My kids are LEGO obsessed! Yours too?! We’ve used them to practice addition and subtraction, counting, patterns… even engineering. I was super excited to add another LEGO-themed learning activity to the mix: measurement. These printable LEGO measuring activity sheets are perfect to use with kids who are just beginning to practice measurement and LEGO fans who are…
Help kids understand linear measurement with this batch of playful, hands-on STEM challenges. They’re the perfect addition to your STEM center, measurement unit, or STEM boxes! Grab your pack in our shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers. Don’t want to stop the STEM fun? Check out our Epic STEM Challenge Bundle in our shop! Peek…
This kid-approved STEM challenge is the perfect addition to your measurement unit or STEM center!
The 60 hands-on task cards and corresponding record sheets give kids practice measuring and comparing length using unifix cubes.
-> Bundle with all of our STEM activity packs and SAVE!
In the first 45 cards, children compare two piles of objects to determine which set is longer.
When they’re ready for a challenge, students then move on to the 15 extension cards.
STUDENTS WILL:
–> Find objects in the room that are longer or shorter than a given set,
–> Estimate and then measure the length of objects,
–> And decide what type of measuring tool (ruler, measuring tape or yard stick/meter stick) would be best to use in different situations.
Finally, in the final challenge included in the pack, children race Matchbox cars to determine which one travels the farthest.
The STEM challenge pack is so motivating, hands-on and playful! Kids will ask to complete it over and over again.
This kid-approved STEM challenge is the perfect addition to your weight measurement unit or STEM center!
The 60 hands-on task cards and corresponding record sheets give kids practice measuring and comparing weight using a simple balance.
–> Bundle with all of our STEM challenges and save!
In the first 45 cards, children compare two piles of objects to determine which set weighs more and which weighs less.
When they’re ready for a challenge, students then move on to the 15 extension cards that invite them to find objects in the room that weigh more or less than a given set.
The STEM challenge pack is so motivating, hands-on and playful! Kids will ask to complete it over and over again.
These geoboard STEM challenges are an amazingly simple tool for stretching kids’ design, engineering and measurement skills. Snag your 10 free STEM challenges below and then hop over to grab our Epic STEM Challenges Bundle! Getting Ready Prepping the activity was quick and easy! I printed the pages on cardstock to give them added durability…
Science Technology Engineering and Math {STEM} activities are fun ways to teach kids how things work. This straw bridge activity takes just a few minutes to prep but will keep young engineers learning for hours. Who can build the strongest bridge? Find out and then hop over to our shop to grab our Epic STEM…
Pumpkin spice, cinnamon apple and mulled cider – we love the scents of fall and just couldn’t get enough of this warm and cozy autumn-scented salt dough recipe. This dough takes a mere minutes to mix up and is the perfect, no-fail recipe for little chefs to make. When you’re done, be sure to head…
There’s nothing more special than a kid-made gift – especially if it’s a gift that comes with some well deserved pampering. That’s why my 4 year-old daughter and I decided to make scented homemade bath bombs for the wonderful moms and grandmoms in our lives. This kid-made gift is sure to please! P.S. Looking for…
Pattern blocks are a motivating, hands-on way to teach kids about shapes, patterns, measurement…. even fractions! These playful roll and cover pattern block mats add three more math skills to the list: counting, number recognition and addition. If you’re into this “sneak peak” of these pattern block mats, head to our store to purchase the whole set…
Growing crystals is a favorite science experiment of ours and these glow-in-the-dark crystals for Halloween make it all the more exciting! Check out how to make these fascinating crystals below! Then, grab our 30 Science Experiments your kids will love in our shop! Getting Ready To prep for these glow-in-the-dark crystals, I gathered a few…
This amazing-smelling green apple playdough recipe uses only two ingredients and makes a soft, stretchy, silky dough your kids will love. The no-cook playdough recipe is great for kids to make from beginning to end – no measuring, no boiling water, no messy clean up. When you’re done, grab our playdough mats to have fun…
Marshmallow geometry is a fun way to teach the names and characteristics of 2D shapes including triangles, rectangles and squares. Kids love having the chance to build 2D shapes with food and grown ups love watching children practice important math skills. It’s a win-win! For a printable version of this activity, hop over and grab our popular…
Regardless of where children are in their writing development, they love showing off their skills. These writing journals for toddlers and preschoolers are easy to put together and are sure to keep young kids telling stories and practicing their writing skills in the most genuine and natural ways. You’ll love hearing what they create and they’ll love telling…
