Okay, y’all. Preschool activities at home are the only reason I’m still a functioning human in 2025. Seriously. My four-year-old, Milo, has the energy of a border collie on Red Bull, and I work from home in our little ranch house in the North Carolina sticks where the closest “educational playground” is twenty minutes away and currently underwater from yesterday’s rain. So yeah, we do everything in the living room that still smells like last night’s burned pizza.
I’m not the Pinterest mom. I’m the “we ran out of paper towels so we’re using yesterday’s socks” mom.” And yet—somehow—these activities actually taught Milo his letters, colors, counting, and (bonus) how to wipe up his own spills when I dramatically fake-cry about the mess.
Why I’m Obsessed With Messy Sensory Play (Even Though I Hate Cleaning)
Look, I used to be anti-mess. Pre-kid me would’ve gagged at rice on the floor. Then Milo turned two and decided the only acceptable texture was “apocalypse.” So I caved. Now we do a new sensory bin every week and I just keep a shop-vac by the couch like a normal person.
My all-time MVP: the “construction site” bin. Black beans for dirt, dried corn for gravel, a splash of cinnamon for that weirdly delicious smell, and a bunch of random toy trucks. Milo will play for 45 minutes straight—long enough for me to drink a hot coffee. Preschool activities at home
The Playdough Recipe That Changed Everything (And Stained My Counter Blue for 3 Weeks)
Store-bought playdough is fine. Homemade is god-tier and costs like $1.50. Here’s my no-cook recipe I literally use weekly:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 2 tbsp cream of tartar (the secret crack)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1.5 cups boiling water + food coloring
- Dump glitter in if you want to find it in your bra for the next month
We made neon orange last week and Milo sculpted “a volcano for the dinosaurs.” Then he smushed it into the carpet. I cried a little. Then I laughed because the dinosaur looked so happy in the orange blob. Learning through play, right?
Pro tip: add peppermint extract during Christmas season. Your house will smell like a candy cane exploded and you’ll feel briefly like a good mom.
Kitchen Science That Doesn’t Require Fancy Supplies (Because Target is 30 Minutes Away)
Baking-soda + vinegar volcanoes are basic for a reason. But we graduated to “magic foaming potions” in muffin tins. Food coloring, dish soap, baking soda, vinegar droppers. Milo thinks he’s Harry Potter. I think I’m MacGyver because I made it with stuff from under the sink.
One time I added too much soap and it foamed onto the dog. The dog looked betrayed. 10/10 would repeat.
When You’re Too Tired for Setup: Zero-Prep Winners
Some days I have negative energy. Those days we do:
- Flashlight shadow tag on the wall
- Blanket fort + audiobook (Libby app is free, y’all)
- “Laundry basket boat” in the hallway—push the kid while they hold an umbrella
- Tape a giant piece of butcher paper to the floor and let them go nuts with markers (then roll it up and save their “art” forever)
Last week Milo drew a purple spider wearing cowboy boots. I almost framed it. Then he colored on the wall. Balance.
The One That Made Me Cry (Ugly) Cry
We did a gratitude tree—construction paper leaves, wrote things we’re thankful for. Milo (4) dictated: “Mama’s loud singing, Daddy’s stinky socks, my blankie, and when the dog farts.” I laughed so hard I snorted. That tree is still on the fridge until it disintegrates.
Preschool activities at home aren’t about perfection. They’re about the moments when your kid looks up with purple foam on their face and says “I love you mama” completely unprompted while you’re on your hands and knees wiping rice out of cracks. Try one this week. Even if it explodes. Especially if it explodes. Send me your disasters pics. I need to know I’m not alone. (Also if anyone has a hack for getting black beans out of air vents, DM me. Send help. Or wine.)
References & Further Reading:
- https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/play
- https://www.pbskids.org/games
- https://busytoddler.com (my lord and savior)
- https://handsonaswegrow.com
Love y’all. Now go make a mess.
