Create a shape book that nursery school students can use to draw shapes they find around them at school and at home. Cut various colors of 9-by-12-inch construction paper into four equal squares, along with sheets of white paper. Children can select two pieces of construction paper for the front and back of their book, and can count out five small squares of the pre-cut white paper. Have the children punch a hole through the stack of papers and thread a piece of string through the hole, tying it in a knot.
Children can carry their shape book around in their pocket, along with a crayon, and draw a shape when they find one. Once the shape book is full of shapes, kids can share with an adult all the shapes they found and drew.
Turn a regular event, such as eating lunch at nursery school, into a colorful event. Children can select a color, such as green, for the activity, and brainstorm all the items they know that are that color to use for their special luncheon. Adults can help by sending their children to school that day with green clothing, green food (such as grapes), green plates or green napkins.
During the special color luncheon, nursery school kids can share their green items with their friends and count how many colorful items were provided.
Experiment with play dough with nursery school children using various tools and items. Make homemade play dough before working with nursery school children by combining 3 cups flour, 1 1/2 cup salt and 1 tbsp. cream of tartar. Boil 3 cups of water along with 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, and pour over the dry ingredients. Mix the ingredients together until the dough forms.
Once the play dough has cooled, children can use their hands to squish and form the play dough, encouraging their fine-motor skills. Provide nursery school kids with tools such as craft sticks, rolling pins and plastic knives to use with the play dough. Finished creations can be dried for 3 to 4 days and sent home and shared with family and friends. The dough can also be tinted with food coloring while it is malleable.