Pencil grasp development begins long before children are ready for formalized writing. It begins even before even the first coloring and scribbles are put to paper, before the one you, as a parent, so proudly hang on the fridge. In fact, you might be surprised to find that pencil grasp development begins when children are babies;…
These 25 American-themed activities for kids include engaging math, science, literacy and crafts young patriots will love. If you’re in need of a little red, white and blue inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Kids will go crazy over these 4th of July activities and we think you will too. Want more fun activities!? Become a VIP Plato Pack member so you…
Summer is arriving and so are strawberries picked straight from the garden. This sweet-smelling strawberry playdough recipe will have you craving those delicious little berries. So make sure you have a few on hand, because your kiddos will be asking for them once this homemade playdough gets into their little hands. I know mine were! When you’re done…
What’s better than ice cream on a hot summer’s day?! Ice cream with a little kids’ science sprinkled on top, that’s what! This deliciously fun ice cream in a bag is so simple. It’s one of our favorite treats to make while camping. With a few common ingredients and a little muscle, you too can enjoy…
Counting cards are an easy prep, fun way to help kids practice number sequence, one-to-one correspondence, number recognition and (of course) counting! These 15 counting cards are our favorite freebies from across the web. They’re creative, engaging and hands-on. A perfect combo for some serious counting fun. For more math fun, check out our Number Formation…
I’ve never met a child who wasn’t interested in animals! Whether you’re looking for a fun follow up to a zoo field trip or you need a motivating way to reinforce counting and graphing, kids will love this playful zoo animal race to the top counting game! Snag your set below and then hop over…
Burning money is usually not a good idea. That is, unless you know this trick that lets you set your money ablaze without actually burning it! Our little scientists love demonstrations that have a bit of magic to them and they were eager to see me light my money on fire. Make sure to do…
I’ve tested a lot of different playdough recipes – cooked and uncooked, scented and not… but this one is my hands-down favorite because it comes out bright and squishy every time. The one pot playdough recipe requires a few minutes of stovetop cooking, but I promise it’s worth the step. Most squishy no-cook playdough recipes…
There’s just something about the colors of the rainbow that make projects seem a little happier, don’t you think?! These 25 rainbow activities for kids are sure to bring smiles as children play along with fun and colorful math, science and literacy projects. For more STEM-related activities, check out our Epic STEM Bundle in our shop! Rainbow Activities…
Get ready for some Peep catapults! My kiddos were so busy laughing at this STEM activity that they didn’t realize they were learning engineering, physics and math, too. Follow the simple step-by-step below and then grab 30 more easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no prep science journal to keep track…
The homemade bath bombs we made for Mother’s Day last year were such a hit with both my kids. They loved every step – from mixing and molding the fizzies to delivering them. So I came up with these Valentine’s Day-inspired homemade bath bombs that reveal a secret message when placed in the bath! Of…
This easy-peasy, low-cost kids’ science experiment uses borax to grow crystal names. All kiddos will love seeing their name shimmer and sparkle in the sunlight! Crystal names are one of our favorite science experiments EVER. Follow the simple step-by-step below and then grab 30 more easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a…
Looking for a magical, gorgeous and highly-addictive way to color Easter eggs?! These DIY volcano eggs are an awesome craft and science activity in one. With just baking soda and vinegar, you can make erupting eggs that are brilliantly colorful and tons of fun. For more science fun, check out our 30 Science Experiments in…
Whether you’re a super fan of the movie Frozen or you’re just on the hunt for some wintery science projects kids will love, these 20 Frozen science experiments are sure to melt your heart. Whip up ice that’s hot to the touch, melt Elsa’s frozen hands, make some fizzy ice castles and more. Get inspired below and then…
This simple kids’ science activity is perfect for little scientists who like seeing creatures come alive before their eyes. Like our fizzing popsicle paint and magic balloons, this kids’ science experiment uses baking soda and vinegar to make gummy worms dance. Follow the simple step-by-step below and then grab 30 more easy-to-follow science experiments kids…
If you’re looking for kindergarten centers your students will beg to repeat, you’ve come to the right spot! Playdough to Plato is all-in on helping you save time, stay inspired and get bigger teaching results so we pulled together some of our favorite kindergarten centers in one spot right here. Just click one of the…
If you’re looking for pre-kindergarten centers your students will beg to repeat, you’ve come to the right spot! Playdough to Plato is all-in on helping you save time, stay inspired and get bigger teaching results so we pulled together some of our favorite pre-kindergarten centers in one spot right here. Your students will love switching…
