Want a fun daycare activity that combines creativity, coloring, and fine motor skills? Try making food paper squishes! Kids will love drawing and coloring fruits and treats like oranges, mangoes, avocadoes, queen cakes, and muffins, then stuffing them into soft squishy creations.
This activity is perfect for teachers and preschool kids to do together as a group activity, making group time even more fun!
Materials Needed
- A4 papers
- Crayons
- Scissors
- Cotton for stuffing
- Glue
- Clear tape
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Draw Your Foods
Fold an A4 paper in half. Then, draw the foods you want—oranges, mangoes, avocadoes, muffins, queen cakes, or any other treats. Make sure you draw a matching image on both halves so each squish has the same face on front and back.
2. Let Kids Color the Foods
Give the children crayons and let them color their drawings. This step is perfect for developing fine motor skills while letting kids express their creativity.
3. Cut Out the Shapes
Carefully cut around each food shape. Make sure the front and back images match. Cutting helps toddlers improve hand-eye coordination and scissor skills.
4. Make the Squish Pocket
Glue or tape the edges of the shape, leaving one side open for stuffing. Teachers can guide this step during group activity time.
5. Stuff the Squish
Fill the open pocket with cotton to make it soft and squishy. Kids will enjoy squeezing and shaping their squishes while practicing fine motor skills.
6. Seal the Squish
Tape or glue the remaining open side shut. Add extra tape around the edges to make sure the squish holds together and lasts longer.
7. Play and Enjoy!
Now your food paper squishes are ready! These are perfect for group activities, imaginative play, and even learning about fruits and treats.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips:
- Stick to simple shapes for toddlers under 3.
- Let kids choose their own colors for more engagement.
- Talk about the foods while making the squishes—it’s a subtle learning activity too.