to a variety of owls.
Snack- Start your unit off strong and Make an Easy Owl Sandwich along with pretzel sticks for a nest and maybe a few MM’s for bird eggs.

Science Focus Day 2

Letter/Sound Recognition – This free printable Owl Themed Letter Tumble is great for developing letter recognition long before they pick up a pencil.

Book – Nature Anatomy, This book can not only be used throughout your owl study but also to cover a lot of other nature topics. What I love so much about this series aside from the artwork is that they grow so well with a child. They are appropriate for a preschooler to pour over and still usable throughout high school as a reference.
Another fantastic book for science that can be used for a variety of lessons is The Big Book of Birds, it does not have a section on the Great Horned Owl but it does have a beautiful spread covering Great Gray Owls and I think it’s important to expose them to a variety of species so they can compare differences and similarities.

Facts about Horned Owls for The Educator

Like other owls, they are nocturnal.
Females are a little larger than the males.
It gets its name from the tuft of feathers that look like ears but are not.
Great horned owls are very strong and can carry animals heavier than they are.
At times they swallow their prey whole and regurgitate pellets packed with fur and bones.
They are birds of prey and their prey is alive when they catch it.
They will tear larger prey with their talons and claws.
Large yellow eyes help them see at night.

Draw a simple picture of an owl on a large piece of paper or whiteboard, have your child name off the characteristics of owls – they fly, nocturnal, large eyes, feathers, etc. and dictate them all around the picture of the owl. Letting your child see you write helps them see the link between spoken and written words.
Craft/Activity- Get an owl’s eye view with a craft and science activity all rolled up into one with this Owl Eyesight – STEM Exploration for Kids.
Another fantastic science activity is this free printable Owl Life Cycle Cut and Stick Activity which teaches the owl’s life cycle but also gives your child a chance to strengthen fine motor skills through cutting and pasting.
Song/Fingerplay – Watch The Owl Song with your preschooler and watch them sing adorably all week about the little owls of different colors.
Snack- These Owl Rice Cakes are not only a healthy option, but they are adorable too and make a great afternoon snack.

Math Focus Day 3

Letter/Sound Recognition- Create a simple set of owl “flashcards” by making little fingerprints with paint on cardstock 1-5 or 1-10 whatever numbers your child is ready to work on. Once the fingerprints dry, use markers to add details like eyes, feet, etc. to make them look like owls. Have your child roll a die and find the corresponding card.

Another activity option for building math skills are these Owl Count and Clip Cards, you just need to print, laminate, and grab some clothespins.

Book- Little Owls Night Is a sweet story that has become a classic and lets your child learn about concepts like nocturnal vs. diurnal animals.
Craft/Activity- Here is a super simple but adorable craft idea that needs just a paper plate and some paint, Easy Paper Plate Owl.
Song/Fingerplay- Five Little Owls credit: King County Library System

5 little owls went flying high
Over the hills and through the sky
Mother owl said “whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo”
But only 4 little owls came through.
(repeat until there are no more owls)

Snack- Here is a literacy snack idea that goes along with the book selection for today just perfectly.

Next, look at some of these resources to help teach your preschooler.

Letter O For Owl Preschool Resources

Bring learning to life when you use these resources for your preschooler to learn the letter sound O.

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Plop, the baby owl, is like every barn owl there ever was, except for one thing – he is afraid of the dark

Photo Credit: kidsactivitiesblog.com

Make an Easy Owl Sandwich

Want to make a really cute, really Easy Owl Sandwich without any special tools?

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

The Big Book of Birds

Following up the hugely successful The Big Book of Bugs, The Big Book of Beasts, and The Big Book of the Blue, The Big Book of Birds is a fact-filled tour of the world’s most wonderful winged creatures. Yuval Zommer’s distinctive illustrations show off some of the most colorful, flamboyant, impressive, and wacky birds of the sky. Picture-book charm pairs with informative nonfiction to make a beautiful, large-format title for parents to share with young children and for older children to read by themselves.