ABC games are a fun, hands-on way to teach kids the names and sounds of letters. This roundup of 50 ABC games includes favorite finds from across the web. Whether you’re looking for a super-active game or you’d like an easy download you can print and play, this list has you covered. Then, hop over to become a…
You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up this hot ice science experiment! Just like all of our favorite science projects for kids, you just need a few simple supplies from your pantry: vinegar, baking soda and water. The prep is quick and simple but the results are pure magic! Your kids are…
My kids are always hate watching their snowmen slowly melt away but, with this sparkly playdough snowman in a jar, they’ll never have to worry about having a dropping snowman smile again! My kids had so much fun creating families of snowmen that we decided to share the fun by making these playdough snowmen in…
Little engineers will love these 25 LEGO activities. They’re hands-on, motivating ways to practice math, literacy, engineering… even science! So grab your bucket of bricks and get ready for some serious LEGO learning fun. And for more fun, check out our Epic STEM Challenge Bundle! This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Getting Ready Before jumping in…
Help preschoolers and kindergartners remember the shape and sound of the ABCs with these adorable letter of the week crafts. Then, hop over to become a VIP Plato Pack member so you can get all of the tools, strategies and support you need to reach ALL of your learners. To young children, a letter is…
This glow in the dark playdough recipe is guaranteed to make playtime exciting! And the best part is that you only need to add ONE simple ingredient to our super squishy playdough recipe to make the magic happen. Whip up your batch below and then continue the squishy, hands-on fun with our done-for-you playdough mats! Snag…
Nothing screams fall quite like apples, am I right? These 16 motivating apple activities make it fun to practice literacy, math, science and STEM. And the best part is that your kindergarten and first grade students will LOVE every single one of them! Snag your jumbo-sized apple pack in our shop or on Teachers Pay…
Teaching kids to read is one of the most important things on your daily to-do list. But making that learning FUN can feel daunting – it’s hard to know where to start. Enter: phonics games! When learning feels more like play than work, even reluctant readers will ask to practice it. And this roundup of…
Bring a little color and magic with this super simple and fascinating science experiment for kids. Like our rainbow jar, rainbow milk is a simple science activity with a big “WOW!” factor. Follow the simple step-by-step below and then grab 30 more easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no prep science journal…
I’m embarrassed to admit it, but my stash of geoboards sat on the shelves for YEARS collecting dust. I didn’t really know how I could make them engaging for kids and I was too busy trying to keep up on my to do list to dive in and figure it out. I soooo wish I…
Whether you use Daily Three, math groups or something else entirely, these editable math center labels make it so easy to customize a station rotation that’s a perfect fit for your classroom.
First up?! Get to work customizing your center cards.
The set includes 48 EDITABLE center cards! (You can check out the complete list in the product description below.)
PLUS, you’ll receive 20 editable color group labels (12 shape groups + 8 color groups).
Or, if you prefer, type your own names onto the set of customizable group labels.
Because the set is completely customizable, the options are limitless!
AND, as a fun bonus, you’ll also get customizable student labels so you can personalize a pocket chart of their math groups too.
The editable math center labels will take your rotations to a whole new level of organization.
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
–> Addition
–> Base ten blocks
–> Board Games
–> Calendar
–> Card Games
–> Comparing
–> Computers
–> Counting
–> Counting bears
–> Dice
–> Dominoes
–> Estimation
–> Fact Families
–> Fractions
–> Geometry
–> Graphing
–> iPad
–> LEGOS
–> Magnetic Numbers
–> Math Facts
–> Math journal
–> Math links
–> Measurement
–> Meet with the teacher (6 versions)
–> Money
–> Number line
–> Pattern blocks
–> Playdough
–> Popsicle Sticks
–> Puzzles
–> Reading math books
–> Shapes
–> Smart Board
–> Sorting
–> Spinner Games
–> Subtraction
–> Surprise
–> Tallying
–> Temperature
–> Ten frames
–> Time
–> Unifix cubes
–> Weight
These farm STEM challenges are a must-try! Students will love diving into measurement, engineering, number recognition, addition, shapes and problem solving.
The set is perfect to use in STEM centers, math stations or as early finisher tasks.
—————> Bundle with all of our STEM challenges and SAVE!
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
–> 15 geoboard task cards + a record sheet
–> 15 building block task cards + a record sheet
–> 15 linear measurement task cards + a record sheet
–> 10 baby animal match up puzzles
–> How many long? measurement activity
–> Roll and Cover Pattern Block Mats (There are two versions: one practicing numbers and a second for addition.)
