Three Holiday Projects for Preschoolers!

Finding fun holiday themed activities to do with your preschooler is easy! Here are three great projects that you and your little elf can enjoy:

1. Create "Reindeer Food"- Have your child assemble mini baggies of "Reindeer Food" using several types of cereals. Cheerios, Kix, Apple Jacks and Cinnamon Toast Crunch are all easy to manipulate. Assign your child specific amounts in a recipe format that they need to count out. For example:
Dancer is a big fan of oats in her food. Please create a mix using 16 Cheerios, 12 Kix, 5 Cinnamon Toast Crunch and 3 Apple Jacks.
Let your child count each out, and write the numbers on paper too. You can even count out a total and subtract a few that you accidently eat (wink wink!) for additional fun.

2. Present Hunt- Make a present template on construction paper. Cut out 20 "gifts" of varied colors and put a number on 10, and that same set of numbers on the other ten, written in words. For example, "2" on one gift, the match is "two" on another gift. Do not make them the same color or that will be just too easy! Hide the gifts around the house, asking your child to find the matches. You can even lightly tape them to areas in the house. When your child returns the set correctly ask him or her to say the number aloud as well.

3. Bake It Up- Baking holiday cookies together will expose your child to the excitement of measuring and following instructions. Preschoolers are always willing to help measure out a teaspoon or cup full of flour. Explain the measurement tools you will be using up front, and help them practice carefully putting a teaspoon of water in an empty bowl. Be sure to use this opportunity to discuss temperature, specifically that of the oven. Explain the heat that the oven generates and show your child an indoor and outdoor thermometer and their temperature readings. This hands on experience will be a fun and tasty project!