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preschool skills

How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

January 14, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a build a snowman free printable game. Also, look at my pages Winter Season Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas. 

Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to do indoors to keep you the kids from going stir crazy or looking for an easy activity to go with a winter unit study, you’ll love this build a snowman kid’s game.

How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid's Game (free printable cube)

Also, reading aloud while your kids play is a great way to add in some facts about winter.

For example, we love living books.

When possible, we prefer to read them over how to books.

And for this theme of snowman, you’ll want to add a few story books.

BOOKS ABOUT WINTER FOR KIDS

13 Snow, Snowman, Animals, and Winter Books

Add one or more of these books to your learning day if you're learning about snow, snowflakes, winter or just for fun.

Image for Winter Cottage

Winter Cottage

Immerse Yourself in This Story of Love and Companionship Amidst Deprivation

It is the fall of 1930, and America has plunged into the Great Depression. On a remote dirt road deep in the snowy woods of northern Wisconsin, misfortune forces the impoverished Sparkes family to take desperate measures.

A wayfaring quartet consisting of thirteen-year-old Araminta (nicknamed Minty), her recently unemployed father-a poetry-quoting widower called Pops-and her younger sister, Eglantine (known as Eggs-a dreamer like Pops), and their dog, Buster, are on their way to Minneapolis to live with the curmudgeonly Aunt Amy. When their car breaks down and they are unable to fix it, the homeless four stumble upon a vacant summer cottage by a lake. In desperate straits, they decide to settle in.

Image for 1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. 

Image for 2. Sneezy the Snowman

2. Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

Image for 3. Snowmen at Night

3. Snowmen at Night

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

Image for 4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

Image for 5. Over and Under the Snow

5. Over and Under the Snow

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

Image for A Hat for Minerva Louise

A Hat for Minerva Louise

"Stoeke's second book about that intrepid screwball, Minerva Louise, is a rare find."—The Horn Book, starred review. The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day—like everything else—is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds—and how she finds it—will keep young readers cackling.

Image for 6. How to Catch a Snowman

6. How to Catch a Snowman

Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget?

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The Big Snow

When the geese begin to fly south, the leaves flutter down from the trees and the cold winds begin to blow from the north, the animals of the woods and meadows, big and small, prepare for the long, cold winter ahead when the countryside is hidden under a deep blanket of snow. They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.

Image for 7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian does things right and this Curious About Snow book is a
great introduction for curious kiddos with real images and simple explanations.

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8. Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

Image for 9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

SET OF 10 FUN AND FRIGID FIGURES – It’s hard to stay warm at the North Pole, but you can discover its wonders in your home with these frigid friends. This TOOB includes a Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, and Polar Bear.

Image for 10. Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

10. 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.

Next, look at ways to play the snowman game.

BUILD A SNOWMAN GAME PLAYING IDEAS

This game can actually be done many different ways depending on the ages of your kids.

Look at these suggestions below on how to do this latest fun activity I have for you.

  • Roll the cube, and have an older child cut out cardboard and draw, color or paint each piece as he builds the snowman.
  • Roll the cube, and have a younger child cut out card stock and draw, color or paint each piece as he builds the snowman.
  • Print two pictures of the cube or die on card stock. Have your child cut out the pictures on one cube and glue the pictures on cardboard or paper. Use another cube for game playing.
  • To teach a preschooler shapes, make the snowman parts different shapes. Octagon for the body, circles for the buttons and cone for the nose will have him practicing geometry skills.
  • Of course, you can just have the child color the picture as he rolls that part of the snowman on the cube.
  • Another easy tip is to cut out the snowman on the download below and put him back together as your child rolls the cube.
Grab this FUN and FREE How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid's Game (with free printable cube). It’s a great activity for a winter unit study to keep the kids busy.

Next look at more snowman fun.

