Activity Rugs for Kids

Preschool Activity Rugs

• Rugs used in preschool settings often display a number of educational concepts such as colors, letters, numbers and even puzzle pieces. The letters displayed on preschool rugs are often only capital letters, as preschool students do not commonly learn lower case yet. The carpets are also available with various shapes to reinforce recognition. The carpet is commonly the area where preschool students gather for discussion, read-aloud stories, cooperative games, creative-movement activities and free play.

Elementary School Activity Rugs

• Elementary school rugs often picture concepts more advanced than that of preschool carpets but are commonly used for the same purposes such as subject recognition and common areas. In elementary school, students may gather on the carpet area to do calendar and weather activities as well as listening to subject-specific picture books or perform silent individual reading. Alphabet letters, in both capital and lower case, world maps and numbers to 20 are common in elementary school activity rugs.

Fine-motor Development Activity Rugs

• Fine-motor development is accomplished when children perfect the use of their hands and fingers to achieve tasks. Children's carpets that contain roads, pathways, doll houses and animal scenes provide an entertaining and educational method of soft play. Children can use their existing toys to play on their activity rugs including cars, trucks, trains, dolls and plastic animals. Fine-motor development carpets are often used in the home but can be adapted to preschool use in various learning centers.

Gross-motor Development Activity Rugs

• Gross-motor development pertains to movement and use of the whole body to accomplish things and is often attained through movement and play. Area rugs for kids that aid in this type of development may include a hopscotch board, tic-tac-toe with beanbags or an area containing colored circles used to play the traditional "Twister" game. Gross-motor development rugs can be used for play at home or in a school setting.