Every fall the October holiday of Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve is celebrated. Teach your toddlers and preschoolers in a fun and creative way with these Halloween themed teaching activities.
Halloween Math Idea for Toddlers:
Math isn't hard to teach to preschoolers, here is a sample math lesson that is easily adapted to Halloween themes by using candy corns, pumpkin stickers or other All Hallow's Eve icons as manipulatives.
All Hallow's Eve Music Idea for Toddlers:
This easy tune is a great way to educate young children about the possible scary sights they may see on Halloween night as they go trick or treating. Sing to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" so the kids will pick it up quickly.
Ghosts and goblins, Scary bats / I'm not afraid of this or that.
They are only make believe, / Costumes made for Halloween.
Ghosts and goblins, Scary bats / I'm not afraid of this or that.
Another way to play with music is to let children select a musical instrument and play the appropriate sound as everyone recites the Halloween poem.
Smiling Mr. Pumpkin with your great big shining eyes (Play the chimes or triangle)
Will you be my jack-o-lantern before we make you into pies? (Bang on a drum or rhythm stick)
I'll put you in my window to watch the children come (Sound coconut shells or maracas like footsteps)
And when they see your shining face OH! How they will run! (Clash a cymbal or slap sticks)
Halloween Science Idea for Preschoolers
One of the animals often associated with Halloween is the bat. Bats are fascinating animals and many bat species eat insects. Help toddlers understand more about how bats fly at night and eat insects. This is a great opportunity to teach preschoolers about nocturnal animals, or animals that are awake and active during the night.
All Hallow's Eve Art Lesson for Toddlers
A favorite Halloween activity is let preschoolers decorate pumpkin cut-outs to create their own unique Jack-O-Lanterns. If the toddler can use scissors well, let him cut out the pumpkin face using safety scissors. If the toddler doesn't use scissors yet he can create the eyes, nose and mouth with crayons, paint or markers.
Halloween Food Idea for Preschoolers
Classic Halloween treats for children are popcorn balls, so try creating some of these fun and easy snacks with your preschoolers.
Here is one recipe variation for making popcorn balls:
- Pre-popped, plain popcorn
- 1 pound of marshmallows
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Melt marshmallows and butter. Add the vanilla and stir. Pour the mixture over popcorn and mix gently. A grown-up can shape the popcorn balls themselves, but it is more fun to allow each toddler to coat their hands with butter and shape a cup of the popcorn mixture into their own shape.
More easy-to-make popcorn ball recipes are available if you want to try different flavors or colors.
Outdoor Halloween Activities for Toddlers
Similar to volleyball, a game of "Hit the Ghost" can be played with one or more white balloons. Children can hit a balloon back and forth, keeping it off the ground in their area. Or pair the toddlers up into teams that must pass a white balloon back and forth without dropping it. The last team with their balloon still in the air wins.
Halloween Themed Indoor Games
The balloon game above can be played indoors. Another fun game to play when the weather is poor outside is played like "Hot Potato" but is played with an orange bean bag instead so the children are passing a "Hot Pumpkin". Play a CD of Halloween songs or play a recording of the children singing "Ghosts and Goblins" from above.
More Autumn Activities for Young Children are available if extend the learning season for toddlers and preschoolers.
Angela England - Angela England is a problogger, mother of four (yes I know what causes that), speaker, teacher, labor doula, gardener and so much more.
