A fun theme day in the preschool classroom is pajama day. Kids love showing off their pajamas and slippers to their friends. Having a pajama day allows the kids to do this.
As teachers, though, we sometimes struggle with the theme. How do we make it educational? How do we make it fun? Here are a few activities to make the day a success.
Art time
Drawing stars-Allowing kids to use chalk is a good medium for working on fine motor skills. Allow the kids to draw a night picture using white chalk on black or blue paper.
Nursery Rhyme Mobile-Precut a yellow moon to serve as the centerpiece for this mobile. The allow the kids to color a cat and dog to cut out and hang from the moon. Also tie a plastic spoon from the moon. Read the rhyme "Hey Diddle, Diddle. The Cat and The Fiddle" to the kids. You will have to help with hanging and tying on this project.
Slipper painting-Bring an old slipper for the children to paint with on construction paper. They will giggle.
Tissue moon or star-Allow the kids to rip up yellow or white tissue then glow to a star or moon printed on cardstock.
Snack time
PJ days are the best for fun snacks. You can make S'mores and pretend to camp out. You can make PB&J's for a fun snack. An extra idea to use with the sandwiches is to cut them in moon or star shapes. You can even buy some Colby Jack cheese and allow the kids to enjoy the moon-shaped cheese.
Homeliving
Have a camp put. Kids love tents. Set up a tent in the classroom complete with sleeping bags and camping toys. The kids will love it. Later you can also use it for storytime and music time. Be sure to create a pretend fire outside the tent as well.
Flashlights
There are endless activities to do with flashlights this day. You can turn on music and let the kids make the lights dance on the ceiling. You can turn off the lights and allow the kids to use the light to shine on the book you are reading. You can look at the stars by shining the light through a Styrofoam cup with holes in it.
Music
A lot of lullabies are perfect for the day. Be sure to sing songs such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Hush Little Baby. You can also lay down and act out the song, There were then in the bed and the little one said, Roll Over.
Story time
Goodnight Moon is my favorite story to tell on PJ day. There is also the Wee Willie Winkie nursery rhyme. My suggestion is to visit your local library and pick up a Mother Goose Collection. Another fun book is the Dr. Seuss book titled, I am not going to get up today!
These are just a few suggestions. A movie and popcorn is also a fun treat. Naptime is also fun since the kids tend to sleep better in their pajamas. Feel free to leave any other suggestions in the comment section below.
