Peanut Butter Pine Cones
Cut a long piece of yarn or ribbon to hang the bird feeder. Tie the ribbon in a knot around the pine cone near the top. Spread peanut butter on the pine cone then sprinkle birdseed over the pine cone. Hang the bird feeder on the tree.
Paint with a Pine Branch
Let the children use a pine branch for a paint brush. They can paint with pink or purple paint.
Pots and Pans
Allow the children to play with pots and pans. Supply them with a variety of other items, such as pretend foods and wooden spoons. Children can bang on the pots and pans, or pretend to cook.
Princess and the Pea
Tell the story of the princess and the pea.
Puzzles
Have the children put together a variety of puzzles.
Puzzle Piece Art
The children can use paste to affix puzzle pieces to a piece of paper.
Puzzle Piece Sort
Supply the children with puzzle pieces from old puzzles. Have them sort the pieces. Ask them how they sorted the pieces. (color, size, shape)
Puzzle Math
Place the numbers one thorugh six on six small post it papers. Place these papers in the bottom of each muffin tin hole. Have the children place one puzzle piece in the one space and two in the two and so on. You can also use: pennies, potato chips, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, peanuts, pine needles, puzzle pieces, popped popcorn, popcorn kernels, pencils, pebbles, pretzels.
Estimation Jars
You will need 4 clear jar that are the same size. Fill one jar about 1/4 of the way with items. Count the items as you fill the jar and end on a round number, like 10 or 50. Write the number of items on a post it, place the post it on the jar. Fill the second jar about 1/2 way with items, again counting and recording and posting on the jar. The third jar should be filled about 3/4 of the way with items and again record the number and post it on the jar. The last jar you can fill however you like, place a post it on the jar with a question mark. Allow the children to observe the four jars together and guess how many items are in the fourth jar. Record the children's guesses. After everyone has guessed, count the items together. Show the children how the number of items in the first three jars is related to the fourth jar. Ideas for items: pennies, potato chips, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, peanuts, pine needles, puzzle pieces, popped popcorn, popcorn kernels, pencils, pebbles, pretzels.
Pom Pom Sort
Supply the children with different colored and sized pom-poms. Have them sort the pieces. Ask them how they sorted the pieces. (color, size)
Parachute Play
Add small stuffed animals to your parachute play. The children can try to keep the animals on, or try to get them off quickly. If you do not have a parachute, a large light blanket or sheet will make a good substitute.
Picnic
Have a picnic on a nice day. Serve foods that begin with the letter "P".
Art Ideas:
Children can decorate:
Pink paper
Purple paper
paper plates
pine cones
"P" coloring page
popsicle sticks
Children can use:
Pine cones to paint with
Pine branch to paint with
pussywillow branch to paint with
Paint brush to paint with
puffy paint
purple or pink paint
purple or pink markers
purple or pink crayons
purple or pink colored pencils
pencils
pens
pom-poms
paper clips
puzzle pieces
play dough
pipe cleaners
torn pink or purple paper
pumpkin seeds
peanut shells
Potato Prints
Cut a large potato in half. Supply the children with the potato half, different colored paints, and paper. Have the children dip the potatoes in the paint and press them firmly onto the paper. If the potatoes are not cut evenly the shape will not appear clearly.
Popsicle Picture Frame
You will need six popsicle sticks, tacky glue, puzzle pieces, two small magnets, construction paper and a picture of the child. Then you make a frame with four popsicle sticks. Lay two stick parallel to one another (stick 1 and 2) then complete the from with sticks 3 and 4. Then to make the picture stay in you will need to add stick 5 and 6 on the top and bottom of the frame. So you have sticks 3 and 4 (the sides) with a stick on the top in front, top in back, bottom in front and bottom in back. Follow? Connect these sticks with glue. When dry have the children decorate these sticks with paint. Let that dry. Then let the children glue puzzle pieces on the frame. Let that dry. Cut a piece of paper to fit the back of the frame. Glue that on. Cut the picture to fit in the frame, and insert the picture. Then glue the magnets at the top and bottom of the back of the frame.
Pussy Willow
Make pussy willows with cotton balls and Popsicle sticks.
Push and Pull Toys
Have the children push and pull toys around the classroom.
Pepper Prints
Cut a large pepper in half. Supply the children with the pepper half, different colored paints, and paper. Have the children dip the peppers in the paint and press them firmly onto the paper. If the peppers are not cut evenly the shape will not appear clearly.
Taste Test
Have the children taste red, green and yellow peppers. Ask the children which they like the best. Graph the results.
Paper Clip Chain
Have the children create a paper clip chain. The children can also create a pattern with the paper clips if you use colored paper clips.
Peek a Boo
Play peek a boo with your child.
Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold,
Pease porridge in the pot, nine days old;
Some like it hot, some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot, nine days old