MORE SNOWMAN ACTIVITIES

  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Fun Paper Cup Snowman Game Matching Upper and Lowercase Alphabet Letters
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities For Preschoolers
  • How to Make an Adorable Q Tip Painting Snowman
  • 8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace
  • Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Snow and Snowflake Facts for Kids and Fun Hands-on Exploding Snowman

Snowman Kid’s Game

Although a game like this is fun, it also teaches many skills. 

Preschoolers strengthen fine motor skills by both coloring and cutting.

In addition, you can expand this game by writing down words that correspond to the pictures on the cube.

And children learn to take turns as they play together.

Another way to make this game fun for your artsy kids is to have them roll the cube and draw their own parts for the snowman and build it as they go along. 

Designing their own snowman builds creativity and strengthens the imagination.

A game like building a snowman is also a fun activity to do with a group of kids in a homeschool co-op.

Each kid can design their own snowman and learn to play together.

One more idea is to have your children work together to build a giant snowman on butcher block paper.

Collaboration is a skill that a child uses on to high school.

HOW TO GET THE FREE SNOWMAN PRINTABLE PAGE AND CUBE

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

What ideas do you have for building a snowman?

Grab this FUN and FREE How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid's Game (with free printable cube). It’s a great activity for a winter unit study to keep the kids busy.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Hands-On Activities, Teach Homeschool Preschool Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool preschool, homeschoolinginwinter, preschool, preschool skills, winter season

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

January 7, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to make a triorama using Dollar Tree supplies to teach your little one primary colors. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas.

Introducing primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—to preschoolers lays a strong foundation for their artistic and cognitive development.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

And there are so many fun ways to do it.

Once they have mastered primary colors (red, yellow, blue) you can move on to secondary colors (orange, purple, green) through color mixing.

Our activity today introduces children to the idea of color mixing primary colors to create new colors in a simple hands-on way.

Too, I have a rainbow of colorful ideas to help you teach them in the most fun ways.

Incorporating engaging activities is an effective way to teach primary colors to preschoolers, fostering their color recognition, artistic skills, and overall cognitive development.

BOOKS ABOUT COLORS FOR PRESCHOOL

Next, add some books that teach color concepts.

8 Books About Color

Add these books about color to your home library.

Image for The Days The Crayons Quit

The Days The Crayons Quit

Beige is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown. Blue needs a break from coloring all that water, while Pink just wants to be used. Green has no complaints, but Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

Image for Mix It Up!: Board Book Edition

Mix It Up!: Board Book Edition

Follow the artist's simple instructions, and suddenly colors appear . . . mix . . . splatter . . . and vanish in a vivid world powered only by the reader's imagination. The result is not only enchantment and giggles, but a real and deeper understanding of colors brought by a true master of his craft.

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Mouse Paint

One day three white mice discover three jars of paint--red, blue, and yellow. But what happens when they splash in the colors, mixing the
red and blue? Or dance in the blue and yellow? This playful introduction
to colors will appeal to any budding artist or curious preschooler.

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Green

Die cut pages bring surprise after surprise in this magical new book from the "Queen of the concept book"―an intricate and satisfying homage to green, the color of all creation.How many kinds of green are there? There's the lush green of a forest on a late spring day, the fresh, juicy green of a just-cut lime, the incandescent green of a firefly, and the vivid aquamarine of a tropical sea. In her newest book, Caldecott and Geisel Honor Book author Laura Vaccaro Seeger fashions an homage to a single color and, in doing so, creates a book that will delight and, quite possibly astonish you.

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White Rabbit's Colors

White Rabbit finds three pots of paint―and discovers the magic of color!Young children will enjoy following Alan Baker's inquisitive LITTLE RABBITS as they make new discoveries. Simple storylines and playful artwork offer a fresh approach to learning early concepts.

Image for Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color

Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color

Ruby flowers, violet quilts, lime frosting ― colors are all around us. How many colors can you find in the pages of this book?

Image for Edible Colors: See, Learn, Eat

Edible Colors: See, Learn, Eat

With a combination of unusual foods and a kaleidoscope of colors, this concept book shows that not all foods have to look the same way. A banana can be red, broccoli can be purple, and cherries can be yellow and still taste just as delicious.