Photo Credit: jdaniel4smom.com

Owl Eyesight – STEM Exploration for Kids

Did you know that owls have unique eyes? They have something called binocular vision.

Little Owl's Night

It's evening in the forest and Little Owl wakes up from his day-long sleep to watch his friends enjoying the night. Hedgehog sniffs for mushrooms, Skunk nibbles at berries, Frog croaks, and Cricket sings. A full moon rises and Little Owl can't understand why anyone would want to miss it. Could the daytime be nearly as wonderful? Mama Owl begins to describe it to him, but as the sun comes up, Little Owl falls fast asleep.

Owl Moon

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.

Hoot Owl Hoot Cooperative Color Matching Game for Kids Ages 4+

HURRY LITTLE OWLS: In this color coordinated matching game, players cooperate to help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. Help all the owls home before sunrise and everyone wins!

Owls

On silent wings a bird sweeps down in the moonlight... With their striking appearance and distinctive hoot, hoot, owls are one of the most recognizable birds in the world. But did you know there are more than 140 types of owls living in the world?

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Geography with preschoolers starts with simple lessons about land, air, and water and how each is separate.

It will be an early lesson in maps for them. Learning about biomes is both science and geography.

Each time you learn or see a new owl talk about its biome. For example, Great Horned Owls live in North America in forest habitats. Snowy owls live in the tundra of the Arctic. Use a map to point out the different areas to help familiarize your child with it.

Letter/Sound Recognition- This O is for Owl coloring pages gives your child another chance to focus on the letter while coloring a simple page.
Book – Owl Moon, a classic that is about a little girl and her father going bowling on a winter night.
Craft/Activity- Play this color-matching cooperative game Hoot Owl Hoot where you must work together to get all the little owls home. Simple board games are great for preschoolers to develop social interaction, problem-solving, self-esteem, and learning to take turns.
Song/Fingerplay

Owl In the Tree (Tune: Skip to My Lou)

Owl in the tree says, who, who, who?

Who, who, are you?

Snack–A very simple yet Yummy Hershey’s Pudding Owl Snacks and Cute Craft Idea to boot.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Letter Reveal –Draw upper and lowercase O’s on a sheet of paper with a white crayon. Let your preschooler watercolor paint all over it to reveal the O’s. Practice making the sound each time they reveal one.

Book- Owls by Gail Gibbons, a good mix of living science books and storybooks is ideal for preschoolers. Owls contain lots of great fact in clear understandable language s as well as colorful illustrations.
Craft/Activity- Make the Milk Jug Great Horned Owl craft below and talk about different types of owls. Use your story and living science books to look at examples.

Song/Fingerplay- “Wide-Eyed Owl” from Wilmette Public Library.

There’s a wide-eyed owl (circle your eyes with your hands)

With a pointed nose (make a beak with your fingers)

Two pointed ears (make ears with your fingers)

And claws for toes (wiggle your “claws”)

He lives way up in the tree (point way up)

And when he looks at you (point to children)

He flaps his wings (flap your wings)

And says, “Whoo! Whoo!” (say “whoo”)

Snack- You can make these Owl S’mores right in the microwave for a snack that is a hoot.

Finally, make this Great Horned Owl preschool craft.

Milk Jug Great Horned Owl Preschool Craft

You could use this same process to create any type of owl you would like to focus on or just let your little preschooler create any kind of owl they dream up.

The most important part is that they learn about the basic characteristics of an owl. Even a silly purple glittery owl will have wings, a beak, large eyes, and feathers.

You will need:

Half or gallon milk jug
Brown and tan craft paint
Craft feathers
Craft glue
Foam paint brush
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Scissors

First, cut a little less than half of the milk jug in half (or you can leave it fully intact if you like). Also cut off the neck of the jug.

Wash and rinse well, dry with a towel.

