SPECIAL TOOL
The following document was created in response to a special request received. (Open group identification-Unicorns) Print and display throughout your daycare.
CIRCLE TIME
(Open picture game-Unicorns) Print and laminate the pictures in the format you prefer. Use them to spark a conversation with your group and to ask children questions about the theme. Hold a magic wand. Sit in a circle with your group. Use your magic wand to indicate whose turn it is to speak.
Circle time surprise box
Before children arrive in the morning, insert ribbons, string, pastel balloons, party horns, and pennants in a cardboard box. Seal the box using heavy adhesive tape and use a glitter pen to draw question marks all over it along with clouds and rainbows. To present your theme to your group during circle time, ask an accomplice to deliver the box. He or she can ring your doorbell or knock on your daycare door. Invite children to accompany you to the door to receive their special delivery. Let children manipulate the box and shake it. Encourage them to guess what’s inside. Once they have opened it, let children use the contents of the box to create a special garland. If you wish, write the title of your theme on the pennants. Hang your garland where everyone will see it.
AREA SETUP
Thematic poster-Unicorns
(Open thematic poster-Unicorns) Print and display within your daycare.
Educa-theme-Unicorns
(Open educa-theme-Unicorns) Print and laminate the different elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group (and their parents) while decorating your daycare.
Educa-decorate-Unicorns
(Open educa-decorate-Unicorns) Print, laminate, and cut out the illustrations. Use them to decorate your walls and set the mood for the theme.
Stickers-Unicorns
(Open stickers-Unicorns) Print the illustrations on adhesive paper and use them to create original stickers for your group.
Garland-Trees
(Open models-Unicorns) Print and let children decorate the garland elements. Cut out the items and use them to create a garland that can be hung near your daycare entrance or within your daycare.
Pennants-Unicorns
(Open pennants-Unicorns) Print and have children cut the pennants. Next, hang them within your daycare or close to your daycare entrance.
My placemat-Unicorns
(Open placemats-Unicorns) Print for each child. Encourage children to color their placemat. When they are done, laminate them. The placemats will help children learn how to set the table.
Door decorations-Unicorns
(Open door decorations-Unicorns) Print, laminate, and cut out. Use the items to decorate your daycare door.
PICTURE GAME
The pictures may be used 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-Unicorns) Print, laminate, and store in a “Ziploc” bag or in your thematic bins.
Memory game-Unicorns
(Open picture game-Unicorns) Print the pictures twice and use them for a memory game.
ACTIVITY AND WRITING SHEETS
Activity sheets are provided for each theme. Print and follow instructions. (Open activity sheets-Unicorns)
Educa-spots-Unicorns
(Open educa-spots-Unicorns) Print for each child. Use bingo markers to add a touch of color inside each circle. If you don’t have bingo markers, simply ask children to set Cheerios or press a sticker inside each circle.
Writing activities-U like unicorn
(Open writing activities-U like unicorn) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.
Educa-nuudles-Unicorns
(Open educa-nuudles-Unicorns) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet and use Magic Nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: You don’t have Magic Nuudles? Have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers. To order Magic Nuudles.
LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
The flashcards may be used during circle time to spark a conversation with the group or in your reading and writing area. They may also be used to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Unicorns) (Open giant word flashcards-Unicorns) unicorn, enchanted forest, horn, sky, cloud, wings, white horse, rainbow, multicolored, mane, fairy, cake
Let’s chat
(Open word flashcards-Unicorns) (Open giant word flashcards-Unicorns) Print and laminate the word flashcards. Have each child pick a word and present it to the group (ex. horn). Ask them questions to see what they know about the theme.
Educa-chatterbox-Unicorns
(Open educa-chatterbox-Unicorns) Print and laminate the cards. Cut them out and place them in an empty shoebox or small container. Add items, pictures, and illustrations related to the theme. During circle time or when children are waiting for lunch to be served, encourage them to take turns picking a card out of the box and naming what they see.
Story and memory game-Unicorns
(Open story and memory game-Unicorns) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Arrange them face down on the floor or table. Children take turns picking three cards and inventing a story using the illustrated items for inspiration. If you prefer, print each card twice and use them for a traditional memory game.
Trick: To solidify the cards, glue them on the tops of frozen juice cans.
Tracing words-Unicorns
(Open word flashcards-Unicorns) (Open giant word flashcards-Unicorns) Print several word flashcards. Glue them on pieces of paper, laminate them, and arrange them in a binder. Show children how they can trace the words using dry-erase markers. If you wish, leave room under each word so children can try to write the words without tracing the letters.
ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS
Game-This is my spot-Unicorns
(Open transition games-Unicorns) Print each illustration twice. Use adhesive paper to secure one copy of each illustration on the table. Deposit the second copy of each illustration in an opaque bag and invite children to pick a card that will determine their spot at the table (corresponding illustration). The illustrations can also be used to determine children’s naptime spots or their place in the task train.
