Activities with Kacey: Reptiles

Kacey the Quality Koala and Maryland EXCELS have been sharing fun and educational activities and mealtime discussion questions for families and child care programs.

The theme of the activities below is “Reptiles.”

To see the latest activities and questions, visit this page or social media!

Share your activities on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtags #MarylandEXCELS and #KaceyEXCELS.

The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood understands that activities described on this page and in website links are not suitable for all ages. Ultimately, all activities require adult supervision and are not endorsed by the Maryland State Department of Education or Johns Hopkins University.

Monday

Hungry Crocodile Fine Motor Game

Feed the hungry crocodile with this fun game! Find an empty container with a lid that opens and closes and decorate it to look like a crocodile. Using tongs, your child can feed the hungry crocodile cotton balls, ping-pong balls,  or other small items.

Mealtime discussion question: What other items could you feed your hungry crocodile?

 

Tuesday

Swamp Sensory Bin

NOTE: An adult should always be present around all water activities and water play.

Let your child create a swamp with snakes, alligators, turtles, and frogs in a homemade sensory bin.

Fill a small plastic bin with 1 inch of water. Create a swamp habitat sensory bin by adding toy animals such as insects, snakes, alligators, turtles, frogs, and/or fish. You can also include large leaves for lily pads and small pieces of wood or sticks. Your child can create a dry spot for the animals with sticks, rocks, or leaves.

Mealtime discussion question: What kinds of animals can you find in a swamp?

 

Wednesday

Storytime! 

Listen and read the story of The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle.  After reading the story, add different colors of washable paint into a resealable plastic bag. Make sure that the bag is closed securely with tape. Your child can squish the paint around and observe how different colors mix together.

Mealtime discussion question: What happens when you mix different colors together?

 

Thursday

Lily Pad Leap!

Create lily pads with chalk outside or draw on paper if you’re inside. Leap, jump, or skip from one lily pad to the next. You can play this song as your child jumps and dances on the lily pads. As a follow-up activity, have your child decorate a lily pad. Draw an outline on paper and let your child cut or rip small pieces of paper. Decorate the lily pad by gluing down the pieces of paper.

Mealtime discussion question: Do you think you could float on a lily pad like a frog? Why, or why not?

 

Friday

Creative Snacks!

Use your child’s favorite fruits and vegetables to make a snake-shaped snack for everyone to enjoy.

Mealtime discussion question: Snakes don’t have feet, arms, or legs. How do you think they move?

See activities from past weeks:

• Activities with Kacey: You Are Special
• Activities with Kacey: Movement
• Activities with Kacey: Celebrate Maryland
• Activities with Kacey: Nature
• Activities with Kacey: Zoo Animals
• Activities with Kacey: Transportation
• Activities with Kacey: Stars and Stripes
• Activities with Kacey: Bugs
• Activities with Kacey: Rainbows
• Activities with Kacey: Underwater Adventures
• Week of June 1-5
• Week of May 26-29
• Week of May 18-22
• Week of May 11-15
• Child Care Provider Appreciation Week: May 4-8
• Week of April 27-May 1
• Week of April 21-24