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preschool

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

February 24, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating a sensory activity bin about the Itsy Bitsy spider nursery rhyme turns it into a multi-sensory learning experience. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more learning ideas and teaching tips.

This fun rhyme has hands-on exploration, early literacy, science concepts, and fine motor development.

For example, instead of just singing about the spider climbing the spout, your child can move a pretend spider or pour rain over it.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

And when children pretend play and act out nursery rhymes they understand the stories.

Too, sensory bins are perfect tools for strengthening little hands. Fine motor skills are essential for future writing skills.

If you’re homeschooling multiple young children, a sensory bin is equally engaging for all ages.

PRESCHOOL HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES

Next, look at these preschool resources.

13 Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Options

Look at what your homeschool preschool curriculum might look like with some suggestions for activities, books, and learning ideas.

Preschool Math at Home: Simple Activities to Build the Best Possible Foundation for Your Child

Preschool Math at Home will guide you step-by-step as you introduce your preschooler to the world of numbers. Your child will develop a thorough understanding of the numbers up to ten, including: counting comparing and ordering numbers recognizing written numerals beginning addition and subtraction.

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten: 260 Activities To Do With Your Child From Age 0 to 5

Looking for quick, engaging activities to prepare your child for kindergarten? Spend a few minutes a day with your child in productive, interactive play with Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten!

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten abounds with hands-on developmental activities that parents can do with their children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old to get them prepared for kindergarten. June R. Oberlander, a 19-year veteran kindergarten teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia, first published this book in 1988. Now her granddaughter, Hannah Oberlander, a current teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia, has updated and enhanced these classic activities for today's parents of the next generation.

Developing the Early Learner: Level 1 by Simone Bibeau

BOOK 1 of 4 (AGES 2-6) Book 1 is a pre-reading experience designed to provide your child with a complete program in perceptual readiness. Here are some of the unique qualities that you will find within these pages. We include all four major areas of perception: visual, auditory, motor, and comprehension skills. Each major category is then broken down into specific sub-skills so that you can understand just what type of learning is taking place. Every page develops only ONE sub-skill to avoid confusion when the child is working the page. A target score on each page quickly gives you a score as well as an incentive for the child to work toward a certain goal.

My First Book of Patterns: Pencil Control

A perfect fun activity book designed for early learners to develop pencil control and motor skills. By following the arrows and tracing the dotted lines, the little scholars can complete the tracing exercises and creative activities leading to development of their early writing skills. The child will also learn to identify, write and revise straight, curvy, zig zag lines and multiple patterns. The book is also an excellent first step to prepare for school.

Before Five in a Row: Second Edition

Designed to be used with children ages 2 through 4, Before Five in a Row is a rich treasury of creative ideas that help you gently, consistently prepare your children for the lifelong adventure of learning. Now in a revised second edition, this bestselling volume is the foundation for inspired learning through great books and future studies with the entire Five in a Row curriculum.

408 Pcs Lacing Letters Alphabet

Rich Numbers: you will get 2 buckets of lowercase letter beads, including 384 lowercase letters and 24 ropes, a total of 408 items, and the equipped storage buckets are easy to storage and protect these accessories; And the quantity is very large, which can meet the needs of daily learning and playing

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

This unique flexible and beautiful preschool homeschool planner is the perfect homeschool planner to use for early learners. While creating this 47-page early learner planner I included flexible planning pages.

Forms like 21 thematic planning pages, a year at a glance page, and 12 months of planning your theme are a few included.

Adding in an editable lesson planning template and 4 colorful
attendance sheets helps you to easily meet record keeping guidelines if
necessary

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

Science books for your preschooler's curriculum should be simple and colorful but contain rich information in small bites. Nature Anatomy and The Big Book of series are perfect resources to keep on your shelves for preschoolers as they will grow with them for years.

The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library Favorites: There's No Place Like Space!; Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?; Inside Your Outside!; Hark! A Shark!

This sturdy boxed set of four bestselling Cat in the Hat's Learning Library books includes something to pique the interest of every child! Beginning readers will learn all about our solar system in There's No Place Like Space!; all about dinosaurs in Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?; all about the human body in Inside Your Outside; and all about sharks in Hark! A Shark!

