Learning Activities for 4-Year-Olds

Trace the shadow of an object at different times of day and watch it change. A simple experiment that teaches your child how the sun moves across the sky.

Build a simple ramp and test which objects roll fastest. A hands-on physics experiment that teaches prediction, testing, and comparing results.

Pick a letter sound and hunt for objects that start with it — B for ball, book, banana. Turns phonics into a physical, room-by-room adventure.

Hand your preschooler a magnifying glass and let them investigate nature up close — leaves, rocks, insects, bark. Observation is the first step of science.

Use handprints to measure objects around the house — how many hands long is the table? A playful introduction to non-standard measurement for preschoolers.

Test which household objects are magnetic and which aren't. Your preschooler becomes a scientist, making predictions and recording results with real magnets.

Match uppercase letter cards to their lowercase partners. A hands-on way to learn that A and a are the same letter in different outfits.

Set up a pretend grocery store with price tags and play money. Your child practices counting, recognizing numbers, and basic addition while shopping and selling.

Roll a die and do that many movements — three hops, five claps, two spins. A whole-body counting game that burns energy while building number sense.

Build towers of different heights with blocks and compare them — which is taller? Shorter? A playful measurement activity that introduces comparison vocabulary.

Sort coins by type and learn their names — penny, nickel, dime, quarter. A real-world math activity that introduces money concepts through hands-on sorting.

Build a daily routine around a simple calendar and weather chart. Your preschooler learns days, seasons, and weather by tracking them each morning.

Create a floor number line with masking tape and practice walking, jumping, and counting along it. A whole-body way to understand number order and sequence.

Hunt for bugs in your backyard, observe them closely, and record findings in a simple log. A real field science experience for curious young naturalists.

Build a simple balance scale from a hanger and compare weights of household objects. A visual, hands-on way to explore heavy vs. light.

Roll two dice and add the numbers together using counting, fingers, or a number line. A hands-on introduction to addition that feels like a game, not homework.

Flip matching cards face-down and take turns finding pairs to build working memory.

Sort coins by type and practice counting money in a hands-on math activity.

Practice buttons, zippers, and snaps on a doll's clothes, building dressing skills.

Practice pouring water from a small pitcher into cups, building coordination.

Practice pulling on clothes independently, turning it into a fun game.

Roll balls and cars down ramps of different heights and surfaces to see what happens.

Sort and count objects, then make a simple bar graph to visualize quantities.

Create a visual daily routine chart with pictures, building time awareness.

Fish for magnetic letters and learn the alphabet through play. Builds letter recognition and fine motor skills.

Plant a seed and track its growth. Teaches patience, responsibility, and basic botany. Great for all ages.

Practice counting with everyday objects. Builds number sense naturally throughout the day. No materials needed.

Find letters hidden around the house for a fun literacy activity. No materials needed — just look around.