Have the children stand in a circle and toss a beanbag to one child. Say his name aloud for the class to hear. Then, call another name and have the first child toss the beanbag to the child whose name you called. Before he throws it the class will sing "I have a good friend, a good friend, a good friend. I have a good friend and his/her name is ______" and fill in the blank with the name of the child. Go all the way around the circle until everyone's name has been called. This not only teaches the children the names of their classmates, but it's good for hand-eye coordination and it's fun!
This is a fun activity that allows each child to contribute. Ask each child to bring something special to contribute to the friendship snack mix. It can be dried fruits, nuts, candies, pretzels, cereal and the like. Get out a large bowl and have the children come up one by one and add their special ingredient to the friendship snack mix. Once everyone has contributed, toss the snack mix with two large spoons and dish it out in bowls or plastic bags. The kids can enjoy it during lessons or take a walk outside with friends and enjoy the snack mix.
Count your preschool students and bring one sock for each child. Each sock should have a matching sock. Have the children stand in a circle and pass out the individual socks. Then, give the kids five minutes to find the person with the sock that matches their sock. This game is fun and gives the children a chance to run around the room and get to know a classmate.
This is a special way to play musicical chairs that encourages children to work together. Count your students and use one less chair than you have students. Arrange the chairs in a large circle with enough room for the kids to run around. Put on a Bible song like "Jesus Loves You" and explain that when the music stops the kids have to sit in a chair. Obviously one child will be left without a chair, but instead of eliminating that child, have the child share a chair with someone else. At the end of the game all of the children will have to try to fit onto one chair.