Preschool Exploring Creation Together Science

At the preschool level, science is all about exposure, not memorization of facts. It’s helping the youngest explorers understand that their world is discoverable. Through guided exploration of their world, young children learn how to naturally incorporate all aspects of language (expanding vocabulary), math (counting and recording), science (observing and experimenting), and art (drawing out ideas) into their understanding of how their world works. Most importantly, children will come to understand that their world is wonder-full, peace-full, and beauty-full because God created it full of His love and wisdom. Preschool Exploring Creation Together is a spiral-bound curriculum with 2 distinct sections included

Fun-Schooling for Beginners - Do-It-Myself Journal: Letters, Numbers, Animals, Coloring, Tracing, Mazes, Logic and Drawing (Full-Sized Activity Book for Preschool & Kindergarten)

Fun-Schooling for Beginners - Do-It-Myself Journal: Letters, Numbers, Animals, Coloring, Tracing, Mazes, Logic and Drawing (Full-Sized Activity Book for Preschool & Kindergarten) (Volume 1

A1 & A2, ideal for ages 2-6 (Preschool & Kindergarten) A beginners journal full of 100 educational and fun activities. This secular journal can be used by children of any religious background Includes colors, numbers, letters, feelings, early reading & writing, and more.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Teacher Guide Around the World Part 1 - Homeschool Teacher's Guide

This teacher guide contains gentle Socratic questions designed to prompt discussion and discovery. Beautiful drawings of indigenous animals are also included which will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Early American History K-3rd - Homeschooling History Pack

Sure to ignite curiosity about our nation's history, this Early American History Through Literature study will take you and your K-3 homeschooling students through the first Indigenous people of the Americas, the Vikings discovery of America, the exploration, colonization, settlement, and establishment of the United States. Spanning 1000 AD to the mid-1800's this course makes teaching this literature-rich curriculum easy and fun!

And one of my favorite things about this nursery rhyme is that it introduces beginning science skills.

For instance, you can introduce weather words like sun and rain and science words like spider and water spout.

MORE SENSORY BIN ACTIVITIES

  • How to Create an Engaging Strawberry Sensory Bin for Hands-On Learning
  • How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin
  • Easy and Fun Coin Hunt Sensory Bin For Kindergarten
  • How To Make A Squirrel Nest Sensory Bin With Preschoolers
  • Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin
  • How To Make A Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Sensory Bin
  • How To Make A Dynamic Herb Garden Potion Sensory Bin
  • How To Make An Ocean Currents For Kids Sensory Bin
  • How To Create An Engaging Desert Sensory Bin For Hands-On Play
How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Finally, look at how to make this fun Itsy Bitsy Spider sensory bin.

ITSY BITSY SPIDER SENSORY BIN

First, look at this easy list of supplies you should have in the house.

  • 3–5 cups dried pinto beans
  • Fresh grass clippings
  • 2–3 toilet paper rolls
  • Toy spiders
  • Small spray bottle filled with water
  • Craft foam sun (yellow foam cut into a simple sun shape)
  • Optional: small scoop or measuring cup

First, create the base.
Pour dried pinto beans into the bin to form the main filler. Spread them evenly across the bottom.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Then, add the “outside” texture. Sprinkle grass clippings over the beans. This adds texture, scent, and a realistic outdoor feel.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Next, build the waterspouts.
Stand toilet paper rolls upright in the beans. These become the “water spouts” for the spiders to climb.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Then, place the spiders on top. Set the toy spiders right on top of the beans and grass. Keep them visible and easy to grab so kids can immediately start the rhyme play.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Bring in the weather.
Place the craft foam sun in one corner of the bin.

Add the rain tool.Fill a spray bottle with water and add it to the bin.

HOW KIDS PLAY

Climb the waterspout.

Kids move the spiders up the cardboard tubes while reciting the rhyme.

Make It rain

Children spray water onto the spiders, pretending the rain is washing the spider out.

The light mist changes the texture slightly and adds a new sensory experience.

Out Came the Sun

After the “rain,” children can move the sun over the bin and help the spiders climb back up again.

Spider Hunt

Hide spiders under beans and grass. Kids dig and search, strengthening hand muscles while exploring textures.

Benefits of This Sensory Bin

Fine Motor Development
Spraying, scooping, pinching grass, and picking up spiders strengthen hand muscles needed for writing.

Sensory Exploration
Dry beans feel smooth and cool. Grass is soft and slightly tickly. Light mist from the spray bottle adds a new dimension without soaking everything.

Language Development
Reciting Itsy Bitsy Spider encourages rhythm, memory, and sequencing.