Whether you’re prepping a farm unit or just need motivating ways to teach STEM, math, science, reading and writing skills, this farm MEGA pack is a must-try. These activities are yours when you become a VIP Plato Pack member. Just join, print, and play! SO EASY TO DIFFERENTIATE As always, the activities are designed for…
These apple STEM challenges are a must-try! Grab a bag of apples and dive into science, measurement, buoyancy, life cycles, 2D shapes and numbers.
The set is perfect to use in STEM centers, math stations or as early finisher tasks.
—————> Bundle with all of our STEM challenges and SAVE!
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
–> Apple Investigation Sheets (There are two versions: one using US measurement and one for metric.)
–> Apple Boat Races
–> Apple Life Cycle Poster
–> Apple Life Cycle Craftivity
–> Apple Life Cycle Cut and Paste Sequencing Activity
–> What’s Next? (You can practice any combination of numbers from 1 to 120.)
–> 2D Shape Concentration Game (Pick from 10 different 2D shapes.)
These Easter STEM Challenges are a must-try! Grab a bag of jelly beans and dive into weight, length and science. The set is perfect to use in STEM centers, math stations or as early finisher tasks.
————> Bundle with all of our STEM challenges and SAVE!
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
–> 16 weight comparison cards asking “What weighs more?”
–> 16 weight comparison cards asking “What weighs more?” OR “What weighs less?”
–> 16 length comparison cards asking “What is longer?”
–> 16 length comparison cards asking “What is longer?” OR “What is shorter?”
–> 15 geoboard challenges
–> Rubber egg science experiment
All six STEM challenges include record sheets to help kids keep track of their answers AND an answer key making it easy for you to check their results.
These Valentine’s Day STEM Challenges are a must-try! Use a simple box of candy hearts to dive into weight, length AND science.
The set is perfect to use in STEM centers, math stations or as early finisher tasks.
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
–> 16 weight comparison cards asking “What weighs more?”
–> 16 weight comparison cards asking “What weighs more?” OR “What weighs less?”
–> 16 length comparison cards asking “What is longer?”
–> 16 length comparison cards asking “What is longer?” OR “What is shorter?”
–> Dancing Candy Heart Science Experiment
All five STEM challenges include record sheets to help kids keep track of their answers AND an answer key making it easy for you to check their results.
There is so much more to reading than just sounding out words. Kids need to be able to THINK about what they’re reading too! These fun reading comprehension activities help students learn how to understand what a story or reading passage is all about. They’re great for kids in kindergarten on up. Then, grab our pack of Reading…
These telling time STEM challenges give kids hands-on practice with digital, analog and elapsed time.
Just print the cards on cardstock, cut them apart, and grab a student clock.
Kids will love solving all 6 activity sets:
-> Analog time to the nearest 15 minutes
-> Analog time to the nearest 5 minutes
-> Digital time to the nearest 15 minutes
-> Digital time to the nearest 5 minutes
-> Elapsed time with stories
-> Elapsed time with analog clocks
The pack includes record sheets and answer keys so you can easily check students’ progress!
These telling time challenges are a perfect compliment to our weight, linear and geoboard STEM challenges!
Clever word work centers make it fun for kids to practice everything from rhyming to word building, sight words, word families, spelling and more. These motivating word work centers are so entertaining that kids won’t even realize they are learning. Snag your free game below and then hop over and grab 14 more board games for your…
Looking for easy prep, fun to solve STEM challenges for kids?! This epic bundle combines ALL of my STEM challenges into one easy purchase – my best-selling landmark cards, toothpick and playdough STEM structures, weight and length challenges… they’re all here! And that means you’ll get an entire year of STEM challenges in one easy download.
Each activity pack includes easy to follow instructions, challenge cards, record sheets and answer keys.
AND THE BEST PART IS…
All 150+ challenges use simple supplies like toothpicks, pattern blocks and paper so you can quickly gather what you need without breaking the bank or making late night Target runs.
