Preschool Movies and Popcorn Theme Activities
Below you can find tons of fun and engaging Movies and Popcorn Activities! Pick and choose the activities for your lesson or download a free copy of our Movies & Popcorn Preschool Lesson Plan to save you time!
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Movies & Popcorn Theme Map
Do you need helping planning your Movies & Popcorn theme? Use the suggested learning objectives and vocabulary ideas found on our Theme Map to help you plan your own Movies & Popcorn Lessons.
Sign up below to get your own free copy of a sample plan we created using ideas found on this page!
Popcorn Kernel Mosaic
Set out colored kernels for preschoolers to make a mosaic. Here are the coloring instructions:
Add a few un-popped kernels to a tray, add paint and stir until coated. Spread them in a single layer to dry. Do this step for each color you wish to use. Once completely dry, separate kernels by color into bowls. Add glue to your design using a paintbrush or a Q-tip. Then place the popcorn kernels on the glue outline. You can fill in with solid colors or mix and match. |
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Hollywood Star HandprintsMake your hand prints like a true movie star.
This craft is simple, cut out a star (or draw one on) and then add hand prints. Such a fun keepsake too. |
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Movie Starring Me!Invite your preschoolers to create their very own movie poster starring themselves!
Get this fun template in my Movies & Popcorn Activity Pack |
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Movie Inspired Colors
Provide paints in a variety of colors along with some card stock.
Invite your preschoolers to fill the page with color while keeping in mind their favorite movie. This is a fun chance to explore color without trying to create something specific.
Invite your preschoolers to fill the page with color while keeping in mind their favorite movie. This is a fun chance to explore color without trying to create something specific.
Paper Bag PuppetsSet out materials for children to create paper bag puppets. They can use the puppets to make their very own movie. Learn how to make your own using this Paper Bag Puppet Tutorial!
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More ideas
Painting Popcorn from Mess for Less
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Craft from Keep Calm and Mommy On
Paper Strip Popcorn Craft from DLKT Kids
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Craft from Keep Calm and Mommy On
Paper Strip Popcorn Craft from DLKT Kids
*Movie Theater Dramatic PlayTransform your dramatic play space into a movie theater.
Gather up a few props and Movie Theater Dramatic Play signs and you're ready to go. Show a real movie or put on a fun puppet show! |
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Play Charades
Charades is a great activity to play for this theme! Preschooler love to pretend to be animals. Use a deck of animal cards for children to draw from as their inspiration.
More Dramatic Play Ideas:
*Create Small World Movies
Add a variety of props for children to create their own small world movies.
Try adding a tablet or recording the movies on your cell phone for children to enjoy later.
Try adding a tablet or recording the movies on your cell phone for children to enjoy later.
Construct a Stage
Design and build a stage using unit blocks.
Be sure to think about sturdiness and how the stage might be used. When complete use with stick puppets or block people to act out favorite stories.
Be sure to think about sturdiness and how the stage might be used. When complete use with stick puppets or block people to act out favorite stories.
*Popcorn Letters
Create letters using popcorn kernels and letter mats.
This could be done in many different ways. Glue the kernels onto the paper letter or Laminate your letters to repeat the activity or try using kernels in a writing tray for children to trace through with their fingers.
This could be done in many different ways. Glue the kernels onto the paper letter or Laminate your letters to repeat the activity or try using kernels in a writing tray for children to trace through with their fingers.
Read, Watch, & Compare
Pick a favorite kids movie that started as a book; read the book together, then watch the movie and discuss the differences.
If you don't watch movies in your program use this as a parent engagement project. Children can watch the movie at home and then discuss the next day.
This is a great time to talk about how great books are sometimes turned into movies and create a joy for reading the books movies are based on.
If you don't watch movies in your program use this as a parent engagement project. Children can watch the movie at home and then discuss the next day.
This is a great time to talk about how great books are sometimes turned into movies and create a joy for reading the books movies are based on.
Popcorn Letter Matching
Support preschoolers in developing letter recognition and case matching with this fun popcorn themed activity from my Movies & Popcorn Preschool Activity Pack
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Syllable count
Before they learn to read preschoolers are working on a variety of supportive skills such as counting syllables.
