Inside: Come see how we set up our classroom for the toddler and preschool apple theme. So many fun hands-on learning activities that our students loved!
We like to kick off our fall themes with apples. There are so many fun ways to explore them – in fact, we could have extended this theme for weeks!
We explored apples in just about every learning center, and we had our first cooking activity of the school year making apple muffins.
I added a new fingerplay, we took a nature walk and found apples on the ground, and we did several different fun art activities.
👉 Scroll down towards the end of this post to find some free apple printables!
Putting Together the Toddler and Preschool Apple Theme
Light Table
We set up an apple sorting activity using the apples from our Attribute Apples toy. We rummaged through our storage closet to find matching rainbow blocks and I added our apple printables.
Related: Ultimate Collection of Light Table Activities
Sensory Bin
The base for this bin was oats and we added some cinnamon sticks, burlap bags, small pretend apples, and padded apples. I then covered 2 Pringles chip canisters so that one was red and one was green. Our children had fun dropping the matching colored apples into the canisters. They also simply loved using the canisters to pour oats into, then dumping them out.
Related: Big Collection of Sensory Table Activities
Dramatic Play
We set up a very simple apple market with pretend apples, baskets, crates, and bags. Of course, the highlight for these 2 and 3 year olds was filling the bags with as many apples as possible and transporting them all over the classroom!
Related: Fall Dramatic Play Ideas
Easel
We added apples to the apple tree using red Do-a-Dot Markers. (Printable available towards bottom of this post.)
Blocks Center
We brought out our over-sized hollow wooden block set and added loose parts and apples for some fun building.
Related: The Best Blocks Activities
Felt Board
I cut a trees and apples from felt for a simple “put the apples on the tree” activity.
Art
Apple Trees
We made 3-dimensional apple trees.
You can read more about it here.
Apple Prints
We used a simple 2-ingredient fluffy paint recipe to make apple prints.
You can read more about that activity in this post: Easy Apple Art Activity
Apple Collage
We used the same apple printable (available to download towards the end of this post) to for a textured red collage.
Cooking
We kicked off our first cooking activity of the school year making easy apple muffins.
You can get the recipe and see how we made them here: How to Make Easy Apple Muffins
Books
Some of our favorite books to go with the toddler and preschool apple theme:
Fingerplays
One of our new and favorite finger plays for the apple theme: Five Apples in the Apple Tree.
I used a felt tree and apples as a visual.
Music Playlist
Free Printables!
Printable Activities
Apple Counting Cards
Put the Apples on the Tree
Use Do-a-Dot Markers or apple stickers!
Sorting Apples by Color
In addition to how we used these in the photos above, we’ve also used them for graphing during our preschool circle time. You can see that post and get the free download here: Preschool Apple Math Activity
Apple Counting 1-5
You can see how we used this printable and get the free download here: Apple Counting Activity for Preschoolers
Apple Outline
Can be used for an art activity or at the writing table.
You can find the free download in any of these posts:
More apple ideas:
Amazing Collection of Apple Theme Activities
Easy Apple Prints (Free Printable)
🍎 Fall Activity Plans 🍎
I’ve teamed up with other early childhood teachers and homeschoolers to put together these hands-on fall activity plans for toddlers and preschoolers!
Easy to follow activities that include modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Note: This is a digital product. That means when you make a purchase, you will be emailed a link to the activities.
For more information, click on the graphics below:
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