Finding similarities in everyday household items builds matching skills. You can make this a more interactive game by using these items instead of cards and pictures. The focus then shifts to how objects are the same. Socks and shoes are natural pairs but you can also use multiples of candles, pencils, pens and ponytail holders. Another variation to this matching game is to have him match items in terms of size and color. Ask him what items are big and which ones are small or which ones are red and which items are blue.
Numbers can be found nearly everywhere, so get your preschooler ready for math lessons by instituting a few number games into her regular playtime activities. Counting, adding, subtracting and dividing are just some of the activities that you can play with your child. Use visual aids to help her get the message. For example, at the grocery store, have her help you count apples to place into a bag. Paper cups can provide another numbers lesson in playtime. You and your child can count, stack, sort, add and subtract the cups while you play.
Puzzles are a great activity to build problem-solving skills. It is important to select a puzzle that is the right age level for your child so it is likely that he will stay interested enough in the game to complete the picture. You can also help your child put the puzzle together, which can prove to be a bonding experience for both of you.
Though it may seem like a simple arts and crafts project, stringing beads or pasta noodles for a bracelet is a great teaching activity for your child. She needs concentration to place the pieces of the bracelet onto the string. You can also make the project a game by instituting a color scheme. For example, tell her she needs to string the red beads first, then the blue and last, the yellow ones. She will take pride in her playtime activity because she can keep the bracelet she made as a reminder of all the fun she had while learning.