This movie themed syllable sorting activity is a fun way to practice this essential skill, do as a group and then practice solo. |
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If you Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
Let's Pop, Pop, Popcorn by Cynthia Schumerth
Popcorn by Joanne Mattern
The Popcorn Book by Tomie dePaola
Maisy Goes to the Show by Lucy Cousins
Let's Pop, Pop, Popcorn by Cynthia Schumerth
Popcorn by Joanne Mattern
The Popcorn Book by Tomie dePaola
Maisy Goes to the Show by Lucy Cousins
Sorting by SizePractice sorting by size with this activity from the PKPF Movies & Popcorn Activity Pack
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*Popcorn Counting CardsWork on fine motor and counting skills with these themed count and clip cards from the PKPF Movies & Popcorn Pack
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Graph Favorite Movies
Find out what movie, or type of movie, is the favorite among your peers or family and graph them.
Weighing Popcorn Kernels
Se up a sensory bin full of popcorn kernels both popped unpopped.
Add a scale, invite children to count out ten unpopped kernels and weigh them. Then do the same for popped kernels. Is there a difference? Invite children to continue to explore on their own.
Add a scale, invite children to count out ten unpopped kernels and weigh them. Then do the same for popped kernels. Is there a difference? Invite children to continue to explore on their own.
Movie Theater Number Puzzles
Support preschoolers in counting, number recognition and number word recognition with these fun movie theater number puzzles.
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*Dancing KernelsThis is a fun experiment that pairs perfectly with this theme. Learning the Scientific Method is important for cognitive development. When children have experience using the scientific method, they can better evaluate the world around them. They learn to quietly observe using their senses, they learn to ask questions and how to develop and test a hypothesis.
PKPF Dancing Kernels Experiment |
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*Examine Corn Kernels
Examine corn kernels unpopped and then popped. Encourage children to explore with their sense and come up with descriptions for what they are seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling and smelling at each stage.
Fake Popcorn Sensory Bin
This fake popcorn bin is a great alternative to using real kernels or popped popcorn. Toss in various shades of yellow crumpled tissue paper, pompoms, or crepe paper. Then add small containers, popcorn bags or boxes and scoopers. Check out my tutorial here
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More Science & Discovery Ideas for Movies & Popcorn from around the web:
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies Sensory Bin from Stir the Wonder
Stuntman Workout
Workout muscles by rolling the playing cube and acting out the stuntman action shown.
Find this printable cube in my Movies and Popcorn Activity Pack |
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*String Popcorn
Pop some popcorn and then work on fine motor skills by stringing it and hanging as decor.
Fine Motor Task Cards
Pair your unifix cubes with these movie themed fine motor task cards to workout those fine motor skills while creating fun movies and popcorn images.
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*Pop Like Popcorn
Pretend to be popcorn kernels popping; crouch down into a ball and then pop up repeatedly. Try pairing with a fun popcorn song like this one from the kiboomers.
Food Safety
This is a great theme to weave in talking about food safety.
Depending on the age and development of your preschoolers popcorn could be a hazardous food. Many experts agree that children should not have popcorn until at least age four.
Depending on the age and development of your preschoolers popcorn could be a hazardous food. Many experts agree that children should not have popcorn until at least age four.
My Favorite Kind of Movie
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Engage in discussion with peers or family members about favorite types of movies. Talking about movies can be a great way to connect with others. Add in some math development by graphing the results.
Get these graphing cards in my Movies and Popcorn activity pack |
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*Things That Make Me Pop
Talk about the feeling of excitement with young children. Engage in discussion about things that make them "pop" or feel excited. How do they respond when they are excited?
Superstar Spotlight
Create a display board where stars can be hung for everyone to see.
Cut out stars, when children do something kind or something they can be proud of write it on the star and hang in the classroom.
Cut out stars, when children do something kind or something they can be proud of write it on the star and hang in the classroom.
Autograph Book
Preschoolers can create a fun keepsake while improving literacy skills with a fun autograph book like this one from the Movies & Popcorn Activity pack
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Movie Party
Plan a movie party for your students!