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Colors

A red fire truck races, orange pumpkins glow, and purple flowers bloom.Vivid pictures of familiar scenes, animals, and objects introduce future readers to color words and inspire them to look carefully at the world around them. Full of striking close-ups on fruits, flowers, and animals, as well as striking portraits of kids from diverse backgrounds, Colors is a bright, brilliant concept book from the creator of the award-winning Shades of People.

Before we get to our tutorial on how to make a triorama for young learners which teaches primary colors, here are some other great ideas with you.

TEACHING PRIMARY COLORS WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

Color Conversations –  Regularly point out and name primary colors in everyday objects like toys, clothing, food, and nature. “Look at the blue sky!” or “Your banana is yellow!”

Color Themed Days- Dedicate specific days to each primary color, encouraging children to wear that color or bring in objects of that color.

Color Sorting- Provide a basket of objects in various colors and have children sort them into primary color groups.

I Spy with Colors-  “I spy something red!” Children search for an object matching the called-out color.

Color Matching- Create cards with primary color blocks and matching pictures of objects (red apple, yellow sun, blue bird). Children match the colors and objects.

Color Scavenger Hunt- Give children a list of primary colors and have them find objects of those colors.

Finger Painting-  Provide red, yellow, and blue paint and let children explore mixing the colors with their fingers.

Color Mixing with Watercolors-  Demonstrate how mixing primary colors creates secondary colors (red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, blue + red = purple).

Rainbow Art- Encourage children to create rainbows using various materials like crayons, paint, or colored paper.

Primary Color Collages-  Provide red, yellow, and blue paper and have children tear and glue them to create collages.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO TEACH COLORS

Colored Rice or Pasta-  Dye rice or pasta red, yellow, and blue and let children explore the textures and colors.

Color Mixing with Playdough–  Provide red, yellow, and blue playdough and encourage children to mix the colors.

Water Play with Food Coloring- Add red, yellow, and blue food coloring to water and let children experiment with color mixing.

Color Songs– Sing songs about primary colors, incorporating actions and movements related to each color.

Color Dance-Play music and call out primary colors, having children dance or move in a way that represents each color.

Color-Themed Books- Read books that focus on primary colors or incorporate color-related themes.

Color Word Recognition-  Create flashcards with primary color words and matching pictures, have your child match the words and pictures.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Look at more triorama activities.

MORE TRIORAMA IDEAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Finally, look at how to make a triorama teaching the primary colors.

HOW TO MAKE A TRIORAMA TEACHING THE PRIMARY COLORS WITH DOLLAR TREE SUPPLIES

We are going to use a cardboard box for this to make it a bit sturdier when it’s soaked in paint and so that it holds up to a toddler or preschooler playing with it.

You will need:

  • Cardboard box
  • Red craft paint
  • Blue craft paint
  • Yellow craft paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Black permanent marker
  • Scissors
How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

If you don’t already have a cardboard box laying around like an old Amazon box you can pick up a shipping box at Dollar Tree for $1.25.

But after wandering around I realized they had a big stack of broken down boxes and grabbed one for free.

Use a ruler to cut out a square of whatever size you would like from one side of your cardboard box.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

 Draw a line from corner to corner to create an X using the ruler to help you stay on a straight line.

TRIORAMA TEACHING THE PRIMARY COLORS

Now you are going to use either a box cutter or the point of your scissors to just score the lines you’ve drawn.

You just want to cut through the first layer of cardboard to make it bend a little easier, do not go all the way through.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Use your scissors to cut from one corner to the center point on just one corner.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Add one of each of the primary colors to every triangle but one, this one will be folded underneath.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Have your child paint the color all over that section, trying to stay within the triangle at first.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

Now you can have them draw a little paint from both sides to combine it and create a new color wherever the colors touch.

 For the two that are separated by a blank triangle just use the paintbrush to transfer from side to side.

Allow it to dry completely and then use a marker to write in each of the colors.

