Themes & Activities

Theme - Archives

The garden
(Open thematic poster - The garden)

AREA SETUP

 

Garden area

Set up your very own garden area within the daycare. Fill a large container with dirt and add a few gardening tools, plastic vegetables, an empty watering can (to avoid messes), etc. Children will enjoy planting their own pretend garden in the dirt.

Variation: Add a plastic container filled with water children may use to wash the vegetables they grow.

 

ACTIVITY SHEET
We have prepared a maze activity sheet for this theme. Help the gardener find her garden. (Open activity sheet - The garden) Print and laminate. Use an erasable marker.

 

PICTURE GAME

You may use the pictures as a memory game or to spark a conversation with the group. Use them to decorate the daycare or a specific thematic corner. (Open picture game - The garden) Print, laminate, and store in a "Ziploc" bag or in your thematic bin.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

Garden obstacle course
Make your own maze in the backyard using outdoor furniture. Add obstacles like a rope. Have children crawl under chairs or climb over them. Have children slither like worms. Use whatever you have on hand. Use a slide, swings, etc. Let children participate in the creation of the obstacle course. Have children move about many different ways (hopping, walking on a rope, circling a tree, spinning around, etc.)

In my garden
Sit in a circle. Children take turns saying, "In my garden I planted..." (Example: tomatoes). When it is their turn, children must repeat the vegetables the other children named and add one of their own.

 

Musical veggie
Sit in a circle. To the sound of music, children pass one or several plastic vegetables around the circle. When the music stops, the child (or children) holding a vegetable keep it. Continue with other vegetables. At the end of the game, each child counts his vegetables. The child with the most vegetables wins.

 

A sunflower
Purchase sunflower seeds. Let each child plant a seed approximately one half inch in the ground. Use Popsicle sticks to identify each child's plant. Let children care for their sunflowers.

 

Variation: Throughout the process, use a book to teach children about the evolution of their sunflowers.

 

Corn roast
Remove the corn husks with your group and prepare the corn for lunch. You could invite another daycare or parents to join you for this activity.

 

EARLY SCIENCE

 

With your group, plant a garden and let children care for it throughout the summer. Have them sow the seeds and water it. If you prefer, use containers.

 

Miniature garden
Use aluminum pie plates. Help children fill their plates with dirt using a large spoon. Let children plant tiny plants, branches, stones, and tiny flowers they collect outdoors. Children water their miniature garden.

 

CULINARY ACTIVITIES

 

Mr. Potato
Give each child a potato and colored toothpicks. Prepare a plate filled with a variety of foods. Some suggestions are: marshmallows, banana pieces, raisins, sliced apples, cut strawberries, etc. Children will have fun creating their very own Mr. Potatoes.

 

Potato taste test
Cut potatoes into pieces and give each child a piece. We do not eat uncooked potatoes. Discuss the different ways we can cook potatoes: boiled, fried, baked, mashed, etc. Have each type of potato on hand so children can taste and determine their favorite type.

 

ARTS & CRAFTS

 

My corn pal
Remove the corn husks but leave the end so children can give their pal a haircut. Children add eyes, a nose, and a mouth with paint, felt pieces, fun foam, markers, etc.

 

COLORING PAGES

(Open coloring pages theme - The garden)

 

SONGS & RHYMES

 

In my garden

by: Patricia Morrison

sung to: Bingo

 

I grow veggies in my garden

And eat them with my family
G-A-R-D-E-N,
G-A-R-D-E-N,
G-A-R-D-E-N,
Veggies in my garden

 

 

Have nice day!

 

Educatall team

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