Imaginative Play
Children become storytellers, weather makers, and spider rescuers all at once.

Cause and Effect Learning
Spray the water. The beans darken. The spiders shift. The environment changes.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Preschool Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool, preschool skills, rhymes

Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints

February 12, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A nature study for preschoolers should be simple and hands-on. And look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more fun preschool tips and activities.

I have playdough which also makes for a great sensory experience. We’re doing a nature print playdough activity. You can either do this indoors or outdoors.

Besides, at this age, learning happens best through hands-on exploration and play.

Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints

Too, preschoolers learn by touching, pressing and squishing so this nature print playdough invites kids to press leaves, flowers, sticks and other things they find into soft dough.

Add some of the books above while they’re playing so they can compare pictures to what they have in their hands.

Comparing the shape of petals, the depth of the print, and texture like bumpy bark makes nature study concrete.

NATURE STUDY INTRODUCTION BOOKS FOR YOUNG LEARNERS

Next, look at some of these sweet books about nature study.

Before a child can jump into the skills needed for nature observation they need to understand what it is and how to do it.

10 Nature Study Books for Young Kids

Add these fun books to your home library or to introduce nature study to your little learners.

Crow Not Crow

New York Times bestselling children's author and beloved birder, Jane Yolen, and her son, Adam Stemple, have teamed up to write this gentle tale of a father introducing his daughter to the joys of bird-watching using the "Crow, not Crow" method for distinguishing birds. Elizabeth Dulemba's delightfully warm illustrations bring the story to life.

Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Spark Curiosity in the Outdoors

Explore the great outdoors with this hands-on activity book for ages 6 to 12!

Track, explore, discover, and create! This incredible choice in nature books for kids is full of activities you can bring on your adventures through your backyard, the park, the woods, and beyond. No matter the weather or where you live, Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids shows you how todive into fun and games like crafting bird feeders out of fruit, pressing flowers, or building a sundial to tell the time. Get ready to get your hands dirty and your imagination revving as you get active outside.

Owl Moon

CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER • A soothing, poetic picture book that lovingly depicts the relationship of a young child and her father alongside humankind’s relationship to the natural world. A verbal and visual treasure for the whole family!I had been waitingto go Owling with Pafor a long, long time.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.But there is no answer.Wordlessly, the two walk along, for when you go owling, you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes, there isn't an owl, but sometimes, there is.

Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story

This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and went to college at Cornell University. There she continued her studies, pushing back against those social conventions that implied science was a man's pursuit. Eventually Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature. In following her passion, this remarkable woman blazed a trail for female scientists today.

THE BURGESS ANIMAL BOOK FOR CHILDREN: Original Color Illustrated Edition

Discover the timeless magic of nature through Peter Rabbit's eyes in this enchanting educational adventure! The Burgess Animal Book for Children combines storytelling and learning in a way that has captivated young minds for generations.

This stunning edition features:- 54 vibrant color and 19 sepia-tone illustrations that bring the animal kingdom to life- Original unabridged text that has educated and entertained children since 1920- Chapter quizzes to reinforce learning- Bonus online quiz access for interactive engagement

Perfect for:- Young nature enthusiasts ages 6-12- Homeschool families seeking an illustrated North American wildlife book for their engaging science curriculum- Parents who want to combine entertainment with education

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

See the world in a whole new way with acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman's beautiful nature guide book.Nature Anatomy 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.Also available in Julia Rothman's Anatomy series – Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy,Farm Anatomy, and Wildlife Anatomy.

From Seed to Plant

Flowers, trees, fruits—plants are all around us, but where do they come from? With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow.  The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.   A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.

Fun With Nature (Take Along Guides)

Fun with Nature helps kids discover the incredible world in their backyards. It is a compilation of seven bestselling titles: Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies; Frogs, Toads and Turtles; Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards; Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks; Tracks, Scats and Signs; and Trees, Leaves and Bark. This entertaining book is filled with fascinating facts and awesome activities.

