Preschool busy boxes are the perfect way to set up activities for your preschoolers to do. These activities are great to set up ahead of time and to have on hand to pull out when needed. I try to keep these ideas very budget-friendly, but I do recommend that you find Dollar Store items or use what you may already have in your home.
I recommend picking up your box or bin at the Dollar Store. There are a lot of budget-friendly options there. I chose the “SureFresh” containers that also have lids.
For this idea, you want to pick up a pack or more of these fun car-shaped Easter eggs and an off-brand Lego street plate. I found these all at Dollar Tree but it is not the right season, you can check Amazon or use what cheap alternatives you find. I then cut and placed on top dry-erase labels I had on hand and wrote a vowel and constants. To do a little fun drive-up spelling. You may need to establish the vowel first if this is your first time doing this letter play. You can also do this activity with numbers, being dry-erase makes it extremely versatile.
For this activity, I actually have three different sizes on hand of these “Bubble Board” fun fidgets. I have a 100 board, a 120 board, and a set of the 10 Frames. They recommend ages about 4 and up for the 10 plates and 5 and up for the 100 and 120 boards. A few things great about these specific boards is that the numbers are very clearly printed on both sides and they have a very satisfying pop for that sensory bit.
For this box, you want the boards and some number flash cards. For those beginning counters, pull a card and have them pop each number as counting. Just as usable for simple addition or subtraction. Another idea is to use dice for numbers. Or turn it into a game of “who can get to 100 first” with dice rolling or pulling the flash cards.
For another way to use there here is also a link to Montesorri 100 Board Activities. I also have more bubble popper ideas here.
I actually borrowed a bin from my Micheals Sensory Bins for this one. Reuse what you have, change up items, or mix them up. This will be a good sensory bin perfect for preschool age and adding a bit of learning to it. I did a beach theme. Mad Mattr sand, shell-shaped Easter eggs, pearls, or pebbles, or what you have on hand. I numbered the shell-shaped eggs to make it for the preschooler to count and place those pearls and pebbles into that shell.
WHERE TO BUY:
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
- Busy Bin Playlist
- Montessori Hundred Board Activities
- Bubble Popper Fidgets Activities
- Michaels Sensory Bins
Disclaimer: The products featured in this video and post were purchased by myself or sent to me for review for free. Some videos may be sponsored by brands that I enjoy. Make sure to *ALWAYS* use discretion when deciding on age-appropriate activities and supervise your children.
MUSIC: courtesy of Soundstripe.