Fold along the scored lines you made and fold the cut pieces on under another and glue into place to make the pyramid shape.

How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies

You can use the triorama as an activity to have your child gather items from around the house in each of the colors, or just put it on display as is.

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

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

September 12, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, we’re making a letter Y handprint craft. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more handprint crafts and preschool ideas.

And we’re featuring a yak, a fun new animal to introduce to your preschooler or kindergartener.

There is just something so precious about those first little handprint crafts with tiny fingers that won’t stay that way for long.

Too, they are so proud of the finished product.

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

My main focus during the preschool years is reading good quality books.

Reading aloud develops imagination, vocabulary, language development, listening skills, comprehension, and helps grow their focus and attention.

I found the absolute cutest story that went right along with our activity and of course “we” had to model our yak after the little hero of the story Gertie.

The book is The Littlest Yak. A cute must read with your littles.

While Gertie is adorable, yaks really are amazing animals that live in the high mountains of the Himalayas. Yaks are very important to the people of the Himalayas

Known for their long, shaggy fur and their big horns, yaks are found in the high mountains of Asia.

What makes them so amazing is that yaks are very strong and can carry incredibly heavy loads.

They are also very gentle and friendly animals.

People in the Himalayas use yaks for many things.

For example, they are used to transport goods, to pull plows, and to provide milk and meat.

Books about the Continent of Asia for Kids

Also, grab some of these books to read about Asia to your child.

I love to use living books when I can find them.

9 Asia Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Asia is a large continent but I try to list some of our favorites.

Image for Prairie Lotus

Prairie Lotus

Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hanna, in a small town in America’s heartland, in 1880. Hanna’s adjustment to her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople’s almost unanimous prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story.

Image for A Single Shard

A Single Shard

Tree-ear is fascinated by the celedon ware created in the village of Ch’ulp’o. He is determined to prove himself to the master potter, Min—even if it means making a solitary journey to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission . . . or arriving at the royal court with nothing but a single celadon shard.

Image for Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

The star of her school’s running team, Sadako is lively and athletic…until the dizzy spells start. Then she must face the hardest race of her life—the race against time. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the courage that makes one young woman a heroine in Japan. 

Image for The Big Wave

The Big Wave

Kino lives on a farm on the side of a mountain in Japan. His friend, Jiya, lives in a fishing village below. Everyone, including Kino and Jiya, has heard of the big wave. No one suspects it will wash over them, until the rushing water sweeps away the whole village—including Jiya's family.

Image for One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale

One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale

Long ago in India, there lived a raja who believed that he was wise and fair. But every year he kept nearly all of the people's rice for himself. Then when famine came, the raja refused to share the rice, and the people went hungry. Then a village girl named Rani devises a clever plan. She does a good deed for the raja, and in return the raja lets her choose her reward. Rani asks for just one grain of rice, doubled every day for thirty days. Through the surprising power of doubling, one grain of rice grows into more than one billion grains of rice - and Rani teaches the raja a lesson about what it truly means to be wise and fair.Demi's exquisitely detailed art, inspired by traditional Indian miniature paintings, combine with her simple retelling to convey the heart and wisdom of this satisfying mathematical tale.

Image for I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

A moving and heartfelt story about the lengths one would go to help their family.

When Oyuna was a baby, a horse accidentally crushed her foot, cursing her family with bad luck. Oyuna vows to restore good fortune to her family…but how?

One fateful day, soldiers from the great Khan's army invade her village to steal horses and gather new soldiers. In hopes of bringing honor to her family, Oyuna courageously disguises herself as a boy and joins the soldiers on their quest. With only her horse and her cat to keep her company, Oyuna sets off on an amazing journey across deserts and mountains―a journey that will change her life forever.

Image for The Golden Hawks of Genghis Khan

The Golden Hawks of Genghis Khan

"You must not speak of the Golden Hawks! Word easily flies down the caravan trails to the ears of the Mongols in the land of Genghis Khan. And then, Jalair, the Mongols will come and slay you!"

