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Welcome to our very first playful preschool post of 2015! I am so excited to be continuing this series this year with all my blog friends. Once again, please check the bottom of this post for more links to activities based on this weeks theme: Polar animals. You can also follow the hashtag #playfulpreschool on all social media!
We were in luck with this activity! My 4 year old got this penguin nesting set for Christmas so we put it to good use.
For the base of this sensory bin I have used snow dough. I love this activity for it’s sensory aspect (the snow dough acts like real snow!) as well as the multiple learning angles.
Here we can use the nesting penguins as intended and sort them by size. Oh look we can make molds with them too!
The bottoms also make a nesting activity on its own by having your little one use logic to determine sizes so that each bottom fits into the other.
We also pretend played a bit. The poor penguins landed up in an avalanche and we had to dig them out.
Ahh here is one! can you find his feet?
Penguins also slide according to my 5 year old, yes that is what is happening below. Those penguins really do slide.
When all 3 kids come to play in your sensory bin, you have a hit. Sensory fix for the week, check!
Pin this idea for later!
Recommended books and movies that have penguins in them!
Penguin plastic animals set, penguin nesting set
Books: Penguin, How Do Penguins Play?, National Geographic Readers: Penguins!, Penguins, Penguins: The Ultimate Guide, Children’s Book : Amazing Facts About – Penguins
Movies: Happy Feet/ Happy Feet 2/ March Of the Penguins (Triple Feature), Penguins of Madagascar
More ideas for the theme polar animals.
Polar Animal Literacy Activities:
Walrus Dive for Letters from Capri + 3
Polar Bear Paw Walk Preschool Alphabet Game by Growing Book by Book
Polar Animal Science and Sensory Activities:
How do Animals Stay Warm by Rainy Day Mum
Penguin Sorting Sensory Bin by Powerful Mothering
Arctic World by Learning 2 Walk
Polar Animal Movement Activities
Polar Animals Gross Motor Games by Still Playing School
Polar Animal Math Games and Activities:
Polar Bear Math Game by The Educators’ Spin On It
Counting to 5 with Penguins by Life Over C’s
Polar Animals Mega Blocks Puzzle by Tiny Tots Adventures
Polar Bear Activities and Books for Preschool by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says
The snow dough looks so fun!
Kim says
I love nesting sets!!! This one is SO cute!
Danielle says
Great idea! I plan on trying the snow dough very soon so I am looking forward to your recipe.
Theresa says
I love the penguin nesting set! I love the way you put it to use for a great educational activity.
Cerys from Rainy Day Mum says
What a fun sensory bin – and I love the nesting penguins I think I may have to have a set.
Still Playing School says
I can’t wait to read the snow dough recipe! I love the nesting penguins and I really like their slide! How fun!
Natasha says
Yup, you have a winner! I love sensory bins that can suck all my children in.
Amanda says
I think I “need” these penguin nesting dolls. SO cute and so much fun!