My preschooler loves reading these favorite picture books! And if your little learners are ready for super fun preschool books and activities, you’ve come to the right place. Here are over 20 book-inspired activities that your family or preschool class will enjoy. Ditch the worksheets and try these hands-on activities instead!
Why preschool book activities are important
When my boys were little, we would read the same books again and again. Read Brown Bear with my eyes closed? You know it.
Young children benefit from doing preschool book-inspired activities because they allow them to revisit important story elements, such as exploring different characters, plot, setting, and problem-solutions. Similar to rereading a familiar story.
And the best part? Activity ideas can be kept super simple! (Think sensory bins, fine motor skills, and other extension ideas that tap into sensory exploration.) Children learn by doing, and these activities will accelerate their literacy skills! Let’s dive into these extension activities.
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Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games that begin the day with play.
Mouse Count
Oh, Mouse Count. You are just a joy to read during story time. This classic book for preschoolers remains timeless and is one of my all-time favorite children’s books.
What makes this even more fun is gathering a few props to help retell the story. A paper tube, lacing beads, and our favorite board book are just about all we need!
Mouse Count
Here is the link to one of the most popular children’s books that is also used to reteach counting.
Mouse Count Art Activity
My boys love fun crafts that allow them to explore process art. Create a snake from paper tubes and use wooden blocks to represent the mice, then retell this entertaining story.
Counting Mice Stones
Umm, excuse me, but these little mouse stones are the CUTEST. Fun activities like this help make learning enjoyable, which in turn helps kids remember what they’ve learned.
Owl Babies
If I am going to a baby shower, I am bringing Owl Babies. It is one of my all-time favorite board books. I gift it to new babies and read it dozens of times on my own. This Owl Babies activity will help retell the familiar story while engaging in a simple art activity.
Owl Babies Book
This book is an excellent choice for reading at home or in the classroom during circle time.
Owl Babies Art
Children role-play the owl leaving the nest and returning to her babies with this simple art activity.
Owl Mask and Babies
Grab the felt! We are about to get crafty! Kids have great fun making this mask and then using it with pretend play to act out the different scenes. Play is up to the child’s lead!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
So many of us know The Hungry Caterpillar and may have read it as a kid too!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book
This book remains a bestseller today. Classic books never get out of style.
Feed the Caterpillar
The preschool years are some of the best times to use stickers! These food stickers do not disappoint and make the perfect addition to this counting game. You can use a number line or a paper plate!
Caterpillar Color Sort
Kristina at Toddler Approved is a great resource for all things toddler and preschool. Use a piece of paper to create a color sorting activity.
DIY Gameboard
Grab the cardboard! It is time to make a Hungry Caterpillar board game that reinforces story sequence and counting.
Caps for Sale
Have you read Caps for Sale? It always makes us laugh every single time. Now, not only can we read it, but we can also retell this familiar story with the Caps for Sale preschool activity.
Caps for Sale
What happens when monkeys see your caps? They take them, of course. What you do to get them back is the more important message in this book. (It’s the best!)
Caps for Sale Art Activity
Go find the pom poms stuffed in your art drawer! We are going to use them as caps and find different ways to return them to the peddler.
Playdough Stacking Caps
Kick those fine and gross motor skills into gear with this playdough activity!
The Watermelon Seed
This summer, let’s read The Watermelon Seed! This treasured preschool book combines well with a watermelon seed activity.
Watermelon Art Activity
Remember those pom poms from Caps for Sale? Let’s get them back out to make a cardboard watermelon. (I know there are cardboard boxes lurking on top of your recycle bin.)
Watermelon Art Activity
Remember those pom poms from Caps for Sale? Let’s get them back out to make a cardboard watermelon. (I know there are cardboard boxes lurking on top of your recycle bin.)
Watermelon Fans
Keep cool and retell The Watermelon Seed this summer with paper fans!
Watermelon Oobleck
Explore the chemical reaction of Oobleck when making watermelon Oobleck! Sticky? Maybe. Fun? Double yes!
Watermelons on a Stick
Frozen watermelon? Yes, please. This is a simple and tasty treat to enjoy with your book!
Dragons Love Tacos
How about Dragons Love Tacos? I mean, how many times can you read a book before it becomes an obsessive habit?
My boys adore this book. They think it’s hysterical and probably eat more tacos because of it now. #momwin This spring or summer, scoop up the book and cool the Jello. You don’t want to miss out on this sensory activity!
Dragons Love Tacos
Remember those pom poms from Caps for Sale? Let’s get them back out to make a cardboard watermelon. (I know there are cardboard boxes lurking on top of your recycle bin.)
Jello Sensory Bin
Create a sensory bin using Jell-O and hide some pretend food inside. Invite your child to wash it off. Pull up a chair and enjoy watching them from the sidelines.
Taco Bar
Taco night is one of my most favorite parenting hacks! See that? Picture book activities truly are the best!
Taco Salsa Slime
If you enjoy making slime with your kids at home, this activity is for you!
The Tree; A Peek-Through Picture Book
Learning about trees is super exciting for preschoolers. The book “Tree: A Peek Through Picture Book” and accompanying craft activity make a great addition to outdoor learning. Use this book when teaching about the different seasons.
Tree Book
This is such a gorgeous book!
Make a Seasonal Tree
Mix art with a fantastic book about trees, and now you have a dynamic activity that motivates children to learn. And also helps them remember what was taught.
Splatter Paint Tree
Taco night is one of my most favorite parenting hacks! See that? Picture book activities truly are the best!
Which preschool reading book and activity will you try first? Let me know in the comments!
