Coloring Activities
Most young children enjoy coloring. Print several coloring sheets from online sources or give the children coloring books to use. Make the coloring activities educational by having the children color pictures of letters and numbers. If you do not mind the mess, allow the children to paint on coloring book pages. For a less messy paint activity, place plastic wrap on a table and put tempura paint on the plastic. Place another piece of plastic over the paint and tape around the edges. The children can use their fingers to draw designs in the paint.
Building Activities
Children can use blocks to build towers and houses. Tell the children to use their imagination and work together to create something big. Another idea is edible building ideas. Give each child a bowl of marshmallows and pretzels sticks. The children can use the food to build a tower and eat their tower when they finish. Have building contests to see who can build the tallest standing tower or the strongest tower in five minutes.
Memory Activities
Tape several sheets of paper on a board and have the child look at the sheets. Ask them to close their eyes and remove one sheet. Have them open their eyes and the first child to tell you the missing color wins the activity. You can do this with letters and numbers too. You can also fill a tray with random items and allow the children time to look at the items. Take the tray out of the room and have the children try to guess all the items on the tray.
Recycling Activities
Teach the children the importance of recycling by reusing various items. Poke holes large enough for crayons in an empty paper towel roll. Give each child a roll and have him place his crayons in the holes to make a "crayon tree." The children can do the same thing with markers using a box. Poke holes for the children large enough for markers and have them place their markers in the holes. For another idea, help the children tape recycled cups to a recycled box to make a game. They can try to toss ping-pong balls into the cups for an activity.