1
Plant a fast-growing seed (beans work well). Each day, measure growth and draw what is observed. Discuss what plants need to grow: light, water, soil.
10 min/day over 2 weeks
2
Fill a bin with rice, beans, or sand. Hide small toys inside. Let children dig and discover.
20 min
3
Start with the three primary colors. Mix red and blue, then blue and yellow, then red and yellow. Name each result. Ask what other combinations the child wants to try.
20-30 min
4
Read a word aloud and ask the child to think of a rhyming word. Use picture cards to make it more concrete. Celebrate each correct rhyme with a high-five.
10-20 min
5
Hold up each sight word card for 3 seconds. Child reads it aloud. Make two piles: known and still-learning. Revisit the still-learning pile at the end.
10-15 min
6
Fill a large bowl with water. Collect 10 household objects. Predict whether each object will sink or float, then test. Record results on a simple chart.
20-30 min
7
Check the weather each morning for one week. Record temperature, sky conditions, and precipitation. At the end of the week, discuss weather patterns observed.
5-10 min/day over 5 days
8
Place 5-10 small objects in a row. Show the child how to touch each object while counting aloud. Then ask them to count a different set of objects.
10-15 min