Make your Christmas or December lesson plan even more exciting by implementing the fun of candy canes. Suggested are just a few ideas to build on with your own touches and creativity. They are sure to help enhance understanding in math, science and senses exploration, fine motor skills and creativity through art.
Math Games for Preschoolers
Magnet Candy Canes
Following the instructions in this Magnet Game, use candy cane cutouts with several different patterns (some with white and red stripes, some with white, red and green, some with green and white, etc). Have a hanging garland tied from one chair to another (or along a table).
Have your child fish out the candy canes, hooking them on the garland. Encourage them to hang similar patterns together or to make a pattern themselves (red and white stripe, 2 white and green striped, and another red and white stripe, following the pattern).
Candy Cane Poster Pocket Math Game
Using a homemade Poster Pocket Game, have the pockets labeled with numbers and have ready several candy cane cut outs. Challenge your preschooler to put the correct amount of candy canes in each numbered pocket. You can use the Poster Board Pocket Games for several other candy cane themed ideas!
Science Games for Preschoolers
Candy Cane Pudding Parfait Recipe
Experience cooking with your child in this easy and delicious recipe. To have this visually exciting, clear glasses are best to serve in.
Ingredients:
- 1 box of chocolate instant pudding (or a single serving pouch of Jello’s Instant Single Servings)
- 6 chocolate cream sandwich cookies
- Can of whipping cream
- Candy canes
Directions:
- Put the cookies in a plastic bag and seal tight. Give to your preschooler to pound away. If you have a play hammer, let them use it!
- Follow the directions to prepare the pudding, being sure to let your child help stir if they’ve finished pounding the cookies.
- Put the candy canes in a plastic bag, seal tight, and repeat. Pour enough crushed cookies for the bottom layer of the parfait in each glass. Add a layer of pudding, then a layer of whipped cream, and follow this pattern until you’ve reached the top of the glass.
- Top off the treat with plenty of whipped cream and let your child sprinkle the crushed candy cane to finish it!
Peppermint Scented Playdough
Offer up some cookie cutters, being sure to have at least one that is candy cane shaped. Have red and white play dough with peppermint extract mixed in to give them a combination of sight, touch and smell.
Fine Motor Skills Activities for Preschoolers
Candy Cane Twist
If you have some pipe cleaners on hand, this is a fun and challenging activity for your preschooler that can further develop her fine motor skills. Using a red and white pipe cleaner, start the candy cane for your child by twisting them together. Be sure to show her in slow motion your hand movements. To make it easier, you can tape one end down securely to a table as they twist. To make it more challenging, add a green pipe cleaner for three.
Candy Cane Sewing
With a candy cane cutout, take a single hole puncher and punch holes along the border of the pattern. Use a piece of yarn with one end tapered together with tape, and the other tied at a beginning hole for your child to “sew” through the cutout.
Candy Cane Art Activities
Candy Cane Ornaments
Add sensory exploration to this traditional craft by mixing peppermint extract with red and white paint. Be sure to use a hard, sturdy material for painting like poster board or cardboard, and let your child paint his candy cane pattern after cutting or punching a hole to string ribbon through. This is also a great way to reinforce the ABAB pattern skill.
When the cutout is dry, let him add glue to the red stripes and press the cutout into a plate full of red glitter (or sprinkle it on). String a pretty ribbon through and hang on the tree when dried!
These are just some Christmas Lesson Theme examples to provide you with themed entertainment and learning experiences for your preschooler during the Christmas season.
