Activities for 4 year olds

Object Play: 

Sorting objects by size, shape, or color: Have the four year old sort a variety of objects such as blocks, balls, and shapes into different piles based on size, shape, or color, and then have them create a pattern with the objects.

Playing with blocks: Give the four year old a set of blocks and encourage them to build towers, houses, or other structures, and then have them race to see who can build the tallest tower.

Building towers with Duplo blocks: Give the four year old a set of Duplo blocks and encourage them to build towers, bridges, or other structures, and then have them create a maze with the blocks.

Playing with dolls: Give the four year old a set of dolls and encourage them to act out different scenarios with the dolls, such as going to the store or having a picnic, and then have them create a story with the dolls.

Imaginative Play: 

Pretend cooking: Give the four year old a set of play kitchen items and encourage them to pretend to cook a meal, and then have them host a pretend dinner party.

Pretend shopping: Give the four year old a set of play money and a pretend shopping basket and encourage them to pretend to shop for items, and then have them pretend to barter for the items.

Pretend doctor: Give the four year old a set of doctor tools and a pretend patient and encourage them to pretend to diagnose and treat the patient, and then have them pretend to give the patient a check-up.

Pretend school: Give the four year old a set of school supplies and encourage them to pretend to be a teacher or student in a classroom, and then have them create a pretend school play.

Social Play: 

Playing board games: Give the four year old a board game that is appropriate for their age and encourage them to play with a group of friends or family members. Have them dress up as different characters for each game or make up their own rules.

Playing tag: Have the four year old play tag with a group of friends or family members. Have them create different variations of tag like freeze tag or add in obstacles like jumping over a rope.

Playing hide and seek: Have the four year old hide and seek with a group of friends or family members. Have them create different hiding spots or have them use a timer to make it more challenging.

Playing dress up: Give the four year old a variety of dress up clothes and encourage them to dress up and act out different scenarios. Have them create a play or skit with their friends or family members.

Gross Motor Play: 

Running and jumping: Have the four year old run and jump around in a safe area. Have them create an obstacle course or have them jump over a rope or a hula hoop.

Hopping on one foot: Have the four year old hop on one foot around in a safe area. Have them hop around in a circle or have them hop to different objects.

Playing catch: Give the four year old a ball and encourage them to play catch with a friend or family member. Have them play catch with a balloon or have them play catch while hopping on one foot.

Riding a tricycle: Give the four year old a tricycle and encourage them to ride it around in a safe area. Have them race their friends or have them create a course with different obstacles.

Fine Motor Play:

Stringing beads: Give the four year old a string of beads and encourage them to create a necklace or bracelet.

Drawing with crayons: Give the four year old a set of crayons and encourage them to draw a picture of their favorite animal or person.

Cutting with scissors: Give the four year old a pair of scissors and a piece of paper and encourage them to cut out shapes and create a collage.

Playing with play-doh: Give the four year old a set of play-doh and encourage them to create different shapes and figures and then use them to create a play-doh story.

Sensory Play:

Playing with water and sand: Give the four year old a container of water and a container of sand and encourage them to create a sandcastle or a river.

Exploring with magnifying glass: Give the four year old a magnifying glass and encourage them to explore different objects and textures and then create a nature journal.

Playing with squishy balls: Give the four year old a set of squishy balls and encourage them to explore the different textures and properties of the balls and then create a game with the balls.

Playing with kinetic sand: Give the four year old a container of kinetic sand and encourage them to explore the different textures and properties of the sand and then create a sand sculpture.

Music and Movement: 

Dancing to music: Have the four year old create their own dance moves to the music.

Singing songs: Make up silly lyrics to a familiar song.

Playing musical instruments: Have the four year old create a song by playing different instruments.

Making up hand motions to songs: Have the four year old create a hand motion to go along with each word of a song.

Language Play: 

Playing charades: Have the four year old act out a funny scene or character from a movie or book.

Acting out stories: Have the four year old create their own version of the story with different characters and settings.

Playing I Spy: Have the four year old describe the object in a funny way.

Telling stories: Have the four year old create a story with a surprise ending.

Outdoor Play

Going on a nature walk: Have the four year old collect leaves, sticks, and rocks to bring home and make a nature collage.

Playing in the park: Have the four year old play tag or hide and seek with friends.

Flying a kite: Have the four year old decorate their kite with paint or markers.

Riding a bike: Have the four year old race their friends on their bikes.