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Fun School Stuff for Preschool

by Katie Wallace | Updated: September 24, 2019

Preschool is a fun year to introduce kids to their colors, shapes, numbers and letters. I am homeschooling three kids and I think preschool is one of the more challenging years but also very rewarding. It’s challenging because preschool kids can’t read any of their own instructions and my 3-year-old typically requires constant guidance. However my preschool boy loves to learn and be included in our homeschool routine. To keep my son busy, I searched Amazon for engaging and creative preschool activities that would also get him excited about school.

Fun School Stuff for Preschool to get kids excited about learning

Scissor Skills Preschool Workbook for Kids

I also discovered this Scissors Skills Preschool Workbook which was another hit activity for both my 3-year-old and 4-year-old kids. Each page has lines to cut along, which progress in difficulty as you go through the book. My son had trouble cutting along a page with wavy lines at first, but after 3 rounds of practice his scissor cutting skills improved. Of course, I remind my kids that scissors are for only cutting paper when they have permission. This hands-on preschool workbook is a fun way for kids to practice intentionally cutting with scissors.

Scissor Skills Preschool Workbook for Kids

Ooly Monster Pencils

Learning how to write is even more fun with character pencils and erasers! These colorful monster themed school supplies are perfect for showing kids how to hold their pencil correctly, practice their letters and erase away any mistakes. Ooly makes all sorts of awesome school supplies to make learning fun!

Ooly Monster Pencils and Erasers kids school supplies

ALEX Discover Button Art Activity Set

This Alex Discover Button Art Activity Set caught my eye because the directions are simple. Kids place the large colorful buttons into the corresponding holes on each art activity card to create designs. My son immediately took an interest in this button art activity set. He tried out several of the cards and quickly caught on to the color guides that each card provides to arrange the buttons. To my surprise, my 3-year-old showed a surprising desire to complete the activity the correct way. A few times he dropped a button underneath his desk and he was determined to search for the correct color rather than putting any color into the hole. This activity encourages kids to develop motor skills, arrange colors according to the instructions and persevere to finish the activity. I appreciate that this kit comes in a storage box which fits all the colorful buttons and activity cards inside.

ALEX Discover Button Art Activity Set for Preschool

Preschool Taste Test

Snack time is a favorite part of our homeschool day. I try to provide my kids with a selection of snacks to choose from. Occasionally we have a snack time taste test, which can also double as lunch. A taste test introduces kids to the sense of taste and the different flavors our tongues can identify. This kids taste test is a fun way to sample foods that are sweet, salty, spicy, sour and bitter. We often talk about the different areas of the tongue that can taste each flavor. A taste test also encourages kids to try new foods they may not otherwise be willing to try.

To set up a taste test, all you need is a small divided container and an assortment of different foods and snacks. This square silicone baking tray is great for a kids’ taste test because it’s small, easily washable and has 9 squares to hold different foods. Once my kids receive their trays, we talk about which foods are sweet, salty, spicy, sour and bitter. A taste test is a fun way to turn snack time or lunch into an educational activity!

Preschool Taste Test Kids Homeschool Activity

First 100 Animals Lift-the-Flap Book

Sitting quietly and looking at books independently is a great preschool skill to practice. I ordered this First 100 Animals Lift-the-Flap Book for my 3-year-old son s he could sit near us and quietly read his book. While my older girls do their workbooks, my son can discover new favorite animals under the colorful flaps of this sturdy board book.

First 100 Animals Lift-the-Flap Book preschool activity

Fun Preschool Workbooks and Activities for 3-year-olds

Big Preschool Workbook

Finally, my 3-year-old son can work on his own preschool workbook at his own pace, reinforcing his skills of tracing, drawing shapes and learning about colors. I’ve purchased this Big Preschool Workbook twice now for my kids. The pages are filled with colorful illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions. Similar activities are grouped together so kids can practice mastery of each skill. My son especially enjoys the tracing activities and coloring in shapes.

Big Preschool Workbook for kids

Preschool is an important year for a kid’s development. You can easily do preschool with your child at home and encourage their love for learning at a young age. My son loves being included in our school routine and doing his work at his desk. These activities are very helpful to keep a 3-year-old busy and eager to learn new things!

Preschool activities to help 3-year-old kids love learning

Katie Wallace
Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!

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Jessica Staley
Jessica Staley
6 years ago

I love the idea of the taste test. I never thought about making it fun instead of putting it on their plate and saying try it. Great ideas.

Reply
Kaylee
Kaylee
6 years ago

I bought the BIG Preschool Workbook too. My daughter loves it. The scissors one looks fun. I think we’ll try it next.

Reply
Lara
Lara
6 years ago

I love the idea of the scissor skills workbook! Our little one has just started figuring out how to work with scissors. Love that there are books. Will have to get him some!

Reply
Chastity
Chastity
6 years ago

I love the activities books I just bought my niece a few that included stickers. She loved it. Itโ€™s always great to have them learning and having fun at the same time. Great cool ideas!