Cut a circle scrap out of the piece of jug you cut away to cover the circle on the top hole and attach it with hot glue to the top.

Paint all over the exterior with brown and tan paint, a foam brush works well for this large application.

Allow the paint on your owl to dry completely.

Trace a small round object like your paint bottle onto black craft foam, make a slightly smaller circle on yellow craft foam, and finally even smaller black circles again, cut them all out two at a time so the sizes match.

Great Horned Owl Preschool Craft

Stack all three and glue them together.

Once the paint is dry you can add feathers sticking straight up on either side of the head, for this part, you might want to use hot glue otherwise they will slip and slide with the craft paint before they dry

.Ask your child about how they would like their owl to be positioned, flying or sitting, and ask where they think the wings should be. Then use brown craft foam to cut out two wings at once, add details with paint or markers.

My owl is just about to take flight, so his wings are wide open and high up. These may be too heavy for craft glue so you may need to hot glue these as well to the back.

Cut out two sets of feet and one beak from craft foam as well.

Glue the feet, beak, and eyes into position.

Finally, little hands can add feathers to the head, belly, or wherever they like with regular craft glue.

Once the glue is dry your owl is ready to guard bookshelves, the kitchen table, or anywhere you would like to put him on display.

Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study

January 3, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a letter A is for apple craft. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

Too, you’ll love the other ideas I have on my page Apple Lapbook and Apple Unit Study.

In addition, I have a whole week’s worth of fun apple-themed crafts, activities, and snacks to teach your preschooler without even picking up a pencil.

There are several trains of thought on how to teach letters, some teach in order, some teach easier letters first and then harder letters, and some altogether.

You know me and how much I love a good unit study, and there is no reason why you can’t use a fun but simple unit study for teaching letters to preschoolers as well.

Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study

You do not need to cover every subject every day, or even weekly but if you would like a little bit of structure for your preschool lessons, I have worked out a simple plan that covers 5 days.

So go the pace of your preschooler’s interests. For example, your week may look like 3 days of one week and 2 days next week.

Also, it could be Saturday and Sunday learning and three days of the week.

Additionally, many things are naturally addressed in one simple activity.

For instance, while apple stamping is art it is also a great science lesson as you talk about the anatomy of the apple after you slice it open.

Count the apples you use and the seeds and you have covered math.

You might mention Johnny Appleseed and talk about how and where he planted his apples, it is now a light history/geography lesson.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Books and Resources for Preschool

Too, add some of these resources to your apple theme.

Preschool Apple Themed Resources

Add some of these books and resources for your apple learning week.

Apple Picking Day! (Step into Reading)

Who doesn’t love to go apple picking at the first sign of fall? A sister and brother celebrate autumn with a trip to a local apple orchard in this simple, rhyming Step 1 early reader. The kids bound with glee through the rows of trees, and race against other children to pick the most and the best apples. The story of their day is bright, fun, and full of light action. It’s told in easy-to-follow rhyme, ensuring a successful reading experience.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Letter A Pronunciation Song | Dream English Kids

Practice the Letter A with Matt. Practice how the letter A sounds in words like apple and acorn. Words: ant, apple, cat, acorn, cake, snake. In this video we practice the long and short a sound.

Photo Credit: www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com

Super Soft, No-Cook Apple Playdough

Playing with playdough is not only fun, but great for strengthening hand muscles, sensory activity, and exploring creativity too.

Photo Credit: www.messylittlemonster.com

Graham Cracker Apple Snacks

If you're looking for fun apple activities for kids - your toddlers and preschoolers will have so much fun with this

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life.

Ten Apples Up On Top!

Count your way through this silly stacking adventure with Dr. Seuss!Don't let the apples drop! Three animal friends practice balancing apples on their heads in this hilarious introduction to counting, illustrated by Roy Mckie. The sturdy board book teaches all about numbers, with a dose of signature Seuss charm. Kids will learn to count to ten--and want to start all over again!