My unicorn path
(Open transition games-Unicorns) Print, laminate, and arrange the pictures on the floor to create a path leading to various areas within your daycare. The path can lead to areas frequently visited by children throughout the day such as the bathroom, the cloakroom, etc. or, if you prefer, delimit your workshops.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS
Modeling dough activity placemats-Unicorns
(Open modeling dough activity placemats-Unicorns) Print and laminate. Let children pick a placemat and provide modeling dough. Encourage them to use the dough to fill or reproduce the shapes that are on their placemat.
Educ-clothespins-Unicorns
(Open educ-clothespins-Unicorns) Print and laminate. Children must find and identify the matching illustration using a clothespin.
Unicorn pyramid
(Open unicorn face) Print and use the stickers to create a pyramid by sticking them on pink or purple plastic drinking glasses. Stack the glasses to form a pyramid. Each child may toss a frisbee towards the pyramid, trying to make all the glasses fall with three tries.
Lacing-Unicorns
Use a hole-punch to punch holes all the way around a pink paper plate for each child. Invite children to cut eyes, a nose, a mouth, and a horn out of pastel construction paper and glue them on their plate to represent a unicorn. Once this is done, they can thread a piece of yarn or string in the holes around their plate for a fun unicorn lacing activity.
Giant homemade memory game-Unicorns
(Open unicorn face) For this activity, you will need 12 pink paper plates to create 6 pairs of identical unicorn faces. Arrange all the plates upside down on the floor or table (so that you don’t see the faces). Children take turns turning two plates, trying to find matching faces.
Unicorn balloons
Insert a battery-operated tealight in several pastel balloons before inflating them. Turn the lights off and let children play with the balloons. Variation: Use glowsticks instead of tealights.
Lit unicorn path
Close the curtains and turn off the lights. Create an obstacle course that children must complete and hang glowsticks along the course. At the end of the course, children must connect all the glowsticks to form a circle of light. For this activity, use glowstick bracelets. You will easily find them at your local dollar store or in big-box stores.
Glowing unicorns
Hide several small unicorns in your daycare. Give each child a flashlight. Turn the lights off and invite children to search for the unicorns. Every time they find one, they must hand it to you and shout, “I found a unicorn!”
String activities-Unicorns
(Open string activities-Unicorns) Print for each child. They must trace the lines with white glue before positioning a string or a piece of yarn on the lines.
COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES
Counting cards-Unicorns
(Open counting cards-Unicorns) Print and laminate. Prepare a series of wooden clothespins on which you can paint or draw numbers 1 to 9. Children count the items on each card and place the corresponding clothespin on the correct number.
Color by number-Unicorns
(Open color by number-Unicorns) Print for each child. Children must color the picture according to the color code.
Snakes and ladders-Unicorns
(Open snakes and ladders-Unicorns) Print and laminate. Use a die and tiny figurines as playing pieces. The object of the game is for every child to reach the last square.
Educa-symmetry-Unicorns
(Open educa-symmetry-Unicorns) Print. Children must color the bottom picture (black and white) to make it look exactly like the top one (color).
Educa-dots-Unicorns
(Open educa-dots-Unicorns) Print for each child. Give each child a tiny bowl filled with poster paint and a cotton swab. They must dip their cotton swab in the paint and then on each dot to color the letters. Let dry and display. Use their work to name the letters with your group.
Game-Four unicorns
(Open game-Four unicorns) Print, stick the cards on opaque cardboard, and cut them out. Set all the cards face down on the floor. Children take turns rolling the die. Every time the die lands on “1”, they pick a card and look at it without showing it to the other children. If they don’t already have the unicorn they picked, they set it on the floor in front of them for everyone to see. The game continues. The first child who has all four unicorns wins.
I am inventing my unicorn
(Open I am inventing my unicorn) Print, laminate, and cut each unicorn in half. Give children the pieces and invite them to assemble the heads and bodies to invent unique unicorns. They do not have to use the pieces that are supposed to go together.
Game-Unicorn horn
(Open game-unicorn horn) Print, laminate, and cut out the unicorn. Display it on a wall. Hand each child a laminated horn. Blindfold them one at a time and encourage them to try to stick the horn as close to the correct spot as possible, on the unicorn.
Homemade wooden puzzles
Print several unicorn pictures. Arrange several Popsicle sticks next to each other horizontally. Glue a unicorn picture on the Popsicle sticks. Use scissors to cut around each Popsicle stick to create a wooden puzzle. Repeat these steps for each picture. Children will have fun lining up the Popsicle sticks to reconstruct the pictures.
MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unicorns
Press a glow-in-the-dark sticker on the tip of a Popsicle stick for each child. Turn the lights off and sing a special unicorn-themed song.
Photo booth-Unicorns
(Open photo booth-Unicorns) Print the accessories. Cut them out and stick a drinking straw behind each one. At your local dollar store, purchase additional accessories such as headbands, scarves, ribbons, etc. to complete your photo booth. Set up a special corner by hanging a piece of fabric, a large cardboard background, or a special magical décor. Let children choose the accessories they prefer and photograph them. Invite parents to have fun with your photo booth too. Print and display the pictures. They will represent great souvenirs!
Unicorn makeup
Paint a rainbow on each child’s cheek and encourage them to admire their reflection in the mirror.
