For one of our letter D preschool activities a while back, we were talking about dairy foods. So I started taking foods out of the refrigerator and talking about which ones came from milk. While we were at it, we threw out anything that was growing hair, put the dairy foods in one section on the counter and the non-dairy foods in another. Then we washed out the fridge, the whole time my kids thinking that they were playing. By the time we were done my refrigerator was cleaned for the year and my kids knew about dairy foods.

Fun Letter “D” Activities For Preschool At Home  

One benefit of organizing activities with your children according to a “letter of the week” is that you can add in any activities, songs, stories, or foods that you can think of. If you know how to make donuts or dumplings, make them for part of your letter “D” activities for preschool one week. Or if you’re not into baking you can always take them to Krispy Kreme (or however they spell it wrong) and let them watch someone else who knows how to make donuts. Everyone will know different songs and have different books, just use what you have and keep a folder (or Pinterest board) of your ideas. 

Dance The Day Away 

Gather several different types of music (classical, rock, country, 50’s), push back the furniture so you have lots of space, and dance to each one. Have the children move the way the music makes them feel. Have the video camera handy, you’re gonna want to save this. 

Draw Your Dreams 

Take turns telling about a dream you remember. Then draw a picture of it or draw a picture of the best dream you can imagine. Just a word of caution: kids can get carried away on this one! Dreams are in the same category as knock-knock jokes. 

Dot-To-Dots 

Find some simple dot-to-dots with either letters or numbers to follow, depending on which they know best. Then make up some of your own dot-to-dots for each other to try.

Play Dentist 

Teach the children about dental hygiene and then take turns pretending to be the dentist and the patient. Wear a big white shirt for a dentist’s coat and use Popsicle sticks for the checkup. Have the patient open wide and be sure to make encouraging comments about their beautiful teeth.

Duck Day

Have a “Duck Day” and do every duck activity you can think of. Here are some ideas to get you started! 

• Play “Duck, Duck, Goose”. Invite the neighbors if you need more players! 
• Play “Quack, Quack, Waddle, Waddle”. Essentially follow the leader doing a duck walk. 
• Make cookies in the shape of ducks
• Sing “5 Little Ducks”
• Read “The Ugly Duckling”
• Bob in the water for food (apples) like ducks do
• Have rubber duck races in the bathtub 
• Bring some bread to the park and feed the ducks, or visit a pet store with ducks. 

Having Fun With “D” Week

I hope you enjoyed these letter “D” activities for preschool! Have you tried them out at home yet? Or have any other ideas for “D week”? Let us know in the comments! Remember that the object in all of this is to have some fun with your children and help them learn a little at the same time. If the kids are getting bored or lose interest, drop what you are doing and head for the sandbox.

Originally published August 3, 2005 in the Crossroads Journal.