Play Activities

For ages 3 to 5 years

1. WATER PLAY
All young children find relief from stress through water play. When they are out of sorts and nothing seems to comfort them, encourage them to play at the kitchen sink while standing on a chair. A slow stream of water, a plastic bowl, and small plastic cups work wonders. Bubbles can add to the joy.

2. PLAYTIME
Have children run, hop, somersault, and skip back and forth between parents, while parents encourage and compliment children upon arriving at each adult.

3. MAKE A LIFE BOOK (Great for newly adopted children)
This can be used in any type of loss situation. In the case of adoption from overseas this is a way to remind the child of their heritage, so you may find pictures of the place they lived previously; if there are not pictures available use the Internet or have children draw things that they remember.

4. MEMORY BOX
Have your child decorate a box (old shoe, check or jewelry boxes work well). Explain to your child that they can put whatever they want into their box. This box can be a box filled with things that remind them of someone or someplace that they miss. Explain to your child that they can look inside this memory box anytime they want to remember that person or place. This activity is also helpful for the loss of a family pet.

5. SING SONGS

Bingo
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!
(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!
(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
There was a farmer had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
And Bingo was his name-o!

Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider
Crawled up the water spout ('Climb' up arm)
Down came the rain
(Wiggle fingers down from head to waist)
And washed the spider out
(Throw arms to sides)
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
(Raise hands above head, make circle for sun)
And the itsy bitsy spider
Crawled up the spout again
('Climb' up arm again)

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,
Knees and Toes
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,
Knees and Toes
And Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Knees and Toes

I Love You, You Love Me*
I love you
You love me
We're a happy family
With a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too?
I love you
You love me
We're best friends
Like friends should be
With a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too?
*Lyrics by Lee Bernstein

I’m A Little Teapot
I'm a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle [one hand on hip], here is my spout [other arm out straight]
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout
Just tip me over and pour me out!
[as song ends, lean over and tip arm out like a spout]
*Lyrics by Lee Bernstein

If All the Raindrops
If all the raindrops
Were lemon drops and gumdrops
Oh, what a rain that would be!
Standing outside, with my mouth open wide
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
If all the raindrops
Were lemon drops and gumdrops
Oh, what a rain that would be!
If all the snowflakes
Were candy bars and milkshakes
Oh, what a snow that would be!
Standing outside, with my mouth open wide
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
If all the snowflakes
Were candy bars and milkshakes
Oh, what a snow that would be!
If all the sunbeams
Were bubblegum and ice cream
Oh, what a sun that would be!
Standing outside, with my mouth open wide
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
If all the sunbeams
Were bubblegum and ice cream
Oh, what a sun that would be!

- More Activities -

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