Hey there friends! ✨ As we all strive to ignite creativity and joy in our little ones, finding new and exciting activities that get them moving and learning outside is always on my list of things to do! Today, I want to share a delightful outside activity that’s perfect for our energetic preschoolers. Not only does it weave in a bit of nature, but it also sparks their imagination, as well as their fine and gross motor skills.
Introduction to Dandelion Lions: A Creative Outside Activity for Preschoolers
Our school yard has so many dandelions, all free for the taking! 🤣 My kiddos are absolute sweethearts and often collect dandelions to give me bouquets as a sweet gesture. As I ran out of places to hold all my dandelions, this idea💡 came to me. let’s dive into creating our very own lion manes from those fluffy, yellow dandelions scattered across our playgrounds and parks.
Materials Needed:
Lion templates | Clickable download below. 🎉
Scissors
Hole punch
Loads of dandelions!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Dandelion Lion
Step 1: Prepare Your Lion Template
First things first, print out the lion templates on card stock or heavy-duty paper to ensure they hold up during the activity. If card stock isn’t handy, you can always glue the templates onto a sturdy piece of cardboard to make them last longer.
Step 2: Creating the Mane
Use a hole punch to punch out the small white circles around the lion’s head on your template. These holes are where your preschoolers will insert the dandelion stems, so make sure they’re cleanly punched.
Step 3: Collect the Dandelions
Here comes the fun part! Have your preschoolers run around outside and gather as many dandelions as they can find. They'll be building those gross motor skills as they run, jump and play their way to grabbing loads of those sunny yellow flowers.
Step 4: Assemble the Lion
Once they've collected their dandelions, it’s time to give their lions some fabulous manes! Show them how to insert the stems through the punched holes. They’ll love seeing how their lion’s mane grows with each dandelion they add.
Step 5: Repeat and Enjoy
The beauty of this activity is that it can be repeated multiple times. Encourage the kids to create different lions, perhaps even a whole pride!
Pro Tips to Enhance the Experience 🌟
Laminate for Longevity: Consider laminating your lion templates before punching the holes. This way, you can reuse the templates for many sunny days to come. 😎
Fuller Manes: Depending on the size of your hole punch, you might be able to fit more than one dandelion stem per hole. Experiment to see how many your preschoolers can add for a thicker, fluffier mane.
Name Your Lions: Add an extra layer of fun by having each child name their lion. Bob? Fred? Growly McGrowls? Share your favorite names with me on Instagram!
Wrapping Up the Roaring Fun
There you have it! A simple, engaging, and totally fun outside activity for preschoolers. Grab the template below and give this activity a try today.
Give it a try and share this post with your teacher friends! I'd love to see how this activity goes in your classroom! 📸 I hope this idea inspires you to bring a bit of creativity and nature into your teaching routine. If you've tried this activity or have any similar ideas, I'd love to hear how it went! Happy teaching! ✨
Let’s make learning unforgettable—one dandelion at a time! 🦁🌻