The Keeper of Wild Words: (Nature for Kids, Exploring Nature with Children)

A touching tale of a grandmother and her granddaughter exploring and cherishing the natural world.Words, the woods, and the world illuminate this quest to save the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for.When Mimi finds out her favorite words—simple words, like apricot, blackberry, buttercup—are disappearing from the English language, she elects her granddaughter Brook as their Keeper. And did you know? The only way to save words is to know them.• With its focus on the power of language and social change, The Keeper of Wild Words is ideal for educators and librarians as well as young readers.• For any child who longs to get outside and learn more about nature and the environment• A loving portrait of the special relationship that grandparents have with their grandchildren

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Julia Rothman's series of Anatomy books are beloved by children and adults alike. In Wildlife Anatomy, Rothman captures the excitement and distinctive attributes of wild animals around the world. The book is packed with hundreds of her charming, original illustrations, detailing the unique features of animals of the rainforest, desert, grasslands, oceans, and much more. From lions, bears, and zebras to monkeys, mongoose, bats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and much more, Rothman's visual guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion's claw and a wild horse's hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther Not a Panther? and What Makes Aardvarks So Odd? Rothman's characteristic combination of curiosity and an artist's eye makes this wildlife treasury rich and full, and promises new discoveries every time it's opened.

Then, look at more ways to do a fun nature study with preschoolers.

NATURE STUDY FOR PRESCHOOLERS ACTIVITIES

  • A is for Apple Craft | Apple Study
  • B is for Bird Craft | Bluebird Study
  • Fun Bat Anatomy Toilet Paper Roll Craft | 8 Bat Science Activities Preschool
  • Make Cute Felt Leaf Sachets For Fall Leaf Crafts for Preschoolers
  • 10 Egg Carton Crafts For 2 Year Olds and Fun Nature Color Match Activity
  • Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
  • Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun
  • Inexpensive Preschool Winter Activities & Simple Winter Busy Book
  • How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
  • Celebrate Snakes | How To Make A Fake Snakeskin Snake Craft Preschool
  • Fun Preschool Beaver Craft: Simple Projects for Little Hands
  • How To Make A Squirrel Nest Sensory Bin With Preschoolers
  • Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture LearningExplore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints

Finally, look at how to do this nature print playdough activity.

NATURE PRINT PLAYDOUGH ACTIVITY

First, look at this list of supplies.

Supplies

  • Playdough (any color or homemade)
  • Variety of nature items like leaves, different sizes and shapes,flower petals, evergreens, seeds, nuts and cones, sticks and bark, rocks, shells and beach finds, feathers, hay and etc.
Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints

Give each child a portion of playdough and a flat work surface or tray.

Arrange the nature items so they are easily accessible.

Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints

Encourage children to press, roll, or lightly tap the items into the playdough to create imprints and textures.

Experiment with layering items, pressing with different amounts of pressure, or flipping items for varied patterns.

Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints

Once finished, the playdough can be smoothed out and reused to create new prints.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, nature, playdough, preschool

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

February 11, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A G is for giraffe handprint is a cute way to introduce or reinforce the letter G for preschoolers or even toddlers. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas and my Free Africa Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History.

Too, I have more ideas on my page Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports.

Giraffes are fascinating animals with unique features that capture children’s curiosity. This simple craft opens the door to learning about wildlife, habitats, and the unique creatures in nature.

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

Their size and markings make them an easily recognizable animal for young children and a fun one to study on its own or as part of a larger Africa unit study.

You can also use it to focus on the letter G. The letter G comes to life with this adorable giraffe handprint craft. Using a painted hand and arm to form a giraffe’s long neck and head is a perfect way to combine letter recognition, art, and animal science into one engaging homeschool lesson.

Beyond the handprint craft, I have loaded you down with facts, hands-on resources, books, videos, and other resources to make it a fun and memorable lesson.

BOOKS ABOUT GIRAFFES FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about giraffes.

We use living books as much as possible and then add reference books too.

5 Giraffe Books

Grab one or two of these books to add to your learning day or for a fun giraffe unit study.

Giraffes (National Geographic Kids Readers, Level 1)

Explore the African savanna with giraffes in this exciting reader. Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about these amazing animals. This level 1 reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!

Giraffes Cant Dance

Gerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. At the Jungle Dance, the warthogs waltz, the chimps cha-cha, and the lions tango. "Giraffes can't dance," they all jeer when it's Gerald's turn to prance. But with some sound advice from a wise cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Julia Rothman's series of Anatomy books are beloved by children and adults alike. In Wildlife Anatomy, Rothman captures the excitement and distinctive attributes of wild animals around the world. The book is packed with hundreds of her charming, original illustrations, detailing the unique features of animals of the rainforest, desert, grasslands, oceans, and much more. From lions, bears, and zebras to monkeys, mongoose, bats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and much more, Rothman's visual guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion's claw and a wild horse's hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther Not a Panther? and What Makes Aardvarks So Odd? Rothman's characteristic combination of curiosity and an artist's eye makes this wildlife treasury rich and full, and promises new discoveries every time it's opened.

