Preschool Inventors

Here are several books to inspire creativity for your preschoolers!

Tinkerlab: a Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors by Rachelle Doorley

The book has 55 activities for children to explore their world with creative experiments with easy to find materials. There are ideas for everything from making marks with crayons and markers to simple machines, robotics, electronics and unique hands on art experiences.

Loose Parts: Inspiring Play in Young Children by Lisa Daly

Loose parts can be acorns, hardware, stones, aluminum foil, or fabric scraps.  Loose parts can be natural or synthetic, found, bought, or upcycled. Free reign to play and manipulate with these materials inspire creativity in children.

With more than 550 color photographs of many kinds of loose parts in real early childhood settings, this book provides information about the variety of ways everyday materials can support open-ended learning, enhance play, and empower children.

50 Fantastic Things to Do With Preschoolers by Sally Featherstone

This book offers a wide range of suggestions for purposeful play activities including:

Sort it Out; sorting natural objects

Five Little Peas; popping and placing

Jelly on the Plate; playing with familiar substances

Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder by Mariah Bruehl

This book is full of hands-on reading, science, and social activities for children.

The author includes stages of development and activities for writing, reading, math, science, art, and more that include supply lists, instructions, and ways to expand the activity.

More resources available at https://home.playfullearning.net/free-resources/

150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids by Asia Citro

Each chapter begins with an introduction and the author’s experience and tips. The chapters are: slimes, doughs, paints, small worlds, simple sensory activities, and do it yourself toys. Each activity lists prep time, ages, ingredients and supplies, detailed instructions as well as variations, troubleshooting and budget tips. The last part of the book has information on the science behind the activities, where to find supplies, and additional resources.