Do you ever look at the weather for the week and feel dread because it is going to be cold or rainy? Try these ideas to keep you and your students sane during these cold and rainy months! Indoor recess for preschoolers does not have to be something you dread.
#1 Obstacle Course
Use color tape, masking tape and set up an obstacle course for the students to complete! Ask the PE teachers to borrow scooters, cones, rings, hula hoops and more. This may take a little prep, but a lot of time the PE staff are “retiring” equipment each year for you to have and use. These items were purchased by parents on amazon for us. Check them out here.
#2 Climbing Equipment
Last year my co-teacher and I added to our collection. We completed a donors choose to get this climbing ladder. We bring it out for gross motor days and for indoor recess.
#3 Bowling
Bowling can be a great way to have students work on fine motor, gross motor skills and even turn taking! Sets are super cheap on Amazon and I bet even Facebook groups will have them for free!
#4 Water Play
It might be cold or rainy outside, but that doesn’t mean the water play has to end! Last year during our construction unit we “cleaned the muddy trucks” and the students had a BLAST! Staff painted the trucks with brown paint and then we filled our water table up with water and sponges for the students to clean the trucks. No paint? No worries, bath toys, cups, scoops, and water work just as magically!
#5 Gross Motor Blocks
These foam blocks have been great to express some of that pent up energy!! I use these just as a way for students to get wiggles out in the morning. All of these blocks have been given to us from parents or from FB for free! A lot of times if you express a need for students to have items people are more willing to donate items! Check out my blog for tips on how to expand your classroom items here.
I hope one of these ideas works for your classroom! Here is an entire list you can print and save!!!
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