A Giraffe and a Half

Featuring rhythmic verse and iconic illustrations, A Giraffe and a Half will leave every reader, young and old, laughing until the very end. Beloved for over fifty years, this classic captures Silverstein’s signature humor and style.

If you had a giraffe and he stretched another half, you would have a giraffe and a half. But what happens if you glue a rose to the tip of his nose? Or if you used a chair to comb his hair? Join this giraffe on a rollicking and ridiculous journey that will charm readers from beginning to end.

G is for Giraffe: An Alphabet Adventure

G is for Giraffe is truly an adventure! Beautifully hand drawn pictures, and melodic expressions that rhyme, celebrate and teach little ones on their journey to learning, and they’ll make some friends along the way too! Each hand drawn illustration draws on each child’s imagination on a soaring adventure that helps children truly recognize the alphabetical letters in everyday life, and beyond. They will be whisked away to meet the smallest of creatures, to birds that fly in the sky. The children learn from a vast array of colors and characters that are pure sunshine, while sewn together with explanations of what characters are up to during this journey. Animals from all over the world are only part of the magic for this adventure, while celebrating classic Americana and a love for everyday life. G is for Giraffe is a wonderful introduction to learning with lyrical words that read out loud like music.

Then, look at these giraffe facts.

7 GIRAFFE FACTS FOR KIDS

  1. Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world at 15’ to 18’ tall.
  2. Their necks alone can be up to 6 feet long.
  3. A giraffe’s tongue is dark purple and can be 18–20 inches long.
  4. They live in Africa, mostly in grasslands and open savannas.
  5. Giraffes eat leaves, buds, and fruit, especially from acacia trees.
  6. Each giraffe has unique spots, just like human fingerprints.
  7. Despite their incredibly long necks, giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans…just seven.

WHERE DO GIRAFFES LIVE

  • Africa
  • Warm climate
  • Open grasslands and savannas
  • Tall trees for browsing leaves
  • Space to roam and spot predators
G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

Take a look at a map of Africa and locate countries where giraffes live, such as Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.

Watch Savannah Animals to learn more about the habitat and the animals that live there, including our topic of the day, giraffes.

WHAT DO GIRAFFES EAT

Giraffes are herbivores, meaning they eat only plants. Their long necks and tongues allow them to reach food that other animals can’t, this an excellent example of animal adaptation and a great opportunity to explain the concept to children.

Some of their favorite foods are…

  • Flowers and fruit
  • Leaves from tall trees
  • Acacia leaves (even with thorns!)
G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

And look at these hands-on ideas for doing a quick giraffe unit study.

GIRAFFE QUICK STUDY HANDS-ON IDEAS

I’ve added a few subject ideas here.

MATH IDEAS FOR LEARNING ABOUT GIRAFFES

  • Use a measuring tape to measure your child’s height and compare it to a giraffe’s.
  • Count giraffe spots on the craft we are making below.
  • Create your own Giraffe Number Sorter from this idea.
  • Sort animals by height, use printed paper animals or plastic toys.

LANGUAGE ARTS IDEAS FOR STUDYING GIRAFFES

  • Introduce simple vocabulary to build language skills- giraffe, graze, grassland, gentle, giant, habitat, and herbivore. Have your child say each word, trace the letter G, or find objects around the house that start with G.
  • Make a Safari Themed Sensory Bin and have your child identify the beginning letters of each animal. Include letter tiles and have them match them to the animal to extend it.

ART ACTIVITIES FOR LEARNING ABOUT STUDYING GIRAFFES

  • Paint giraffe spots using cotton swabs.
  • Make a giraffe paper plate project.
  • Create a giraffe collage with yellow and brown paper.
  • 10 Fun Toilet Paper Roll Activities & How To Make A Paper Roll Giraffe & Free Template
  • Draw a savanna background with trees and grass.

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR STUDYING GIRAFFES

  • Talk about why giraffes don’t need to drink water often because they get most of their hydration from their food, which is lucky for them since it is awkward for their long neck and legs to squat down to water.
  • Add plastic giraffes to your science shelf along with books to investigate.
  • Compare giraffes to other long-necked animals.
  • Crazy Cool Giraffe Science Experiment.

Finally, look at how to make this adorable giraffe craft.

