It’s a few years since my daughter was a 3 year old, but the memories of her enjoying independent play and my eavesdropping on her playroom chats are happily fresh in my mind. Being 3 is all about playing, being curious, having fun and ‘more’ playing! – watch them get busy with these 21 handpicked activities for 3 year olds, from easy art projects to pretend play.
Learning Activities for 3 Year Olds
FELT SHAPES BOARD
A great quiet, calm-down activity to help engage little minds.
STYROFOAM FISHIES IN A CARDBOARD BOX AQUARIUM
Making these creative little fishies is a really simple and fun craft “ perfect for home and the classroom. Decorate the inside of your shoe box with an ocean theme and then hang fish and sea life on fishing line that is connected at the top. See how those fishing line ends come through the top of the box and attach to wooden buttons for an extra ability to make a sea floor puppet show!
MOON SAND MAKING
Brace yourselves because this is the most awesome activity – wonderful for sensory learning and the kids can get involved in making too. via laughingkidslearn
VELCRO DOT CRAFT STICKS
Keep the kids busy while encoring creativity learning. via powerfulmothering
BUSY FINGERS BRACELETS
Practicing fine motor skills with beads. via Mom
Preschool Activities for 3 Year Olds
DIY T-SHIRTS
Kids love seeing their doodles explode with color
Just draw with sharpie markers, spray, air dry and wear. via kidsactivitiesblog
EVERYDAY CRAFTING FUN – 4 REALLY FUN IDEAS
With fruit loops, paper bags, packing peanuts and pipe cleaners – Oh how I love the packing peanut teeth!! via PinkStripeySocks
DIY TODDLER DOMINOS
Suuuuuper easie peasie made with craft sticks and sharpie markers. Place your sticks in a plastic bag until you’re ready to play again, and again and again! via PinkStripeySocks
Things To Do With 3 Year Olds Indoors
SALT DOUGH MOSAIC TILES
Salt dough is such a versatile and fun material. You can never run out of activities to do with it. via lifelessonplans
PRETEND PLAY CITY WITH PAPER BAGS
A simple way to create a pretend city for your child to act out their imaginative stories.
KID-DRAWN PLAY MAT
Make a super size family or classroom made floor play mat. Fun for all with a roll of craft paper, a packet of crayons and the kitchen floor! idea via mollymoocrafts
Crafts for 3 Year Olds with Glue
YARN FAMILY PORTRAITS
Doodle a bald family on a piece of paper and let the kids get creative with yarn and a glue stick. Oh what fun! via PinkStripeySocks
TOILET ROLL DOLLS
Incredibly cute, and incredibly easy to make with just toilet rolls and scraps of fabric. Crafts that inspire play – my favorite type of crafts. via danyabanya
EGG CARTON RAFT
With egg cartons, lollipop sticks and a glue gun make a sturdy raft with a mast and crows nest for hours of imaginative play. via mollymoocrafts
FREE PRINTABLE OWL PAPER CRAFT
Don’t stop at one – make a whole little owl family. via kids activitiesblog
Painting Activities for 3 Year Olds
PAINTED STICK INSTRUMENTS
Kid painted sticks, decorated with yarn and a few beads and bells and your 3 year old will be making sweet music. via Naturestore
FIZZY PAINTING
Painting and science fun all in one. via taminglittlemonsters
VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR CRAFT
Make this really fun mixed media The Very Hungry Caterpillar project which is perfect for little hands. Read the book for a lovely afternoon.
Fun Food Activities for Three Year Olds
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM PLAY DOUGH
This homemade play dough recipe can jumpstart that journey to owning their own ice cream shop, becoming an ice cream pastry chef. via kidsactivitiesblog
POTATO PRINT MONSTERS – FOR EVERYDAY FUN
With some potatoes, paint, googly eyes and a few cotton buds you have all the necessary ingredients for creating goofy, scary or pretty monsters ¦ potato printing is fun in the kitchen. via mollymoocrafts
Mess-Free Fun Things To Do With 3 Year Olds
CARDBOARD BUNNY LACING CARD
A simple cardboard bunny lacing card template to keep little hands busy and engaged.
via kidsactivitiesblog
Time to get your crafty pants on!
Michelle xx
Here Is More Learning Fun:
What fun activity for 3 year olds are you going to start with first?