Mandalas-Unicorns
(Open mandalas-Unicorns) Print for each child. Have children color the mandalas to provide them with a calm moment during the day.
Group project-Unicorns
Draw a giant unicorn shape on a large piece of paper and display it on a wall. Provide a variety of arts & crafts materials and invite children to work together as a group to decorate the unicorn.
My favorite unicorn
Invite children to look at different books about unicorns for inspiration. When they are done, ask them to draw their favorite unicorn. Encourage each child to present his drawing to the group.
MUSICAL ACTIVITIES
Musical unicorn hat
Set a hat on the table along with a variety of arts & crafts materials (yarn, buttons, fabric, felt, etc.). Let children decorate the hat to represent your theme. They can use it for different activities during the theme.
Musical unicorn
Sit in a circle with your group. To the sound of music, children pass a unicorn figurine around. When the music stops, the child holding the unicorn is eliminated. The music starts again and the game continues until there is only one child left.
EARLY SCIENCE/MANIPULATION/EXPLORATION
Unicorn goop
Prepare this mysterious texture. Children will love manipulating it!
Recipe:
¾ cup of cornstarch
1/3 cup of water
Food coloring (pastel colors)
Combine the water and the food coloring. Slowly add the cornstarch without mixing. Using your hands, press the goop until it forms a ball. Open your hand and the goop will become liquid again.
Stimulation bottles-Unicorns
You will need different sizes of clear plastic bottles. Fill them with tiny erasers or other objects related to the theme such as confetti, candy, stickers, etc.
Sensory bins-Unicorns
Add tiny items related to the theme to your rice or pasta bin. You could also fill a bin with shredded pastel-colored paper and hide tiny objects among the pieces of paper.
Magic bags
Fill several Ziploc bags with different items (shaving cream mixed with food coloring, Jell-O, glitter, unicorn shapes, etc.). Let children manipulate the bags and observe the items.
Magic powder
Set a bin filled with flour on a table and add tiny stars or sequins. Children will enjoy sifting through the flour to find the shiny items. If you wish, you can also add glitter to your flour bin.
CULINARY ACTIVITIES
Unicorn muffins
(Open cake decorations-Unicorns) Print. Cut out the shapes and glue each one on a toothpick. Bake muffins with your group and let them spread frosting over them. Add a few drops of food coloring to vanilla icing (for pastel colors) to create unicorn-themed muffins. Children can add the cake decorations along with sprinkles or small candy pieces.
Unicorn sundaes
Give each child a small bowl of vanilla ice cream (or frozen yogurt). Give each child a small ice cream cone they can set on their ice cream, upside down to represent a unicorn horn. Prepare different colors of coulis that children can pour over their unicorn. Provide candy pieces for an additional touch of color.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Crafts-Unicorns
(Open models-Unicorns) Print the various models and use them for your crafts and activities throughout the theme.
My unicorn hat
(Open educa-decorate-Unicorns) Print and cut out. Have children glue the items around a construction paper headband.
Masks-Giraffes
(Open masks-Unicorns) Print for each child. Set crayons, glue, and glitter on a table. Let children decorate their mask as they wish. Add string so that children can tie their mask behind their head.
Puppets-Unicorns
(Open puppets-Unicorns) Print the various models on cardboard. Ask children to cut them out and decorate them with arts & crafts materials. Glue a Popsicle stick behind each one to complete the puppets.
Unicorn shapes
(Open shapes-Unicorns) Print for each child. Children must fill the unicorn shape with cotton balls. Once this is done, they can add pieces of yarn to represent a unicorn mane.
Glow-in-the-dark paint
Purchase different colors of glow-in-the-dark paint. Let children paint with this magical paint on dark paper.
Clothespin unicorns
Fold a piece of colorful paper accordion-style. Glue it on a clothespin to represent a unicorn mane. Thread a pipe cleaner through the hole in the clothespin and twist it to represent a unicorn horn. Add a piece of glow-in-the-dark ribbon.
COLORING PAGES
(Open coloring pages theme-Unicorns) Print for each child.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE THE COLORING PAGES
Identical coloring pages-Unicorns
Print the same coloring page for each child and an additional copy for your model. Color only certain parts of your picture. Present the model to your group and ask them to color their picture to make it look exactly like yours.
Coloring binder-Unicorns
Print and laminate several coloring pages and arrange them in a binder with a few dry-erase markers. Leave everything on a table for children to explore.
Musical drawing-Unicorns
Play musical drawing with your group. Give each child a coloring page. Have children sit around a table. When the music starts, they must pass the coloring pages around the table. Every time the music stops, they must color the picture in front of them until the music starts again.
Homemade puzzles-Unicorns
Give each child a picture to color. When they are done, cut each picture into pieces to create unique puzzles.
SONGS & RHYMES
(Open songs & rhymes-Unicorns) Print.
UNICORNS
By: Patricia Morrison - Sung to: Jingle Bells
Unicorn, Unicorn
With your spiraled horn
A white horse with a rainbow mane
In a magical fairyland
Have fun!
The educatall team