G IS FOR GIRAFFE HANDPRINT

How cute is this craft that not only includes a sweet little handprint but a whole tiny forearm to create a long-neck giraffe?

You will need:

  • Sturdy paper
  • Yellow craft paint
  • Brown craft paint
  • Google eyes
  • Black marker
G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

Paint your child’s hand and forearm yellow, up to the elbow.

Press onto the paper vertically to create the neck and head, tilting the hand as far to the side as it will go. 

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

It’s okay that the head is tilted upwards, as you can see, we are going to add some leaves for him to reach up to and munch on.

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

Paint or use fingers to create a few branches coming from the side of the page, and allow them to dry.

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

When the yellow head and neck are dry, you can add ears and the ossicones (horns).

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

And then spots, we used a round paintbrush to stamp them on.

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

Once the branches have dried us fingerprints to make leaves all over the branches for your giraffe to enjoy.

G Is For Giraffe Handprint | Awesome Life Of Giraffes

Attach a Google eye with glue.

Allow the rest of the paint to dry.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: alphabet, giraffe, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, letter sounds, phonics, preschool, preschool skills

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

December 2, 2025 | Leave a Comment
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Reach into your craft supplies and let’s make a paper plate car craft with the kids. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

We can turn it into a whole lesson on C is for Cars or cars in general to make it a memorable mini-unit for preschoolers.

Kick off your lesson by creating an adorable paper plate car.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Preschoolers can paint or color their plates, add wheels from construction paper, glue on windows, and personalize their vehicle with their favorite colors.

This simple craft strengthens fine motor skills and allows kids to use creativity while reinforcing the letter C visually and verbally.

When preschoolers learn through motion, hands-on play, and imagination, the alphabet suddenly becomes exciting and memorable.

 C is for Car is a perfect early-learning theme because kids already love vroom-vroom pretend play, and this lets them literally “drive” the lesson.

BOOKS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR KIDS

Transportation Themed Books & Resources for Kids

Add some of these fun books about transportation from the earliest times to modern.

Cars, Trains, Ships, and Planes: A Visual Encyclopedia of Every Vehicle

Explore the incredible world of automobiles, aviation and more, from mini motors to modern warships, helicopters to high-speed trains, with this engaging encyclopedia for children aged 9-12 perfect for young transport enthusiasts.

Counting Collection: Counting Cars

Young vehicle fans can use the sturdy picture tabs to turn to their favorite page for counting car fun, time and time again in Roger Priddy's Counting Cars.There are race cars, motorbikes, family cars, and all kinds of vehicles to discover racing across the pages of this awesome counting book!Organized into seven themed collections, the pages are packed with vehicles to look for, find, and count, along with lots of fun things to spot.The Counting Collection board book series offers a fun way to help young minds develop their math and visual skills with colorful images packed on every page for children to look for, count, and identify.

Mr Littles Noisy Car (Lift-The-Flap)

Before he can drive his car Mr Little has to find out why it is hissing and growling and squeaking. Help him discover what is wrong by lifting the flaps and finding the surprises hiding inside.

Peaceable Kingdom Giant Floor Puzzles with Uniquely Fun Shaped Pieces for Kids Ages 3+ Gifts for Boys and Girls - Racecar

Peaceable Kingdom Giant Floor Puzzles with Uniquely Fun Shaped Pieces

I also have many other ways that you can use Hot Wheels cars.

From creating playful learning centers throughout your homeschool day, making art with the wheels to using cars as a unit of measure to introduce a new math concept.

7 LEARNING ABOUT CARS PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIES

1. HOT WHEELS ALPHABET ROADS

Great for developing letter recognition and reinforcing sounds.

Make a large road on the floor using painter’s tape or poster board.

Write letters along the roads and have your child:

  • Drive a car to the letter C each time you ask for it.
  • Match cars with letter cards scattered along the roadway
Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

2. CAR SIZE COMPARISON

Compare big, medium, small. This is early math vocabulary, sequencing, observation.

Line up several cars and compare their sizes.

Ask:

  • Which is the biggest?
  • Which is the smallest?
  • Can you put them in order?

3. MEASURING WITH CARS

Introduce non-standard measurement, counting, estimation, cause and effect, simple physics, problem-solving.

Pick an object-a book, a shoe, a toy- and measure how many Hot Wheels cars long it is. Kids can line up the cars bumper-to-bumper to measure.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

4. HOT WHEELS RAMP SCIENCE

Use cardboard or a baking sheet to make a ramp.

