Hot Cocoa Fun (preschool activities)

What's better in the winter then a cup of hot chocolate?!?!  One of the great things about teaching preschool at home is we are not on a schedule and learning can happen any time!  The little ones wanted hot cocoa and it reminded me of a fun experiment I saw here.  Our quiet night quickly turned into a fun experience and with a couple ingredients you can do this too!

Magic Hot Cocoa Science Experiment

Fist up we made some magic hot cocoa!  While they were at the table I added some baking soda to the mug and then covered it with layer of cocoa mix.  They suspected nothing :)  I then gave them a cup of magic water (vinegar) and we said some magic words.  I let the little ones help with the words and I think it went something like "bibbity bobbity boo make this cocoa boil and brew."  Haha  let me know if you come up with some something :)

 Carefully pour in your magic water water and watch the magic happen

 His face haha! He was not sure about this magic cocoa

 This little girl was delighted and loved every second of it.

 We experimented a little more by using some of our 5 senses: seeing, smelling, touching, and I think at one point she tasted one of the bubbles.  We forgot hearing.  We talked about our observations

 We tried adding more magic water at different speeds...fast was pretty exciting!

 We even stirred it with a straw to see if anything would happen.

I think it was a successful experiment

Marshmallow Name Activity

We used mini marshmallows for some fine motor and name practice.

 Write their name on a piece of construction paper.  Using a glue bottle go over a letter or 2.  Have your little one follow the line of glue with marshmallows.

 Let them dry over night.

Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow Counting Mat 

Finally we pulled out or hot chocolate and marshmallow counting mat.  I love making a counting mat for each theme.  This is my favorite style of mat of counting mat because it is low prep, easily adjust to their skill level by adding or take away numbers and you are only printing one page in color instead of individual cards for each number.

 To create print the pages in the download below.  Laminate. Cut number cards apart.  If you have used any of our other number mats you already have the numbers and don't worry about printing them again.

Place your number cards in the box-order doesn't matter.  Use tongs, fine motor tools (like this one), or fingers to add the correct number of marshmallows to the board.  Then clear the board and remove the card.  Continue through the stack of cards.  You can also do some simple addition or subtraction using two cards.  Place two numbers on top.  Add or take away the correct number of marshmallows.  count how many marshmallows are in the cup.

Download the Counting Mat Here

I love how a  few simple, low prep activities are packed with learning.  The best part is they are having so much fun they don't even realize its happening.

Pumpkin Counting Mat

Here's the next adorable counting mat.  I love making one for each season.  You can find the others here)

This time we have a pumpkin counting mat. Don't you love the tractor?!?

 Print the board and the numbers (0-10 included).  Place one number in the square and add the correct number of pumpkins to the wagon.  For pumpkins you can use pompoms, play-dough, erasers, candy, etc.  To increase the difficulty (& add some extra fine motor practice) add some tongs.

Download this cute counting mat here!

Adorable graphics from LittleRed,  Instruct and Inspire, and  fonts by Hello Literacy

Apple Tree Counting Mat

*this post contain affiliate links*

 We are working on all things apple and letter A.  My kids had so much fun with the coconut tree counting mat that I thought we would carry that activity over and use apples instead.  

They love these counting mats! I love that they are learning to recognize their numbers, count, 1 to 1 correspondence, and work on their fine motor skills.  

For this activity your little one is going to place the correct number of apples in the tree aka yellow, red, or green pompoms or you can roll up some playdough to make apples.  

Draw a card and place it in the box.  Using tongs or hands place the correct number of apples on the tree.  Tongs are an awesome way to develop those fine motor skills.

The free download includes one apple tree mat and cards from 0-20. 

Download your copy here.

You can find our Coconut Counting Mat here and more apple themed activities here.

Adorable graphics from Mommyish For Teachers, Instruct and Inspire and fonts by Hello Literacy