Children's literature offers a variety of books about foxes that provide detailed information and entertainment. Read nonfiction books such as "Welcome to the World of Foxes" by Diane Swanson to help children learn about different types of foxes and their behavior. Include entertaining fiction books such as "Hello, Red Fox" by Eric Carle or "Fox on the Job" by James Marshall for engaging, relevant reading.
Foxes have keen senses that they use to stay aware of their surroundings. Teach this fact to children by playing games such as Fox and Mouse. In this game, a child sits in the middle of a circle of his peers. Blindfold the child in the middle, or the "fox." Pick another child to be the "mouse" and instruct him to quietly walk around the circle. The fox must use his sense of hearing to figure out who's the mouse: The squeak of a shoe, the swish of a skirt or a cough may give the fox a clue.
Foxes use their senses to sneak up on other animals. KidsHealth suggests playing "What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?" in which children stand about 30 feet away from the teacher, who serves as the fox with his back to them. Children ask "What time is it, Mr. Fox?" and the fox gives directions such as "It's time to skip!" or "It's time to crawl!" When the fox hears the children getting close and they ask the question again, the fox replies "Midnight!" and chases the children back to the starting point. This game helps children stay active, as well as develops their listening skills and ability to follow directions.
Foxes are known for their excellent sense of smell. Place a variety of objects in different bowls and blindfold the children. Ideas for objects include orange slices, nuts, crayons, cinnamon sticks or strawberries. Challenge the children to see if they can figure out what's in each bowl by using their sense of smell.
DLTK's Growing Together site provides a template for a fox craft that preschoolers may complete using an empty toilet-paper tube. Children color and cut out the template, then glue it to the tube to create a fox that reminds them that foxes have a pointy nose and ears and a bushy tail.
Foxes don't hibernate in the winter, but they do need to find someplace warm to live during the colder months. Foxes create dens in caves and holes in the ground or find any other small place where they can curl up and keep warm. Ask children to bring in blankets to make their own fox den in the classroom. They may create a cave under a desk or turn a large cardboard box into a cozy space with their own blanket. After they've made their dens, instruct your "foxes" to take a rest in their dens: Give the children books to take back to their new resting spots for some quiet reading time.