Summer Fun Theme: Worm Week!

It's summer time!  Yay!  I'm still teaching at the preschool/kindergarten for the school aged kids group (5+) two days a week through the summer.  Week one's theme will be Wiggling Worms!  Want to join me in all the fun?  Plan a fun week for your kids at home by doing some of these great activities!  Try one or all!

Read the Story:  Diary of a Worm (you can check it out at your local library)

Sensory Activity: Buy a small tub of worms at a local store (I've even seen them at grocery stores in the sporting goods section).  Also buy a small amount of soil.  Dump both into a large, lipped tub and allow your children to play with them!  Talk about the way to treat worms (gently).  Can they think of names for the worms?  Which worm is the longest?  Can they draw a picture of what the worms look like; maybe use a magnifying glass?  When you're done, release them into your backyard!

Physical Activity: Have your child use chairs or other objects to create a "worm maze" they can slither through.

Food Activity:  Dirt cups!  What child wouldn't enjoy pretending to eat dirt, mud, and worms?  This recipe is super simple and your child can do it all by himself.

1. In a bowl, mix together 1 small box instant chocolate pudding, 2 cups milk, and 1 small tub of cool whip (optional, but super tasty).
2. In a ziploc baggie, place 3-5 oreo cookies (per dirt cup/child).  Have the child crush up the cookies inside the bag until they are in small crumbs.
3. Give the child a clear cup (if possible).  Have them scoop out HALF of the oreo pieces into the cup.  This will be the dirt.  Then, scoop some pudding mixture into the cup.  This is your mud.  And finally, have your child pour the rest of the oreo crumbs on top.
4. Wiggle a couple of gummy worms into the top of the soil.  Place in the fridge to cool and set.  Enjoy!

Write a Book:  Have your child write a book about "If I had a pet worm".  Younger kids may need more prompting (i.e. start their pages for them with ideas like: "if I had a pet worm I would name him:____" or "if I had a pet worm we would play _________").  Older kids, most 5 and ups, can probably write their own story on wide lined paper.  Encourage them to be creative and to color the pictures to go along with their story!

Worm Painting:  You have a few options here:

1. Paint with strings of yarn to simulate worms.
2. Paint with worms (this would require touching the worms, which some kids are not fans of)
3. Place spots of paint on a piece of paper and allow the worms to crawl through the paint and around the paper.  Kids who don't enjoy touching worms may prefer this option.

Can you think of any other fun worm activities for young children (2-8's)?  If so, leave us a note in the comments section!

Looking for other book themed activities?  Check out my activities for Eric Carle's book, The Very Busy Spider!