Image for The Story about Ping

The Story about Ping

Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

Image for The Littlest Yak

The Littlest Yak

A little yak yearns for BIG things in this rollicking, rhyming picture book that celebrates individuality, unique talents, and the importance of not growing up too fast.Gertie is the littlest yak in her pack, feeling stuck in her smallness. She wants to grow up and have BIGNESS and TALLNESS, with the hugest of hooves and humongous horns too! Because there isn't anything a BIG yak can't do.So Gertie devises a growing-up plan. She eats her veggies, exercises every day, and reads lots of books. Still, she isn't any bigger. But when the other yaks come calling for Gertie to help them with a daring and dangerous task, could it be because it's something only a small yak can do?

Then look at some fun facts about yaks to share with your children.

5 Yak Fun Facts 

  1. Yak poop doesn’t stink-when they have water and are able to forage to eat, their dung has little to no odor. The Tibetan plateaus don’t have trees, so yak dung is the only easily obtainable fuel.
  2. Yaks have two layers of fur to keep them warm in the high altitude cold mountain air of places like China, Nepal, Mongolia, and Tibet. See if you can find these places on a map or globe.
  3. They have a long social life in the wild and can live for up to 20 years with their herds.
  4. Yaks are herbivores, which means that they eat plants like low lying grasses and shrubs.
  5. Yak butter is big in Tibet, their milk is  white or pink and very nutritious. It is also used to make a unique popular cheese.

Also, add a few more letter y handprint crafts to your day.

More Letter Y Handprint And Y Crafts

  • Y is for Yo Yo, Here you will find some Letter Y craft ideas including a cute little hand that has been traced, cut out, and holding a yo yo.
  • For a unique take on the letter, check out –Y is For Yacht and take a boating turn on letter learning.
  • I thought that Y is for Yellow was a clever practice for Y, bright and colorful it catches a child’s attention and is a good representation of the sound.
  • Loads of activity ideas to supplement and a Y is For Yawn craft that might make you a bit sleepy too ( I recommend this one before nap time).
  • Make a mess with squiggly piles of yarn to create this Y is for Yarn craft.
How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

More Handprint Crafts

  • Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft – Crafty Crab Fun
  • H Horse Handprint | Horse Study
  • N Is For Nest Handprint | Nests Study
  • How To Create A Sweet Strawberry Letter S Handprint Craft
  • How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft
  • P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

Additionally, here are more activities about Asia if you want to include you older children.

Asia Activities For Kids

  1. Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids
  2. Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History
  3. Marco Polo Unit Study and Lapbook
  4. Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook
  5. How to Make an Easy Bird Craft Fun Paper Plate Peacock

Finally, look at how to make this letter Y handprint craft.

Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

We are going to make a handprint craft from two handprints that make an adorable little yak.

We made ours black and white, but you can choose from the wide variety of yak colors to create yours.

Their fur comes in black, brown, white, and yellow.

You will need:

  • Construction paper
  • Craft paint
  • Google eyes
  • A little hand
  • paintbrushes
How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

First, gather all your supplies and have them close at hand so you don’t have to leave little painted hands unattended while you run to grab something.

Paint the entire hand white.

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

Now quickly go over the white with black paint on the 4 fingers only, excluding the thumb.

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

Then press the hand firmly onto the paper, making sure to press gently but firmly all over your palm and fingers.

Wash the hand clean.

Paint the palm black and the pinky and thumb white and press onto the paper slightly overlapping the body hand print you made.

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

Again, press the entire hand down firmly to transfer as much paint as you can.

Use a paintbrush to extend the horns or fill in gaps of missing paint if you need to.

To create their cold snowy climate, use the back and of a paintbrush dipped in white paint for snowflakes.

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

The final step is to draw a large Y in pencil.

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

Now, let or help your child paint over it with a small paintbrush to become more familiar with the letter.