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Letter A Alphabet Song for Kids Let's Learn About The Alphabet Phonics Song

Your children will be engaged in singing, listening and following along as they’ll learn to: identify the alphabet letter Aa, form the upper and lower case letter, say the letter sound clearly and accurately. They will see, hear and say both the long and short vowel sounds at the beginning and middle of a variety of storytelling words.

Photo Credit: www.beeyondcereal.com

No Bake Apple Donuts

Apple donuts are a healthier treat, and one that my kids constantly beg for and fight over. They love the variety of toppings as I'm sure your kids will as well.

How Do Apples Grow?

Read and find out about how apples grow in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom.

Questions addressed in this book include:

Did you know that when you bite into an apple, you're eating part of a flower?
Why do apple trees need bees to make apples?
How does the tree feed the gorwing apples and make them ready to eat?

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Way Up High in an Apple - Apple Song for Kids

Way Up High in an Apple Tree is our very popular apple song for children,

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Johnny Appleseed for Kids

In this video, learn about the legendary apple farmer, Johnny Appleseed.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

BAD APPLE - A Tale of Friendship by Edward Hemingway

Mac and Will have tons in common. They love to read adventure stories, go on lots of adventures themselves, and even start finishing each other's sentences.

Language Arts Focus Day 1

For your first day, you want to focus on letter recognition and sound. Look for objects that start with the letter sound like- Apple, ant, avocado, astronaut.

You don’t need to buy anything special, look around outside, in the house, you can probably find a lot of objects in the toy bin.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Introduce the letter and the sound, use letter flashcards, letter tiles, or cardboard letters. Watch Letter A Pronunciation, the repetition is fabulous, and it will also help identify a few basic words that start with A.
Book – Read Aloud Apple Picking Day.
Craft/Activity-Make a batch of Super Soft, No-Cook Apple Playdough to use for the week. Beyond just simple playdough fun it can be used to make apples for dramatic play and to form letters for practice.
Song/fingerplay – Applesauce (To the tune of Yankee Doodle)

Applesauce (To the tune of Yankee Doodle)

Peel an apple,

cut it up,

cook it in a pot.

When you taste it

you will find it’s applesauce you’ve got.

Snack – Make these adorable Graham Cracker Apple Snacks to enjoy.

Science Focus Day 2

While you are cutting open the apple to make stamps for today’s craft.

Take some time to examine the apple, and talk about what it looks, feels, smells, and even tastes like.

Dissect an apple and examine the parts, the seed, the skin, the flesh, the stem, etc.

Also, if you are looking for a great science reference book to include in your lessons this is a perfect time to grab Farm Anatomy.

You will be able to reference it for a lot of topics but can start right now with the wonderful Apple information.

Letter/ Sound Recognition- Hide upper and lowercase A’s around the house or outside. Every time that your child finds one, remind them of the sound that A makes. Until they confidently know how to make the sound you say it first, so they learn it correctly.
Book-Read the Dr. Seuss Classic 10 Apples Up On Top.
Craft/Activity – Make Apple Stamped pictures (instructions below). In addition to having your child identify the paint colors, you can also have them count the number of apples in each color to incorporate some simple math.

Song/Fingerplay –Watch Letter A Song For Kids Jack Hartmann to introduce your preschooler to the sound as well as words that start with the letter A.
Snack- No Bake Apple Donuts– Using just apple slices and whatever icing and toppings you have on hand, this is an easy way to focus on apples with a yummy snack.

Math Focus Day 3

Use mini erasers or other apple counters to practice one-on-one correspondence which is just the skill of counting one object as you say one number. For example, if you are counting objects, you point at the first item and say ‘1,’ then point to the second and say ‘2’ and so on. If they are already at this stage, you can have them add and subtract small numbers.
Letter/ Sound Recognition – Create a salt writing tray by placing a piece of red construction paper in the bottom of a small tray (I found this one at Dollar Tree) and just barely covering it with table salt. Make a lowercase and uppercase A for your child to copy by “writing” it with their finger.

