Play is the “work” of childhood and children learn and practice a variety of foundational skills through their play. Working with art materials as they draw, cut, and mold strengthens fine motor skills and enables children to express their own original ideas in a process referred to as creative representation. Using things in new ways helps them practice critical thinking and problem solving as well as increasing their ability to focus and persist while pursuing a goal.
Creative pretend play—also called dramatic play—lets children make their own rules as they tell stories with props, create their own games and increase their resourcefulness in setting and accomplishing their own goals. Self-initiated play activities can also help them feel relaxed. Finally, talking about their art or pretend play helps children practice using language. For young children, there is no right or wrong way to be creative. They are exploring and the play is the point.
Children
Colors Scavenger Hunt pdf
What is it? This is a scavenger hunt page for children 4 years and up.
How does it work? Print out the pages for your child to use.You can also view them on your phone. Some pages require adult supervision for going outside.
Why might this be a good choice for your child? This game helps children work on color and object knowledge. They can learn the names of colors and use observation skills they will need in the future.
Que es? Este link es una pagina de juegos de búsqueda para niño y niñas de 4 años a más.
Cómo funciona? Imprima las páginas proveídas para su niño o niña o simplemente mirelas en su teléfono para disfrutar de este juego con ellos. Algunas de las páginas requieren de su supervisión, especialmente si requieren que se salga de la casa.
Porque es beneficioso? Este juego promueve el desarrollo artístico del niño/niña. Ayuda al aprendizaje de nombres de colores, y habilidades de observación, lo cual beneficia al niño/niña para el futuro.
What is it? This is a creative, loose parts activity in which children can use natural or recycled objects to make their own box robots.
How does it work? Pair this activity with the video of the “Not A Box” book reading for a deeper connection to the book and a super fun activity.
Why might this be a good choice for your child? This activity asks children to get creative with things they find, make a plan, and then think deeper - all valuable skills!
What is it? A six minute video tutorial by Teacher Jill on how to make paper beads with simple household objects.
How does it work? Follow the instructions in the video to roll the paper into fantastic beads. The video includes tips and tricks and a message for parents about the benefits of this craft.
Why might this be a good choice for your child? These beads are easy for slightly older children and a great way to build muscles in the hands. Use the videos suggestions of sorting and patterning to make it a rich and educational activity.
Parents
No Cook Playdough without Cream of Tartar (Spanish)
Qué es? Esta es una receta para plastilina sin cocinar hecha con ingredientes que tiene en su casa. Esta receta no requiere crema tártara.
Cómo funciona? Prepare la receta de acuerdo alas instrucciones.
Porqué es beneficioso para mi niño/a? Su niño/a puede ayudarla/o a preparar esta receta lo cual ayuda a que aprenda conceptos matemáticos y de cocina. El jugar con plastilina también ayuda a fortalecer los músculos de la mano, lo cual los ayudará con el aprendizaje a escribir cuando sean mayores.
No Cook Playdough without Cream of Tartar: Recipe and Activity (English)
What is it? This link has two easy playdough recipes made with everyday kitchen ingredients. One is a no-cook recipe and the other does require cooking.
How does it work? Click on the link and scroll to the bottom to find the full ingredients list and directions.
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? Your child can help you make the playdough which can help them learn math and cooking skills. Playing with playdough can also help strengthen your child’s finger muscles, which will help their writing skills when they get older.
Easy Art With Everyday Materials
What is it? These links have instructions for art activities using everyday and recycled materials.
How does it work? Save some recyclable materials then click on the titles to find the instructions.
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? Creative time positively impacts social, cognitive and emotional development of children.
Meaningful Art Projects Parents Can Fit into a Busy Day
What is it? This link gives a list of suggestions on how to incorporate art at home.
How does it work? Click on the link and read the list, then try out one or two of the suggestions at home.
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? As stated on the website, even short spurts of creative time greatly impact social, cognitive, and emotional development of children in their earliest formal years and create long-lasting memories.
Simple At-Home Play Activities, Using Basic Materials
What is it? This is a parent resource link which gives activity suggestions for baking, cooking, crafts, pretend play and physical exercise.
How does it work? Read the article for details to create activities for your child with home made materials.
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? You and your child can be creative by using home materials like: making books, paper stuffed animals, tracing shapes and more!
Low Preparation Activities for Toddlers
What is it? This parent resource link shares 25 simple activities for Toddlers.
How does it work? This easy-to-read article shares low preparation activities for your Toddler, such as bath and water play, mixing colors, color sorting and games.
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? There is very little preparation to these ideas and most of the activities use home materials to keep your Toddler busy at home. All the ideas are good learning and play development opportunities for your child.
What is it? This is an easy child activity on creating dandelion “fluffs” on paper with water. Children can make a wish and blow on the paper to watch the moisture blow away. This is a simple tutorial that uses household materials and is an easy set up. 
How does it work? You will need: colored paper, markers, cotton swabs, and a small container of water.
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? This activity provides an easy set up and fun engagement for children to create their own dandelion flower seeds with water. This is a good fine motor activity to practice hand strength, pencil grasp and pre-writing skills. You can also help children talk about science terms like moisture, evaporation and more.
¿Qué es? Una presentación sencilla para enseñarle cómo crear piezas de fieltro para la canción, “Un Pulpito” del cantante Charlotte Diamond.
¿Cómo funciona? Esta es una presentación de diapositivas para enseñar paso-a-paso cómo hacer animales del mar con fieltro junto con la letra y un enlace al video del cantante Charlotte Diamond cantando la canción, “Un Pulpito” (Slippery Fish).
¿Por qué podría ser una buena idea? Este tutorial sencilla muestra como usted y su hijo/hija pueden ser creativas juntos y para tener un producto divertido al final. Un tablero junto con unas pocas piezas de fieltra le ayuda tu hijo/hija y usar su imaginación. Tu hijo/hija puede aprender a través de mirar, oir, y tocar con este tipo de jugada.
What is it? A simple presentation to show you how to create play felt pieces for the song “Slippery Fish” by Charlotte Diamond.
How does it work? This is a slide show presentation showing how to make sea animals from felt material, along with the music, words and a link to a video of the artist singing her song, “Slippery Fish.”
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? This simple tutorial shows how you and your child can get creative together and have a fun product at the end to play with. A felt board along with felt pieces helps your child play and use her imagination. Your child can benefit from this type of play by learning new ways of seeing, hearing and feeling.
What is it? This is an easy activity for your young child with easy set up and household materials. Choose tape that is safe for surfaces. Tape up safe and non-choking hazard items on a wall. Children can peel off and rescue objects!
How do you use it? You will need tape, safe for walls and surfaces and any toys, utensils or any objects that are free from choking hazards and safe for young children. Simply tape up objects on a wall that your child can reach. Have your child peel off the toys and “rescue” them.
Why might this be a good choice for you and your child? Children practice hand-eye coordination and visual attention by focusing on the object. This activity also gives children good body development in muscle strength when they work against gravity on a vertical surface. Having children work standing or kneeling will build core and back muscles for upright posture.