Preschoolers love being active during the summer and having a Sports Week allows them to do just that. This theme can be done multiple ways such as highlighting a different sport each day or representing all the sports in the classroom.
Here are a few activities to get your creative juices flowing for your centers.
Art
Ball painting. The kids will love this project as it can be fun rolling, bouncing and throwing balls with paint on them. Get a large piece of construction paper or butcher paper if you would like to do the project as a class. Gather old balls such as bouncy balls or mini soccer, tennis balls, etc. Allow the kids to roll them in paint. Next you can use cookie sheets and let the kids roll the balls from side to side. You can go outside and let the kids roll and bounce on a butcher sheet. The younger preschoolers might enjoy placing a sheet of paper in an empty coffee tin. Then after the lid is place on it, shake it up with the painted ball inside. They can even roll the coffee can.
Foam hats-your local craft store offers a variety of foam visors and hats. They also offer endless sport foam stickers that the kids can place on the hats.
Soccer painting-Cut out small soccer shape balls on white posterboard. Have the kids finger paint black spots.
Pom Poms-Collect paper towel rolls to use for this project. Allow the kids to wrap with construction paper or paint. Then glue strips of tissue paper to the end. These are fun for the girls to use.
T-shirts-Allow the kids to make their own jerseys with fabric paint. Be sure to have stencils for numbers and letters.
Dramatic play
Dress up is a favorite for preschoolers. See if you can find some football helmets, jerseys baseball helmets, pom poms, or any sport costumes for the kids. Ask parents for donations of items if you can not find any.
Go outside-This is a great unit to take the kids out to the playground and just play. Have a basketball goal set up, kid golf toys, Frisbees, kickballs, etc. You can even throw bean bags into a hat.
Music
The kids will love singing Take Me Out To The Ballgame. Here are the words if you forgot.
Take me out to the ballgame.
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some Peanuts and Crackerjack
I don't care if I never get back.
Oh it's root root root for the home team.
If they don't win its a shame.
For it's 1, 2, 3 strikes you're out
At the old ball game.
You can also have some fun and make up cheers for your class. Allow the kids to use their creativity and create their own as well.
Snacks
What better sport snacks are there besides cracker jacks or popcorn? You can also make your own Chex party Mix. The kids will love making it their selves.
Show some school spirit
Have the kids wear school colors one day this week. It will get them excited about the school they attend. Don't forget the eye black!
Lacing
Print out baseballs and footballs. Laminate. Poke holes through the balls and allow the kids to lace them up with red and white lace.
Field Day
Preschoolers can enjoy field day just as much as the older kids. You can have races, practice throwing and jumping as well as bring out the water for some splashing. It is a perfect end to the sports unit.
These are just a few suggestions. Feel free to include more in the comments section below.