How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak

Once everything is dry, glue googly eyes to the face to finish it off.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: handprint, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, life science, preschool, preschool skills, science, yak

The Best Homeschool Preschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

July 1, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Choosing the best homeschool preschool curriculum can be really easily. Also, you’ll love my page Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum. And my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

You don’t need to buy a box or prepared curriculum but rather learn through play. 

Learning through play can be easily directed by the parent (but not forced) to create a rich learning environment.

It should be more like fun and naturally being introduced to math, science, history, language arts, and more.

The Best Homeschool Preschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

Preschoolers don’t need to worry about writing yet.

It is more important to build up their fine motor skills.

And this is easily done by building with blocks, playing with playdough, buttoning and unbuttoning their clothing, and digging in the dirt.

This can be as simple as putting letters in a sensory bin and asking them to find the letter that their name starts with or counting out crackers for a snack.

Common Household Items for Play Based Learning

You can use much of what you already have in your own home to teach preschoolers.

For example look at these items:

  • inexpensive craft supplies,
  • blunt scissors,
  • measuring cups/spoons,
  • beans for manipulatives,
  • toys for practicing beginning letter sounds,
  • cooking utensils for pouring and measuring,
  • mini scale,
  • crayons,
  • seeds,
  • analog clocks with hands and minutes,
  • maps, and anything else you can think of.

But for some structure that is still enjoyable, I have recommendations for each subject to help you facilitate a wonderful early learning environment.

Themes are especially fun in preschool and can be used to create a homeschool preschool curriculum with all the subjects.

Some favorites for us were farm, construction, space, dinosaurs, winter, and pets.

Focus on letter and number recognition, simple counting, read-aloud, and lots of play for little ones. 

The Best Homeschool Preschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

Also, look at more tips for teaching preschoolers.

More Homeschool Preschool Curriculum Tips

  • Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary
  • 5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program
  • How to Teach Homeschool Preschool From the Inside Out (And Preschool Skills)
  • A is for Apple Craft | Apple Study
  • B is for Bird Craft | Bluebird Study
  • E is For Easy Eagle Study
  • G is for Gorilla Mask | Africa Study
  • H Horse Handprint | Horse Study
  • K is for Kangaroo| Australia Theme
  • M is for Monkey Handprint | Monkey Study
  • N Is For Nest Handprint | Nests Study
  • O is for Owl | Great Horned Owl Study
  • R is for Rainbow | Rain Mobile
  • T is for Teeth | Dental Unit
  • W Is For Winter | Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • X is for X Ray | Crayon Resist Skeleton

Best Homeschool Curriculum By Grade

  • Homeschool Preschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations
  • Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
  • First Grade Homeschool Curriculum | 7 Tips And Recommendations
  • Second Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • Third Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • Fifth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • Sixth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • Seventh Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • Eighth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • Ninth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations
  • Tenth Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • 11th Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations
  • 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

Finally, look at these recommendations.

13 Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Options

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

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

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.

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

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.

Image for Developing the Early Learner: Level 1 by Simone Bibeau

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.

Image for My First Book of Patterns: Pencil Control

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.

Image for Before Five in a Row: Second Edition

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.

Image for 408 Pcs Lacing Letters Alphabet

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

Image for A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

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

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

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.

Image for 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!

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!

Image for Preschool Exploring Creation Together Science

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

Image for 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)

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.

Image for Teacher Guide Around the World Part 1 - Homeschool Teacher's Guide
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.

Image for Early American History K-3rd - Homeschooling History Pack
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!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Choose Curriculum Tagged With: curriculum, homeschool preschool, preschool, preschool skills

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

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

Today’s P is for pineapple craft is a fantastic simple idea for summer that can double as home decor to give your space a tropical fun vibe. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

Besides, handprint crafts are a wonderful way to preserve those tiny hands.

Before you know it, those hands grow into large ones that reach for the car keys and shy away from having their palms slathered in paint.

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

You can create today’s craft on sturdy paper or even on a canvas to create a sturdier art piece.

Even though it’s summer, you can still have lots of fun learning with your preschooler and incorporate the summer theme at the same time.

They will never know all the “juicy tidbits” they are learning about science, geography, math, and more.

