treasure hunt

Kindergarten Readiness: Easter Egg Hunt

A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go; we’ll look for eggs to fill our pails, and then we’ll eat them all. The rhyme may not work, but the description is more accurate. An Easter egg hunt for kids includes all the senses and is more than fun. As a sensory activity, and Easter egg hunt also includes an element of early learning and development along with the fun.

Easter Egg Hunt The sense of sight is probably the most obvious. Whether eggs are hidden inside or outside, kids will need to use their sight as they look all around for eggs. While some may be easy to find, not all the eggs will be hidden in plain sight. Kids will need to use clues, such as shadows and differences in color.

The best smell is the eggs themselves, but outside there’s the smell of new grass, damp earth, and spring blossoms. No matter how hard kids listen, they can’t hear eggs calling, but there will be other sounds. Feet make different kinds of noises depending on what’s underfoot and the choice of footwear. Often, more than one child will be hunting, so there’s different voices. There’s lots of stimulation for the sense of touch, as hands and fingers pick up what eyes have located. The grass might feel tickly and the earth cool. If lucky, the whole body will feel the warmth of the sun.

The sense of taste gets the biggest reward. Easter eggs are yummy. But it’s probably not a good idea to eat them all at once. Especially before breakfast.

Besides those senses, there are some other ones that come into play at an Easter egg hunt. There’s a sense of family, a sense of belonging. Many places will have Easter egg hunts for the community. There’s certainly lots of stimulation for the senses. Happy Hunting and Easter!

Pirate Fun Activities For Kids #24: Treasure Box Craft

pirate activities for kidsPirates and kids need a place to keep treasures and making a special box is a great learning and fun project that helps develop kindergarten readiness too. Do you remember having a special box to keep your treasures in as a child? My favorite was similar to this one, all made of sea shells. The shells kept falling off and I kept gluing them back for years. Of course, I didn’t have pirate gold in it but I think I remember a few coins, some shells I’d found, and very likely some rocks.

Not all kids enjoy crafts to the same extent, but they do like making things. Kids can make a box to hold treasures using a shoe box or other container with a lid. Shoe boxes can be decorated with colors, fabric scraps, stickers, shiny paper, seashells, foam bits or whatever else appeals to kids.

pirate activities for kidsIt’s easy to see how this encourages creativity, but it also promotes problem-solving, planning, making choices, organizing, and other thinking skills. As kids color and glue, peel and stick, they use the small muscles in their hands, fingers, and wrists, practicing their fine motor coordination. Older kids will likely spend more time and effort while younger ones may only put a few decorations on their treasure box. The talking and explaining gives an opportunity to use language skills as well. It’s a perfect opportunity to talk about colors and shapes.

All of us need to feel a sense of accomplishment and being able to make something is quite empowering. These feelings and emotions are a positive and powerful treasure, no matter what things are kept in the box. What are your ideas and thoughts on making pirate treasure boxes?

Kindergarten Readiness: Pocket Treasure Hunt

Today you can tuck some kindergarten readiness fun and learning into a pocket. Children’s pockets hold all kinds of treasures and things they collect. From a special stone picked up on a walk to the bus, to a bit of shiny paper, to a tissue that smells like mommy, a car, block, or tiny stuffie, a pocket is handy for them all. Experience soon teaches parents to check kids’ pockets before doing the wash.

It’s no wonder that the little bear Corduroy wanted his very own pocket. Written by Don Freeman, A Pocket For Corduroy is anpocket-for-corduroy older book, but a favorite for kids because they can all relate to having a pocket. In the story the little bear looks for solutions to having a pocket of his own. It’s quite an adventure that stretches kids’ imagination as soap flakes turn into a ski hill and more.

Parents and caregivers can also use this book to explore with children how important it is not to go off on their own. Corduroy gets locked in the laundromat all night when he does that. Kids also hear how doing just a small thing for someone else can make a big difference. (Below is a video of this wonderful little book, about 8 minutes long.)

You and your child can talk about what’s in your pockets or go for a walk to find something to put in them. Your child can go for a pocket treasure hunt right in the house.  Did you know that pockets can also hold kisses?