Let kids test:

  • Which car goes fastest?
  • Which car goes farthest?
  • What happens if we make the ramp taller?
  • What if we use carpet vs. tile?

5. CAR WASH SENSORY BIN

This is fun for sensory play, fine motor, and practical life skills.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Use a bin with warm, soapy water, sponges, and brushes.

Let kids wash their cars and then dry them.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

6. CAR TRACKS ART

And a fun car tracks art encourages creativity, cause and effect, pattern making.

Dip the wheels of Hot Wheels cars in washable paint and drive them across paper.

Kids can make straight lines, zigzags, swirls, or rainbow roads.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

7. NUMBER PARKING GAME

Try this number parking game to practice number recognition, counting, and following directions.

Label parking spots 1–10.

Ask your child to park a car on the number you call out. Or roll a die and park a car on the matching number.

MORE CAR CRAFTS AND RESOURCES

Here are some more fabulous car-themed activities and resources your child will love.

  • This C is for Car: Letter of the Week Snack for Preschoolers is the cutest thing!
  • Upcycle and create this Craft and Play: Toilet Paper Roll Car Craft.
  • Another fun car themed idea is to learn How to Build a Toilet Paper Roll Balloon Car.
  • Make a Car Themed Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers to introduce stop and go, the parts of a road or car and more.
  • Watch Cars and Trucks Learning Video with your little one to help them learn more about cars and other types of vehicles.
Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Finally, look at how to make this paper plate car craft.

PAPER PLATE CAR CRAFT

This cute C is for Car craft, is easy for little hands, and uses supplies you probably already have. Kids will love decorating their personalized car and “driving” it during circle time or while practicing the letter C.

You will need:

  • Paper plate
  • Paint, markers, or crayons
  • Construction paper (black, white, and any color you like)
  • Glue stick or liquid glue
  • Scissors
Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Optional: stickers, bottle caps, pom poms, aluminum foil, and googly eyes

Cut a paper plate in half; you can save half for a future craft or make two cars.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Let your child decorate the plate half by painting it a solid color, let it dry.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Cut two circles from black construction paper for the wheels.

Cut out simple window shapes from white or light-blue construction paper.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Glue the wheels onto the bottom curved edge of the paper plate.

Glue down one large, rounded rectangle for the main window.

Or two square windows for a boxier look.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Paint on additional colors and patterns if desired.

Easy and Fun Paper Plate Car Craft With Your Kids

Let kids personalize their car with fun touches to let their personality shine…

  • Decorate with stars or racing stripes.
  • Draw a door handle
  • Add headlights using yellow paper circles
  • Glue on a license plate
  • Add racing numbers or stickers

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: alphabet, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, letter sounds, phonics, preschool, preschool skills

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

November 28, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to teach geography to preschoolers should be hands-on but it is not about teaching them continent names or capitals. Also, look at my pages How to Homeschool Preschool and Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.

Preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them. And teaching geography to preschoolers needs to begin with their immediate world and spark interests in other places.

For example, show your preschooler a picture with the house and your child in the picture. This also teaches spatial awareness.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Next, talk about where is the grocery store, the park or gas station. Places your preschoolers visits regularly helps associate location.

Even creating a me on the map activity give your child a starting point.

In addition, plenty of picture books gives your child an idea of other places.

ANIMAL GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES FOR KIDS

First, look at these fun books for preschoolers.

Use them for read aloud.

7 Animal Geography Resources

We refer to Wildlife Anatomy quite a bit for zoology, it is worth adding to your collection.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Bestselling author/illustrator Julia Rothman shares a delightfully illustrated guide to all the beasts of the wild, from lions, tigers, and bears to musk oxen, monkeys, elephants, giraffes, foxes, badgers, bats, crocodiles, owls, flying squirrels and much, much more.

Waypoint Geographic World ScrunchMap - Up-to-Date & Easy

Wall Maps: These world wall maps feature bright colors for easy identification of places of interest. This map of the world can be easily folded or "scrunched" Into the included storage pouch. Lasts longer than paper maps.

The Big Book of Beasts (The Big Book Series)

In The Big Book of Beasts, Yuval Zommer’s wonderful illustrations bring to whimsical life some of the grizzliest, hairiest, bravest, wiliest, and most fearsome beasts in the animal kingdom. Brimming with interesting facts from beast consultant Barbara Taylor, this charming picture book is a beautiful way for parents to introduce young children to the animal world―and for older children to learn by themselves.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Around the World with Picture Books Part II (Download) -

Each country visited features a selection of animals indigenous to those regions. These beautiful drawings will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world. Part Two covers Europe and South America. In Europe we cover France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain! In South America we cover Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Brazil!

