May Preschool Themes and Ideas

.May is a wonderful time for preschoolers to explore new themes and ideas. With spring in full swing, popular preschool themes in May often include Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and the changing weather. May is such a fun time for preschoolers! The flowers are in bloom  and we are starting to see better weather (after all of those April showers)!  The month of May offers a time where preschoolers can continue to get outside and explore while learning at the same time with fun and exciting themes. These themes provide opportunities for children to learn about the world around them and to engage in meaningful activities that promote creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.

Flowers and Bees

This month is a great time to learn about flowers and bees, Do your preschoolers love to pick flowers?  Who can resist? They're so pretty and colorful. A flower theme engages so many senses but also offers hands-on exploration when the flowers are right at our fingertips. Speaking of fingertips, painting with flowers is a fun and unique process art experience for preschoolers. This theme allow us to dive deeper into teaching preschoolers about the importance of bees on our environment as well!

​Preschoolers love participating in science experiments. They not only experience what feels like magic to them but they are also making predictions and observations while having conversations with their teachers and peers about what's happening. If you have an area with wildflowers near your school then it's the perfect opportunity to have your preschoolers pick white flowers for a color changing experiment. 

Springtime

May is a perfect time to explore the season of Spring. Preschoolers can learn about the changes in weather, plants, and animals during this time of year. Activities can include planting seeds, observing nature, and creating Spring-themed art

Rocks, Dirt, and Mud 

 If your preschoolers are big fans of the messier the better then a rocks, dirt, and mud theme is perfect for your classroom. Exploring mud, dirt, and rocks helps young learners develop tactile skills with a fun sensory experience. And, the best part is that most supplies can be found in nature! Invite your preschoolers to get a little dirty with mud painting, mud kitchens, and tons of rock play!

Did you ever go camping as a kid and rock painting was always on the agenda? For many young children it was the first experience of painting on something other than paper. No rock was ever the same making each painting different than the last. 

Gardening and Growing Fruits and Vegetables 

May is a great time to introduce preschoolers to gardening. They can learn about the different tools used in gardening, how to plant and care for seeds, and the different types of plants that can be grown. Activities can include planting a class garden or creating individual planters.

This is the perfect time to introduce growing a garden to your preschoolers. Many preschools also have their own gardens which gives preschoolers a hands-on experience with growing fruits and vegetables.  But, don't worry if your preschool doesn't have a garden you can bring the garden by setting up a fun Dramatic Play Garden, or Farmer's Market!

Photo Credit: Erica's Educare Learning Center

Veggies are delicious but they also make pretty awesome stamps. Vegetables come in a variety of different shapes and sizes which makes them awesome for stamping. In this tutorial we used potatoes to create lily pads, but you could use this same approach with to create all kinds of different stamps.

See how to make this!

May is a great month to explore new fruits! Take a field trip to your local Farmer's Market, or product department!
You can try out our Fruit Investigations, including this free Kiwi one here.

Try this free Kiwi Investigation!

Worms, Snails and Slugs 

A worms, snails and slugs theme will engage even those preschoolers afraid of these wigglers and crawlers. I bet there will be some little learners begging to bring real worms into the classroom! Your students will have a great time learning more about creatures and you will love how your it is to prep all of your worm, snail, and slug centers using our activity pack.

One activity that is always a hit is using rubber worms to paint. This sensory experience allows those who are a little creeped out by worms to still have fun while touching something that feels like a real worm! You'd be surprised how many students overcome their fear of worms, snails, and slugs during this activity!

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Insects 

Bugs are everywhere! And, even if most of your preschoolers are a tad scared of them, they still love learning about them. Spring is a time when bugs and insects start to emerge. Preschoolers can learn about different types of bugs, their habitats, and their importance in nature. Activities can include creating bug crafts, going on bug hunts, and reading books about bugs.

An insect theme is perfect for sparking curiosity and excitement while learning about a new bugs they didn't know existed. We have an entire Insect activity pack loaded with so much to learn! 

Learn more about symmetry by studying Butterflies! You can try this butterfly symmetry project here.

Try this activity!

Ocean Life

As the weather warms up, many families start to plan beach trips. Preschoolers can learn about ocean life, including different types of fish, coral, and sea creatures. Activities can include creating ocean-themed art, reading books about the ocean, and singing songs about the beach.

Zoo Animals

Visiting the zoo is a popular springtime activity for families. Preschoolers can learn about different zoo animals, their habitats, and their behaviors. Activities can include creating animal masks, playing animal charades, and reading books about the zoo.

Transportation

Preschoolers are often fascinated by different modes of transportation. They can learn about different vehicles, how they work, and the different jobs that rely on transportation. Activities can include creating a transportation-themed sensory bin, reading books about transportation, and creating transportation-themed art.

Space

May is a great time to learn about space, as there are often meteor showers and other space-related events during this month. Preschoolers can learn about the planets, stars, and the moon. Activities can include creating a space-themed sensory bin, making cardboard spaceships, and reading books about space.

Memorial Day

As Memorial Day falls on the last Monday of May, it is another popular theme for preschoolers to learn about. This can include discussing the meaning of the holiday, learning about the American flag, and creating patriotic crafts.

Happy Birthday! 

Are you celebrating any birthdays this month? Or, maybe your preschoolers are curious about birthdays! Either way, this birthday activity set contains a variety  balloon, candle, and cake themes activities, as well as editable Birthday gifts your preschoolers will love. 

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week takes place on the first full week in May each year, and Teacher Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Tuesday during this week. This is a time to celebrate and honor educators! From cards and drawings, this is a great time to send teachers appreciate and love for all of their hardworking and dedication!

Cinco De Mayo 

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that is celebrated on May 5th. Preschoolers can learn about the history and culture behind the holiday, including traditional foods, music, and clothing. Activities can include making paper flowers, listening to mariachi music, and trying Mexican cuisine. Invite your preschoolers to make their own piñata's or maracas! This holiday is a great time to also find a new recipe to make in the classroom. Try guacamole or a salsa!

Papel Picado letter matching activity found inside our Around the World Activity pack!

Childcare Provider Appreciation Day 

This special holiday is always celebrated the Friday before Mother's Day! On this day we recognize, and show appreciation for child care providers, nannies, and other early educator professionals. Childcare providers are essential workers who are are committed to caring for young children while their parents are away. With many dual income families, working longer hours, and retiring later, the demands placed on this under recognized group of educators continues to grow.

Graduation 

Preschoolers worked hard all year and learned so much! Now, is the time to recognize and celebrate those accomplishments (And, can we all agree that preschool graduations are too cute?). Looking for some graduation inspiration? We've gathered some end of year graduation ideas your classroom celebration. 

Mother's Day

In the U.S Mother's Day, is celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May. On this special Sunday we get to honor moms, grandmas, aunts, and all the special women in our lives. Mom's look forward to those special hand-made gifts and celebrations with their kids. Hand prints, memory books, or a beautiful drawing will definitely put a smile on mom's face. Here are a few more Mother's Day Gift & Party ideas that you can try with your preschoolers this year!

National Peace Officers Memorial Day 

On May 15th we honor those individuals who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty as police officers. Police officers are important helpers in the community. This day offers an opportunity to teach young children about police officers and the sacrifices they make each day. Our police activity pack includes police themed learning opportunities. 

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