The Victorian Government is hosting its first free virtual nature festival from 28 September – 11 October 2020. Meet Victoria’s park rangers online, take a virtual tour of the zoo, learn about Dja Dja Wurrung’s work on Country or check out a webinar about nature and science. These events look interesting for Preschoolers: 28 September Become […]
Name hop
Recommended Age: 4 years and onwards Purpose: for the child to move their bodies, building gross motor coordination. Through this exercise the child furthers their ability to identify letters in their name by sound Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the adult must give commands for the child to play this game Prerequisites The child must know […]
Painting to music
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: Painting to music allows children to interpret and process sensory information and allows them to take ownership of the music by creating their own impressions. Through this process-art activity, children begin to understand that things we hear, or experience can shape how we feel and what we do. Level of Parent […]
Rain sticks
Recommended Age: 3 to 5 years Purpose: To expose the child to a variety of musical instruments and sounds Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the adult must give the child instructions to complete this activity Prerequisites None Materials Paper towel roll A piece of paper (A4 or construction paper) A piece of aluminium foil (about the size […]
Yoga poses
Recommended Age: any age! Purpose: The fundamental purpose of yoga is to foster harmony in the body, mind and environment Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once the cards have been printed the child may choose a card and practice the poses independently Prerequisites None Materials Yoga poses cards (see PDF), choose 3 […]
Toilet paper roll bird feeder
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: For the child to explore science and nature through making a bird feeder, encouraging them to observe their outdoor environment Level of Parent Involvement: Medium, the adult must assist the child in making and hanging the bird feeder Prerequisites None Materials Empty toilet roll Single […]
Nature sensory bottle
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: for the child to enhance their perception of items found in the natural environment though observing it closer Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the adult must give the child instructions for this exercise then the child may collect the items independently Prerequisites None Materials An […]
Observing insects
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: For the child to develop a greater understanding of insects and their characteristics, through spending time in their outdoor environment Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the child may go on the insect search independently after the adult shows the child the insect 3 part cards Prerequisites None Materials Insect 3-part cards […]
Leaf people craft
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: For the child to explore creative processes using natural materials found outdoors Level of Parent Involvement: Low, mainly supervision Prerequisites None Materials Leaves Twigs Acorns (Natural materials found outdoors) Paper Craft glue Glue spreader or small paintbrush Basket to collect the materials Preparation None […]
Nature alphabet
Recommended Age: 4 to 5 years Purpose: For the child to further their understanding of the ways which letters are formes Level of Parent Involvement: Low, mainly supervision Prerequisites: the child must know the letters of the alphabet and their sequence Materials A collection of natural materials found outdoors A basket to collect the materials Preparation […]
Colour hunt in nature
Recommended Age: 3 to 5 years Purpose: For the child to connect the colours used in colour box 2, to objects found in the natural outdoor environment Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once the activity has been explained to the child, the child may work independently with low supervision Prerequisites The child can pair and identify […]
Vertebrate or Invertebrate sorting
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: For the child to develop an understanding of the difference and interdependence of vertebrates and invertebrates, broadening their understanding of the world Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once modelled the child may complete this activity independently Prerequisites None Materials Vertebrates or invertebrates sorting chart PDF Vertebrates and invertebrate’s information sheet Scissors […]
Plant or animal sorting
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: For the child to develop an understanding of the difference and interdependence of plants and animals, broadening their understanding of the world Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once modelled the child may complete this activity independently Prerequisites None Materials Plants or animals sorting chart […]
Living or non-living sorting
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: For the child to develop an understanding of the difference and interdependence of living and non-living things, broadening their understanding of the world Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once modelled the child may complete this activity independently Prerequisites None Materials Living or non-living sorting chart […]
Land, water and air animals
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: for the child to broaden their understanding about the animal kingdom whilst furthering their ability to classify Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the adult must give the child instructions then the child may work independently Prerequisites The child must have some knowledge of animals and their characteristics The child […]
Animal heads and tails
Recommended Age: 3 years Purpose: For the child to broaden their understanding of animals and the way their bodies are made up Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once the resources have been prepared and the child has been shown they may work independently Prerequisites None Materials Animal heads and tails PDF Scissors […]
Animals of the continents
Recommended Age: 3 to 5 years Note: for younger children, sort the animal cards and introduce 2 continents at a time, older children may work with more Purpose: For the child to develop an understanding of the connection between animals and the continents they originate from Level of Parent Involvement: Low once the materials […]
Wool bangles
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: to involve the child in creative experiences and to further develop their fine motor control and coordination Level of Parent Involvement: Low, once modelled the child may work independently Prerequisites None Materials An empty toilet roll Sticky tape or masking tape A small ball of […]
Wool painting
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: to expose the child to a variety of artistic skills using paints Level of Parent Involvement: Low, mainly modelling and supervision Prerequisites None Materials A3 paper (paper which has a higher GSM rating work better for painting to allow for the heaviness of wet paint) […]
Salt dough handprints
Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards Purpose: for the child to be involved in the creative process of making salt dough Level of Parent Involvement: Medium, the adult must help the child to make the dough and use the oven Prerequisites None Materials 1 cup of flour ½ cup of salt ½ […]