Book- Let’s Read and Find Out Science books are a wonderful living book introduction to the world around us. How Do Apples Grow brings in a science element while still developing processing skills, vocabulary, and comprehension through a read-aloud?
Craft/Activity- Baked Apple Cotton Balls go perfectly with today’s story and it is just super fun crushing apples while they develop hand-eye coordination.
Song/Fingerplay- Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Snack- Healthy apples, protein, and a satisfying crunch but mostly look how adorable these Simple Kids Snack Ideas: Crunchy Apple Boats are. Letting your little ones make them alongside you will develop their fine motor skills so important for prewriting.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Learn about folk hero Johnny Appleseed through a book or watch a video like Johnny Appleseed for Kids. Introduce your child to a map and show them the states Johnny Traveled through. While they won’t fully grasp the idea this is a great time to slowly introduce maps as well as historical figures.
Letter/ Sound Recognition – Coloring, cutting, and pasting are just a rite of passage in preschool, make the Letter A Apple Craft using paint, markers, or crayons.
Book – BAD APPLE – A Tale of Friendship by Edward Hemingway are good for social/emotional intelligence.
Craft/Activity- Set out some playdough in red, green, and yellow as well as include an apple cookie cutter, a letter A cookie cutter or stamp, and a craft stick for cutting. You can also use the dough you made on day 1.

Song/Fingerplay –The Apple Picking Song.
Snack- This Apple Pie in a Cup is a delicious snack and a simple math introduction rolled into one.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

We want to repeat things like letter recognition and pronunciation to reinforce what they are learning. We have a great Aa sorting activity today as well as a fun hands-on recipe where little fingers are busy building letters with dough rather than using a worksheet. Rewatch one of the videos from earlier in the week to be sure they get it.
Letter/ Sound Recognition – Download and print this Letter A Apple Sort to help your child learn to distinguish between lower and uppercase letters. Remember to practice the A sound at the same time.
Craft/Activity- Make Cardboard Yarn Apples to work on fine motor skills.
Song/Fingerplay- Do You Know The Apple Man?
Snack- Make upper and lowercase A’s with this Homemade Pretzel Recipe, the ABC’s never tasted so good!

Finally, make this apple stamping craft.

Apple Stamping Craft

This is a sweet and simple craft that can be done with an apple or two and develops fine motor strength, creativity, and independence and reinforces color knowledge.

You will need:

Red, yellow, and green craft paint
Fresh apples
Thick construction paper
Paper plate

First, make a shallow puddle of red, green, and yellow craft paint on your paper plate, using it like a palette.

Cut apples in half, make one for each color.

Then cut a wedge out of either side of the peeling side of the apple, creating a little handle.

This is much easier for little hands to hold onto than a big round apple.

Stamp apple halves in the paint.

Stamp all over the paper, using one apple for each color.

How to Make an Ancient Rome-Inspired DIY Clown Collar No Sew

January 2, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are making a super simple diy clown collar no sew craft to highlight one type of ancient Roman. Also, you’ll love my free Ancient Rome lapbook on my page Ancient Civilizations.

This type of Roman had a place to entertain others – what we know as a clown.

While all the ancient civilizations had a form of silly amusing people who made a living making people laugh, the term ‘clown’ didn’t come to be used until the 16th Century.

How to Make an Ancient Rome-Inspired DIY Clown Collar No Sew

The word clown evolved from the Icelandic word “klunni” which means a clumsy person.

But for the purposes of keeping it simple we are referring to these ancient funny men as clowns as well as their modern descendants.

They had some things in common, but each had their specialty and as a nod to ‘Weary Willie Day” on December 9th I thought it would be fun to do a project acknowledging his clown ancestors.

Weary Willie was one of the most famous clowns in American history. He was portrayed by Emmet Kelly as a sad hobo clown.

