Many parents hear the word “kindergarten” and immediately think that play is over.
Somewhere along the way, it starts to feel like our children should suddenly be reading independently, sitting still longer, and understanding big academic concepts far too soon. All of a sudden, the comparison game hits hard.
But here’s what parents don’t hear enough:
Kindergarten activities and learning should still feel active. And big kids need a lot more than a Chromebook.
The big idea
The screens can be set aside because kindergarteners learn best through:
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- movement
- play
- conversation
- decision making
- hands-on exploration
- life skills
As a former kindergarten teacher and mom to three boys, I’ve seen firsthand that these experiences help learning stick long after the lesson is over.
Big Kid Activity Cards
Because our big kids crave hands-on learning, too!
20 hands-on activities for ages 5.5-8 years old.
What Kindergarteners actually need to learn through play
Kindergarten can feel like a big academic jump for both children and parents. But before children can confidently read, write, and solve problems on paper, they first need opportunities to learn by doing.
This is how young children make sense of the world around them. (Spoiler, we adults do too!)
The same goes for how I started Days with Grey. Internet knowledge was at zero, but I learned by doing and creating along the way.
When play is a part of learning, kindergarten naturally builds:
- early reading
- number sense
- fine motor strength
- problem solving
- independece
- social confidence
As a former kindergarten teacher, I have seen how movement, conversations, and hands-on activities help these skills develop in a way that feels meaningful instead of forced.
The goal is not to rush learning. The goal is to make learning stick.
Literacy Kindergarten Activities
Literacy goes further than learning how to read. However, as a parent of a dyslexic child, I can say that a solid reading program using the Orton-Gillingham approach is one of the best gifts you can give your child. As you approach kindergarten, take a minute to ask your child’s teacher which reading program they use and how they check in with each child to understand what they are learning.
After learning more, here are some proven, playful activities to reinforce what they are learning. You may also want to check out my books and book-play activities category page to help improve story sequencing and comprehension.
Related: Here are my favorite literacy materials for kindergarteners.
25+ Activities to Improve Pencil Grip
This is one of my first posts, featuring many, many tried-and-true activities that help children practice pencil grip in an age-appropriate way.
Books to Read Aloud
Here are some of my favorite books to read aloud at home to my boys. They range from kindergarten to fourth grade, depending on the depth of your child’s interest.
Stamp a Story
This is a fun way to write a story, and also includes stamps as words along the way.
Letter Drive and Park
Letter Drive and Park is a powerful activity for letter recognition.
Alphabet Sort
A hands-on way to better understand how to form the shapes of the letters before writing them. Great way to also help begin to write their name.
Building Word Families
Kindergarteners need to recognize word families, and I have an activity to help them get started!
Color Word Read and Park
Is your child learning color words and how to decode them? Use this movement game to practice matching colors to their corresponding color words.
Kindergarten Math Activities
Math on a computer? No, thank you. Let’s keep these hands-on kindergarten activities in the rotation and put away the Chromebooks! I find these math activities much more effective!
Related: Here is a collection of my favorite math and STEM toys for kids.
Money Count
Practice identifying coins with real money! Trust me, this one will hit. Especially if they get to keep a few coins for themselves!
Build a 3D Shape
Sure, you can circle a 3D shape on a worksheet. But what if your child built one from popsicle sticks and Play-Doh? Now, that’s learning!
Building Ten Frames
Counting needs to be touched, and numbers need to be visual. A ten-frame is how kids can conceptualize what the number ten (and beyond) means!
Domino Addition Track
Memorizing and practicing addition facts is way more fun when it includes dominoes!
Magnetic Measurement
Oh, painter’s tape and magnetic tiles. You are my favorite. Use them to make predictions and test the line lengths.
Pattern Practice
Learning patterns in preschool make it so much more fun to expand on in Kindergarten.
Fine Motor Kindergarten Activities
Our 5-7-year-olds need more time to use those little fingers and manipulate their hands to cut, squeeze, and pinch. These are some of my favorite fine motor activities for kids.
Related: I put together a collection of my favorite fine motor toys for kids for you!
Cut the Play-Doh
Cutting the Play-Doh changes its texture, helping kids discover new cutting techniques while strengthening their hands.
Hole Punching
Oh, how I love office supplies. Grab your hole puncher and watch the squeezing and fun take off!
Things I Like
This easy activity has children circle stickers that show pictures of things they like. This helps your child practice forming circles – which is easier said than done!
Social Emotional / Growth Mindset Activities
If there is a list of things kids need to know before kindergarten, this is what I would include! Having practice with opening cans, putting on shoes, and asking for help when needed goes a long way! These activities will help improve hand-eye coordination, resilience, and the ability to think beyond yes-or-no answers.
Can You Stack It?
Kids like to stack blocks, but what happens when it tumbles over? This activity encourages your child to stack carefully and see how tall it will go – until it naturally falls over.
Match the Caps
This hands-on learning activity is great for little practicing how to open and close containers they may find in their lunchbox. Bonus: You have all the supplies you need!
100 Legos
Fire up the creativity! Your child is about to make something super cool with 100 Legos.
Outdoor Tracks
Design and develop a new Hot Wheels course, only this time outside, and have it zip into buckets of water! This activity is great for making predictions and testing ideas.
How to choose the right kindergarten activity at home
Okay, so you have the ideas. Now what? How do you choose the right activity at home for your child? Begin by thinking about how your child learns best.
Choose activities that:
- match attention span
- use supplies you already own
- encourage independence (don’t hover!)
- feel playful, not forced
Which kindergarten activity will you try first?
Life Skill Game Cards
Teach Life Skills (Without the Eye Rolls!)
25 hands-on, gamified activities to help kids feel confident, capable, and ready for real life!
Perfect for ages 7 through 12
FAQ
Five-year-olds need to play, explore, tinker, listen to read-alouds, count objects, and make and test predictions.
Kindergarteners will surprise you and sometimes spend close to an hour working on something they are enjoying. The rule of thumb for an average amount of time is twice their age.
Where activity books can be a lot of fun for five-year-olds, workbooks are busy work. The real magic and learning come from play and exploration!