Rand McNally Junior Classroom Atlas of the World

Our colorful, engaging atlas is ideal for students in second through fourth grades and was developed from our award-winning Classroom Atlas, just simplified for younger students. Completely redesigned with a new layout,eye-catching pictures, informative graphics, and fully updated map content. Teaches map and globe skills to younger students. Features photos, graphs, interesting facts, and thought-provoking questions that reinforce map concepts.Includes 15 physical, political, and thematic maps.

A Child's Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People--From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China (A Child's Introduction Series)

Explore all the fascinating things that make Planet Earth such an exciting place to live with this lively introduction to our world, its geography, culture, and people.  Get ready for an incredible journey, one in which you’ll visit far-off places, meet interesting people, and learn all about continents, countries, climates, and more. This book is also full of fun facts about animals, sports, foods, inventions, and holidays from all over the world.

Animal Atlas

Lift the flaps in this quirky 3D atlas as illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius takes the youngest of readers around the globe, introducing an enchanting selection of animals. Did you know that flamingos hide their heads while they sleep? That a Galápagos tortoise can live for a hundred years? That baboons have pink bottoms? Or that a peacock’s tail is used to impress potential mates? With interactive flaps and a central pop on each colorful spread, this is a stand-up gift for small children who love animals of all stripes.

Then, look at these other preschool activity resources.

MORE PRESCHOOL GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES

  • Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary
  • 5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages
  • Sensory Play Made Easy: Crafting a Community Helpers Sensory Bin
  • How To Teach The 50 States To Preschoolers | 50 States Busy Book
  • K is for Kangaroo| Australia Theme
  • Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

In addition, look at these ways to teach geography to preschoolers.

5 WAYS TO TEACH GEOGRAPHY TO PRESCHOOLERS

Because kids this age need to move and explore, use their natural love for learning to teach geography through different sense.

1. USE MUSIC AND STORIES TO TEACH CULTURES

First, begin with music. Children love to dance and move to music.

Introduce stories and songs from a country you think would interests your child.

2. SIMPLE GLOBES & MAPS ARE BEST

Also, children can much more than we may think. Let the feel and spin simple globes to understand what is the world.

Besides, flat maps they can see introduces the shapes of continents. This early introduction can ignite a future love of maps.

3. GEOGRAPHY-THEMED SENSORY PLAY

Too, I will be doing a geography themed sensory bin.

Bins can have desert, ocean, or even snow themes to introduce a preschooler to different biomes.

4. CONNECT GEOGRAPHY TO ANIMALS AND NATURE

Additionally, my sensory bin will. be using something all preschoolers like which is animals.

Using nature and animals and where animals live fosters a love of science too.

5. CELEBRATE CULTURAL TRADITIONS

And because kids love to move, use traditions of countries to teach your kids about cultures. They can make crafts to celebrate different traditions.

Even go on a scavenger hunt teaches them directions.

Finally, look at how to make this around the world geography sensory bin.

AROUND THE WORLD GEOGRAPHY SENSORY BIN

Supply List

  • Uncooked rice
  • Blue food coloring
  • Zip-top bag or bowl for dyeing rice
  • Green felt sheets
  • Scissors
  • Toy animals

Dye the Rice: Add uncooked rice to a zip-top bag or bowl. Add a few drops of blue food coloring, seal or stir, and shake/mix until the rice is evenly coated. Spread it out to dry completely.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Prepare the Continents: Cut simple continent shapes out of green felt. Keep them recognizable but child-friendly and easy to handle.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Set Up the Bin: Pour the blue rice into the sensory bin to create the “ocean” base.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Add Continents: Lay the green felt continents on top of the rice to form a basic world map.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Add Animals: Place toy animals nearby or mix a few into the bin.

BENEFITS OF A GEOGRAPHY SENSORY BIN

Provides sensory input that keeps kids calm, engaged, and curious during play.

Encourages geography awareness by helping kids connect animals to different continents.

Builds fine motor skills while placing animals and exploring the rice base.

Strengthens critical thinking as kids match habitats to regions.

Supports language development through conversations about animals, climates, and continents.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool

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