Fun for Black Hills Early Learners
We are here to bring you fun activities for any child age 0-5 years. We hope you find this useful and helpful during this very unusual time.
Happy learning!
How to find the right activities for your child. Each activities is marked by dots (•):
• = Infant •• = Toddler ••• = Preschooler
Fun Activities
• Making hand and footprints is just as much fun for you as it is for your baby or toddler. Stamping your baby's paint-covered hands and feet provides an experience that also assists in their social development and sensory awareness. Link to Activity Here

• With a simple kitchen colander your baby will be fascinated with this “Rainmaker” activity. It will also help develop their cognitive and fine motor skills. Link to Activity Here
•• A Paper Towel Roll & Pom Pom Challenge is an awesome game that is so simple to make. A perfect STEAM activity that incorporates engineering (building the game) and math (moving the pom pom through the game in the correct order). It’s also great for fine motor skills, balance and coordination. Link to Activity Here

••• Join Jaime for a special yoga adventure inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog movie! Available for just 6 months (until end December 2020), so dive in and enjoy it while you can! Link to CosmicKids Yoga Video Here

••• Next time your preschooler says, "I'm bored" pull out the 'I'm Bored Jar'. Write out on paper activities like Play Four Square or Make Up a Silly Dance and put them in a jar. Have your child pick an activity. Link to Activity Here
Outdoor Fun
• Create an outdoor baby obstacle course that challenges them. Once your baby has explored the backyard and needs something new to entertain them, creating an outdoor obstacle course. Here are a few ideas for obstacles:
  • Cardboard boxes cut to make tunnels or turns
  • Pool noodles set up ‘croquette style’ for the baby to crawl under or ‘speed bump’ style to crawl over
  • Outdoor chair cushions to make the baby crawl over
  • A small play slide that the baby will need help climbing up and sliding back down from
•• Show your toddler how to jump over cracks in the sidewalk, garden hoses on the ground, etc. This activity develops dynamic balance and coordination required for any and all sports and activities that involve jumping and landing (e.g., basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, gymnastics). Link to Activity Here

•• Rainbow Foam is easy to make. Within minutes, you can create a beautiful rainbow or simply a couple of shades to create an engaging sensory activity for your toddler. Link to Activity Here
••• This ball hockey activity develops hand-eye coordination and timing while using a hockey stick (i.e., striking tool). These skills also transfer to striking with a bat or racquet. Link to Activity Here

••• Here is a great math and science activity that is fun too. So I make a quick check list and head outside to find creepy crawlers and tally up what we found! Link to Activity Here

••• Blast those darn piggies with water balloon Angry Birds! Inspired by the popular video game Angry Birds this takes the game outside into the sun for fun all summer long. Link to Activity Here
As schools start up again parents are making tough decisions about sending their preschool children to Preschool or Day Care. There's no right or wrong answer, as every family is in a completely unique situation. Below find resources that may help whatever you decide is best for your family.
Classroom Preschool Learning


CDC School and Child Care, Plan Prepare and Respond. Check out the recommendations from the CDC on Child Care and Schools re-opening.

Is it safe to Send my child to Child Care during COVID-19 ? Tips for parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Teach your child appropriate ways to greet their friends. Visual chart Here
Tips To Help your Child Wear a Mask


University of Rochester Medical Center A Toolkit for Helping Your Child Wear a Mask

Michigan Medicine video Making Masks Fun: Tips for Parents.
Resources to Support Home Learning


Khan Academy Kids Free, fun educational program for children ages two to seven.


Vroom Tips™ help you do more with you and your child's shared moments. Add learning to mealtime, bathtime, bedtime, or anytime with 1,000+ fun, free activities. Vroom
Literacy
•• In a few minutes you can create an Alphabet Hunt for your Toddler. Link to Activity Here

•• With a glass door or low window you can make an easy Erase the ABC's Easy Alphabet activity. Link to Activity Here
••• Keep your preschooler active while learning letters with a Name Broom Hockey activity. Link to Activity Here

••• Literacy activities for preschoolers should be fun! Set up a Shop, Café, Doctor’s Surgery or a Vet (the ideas are endless) and have your child serve you. They can make signs, forms, lists and menus and have fun while playing with literacy. (and practice wearing masks)
••• 10 word games that encourage conversation and early literacy that you can play on the spot or prepare yourself with just some paper and pencil. Link to Word games Here