Stephany Springer

Winter Olympic Activities For The Preschool Classroom



Posted: Monday, January 25, 2010

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The Winter Olympics are fast approaching and soon will take main stage as athletes represent their countries in the quest for the Gold.

Why not bring the fun and excitement of the Olympics into your preschool classroom. Here are some activities to get your creative juices flowing.

Art

Make the Olympic rings. There are several ways to do this activity. You can cut out the center of paper plates and allow kids to paint the plates blue, yellow, black, green and red. You can allow them to glue torn pieces of tissue paper to them. You can also have the kids dip round cookie cutters, paper cups or paper towel rolls in the different colors and stamp on dark or white construction paper.

Make the torch. This can also be done several ways. One way is to assist the kids in covering a paper towel roll with gray/brown construction paper. Then have them glue strips of red, orange and yellow streamers or tissue paper to the end. Another way is to draw a torch base to copy on cardstock. Then allow the kids to use their handprints to make the flames by dipping their hands in red, orange and yellow paint.

Make a flag. The great thing about the Olympics is when every country waves their flag for all the world to see. This can be a great discussion starter for kids. Bring out the U.S. flag. You can take the time to have the kids color or make a US Flag. Another activity is to allow them to make their own flag to represent who they are. This can even be a parent/child take home activity. Be sure to display the flags around the room and allow the kids to walk around waving their own in a mini opening ceremonies parade.

Drama Center

Place out some ski jackets, gloves, coats, hats, etc. for dress up. If you know someone who has skis or snowboards or ice skates, ask to borrow them for display. The kids will love getting to pretend to be Olympians.

Have Your Own Olympics

This can be a ton of fun for the kids. They love playing games anyhow. Be creative and incorporate some of the winter aspect into the games. You may have an ice race. Have the children put an ice cube on a spoon and carry it across to the finish line. Roll-up balls of white socks and have a snow ball toss! Be sure to end your games with everyone getting a gold medal. These can be made out of juice lids or by purchasing some at a local party store.

Sensory

Place fake snow or ice in your sensory table for the kids to play. Another activity is to freeze Olympic prizes in ice cube trays, and in various size containers and placed them in the sensory table. Then give the kids plastic and wood mallets and let them chip away the ice to find out what is inside! Be sure to show excitement as they uncover prizes.

Music

The Olympic dream Tune: "The Oscar Mayer Theme Song"

Oh, I wish that I could be in the Olympics, ?I wish that I could ski and have some fun. ?For if I could ski in the Olympics, ?I'm sure that I'd be number one!

Be sure to substitute ski for skate, bobsled, curl, snowboard, etc.

These are just a few suggestions to get you started. Enjoy the break from the norm and get into the Olympics this year! Your kids will have a ton of fun!

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