Books for Kids Who Love to Learn About Ancient Rome

Next, look at these books about Ancient Rome. I tend to lean toward living books first, then add reference books while choosing many for a variety of reading levels.

20 Ancient Rome Resources. Books, Pop Up, Coloring & Hands-on Figurines

Whether you're doing a unit study or want to dig deeper about Ancient Rome, you'll love adding a resource or two.

Famous Men of Rome

The Romans were history's great men of action, making the study of Rome ideal for beginners of all ages, but especially for younger students, who are fascinated by the abundant action and drama of Roman history. In addition, an understanding of modern political history is impossible without a thorough understanding of Rome. There are thirty stories covering the history of Rome from its founding under Romulus to the last emperor in the West. Your children will see the rise and fall of a great civilization through the lives of Horatius, Camillus, Caesar, Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, and many other larger-than-life figures. Rome is the model civilization, the mastery of which provides a foundation for all other history study.

Ancient Rome for Kids through the Lives of its Heroes, Emperors, and Philosophers (History for Kids - Story Format)

When I first discovered that my 8-year-old kid believed that the adventures of Odysseus were the actual history of ancient Greece, I panicked and bought him a stack of children's history books. I sat by his side as he started reading about the class structure of Athens and the economic underpinnings of the Greek polis. He yawned. He asked for candy... and then for the Disney Channel...Kids like stories. And when it comes to history, they learn from stories, not from dense paragraphs about the phases of the Bronze age, the location of trade routes, or the injustices of the social order here and there.This book follows the old-fashioned, story-based, traditional route of teaching history - through tales of heroes and kings, with no tribute paid to modern economic and social perspectives. Culture is memes. And that means historical figures, and anecdotes about them. To write this book, I went back to Tacitus, Livy, Suetonius, Cassius Dio, Valerius Maximus, Josephus, Eusebius, Theodoret, and other ancient sources of biographical anecdotes, and extracted from them the stories that will be most memorable to a modern kid

Theras and His Town

Young Theras, born an Athenian, is taken to Sparta by a relative when his father is lost at war. He is forced to live like a Spartan, a brutal life with no pity for those who are not physically perfect and totally obedient to Spartan control. After enduring rigorous training and repeated cruel incidents, he escapes with a Perioikoi boy and heads for his beloved Athens. Here is the story of a hard and dangerous journey with Snedeker's amazing historical accuracy.

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Detectives in Togas

In these two delightful history-mysteries, seven boys in Ancient Rome solve strange crimes . . . thanks to some help from their cranky teacher, a little bit of logic, and a lot of amusing misadventure.

The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome: A Handbook for Time Travelers (The Thrifty Guides)

The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome contains information vital to the sensible time traveler: • Where can I find a decent hotel room in ancient Rome for under five sesterces a day? Is horse parking included? • What do I do if I’m attacked by barbarians? • What are my legal options if I’m fed to the lions at the Colosseum? All this is answered and more. There is handy advice on finding the best picnicking spots to watch Julius Caesar’s assassination at the Roman Forum in 44 BC, as well as helpful real estate tips to profit from the great Roman fire of AD 64. There are even useful recommendations on which famous historical figures to meet for lunch, and a few nifty pointers on how to avoid being poisoned, beheaded, or torn apart by an angry mob.

Time Traveler

Takes readers back in time to illustrate the exciting happenings of daily life

The Bronze Bow: A Newbery Award Winner

Daniel bar Jamin will stop at nothing to seek revenge for his father's death at the hands of the Roman Empire.After Daniel bar Jamin's father is crucified by the Roman Empire, Daniel wants nothing more than to rid his land of Israel of Roman control once and for all. Yet when David meets Jesus of Nazareth, a traveling carpenter with a gentle message of love and forgiveness, David starts to realize that the hate festering in his heart might be his true enemy after all.