It will seem like child’s play.

Next, look at more phonics or letter activities for your little learner.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

  • Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study
  • Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study
  • Alphabet Letter H Handprint Craft For Fun Preschool Horse Study
  • How To Make An Alphabet Teeth Cleaning Activity | 5 Preschool Letter T Crafts
  • Alphabet Letter R is for Rainbow Craft for Preschool | Fun Rain Mobile
  • Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study
  • Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask
  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study
  • Alphabet Letter N Is For Nest Handprint & Fun Nests Preschool Craft
  • B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study
  • X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton
P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

Next, look at some fun facts about pineapples.

Facts About Pineapples

First, just a few important things about this tasty fruit:

  • Pineapples belong to the family Bromeliaceae, the only edible fruit of its kind.
  • Their scientific name of Ananas comosus means” excellent fruit” (agreed).
  • They were found in the West Indies by Christopher Columbus. And now can be found all over the world in tropical locations. 
  • They are grown from cuttings, not seeds.
  • Each pineapple plant only produces one pineapple at a time.

Additionally, look at ideas for teaching phonics.

P is for Pineapple Craft Phonics Tips

  • As you are creating your pineapple handprint craft repeat the P sound often to help reinforce it in your child’s mind.
  • Grab any letter tiles or alphabetic magnets that you have in the letter P and point as you say the letter and its sound.
  • Hide letter tiles or pieces of paper with a P drawn on it around the room and have your child find them, identifying what it is each time they find one.
  • If your child is at the stage for writing you can make P’s lightly with a pencil and have them trace over them with a highlighter or crayon to practice.
  • Use pineapple as a starting point, what other words make that sound as well? Pinecone is an easy transition, but also look at the supplies you are using today- paint, pencil, paper. Have your child call out words and write them on a piece of paper for them to look at as they list them.
P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

Also, look at these hands-on ideas for learning about pineapples.

10 Pineapple Hands-On Activities

  1. Research where the most pineapples are produced, the big 3 countries are Indonesia, the Philippines, and Costa Rica. Hawaii is also known for pineapples. Locate these places on a map.
  2. Middle school students don’t have to miss out on the summer themed fun, check out my Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  3. Grab some fresh pineapple from the store and a can as well, taste test each and compare flavor and quality. Encourage your child to use descriptive words like sweet, juicy,sour, etc..
  4. Cut off the pineapple top and plant in soil, this one’s an investment in time but in 18 months or so you can be harvesting your own fresh pineapple.
  5. Put their afternoon snack in a pineapple boat! To do this all you have to do is cut off the bottom of the pineapple when you’re chopping it up for snack time, hollow it out and use it for an ice cream treat or fruit salad.
  6. Learn About Fruits Around the World Fun With Food Activities
  7. Measure a pineapple from base to the tip of the crown, then use a flexible measuring tape to measure its circumference, weigh on a scale if you have one.
  8. Make a Pineapple Volcano, eruptions are always a hit with the preschool bunch!
  9. Try pineapple lacing for an easy way to work on fine motor skills. 
  10. Here is another idea for older kids so that they can join in on the fun too, make a Pineapple Sorbet using just two ingredients, including fresh pineapple.

Handprint Pineapple Craft

You will need:

  • Green craft paint
  • Yellow craft paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Black marker
  • Sturdy paper or canvas
P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

First, lightly draw a pineapple shape on your sturdy card stock, we are going for the general idea here, not perfection.

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

Then erase it until you can just barely see the outline. This is just to give your child a rough shape to follow.

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

Dip a thumb or finger into the yellow paint and add dots all over within the circle including the outline. Set aside to dry.

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

Once the yellow has dried completely you can erase some of the visible pencil lines if you like.

Paint the entire hand green and have them press it onto the top of the pineapple firmly, repeat  two or three more times to get a full pineapple top.

Let the picture dry and don’t forget to write P is for the pineapple at the bottom to help your child make the connection that letters make words and words tell us what something is.

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

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

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