Last Updated on April 20, 2020 by Sheryl Cooper
Preschool transitions can be hard on kids, unless they have something to keep them busy while waiting. I’ve put together 12 calm activities that little kids can work on while waiting to transition to the next part of their day.
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One of our trickiest transitions in preschool is between snack and small groups. Some children are slower eaters, so what to do with those who are finished? We always have calm activities ready to go. The children know that when they are finished with snack and have cleaned their place at the table, they can go work on one of these quiet activities until all the children have finished eating.
Stickers
Preschoolers love stickers! We keep a drawer full of them. Just place them at the table with some paper for an easy activity.
Threading
Threading is a wonderful way to keep children busy and calm while waiting!
You can see one of our threading activities here.
For younger children, try a threading activity that uses large chunky beads.
Legos or Duplos
Throughout the years we’ve collected a lot of Legos. They’ve been a lifesaver during difficult transitions, or for days when the children need some extra calm moments. If your children still put items in their mouths, Duplos work better. (We have both.)
DIY Clothespin Drop
This is especially fun for toddlers! Take an empty plastic bottle and remove the lid. Cut an opening on the side of the bottle so that after clothespins are dropped into the bottle, they can easily be retrieved.
DIY Color Sorting Trays
It’s super simple to make your own color sorting trays! Take any type of divided container and cut colored paper to fit into each section. Secure the paper with tape and find various objects that are the same colors. Invite the preschoolers to place the objects in the matching spot. For a free color sorting download, check out our free color heart printable.
Magnetic Letters
Magnetic trays come in all sizes. Some are large so that several children can work together. Then there are small trays for personal use. A great way to add some literacy into your day!
White Boards
White (dry erase) boards can really come in handy during transitions! Like the magnetic trays, they come in all sizes. I appreciate that it’s super easy to clean up, so we can move on to our next activity quickly. Just get out some dry erase pens or Do-a-Dots and you have a calm white board activity while waiting.
Transferring Activities
We keep a plastic container filled with pom poms available for quiet times. This container has a lid, so it stores easily. Add tongs and it makes a fun fine motor activity!
Once your preschoolers have stopped putting small items in their mouths, transferring small beads is a nice quiet activity. I love to find household objects, such as this silicone trivet, that have small sections that can rest in. Add strawberry hullers or tweezers.
Markers
Markers and paper, but of course! We have these available in our writing area at all times, so during transitions our preschoolers know that is one area they can go. Nice, quiet, and an important pre-writing activity.
Books
We have baskets of books stashed in several areas of the room as well as in our book corner. We use books as our transition to each circle time, too. We even keep a basket of books outside the bathroom so children have something to keep them occupied if the bathrooms are already being used.
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These will be great for my 4s too. While we are writing, some students work much faster. To encourage the best work, I have those finished use white boards, markets, hand writing activities.
My kids love to work on dry erase tracing activity books after lunch while everyone finishes. I pick them up at Marshall’s for a great price and they can be used over and over. I cut magic eraser sponges into small pieces and teach them to clean their own books when it’s time to move on…another great life skill/fine motor/calming/sensory friendly activity in of itself
That’s a great idea to use magic erase sponges! I need to try that. Thank you!