Eyewitness Ancient Rome: Discover One of History's Greatest Civilizations

From Roman emperors and gods and goddesses to soldiers and gladiators, step into the exciting world of ancient Rome.Who were Rome's most famous emperors? What was everyday life like for a soldier in the Roman army? How did the citizens of ancient Rome live? Did gladiators really fight to the death in the mighty Colosseum? Find out the answers to all these questions, and many more, in Eyewitness: Ancient Rome.

SuperToob: Ancient Rome

Use these fun figurines for art study, for a sensory bin for younger kids or for art inspiration.

Life in Ancient Rome Coloring Book (Dover Ancient History Coloring Books)

At the peak of its power, the Roman Empire stretched thousands of miles in all directions: north to what today is England, westward to Spain, to Armenia in the east, and Egypt in the south. The growth, development, and cultural achievements of that magnificent civilization are brought to life by the artist John Green in this exciting and fact-filled coloring book.

The Romans Pop-Up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself

There are 6 scenes to make in this book - combining the pleasure of seeing them pop up with interesting information and ideas. There are a number of mini popups as well. Close the book and they fold away. Open it and they popup again. These vivid, colorful three-dimensional scenes help to bring Ancient Civilisations to life in a way which no other kind of book can. Scenes: The City of Rome, The Forum, The Roman House, The Army of Rome, Entertainment, Ostia - the Port of Rome.

Attack at the Arena

Patrick and Beth learn that Mr. Whittaker’s fancy ring can be seen inside the Imagination Station but not outside of the machine. A mysterious letter leads the cousins to fifth-century Rome in search of a special cup that belongs to a monk. If found, the cup could keep the mysterious Albert out of prison.At the Roman Colosseum, Emperor Honorius is hosting a gladiator battle in celebration of a war victory. Beth attends the event as the emperor’s slave; Patrick attends as a monk’s apprentice but is taken prisoner and sent to fight in the arena. During their adventure, the cousins meet Telemachus (a true historical figure), a monk who believes that fighting is wrong. Telemachus is willing to risk everything―even his life―to stop the killing. When the cousins return with the cup, they find that a third letter has been sent with more information about Albert’s fate.

Growing Up In Ancient Rome

Describes daily life in ancient Rome, discussing family life, entertainment, schools, religion, and other aspects.

The Story of the Romans: A History of Ancient Rome for Young Readers - its Legends, Military and Culture as a Republic and Empire

Who Were the Romans? (Starting Point History)

This series consists of simple illustrated guides to answer children's questions about history and invite comparisons with life today. This particular title deals with the Romans.

In the Daily Life of the Ancient Romans (Gods & Goddesses Of...)

This exciting new series explores ancient life by examining the traditions and religious beliefs of each culture. Through photographs, illustrations, and cut-away, detailed diagrams, each book considers the way religious beliefs affected everything from food, drink, and entertainment to rituals surrounding birth and death

Science in Ancient Rome (Science of the Past)

Describes how the Romans put to use and expanded the scientific achievements of earlier civilizations.

Roman Empire: Rise & The Fall. Explore The History, Mythology, Legends, Epic Battles & Lives Of The Emperors, Legions, Heroes, Gladiators & More

The Roman Empire may have fallen thousands of years ago, but the lessons and the legacy left behind lives on to this day

From a tiny settlement on the banks of the Tiber River, Rome grew into a colossal, unstoppable force. At its peak, The Empire dominated the world from Europe, West Asia, North Africa, and many more territories.

Never again would the world see such an influential power.

In this epic narrative, History Brought Alive presents an intriguing dive into Roman History, Legends, Facts, Myths and much more. Covering thousands of years the study of Roman history is vast and complex. Much like the Ancient Romans themselves, in order to study them, we need to follow structure and have an open mind.

See Inside Ancient Rome

Visit the world of ancient Rome, from bustling streets and the busy port to steaming baths and gruesome games. This book reveals how the Romans really lived.