Reply
Yeah Lifestyle
Yeah Lifestyle
6 years ago

I love all your suggestions and wish my two were tiny and little so I can suggest these items for them especially the snack box which is a great idea to get them to try different items

Reply
Catherine Santiago Jose
Catherine Santiago Jose
6 years ago

I love these ideas and those activity books are so cute I am pretty sure that my son would love to have these stuffs for his birthday.

Reply
Jasmine M
Jasmine M
6 years ago

I love the square baking tray. Also the First 100 Animals book is a must have. It’s very helpful for teaching kids their animals for sure.

Reply
Dana Brillante Peller
Dana Brillante Peller
6 years ago

How cute are these activity books. We used to love grabbing these for our boys when they were younger.

Reply
Courtney
Courtney
6 years ago

Omg my daughter loved all of the first 100 books when she was itty bitty!!!! They were her absolute favorite

Reply
kumamonjeng
kumamonjeng
6 years ago

This is brilliant, the square silicone baking tray will help kids to explore a different kind of fruits or food. Let them explore and get used to the taste, especially veggies. I love it.

Reply
Chad
Chad
6 years ago

These are awesome, i got excited about them lmao…Since i don’t have kids, I will flip this post to my friends, they will be interested. Thank you.

Reply
Monica Y
Monica Y
6 years ago

I love all the ideas, the one with the food is great, a good way to introduce different foods too

Reply
Rhonda Albom
Rhonda Albom
6 years ago

That taste test idea is really cute. I’m a pippin leader (youngest group of girl guides) and I think I might use a variation of that in one of my sessions.

Reply
Myrah Duque
Myrah Duque
6 years ago

Those Big preschool workbooks are awesome! The Lift the flap book are also a favorite. These are so great for kids early interaction.

Reply
Norma
Norma
6 years ago

Lift the flap book are great to keep toddlers engaged and interested in reading and learning. The 100 first animals seems like a great choice.

Reply

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Hi, I'm Katie and we are the Wallace family! We homeschool, go on adventures, and travel internationally with our four kids. I hope you enjoy our creative ideas on Create. Play. Travel.

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Travel with kids tips & inspo ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒบ Creative family ideas ๐ŸŒŸ Saved by grace โžก๏ธ Follow our adventures!

๐ŸŒ‰ Destination Highlight: Tower Bridge, London! ๐ŸŒ‰ Destination Highlight: Tower Bridge, London! ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

Tower Bridge ended up being such a memorable stop! The walkways offer amazing views of the River Thames and the city skyline.

โœจ Fun facts:

Tower Bridge opened in 1894 after eight years of construction.

Itโ€™s a bascule bridge, meaning the roadway lifts up for tall ships to pass through.

The glass floor walkways were added in 2014, giving visitors a thrilling (and slightly scary!) perspective from 138 feet above the Thames.

Our kids loved learning how the bridge lifts up using giant counterweights, and we all left with a new appreciation for Londonโ€™s engineering and history. ๐Ÿ’™

Would you be brave enough to walk across the glass floor? ๐Ÿ˜„

Hi! Weโ€™re the Wallace family ๐Ÿ‘‹๐ŸŒŸ Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿฉต

โžก๏ธ follow along! @createplaytravel
A day exploring London with four kids! โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

Here are a few of our favorite family-friendly spots ๐Ÿ‘‡

โœจ Big Ben & the London Eye โ€“ Iconic landmarks and amazing views around Westminster.

๐ŸŒ‰ Tower Bridge โ€“ An interactive, educational stop that our kids absolutely loved!

๐Ÿ›๏ธ British Museum โ€“ We explored Egyptian and Assyrian exhibits and even saw the Rosetta Stone! ๐Ÿคฏ

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Liberty London โ€“ A fun and colorful stop for unique souvenirs and creative inspiration.

Every corner of London had something special; so much history, beauty, and adventure for families! ๐Ÿ’‚โ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’™

โžก๏ธ Have you explored London with your kids yet? What was your favorite part?

๐ŸŒŸ Hi, Weโ€™re the Wallaces! Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿฉต

โžก๏ธ follow along! @createplaytravel
We save a ton of money while traveling with these We save a ton of money while traveling with these creative housing options! โœจ 

Spend more time in each place you visit and live like a local, instead of just passing through.

Weโ€™ve loved discovering ways to travel that feel authentic and affordable! 

๐Ÿ  HomeExchange lets you stay in real homes that are comfy, family-friendly, and full of character. With a unique points system, you can travel flexibly โ€” like we do all around the world! Use your points to stay in memorable homes, or exchange your home directly. Weโ€™ve done both and made some unforgettable memories along the way!

๐Ÿฑ Trusted Housesitters is another great housing resource. These arranged stays typically include caring for someoneโ€™s pets, while staying at their house. Weโ€™ve stayed in many beautiful homes in exchange for petsitting dogs, cats, and chickens!