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
–> Scientific Method Posters
–> Editable STEM Box Labels and Student Checklist
–> Toothpick Structure Challenge Cards
–> Famous Landmark Challenge Cards
–> Weight Measurement Challenges
–> Linear Measurement Challenges
–> Pattern Block Challenges
–> Geoboard Challenges
–> Computer Coding Challenge Cards
–> Cookie Structure Challenges
–> Marshmallow Boat Challenges
–> Straw Challenges
–> Craft Stick Puzzles
–> Paper Challenges
–> Molecules and Atoms
–> 4 Season Building Cards
–> Telling Time Challenges
–> Christmas STEM Challenges
–> Winter STEM Challenge
–> Valentine’s Day STEM Challenges
–> St. Patrick’s Day STEM Challenges
–> Easter STEM Challenges
–> Spring STEM Challenges
–> Back to School STEM Challenges
–> Apple STEM Challenges
–> Farm STEM Challenges
–> Fall STEM Challenges
–> Holidays Around the World Challenges
–> Snow STEM Challenges
–> Rainbow STEM Challenges
–> Earth Day STEM Challenges
–> Building Block STEM Challenges
–> Alphabet Geoboard Challenges
–> Math Geoboard Challenges
–> Symmetry Mats
Welcome Instagram friends! This is the place to find all of our latest posts in one spot. Simply scroll down and click on the activity you’re searching for – our newest posts are on top. Spring STEM Challenges in our shop // on Teachers Pay Teachers 3D Shape Puzzles Sticky Ice Rainbow Digraph Puzzles Egg…
High energy students. You’ve known a few in your time. You’ve taught a few. You’re the parent to a few. It takes energy just to keep up with these kids, let alone to teach them. And with the pressures of standardized testing, with kindergarten being the new first grade, teaching high energy students can be…
What do you get when you combine a few simple chemical reactions with glitter, neon paint and a black light? A Glowing Magic Potion Station that kids will ask for over and over again! Watching the reactions under the glow of a black light takes a simple kids’ science experiment from fascinating to fabulous. For more…
Emotions have been running high for both my 3 and 5 year-old, so I decided to whip up a few different calming homemade playdough recipes that would help calm raging tempers and lift our spirits. My kiddos were transformed from whiney and clingy to cheerful and cooperative as they played with this dough for an hour…
Looking for some cool bug activities to try with your kids? These 21 creepy crawly math, literacy and craft projects are sure to be a hit. Whether you’re looking for new ideas for an insect unit or you just want to step up the fun factor, we hope you love these 21 cool bug activities as much as we do….
Looking for motivating math centers for your Pre-K classroom? These 25 hands-on, ready to print activities teach shapes, counting to 20, writing numbers, patterns and graphing.
The activities make it so easy to set up math stations! Just print, prep and play. The easy-to-follow instructions make them perfect for parent volunteers or classroom helpers.
The 25 printable centers give students practice with:
–> 2D Shapes
–> Patterns
–> Sorting
–> Number recognition to 20
–> Number formation
–> Counting to 20
–> Ten frames
–> Graphing
–> Introductory measuring
INSIDE YOU’LL FIND:
–> Number Rainbows
–> Counting Clip Cards (2 sets)
–> Roll and Color Number Game
–> Number Dominoes
–> Ten Frame Dab
–> Roll and Write 1-9
–> Number 1-20 Puzzles
–> Kids Color Up 1-12 Game
–> Pizza Shop 1-20 Counting Cards
–> Number Bingo for 1-20
–> How Many Long? Linear Measurement Activity
–> Shape Graph
–> Shape Sort
–> I Have, Who Has Shape Game
–> Shape Puzzles
–> Roll and Color Shape Sheet
–> Color Sort
–> Graphing Colors
–> Counting Bear Pattern Cards
–> Farm Pattern Cut and Glue Sheet
–> Popsicle Stick Pattern Cards
Looking for a playdough recipe that’s perfect for fall? These homemade playdoughs are scented with real apples, pumpkin, and spices. Use them in a pretend bakery shop, play with some free playdough mats or stamp them with alphabet letters… the possibilities are limitless. Each playdough recipe makes enough for 2-3 children to have a large ball of…
Rhymes for kids are a power packed combo of fun and learning. Not only are they easy entertainment, but they also teach children important early reading skills including listening for word patterns, learning new vocabulary and story sequencing. These eight fun rhymes for kids take all of that good stuff one step further by giving you free finger puppets that bring…
Get preschoolers ready for kindergarten with 42 fun and effective alphabet, math and fine motor activities. Read more.
Help kids build a strong foundation of skills with these 21 awesome preschool math games. The list includes fun ways to learn shapes, counting, number writing, measuring and more. They’re the perfect complement to our Number Formation Pack! First up on our to do list are shape games – motivating activities teaching kids the names…
You can do so much more with LEGOs than build! One of our favorite ways is to incorporate them into a LEGO game like this one. Our newest LEGO game is a fun way to work on measurement in preschool or kindergarten. Want more fun ideas like this one? Become a VIP Plato Pack member so you…
Kindergarten games, science experiments and math.
ABC games, preschool math activities and crafts.
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