Explore these playful Reindeer learning activities for preschoolers this holiday season. Get hands-on with these fun reindeer themed reading, math, cooking, movement ideas.
This month for Playful Preschool we are focusing on reindeer crafts and learning activities. Many times, kids are able to expand their learning with thematic units or set time frames where they learn about one particular topic in greater detail in all learning areas.
Read more to find out exactly how you can make this week a reindeer learning week!
Activity: Dialog and Storytelling with Reindeer Finger Puppets
Materials:
Store-bought or handmade finger puppets (I just used felt and a hot glue gun, but this could also be a simple sewing lesson)
Directions:
We have been talking about what is a sentence and how a period goes at the end of a telling sentence. But recently, my preschooler has been asking about the question marks. So for this activity, we focused on asking and answering questions.
I would hold a reindeer and ask a question and he would hold the other reindeer and have it answer the question. We would repeat this activity until he was tired of it…
Mom to reindeer, “What do you like to eat?”
Reindeer, “Frogs.”
Mom to reindeer. “Do reindeer really eat frogs?”
Reindeer, “This reindeer does. He he he.”
Teacher Tips:
One could extend the learning by writing the questions and answers down on sentence strips and practicing reading them.
You could tell or write a story together using the finger puppets as your main characters.
Activity: Reindeer Learning Station Set Up
Materials:
- White Board
- Dry Erase Markers
- Eraser
- ABC Chart
- ABC magnets
- Mirror
Directions:
At the beginning of the week, I introduce the letter of the week. We are learning about the letter r.
1. Find the letter on the ABC Chart and chant (don’t sing) the alphabet.
2. We usually talk about where the letter is in the alphabet – the beginning, middle, or end.
3. Show what the upper case and lower case letter looks like.
4. Model the sound, {r} like race car.
5. Encourage them to watch your lips and make their mouth look like that too. (that’s why I have the mirror up)
6. Then talk about words that begin with the sound.
7. Write those words down. Mine isn’t reading words, so I drew the picture clues to give him support.
8. Read the words together.
9. Repeat all of the steps above as many times as you or they want!
Activity: Reindeer Sandwich
Materials:
- Sandwich of your choosing
- Pretzels
- Craisin or raisin
- Red Hot
Directions:
1. Set out the materials and have your preschooler make a sandwich. They can spread PB or put meat slices on bread.
2. Cut the bread into a triangle. You may or may not feel comfortable letting them help – either way this is a great time to discuss knife safety and your kitchen rules.
3. Let them decorate the sandwich to make a reindeer.
4. Eat it!
Teacher tip:
I strongly believe that preschoolers can and should be helping in the kitchen. Cooking with your kids teaches math, listening skills, and nutrition. It is a great way for the busy parent to promote learning while taking care of your family’s basic need to eat!
Activity: Snowflake Slide (a winter version of Chutes and Ladders)
Materials:
- A blank piece of paper
- Markers
- A dice or spinner
- Game Pieces (we used some from our train set)
Directions:
1. Make your game board. This is something that could be done by an older sibling or parent.
2. Then play the game. Land on a ladder and you get to go up. Land on a snowflake and you do the “Snowflake Slide.” The person who reaches Santa first is the winner!
Teacher Tip:
This activity works on counting, number recognition, number sense (like how many boxes does the number 4 represent), and could work on some basic addition and subtraction if you guide the conversation in that way.
Activity: Reindeer Roller – ECO Craft
Materials:
- Recycled Cardboard
- Craft Foam
Directions:
1. Cut reindeer antlers out of cardboard.
2. Cut holly leaves out of craft foam.
3. Tape on your vehicle of choice.
4. GO GO GO!
For more reindeer activities here at The Educators’ Spin On It
Here is a post with more detailed instructions on reindeer crafts and learning activities here.
Here are a few reindeer book suggestions for you to create your reindeer invitation to learn this week for reindeer week!
For EVEN MORE reindeer activities, see this list of 101+ reindeer crafts and activities.
For even more playful preschool ideas from our blogging friends,
- Dot Marker Printablefrom Crystal and Co.
- Indoor Games for Kidsfrom K.C. Adventures
- Candy Mint Sorting and Plate Making at Sugar Aunts
- Setting Up a Winter Nature Table at Natural Beach Living
- ButtonOrnamentsat Imprints from Tricia
- Process Art Ideas from Teaching 2 and 3 year olds
- EasyTree Collages at Where Imagination Grows
- Homemade Toys at And Next Comes L
- Cooking in the Kitchen with Kids at Suzy Homeschooler
- Froggy’s Best Christmas Book Talk Printable at Rockabye Butterfly
- DIY LEGO Snowglobes at Lemon Lime Adventures
- Paper Plate Crafts at How Wee Learn
- Handprint Reindeer at Schooltime Snippits
- DIY Window Clings at Green Owl Art
- Learning to Draw Shapes at Craftulate
- Stringing Pom Poms at 3 Dinosaurs
- Construction Activities at RacheousLovableLearning
and my favorites this week..
- Christmas Lacing Card Ornaments at Glittering Muffins
- This AMAZING Marble Run at Buggy and Buddy
Additional Reindeer Activities for Kids
{Click image to find more)