Ancient Roman Clown or Jester

In Ancient Roman times, there were jesters as well as clowns.

But the clowns then were very different from the circus clowns we know today.

Is there a difference between a clown and a jester?

A jester is an entertainer who jokes and mocks people and makes up improvisations as he goes, making fun of the audience.

A clown is a performance artist who uses slapstick to make fun of themselves.

Both wear colorful clothing, and their main goal is to amuse people.

Jesters were known by several names- court jesters, buffoons, fools, or jokers and often belonged to the household of a nobleman or a monarch to entertain royal guests.

In ancient Rome, they were called Balatro. They were paid well for their amusement.

They were also performers who traveled around entertaining townspeople at fairs or in the market square.

Be sure to check out this post Ancient Rome (Hands-on History): Paint a Jester to learn more about this type of trickster.

Clowns- Some historians believe Ancient Rome is where the modern idea of circus clowns truly evolved.

Clowns of Ancient Rome were divided into 4 different categories.

They were sannio, stupidus, moriones, and scurra.

Types of Clowns in Ancient Rome

Sannio – Did not wear a mask but used physical comedy, making funny grimaces of their faces and bodies. They were known for their skill with mime.

Stupidus- This type of clown relied on slapstick humor and riddles, using current events for their material and getting physical with fellow clowns for a laugh. Like a precursor to Harlequins, they were bald and wore long pointed hats along with bright multicolored outfits. Stupidius is the Latin word for ‘ mimic fool.’ This is where we get our not-so-nice word ‘stupid’ from.

Moriones- Here is where we get our word for ‘moron’. It was common for the royalty and Courts to keep freaks and fools for entertainment. It was believed that they were given special powers from the gods. Because of that, they were mostly treated well and as if they were a lucky charm.

Scurra- The Latin word scurra, which means “buffoon” or “jester is where we get the modern word ‘scurrilous’ which means grossly or obscenely abusive. Scurra were at the bottom of the clown classes and would have been ancient Rome’s version of a hobo clown. They typically had a mental illness or physical disability and would use this to get their laughs and attention.

For a more modern circus clown, you have to check out this tutorial for Giant Clown Shoes as a base for a full costume idea.

Next, look at more Ancient Rome activities for kids.

Ancient Rome Activities for Kids

Finally, look how to make this diy clown collar no sew craft.

DIY Clown Collar No Sew

Rather than create the typical jester collar I wanted to create a simple white ruffle collar like some of the first clowns might have sported before costumes became more elaborate.

You will need:

8×12 craft felt
Ribbon
scissors
Hot glue gun/sticks
Plate or other large round object
Smaller round object
clothespins

First, trace a large object like a place or bowl, taking up as much of the felt as you can to make it as large as you can.

Trace a little more than half of a second smaller object near the top to create the neck area.

Cut out your collar.

Use scissors to cut a wavy edge around the front.

Next, mark a few spots for ruffles, about 4-5, and put a ¼” line of hot glue near where it will rest against your neck.

Quickly pinch the fabric together and put a clothespin on the opposite side to hold it together until the glue hardens.

To give your collar a bit of a lace look, fold the fabric everywhere you made a ruffle and cut a small shape or two out of both sides right along the fold.

Open your collar, cut a small hole on each side, and run your ribbon through to tie the collar on easily.

Hands-On Activities

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History & Geography Focus Day 4

Books to Go With the Preschool Letter T Crafts

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Fun Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity for Preschool Letter T Crafts

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter H Handprint Craft

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Facts about Horned Owls for The Educator

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Milk Jug Great Horned Owl Preschool Craft

Great Horned Owl Preschool Craft

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Books and Resources for Preschool

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Apple Stamping Craft

Books for Kids Who Love to Learn About Ancient Rome

Ancient Roman Clown or Jester

Types of Clowns in Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome Activities for Kids

DIY Clown Collar No Sew

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