Activities To Celebrate New Years Day In The Preschool Classroom
Posted: Wednesday, December 24, 2008
by Stephany Springer
It is the end of the fall season of preschool and time to focus on the new year. The kids have already come so far most looking entirely different, much older, then when they first step foot in your classroom.
Why not start the first days back to school with a celebration? What better way to do this then with a New Years Day Celebration theme? Here are a few activity suggestions to get you started on your way.
Get out your glitter and shimmering colors for this theme. One cute project is to make fireworks. This can be done by letting the kids splatter glue on black paper. Let them dip their paintbrushes in glue then splatter it on the paper. Then let them sprinkle glitter. Another way to make fireworks is to place some watercolor paint on the paper and allow the kids to blow through a straw to splatter it. The kids like using a different medium to create art. Make sure to pick a variety of colors so the fireworks look bright. Also show caution with the kids, teach them how to blow into a straw if they do not know how.
Another fun activity is to make noisemakers. Purchase Aluminum pie pans, two per a child and beans. Allow the kids to place beans in one pie pan. Use tape, glue or staples to place the second on top. Put out glue, streamers, tissue paper, glitter, etc for the kids to decorate. Be sure and have a marching concert with their noisemakers later in the day.
No party is complete without a party hat. Take a half sheet of posterboard. Have the kids decorate it with the year and shimmering confetti. Place it on the child's head and roll it into a cone. Use glue to stick it together. Punch two holes to tie string through to make it stay on.
Group Activities
Celebrations tend to provide a lot more bonding as a whole class. This will be good for starting the year back up together. You will bond together. One fun activity is Freeze Dance New Year Style. Have the kids get their pie pan noisemakers from above. Turn on the music and let them dance. When the music stops-they freeze and yell "Happy New Year!"
Making a time capsule can also be fun. If you have younger threes or twos, you can schedule to open it at their preschool graduation. Take a class picture and send a note home for each family to bring an item to place in the time capsule. Be sure to include a newsletter from your school.
Sensory Table
I have done two things in the past. One is to fill it up with confetti. Put in scoops to let the kids scoop and dump. I have also placed sheets of bubble wrap for kids to pop. I will count down from ten and when I say "Happy New Year" the kids will begin popping.
Homeliving
Kids love preparing for a party. Place feather dusters, vacuums, etc. and allow the kids to clean. Then pull out the party hats and fancy dress up clothes to have a pretend party. Be sure to have some fancy plates and pretend foods.
These are just a few suggestions. Please feel free to leave more in the comments or ways to make the existing ones better! Happy New Year!
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