๐ŸŒ Servas allows travelers to connect with hosts all around the world. Weโ€™ve stayed in a familyโ€™s extra bedrooms or living space and enjoyed a homecooked meal, while learning about local culture. Servas hosts typically love meeting new people and hearing their stories! ๐Ÿ’› Itโ€™s only tricky if you donโ€™t speak the same language! ๐Ÿ˜† 

Slow travel gives kids time to explore, play, and feel at home wherever we land โ€” and gives us parents a chance to catch our breath between adventures. 

๐ŸŒŸ Which housing resource sounds the most interesting to you?

Hi! Weโ€™re the Wallace family. ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿ˜€ We love traveling with our 4 kids, homeschooling, and exploring. 

Follow along! โžก๏ธ @createplaytravel

#familytravel #travelwithkids #worldschooling #homeexchange #trustedhousesitters #servas #slowtravel #createplaytravel
๐Ÿ“Pitigliano, Italy is perfect for babies to exp ๐Ÿ“Pitigliano, Italy is perfect for babies to explore, along with the whole family! This little cliffside village felt like weโ€™d stepped into a storybook. ๐Ÿฐโœจ

Our family wandered the narrow stone streets, enjoyed the views of Tuscany, and soaked up the peaceful rhythm of this ancient town. It was quiet, charming, and perfect for families who love slow travel and beautiful history. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ’›

๐ŸŒฟ If you ever visit Tuscany with kids, Pitigliano is a magical spot to add to your list.

๐ŸŒŸ Hi, Weโ€™re the Wallaces! Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures! ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿฉต

โžก๏ธ follow along! @createplaytravel

homeschool family, worldschooling, Italy with kids, family adventures
Bringing all her ๐ŸŽ€ favorites along with her! @t Bringing all her ๐ŸŽ€ favorites along with her! @teenglowtravel 

Here are some of Kieraโ€™s teen girl essentials!

๐Ÿ’… Nail polish @oliveandjune

๐Ÿ‘š Clothing & accessories @aeropostale

๐Ÿ’‹ Lip gloss @laneige_us and @summerfridays 

๐Ÿซง Skincare @bubble

โœจ Body mist @daisebeauty

๐Ÿšฟ Shower scrub @lushcosmetics and @treehut

๐Ÿ˜ป Labubu bag charms @popmart

๐Ÿ’ฆ Water cup @doodlesandsaffron

Which brand is your favorite??

๐ŸŒŸ Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿฉต

โžก๏ธ follow along! @createplaytravel and @teenglowtravel
๐Ÿ˜„ Stonehenge was the best field trip ever! So m ๐Ÿ˜„ Stonehenge was the best field trip ever! So much history and mysterious lore in those shadowy English fields. ๐Ÿ˜Œ Would you take your kids to Stonehenge in the UK??

๐ŸŒŸ Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿฉต

โžก๏ธ follow along! @createplaytravel

Traveling with kids, family adventures, homeschooling
Would you do laundry in a gas station parking lot? Would you do laundry in a gas station parking lot?? ๐Ÿ˜†

These mobile laundry machines were actually so helpful. We could wash and dry our whole familyโ€™s clothes while we had lunch nearby! ๐Ÿ‘š๐Ÿ‘—๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘–

After using these gas station laundry machines, our clothes were clean and dry โ€” ready for our next adventure! โ˜€๏ธ

In Europe we are often on the go, so doing laundry efficiently is very helpful. 

Watch my next reel to learn how we pack for our family of six! 

๐ŸŒŸ Hi, Weโ€™re the Wallaces! Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿฉต

โžก๏ธ follow along! @createplaytravel
Secrets revealed ๐ŸŒ for family travel & worldsch Secrets revealed ๐ŸŒ for family travel & worldschooling!

These tips make traveling with kids ALOT easier!

๐Ÿ“š Schoolwork: Our kids complete lessons in their workbooks several times a week. While traveling, we often bring along Math-U-See workbooks, language arts, and spelling. This keeps our kids moving forward and feeling productive. 

๐Ÿฐ Field trips: We go on excursions to amazing castles, fascinating museums, and interesting cultural centers. We talk about geography and science as we explore amazing places!

๐ŸŽง Downtime: We often have rest time while traveling. We read books or listen to audio books and music. ย 

๐Ÿ’ถ Allowance: We give our kids weekly spending money. They can earn this by doing chores at our Airbnb. I also pay our kids to participate in family photos, often $5 each per city! This results in great attitudes when taking photos in Paris, Rome, or London. ๐Ÿ“ธ๐Ÿ˜€

With these tips, our travel life easily becomes regular life, and we get to see amazing destinations and make memories together!

โžก๏ธ Like and comment with one place youโ€™d LOVE to take your kids!

๐ŸŒŸ Hi, Weโ€™re the Wallaces! Inspiring families to live creatively and make memories, through adventures ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿฉต

โžก๏ธ follow along! @createplaytravel
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