There is a wealth of resources that provide information about activities appropriate for preschool age children. Libraries are a great place to start when looking for activities that educate a child, and many have interactive reading hour during the day for preschool children. There are also resource sites online that provide ideas for activities that children can enjoy using items found around the house. Activities do not have to be expensive. They just need to be entertaining and educational.
A fun activity that preschool children like is making silly putty. All it takes is 2 parts glue, 1 part liquid starch, and food coloring. Pour the glue into a plastic container and add drops of food coloring until the desired color is obtained. Slowly pour in the liquid starch stirring continually until the desired putty-like consistency is met. Test with fingers to make sure it is not too soft or hard. Kids love this activity because they can work together, and it shows them that they can make things that are sold in stores.
Children enjoy having stories and nursery rhymes read to them. It really brings the stories to life if they can color a page that corresponds to the story being told. Print nursery rhymes that have a corresponding picture to color and have the children color the picture as they discuss what the nursery rhyme is about. The teacher can also draw a picture about a favorite story and make copies for the children to color. Children can use their imagination when coloring, and the children can show their pictures and share their coloring ideas.
Since preschool children love to read, have them make their own bookmark. Cut out a rectangle 1 inch by 5 inches out of poster board for each child. Use a punch to punch out a hole in the center of one end. Have each child color their bookmark. Use ribbon or yard to string through the hole punch and tie it tightly. Now each child has their own custom-made bookmark.