1. Language & literacy
Story basket
Materials
Picture book, large safe objects or pictures
How to play
Read together and invite children to choose an object or picture that matches a part of the story. Ask what might happen next.
Free classroom activity collection
15 easy preschool activities for daycare classrooms
Need ideas for a busy classroom? These low-prep activities cover language, early math, science, art, movement, and social-emotional learning. Most can be adapted for children ages 3–5 with suitable supports.
Always supervise activities and adjust for allergies, sensory needs, developmental readiness, and local childcare requirements. Keep small objects and loose parts away from children at risk of choking; use only age-appropriate materials.
Pick an activity for today
2. Language & literacy
Name sound hunt
Materials
Name cards, picture cards
How to play
Say the first sound in a child’s name. Invite children to find pictures whose names begin with that sound; model without pressure.
3. Language & literacy
Picture sequence
Materials
Three or four illustrated routine cards
How to play
Mix the cards and work together to put a familiar event in order. Invite children to describe first, next, and last.
4. Early math
Count the classroom
Materials
Safe classroom objects, paper
How to play
Count small collections together, touching each object once. Ask which group has more, fewer, or the same amount.
5. Early math
Color pattern parade
Materials
Large colored paper shapes
How to play
Create a simple red-blue pattern. Pause and let children predict what comes next, then invent their own.
6. Early math
Shape detectives
Materials
Large paper shape cards
How to play
Look for circles, squares, and rectangles in the classroom. Compare how they look and where children find them.
7. Science & discovery
Sink or float?
Materials
Shallow water tub, large safe waterproof objects, towels
How to play
With direct adult supervision, predict whether each object will sink or float. Test one item at a time and discuss observations.
8. Science & discovery
Shadow explorers
Materials
Sunny safe outdoor area, paper
How to play
Notice shadows at different times of day. Trace a teacher’s shadow with chalk where permitted and observe how it changes.
9. Science & discovery
Weather watchers
Materials
Weather picture cards, paper, crayons
How to play
Look outside and describe today’s weather. Make a simple picture record across the week and compare days.
10. Creative art
Nature texture prints
Materials
Large leaves, paper, washable nontoxic paint
How to play
Use clean, safe leaves as printing tools. Compare textures and patterns; let children decide what to create.
11. Creative art
Community mural
Materials
Large paper, crayons, collage materials appropriate to age
How to play
Invite children to draw places in their neighborhood. Combine the drawings and talk about how people help one another.
12. Movement
Animal movement game
Materials
Open uncluttered floor space, animal cards
How to play
Choose an animal and invent a way it moves. Alternate active movements with calm stretches and water breaks as needed.
13. Movement
Follow the pathway
Materials
Painter’s tape or floor markers approved for your setting
How to play
Make a simple path on a clear floor. Walk, tiptoe, or step along it while practicing balance and turn-taking.
14. Social-emotional
Feelings faces
Materials
Drawn emotion pictures, mirror used with supervision
How to play
Name feelings from pictures. Invite children to share what might help someone who feels sad, worried, or excited.
15. Social-emotional
Team tower
Materials
Large age-appropriate blocks
How to play
Build one tower as a group. Practice asking for blocks, making suggestions, trying again, and celebrating cooperation.
Turn these ideas into a full weekly lesson plan
The free CubbyTrack planner builds a five-day plan by age group and theme, with activities, learning goals, adaptations, and a materials checklist. Customize it and print or save it—no signup required.
How to choose activities for your group
Start with children’s interests and the skills they’re practicing, rather than trying to fill every minute. Offer simple choices and repeat favorite activities with new materials. Shorten or extend the experience as needed, and leave time for child-directed play, outdoor movement, rest, and familiar routines.