Add an easel in your classroom, complete with a smock and sets of nontoxic paints. Explain to your preschoolers that this is the birthday "Artist for the Day" Easel. Then, whenever a student's birthday comes up, she gets to spend special time creating a masterpiece.
This will give each student something special to look forward to at school on his birthday. Allow them to hang their paintings in the classroom on the "birthday wall."
If a birthday falls on a weekend or during a holiday, allow the child to paint a picture on the Friday before the birthday or holiday break.
Before Valentine's Day or a preschool Parent Appreciation Day, have the children create cards for their moms and dads. Spread out colored paper, glue sticks, stickers and markers for their use. Have an example or two hanging from the ceiling or posted on your chalkboard. Explain to the class the meaning of Valentine's Day or Parent Appreciation Day and how it is important to tell those we love how much they mean to us or how glad we are that they make us breakfast or take us to the park from time to time.
Preschoolers love squishing things in their fingers. For a special project, give each one a small lump of colorful play dough. Show them how to make simple animals, like a snake or a turtle. Then allow the class to make their own critters and creatures---real or imaginary.
Once everyone is finished, collect them and allow the play dough h to dry and harden. Then, the kids can take home their critters.