Discover the Magic of Desert Animals with Our Sensory Play Setup!

July 24, 2024 Kylie Tuosto

Looking for engaging and educational summer activities for kids? Our Desert Animal Sensory Bins are perfect for small world play and exploring the fascinating world of desert animals! Sensory play is a fantastic way for toddlers to learn through hands-on experiences, and this setup is designed to ignite their curiosity and creativity.

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Desert Animal Pattern Matching and Flashcards Matching

This bin is all about visual recognition and cognitive development. We've included a variety of desert animal flashcards and pattern matching cards. Your little one can match the animal patterns and learn to identify different desert creatures. This activity enhances memory skills and promotes attention to detail.

Small World Play with Pasta Noodles and Resin Cactus Pieces

Bring the desert to life with our small world play bin! We've painted pasta noodles green to mimic cacti and stuck them in white slime sand. Alongside these, you'll find die-cut animals and resin cactus pieces from @creatingadventuresco. This setup encourages imaginative play, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration.

Wooden Desert Animals Bin with Matching Magnetic Letters

For a tactile and educational experience, our wooden desert animals bin is paired with matching magnetic letters for name recognition. This activity supports letter recognition, early literacy skills, and fine motor development. Kids will love matching the animals to their corresponding letters while learning new words.

25 Desert Animal Vocabulary Words to Learn

1. Desert
2. Cactus
3. Lizard
4. Snake
5. Camel
6. Sand
7. Sun
8. Heat
9. Dry
10. Scorpion
11. Owl
12. Fox
13. Eagle
14. Plant
15. Dune
16. Horizon
17. Nocturnal
18. Adaptation
19. Mirage
20. Oasis
21. Rock
22. Burrow
23. Habitat
24. Prey
25. Predator

The Benefits of Sensory Play for Kids

Sensory play is crucial for children's development. Here are some of the benefits:

Cognitive Growth: Sensory activities stimulate the brain, helping kids develop problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating small objects and textures strengthens hand muscles and improves coordination.
Language Development: As children describe their sensory experiences, they learn new vocabulary and enhance their communication skills.
Social Interaction: Sensory play

Desert Animal Activities & Lesson PLans for PReschoolers

April 13, 2023 Kylie Tuosto

Desert Animal Lesson Plan Sensory Play Kit

Desert Sensory Kit

Desert Animal Cards

Week-Long Lesson Plan: Desert Animals for Preschoolers

Day 1: Introduction to Deserts

Start the lesson by discussing what deserts are and where they are located in the world. Show pictures or videos of deserts to help preschoolers visualize the environment.
Introduce the concept of hot and dry climates in deserts, and explain how animals have adapted to survive in such conditions.
Show pictures or plush toys of common desert animals such as camels, snakes, and scorpions, and engage preschoolers in a discussion about what they know about these animals.

Day 2: Camels and Their Adaptations

Focus on camels as an iconic desert animal. Discuss the physical characteristics of camels, such as their humps, long legs, and wide feet.
Explain how camels have adapted to survive in the desert, including their ability to store water in their humps and withstand extreme temperatures.
Show pictures or videos of camels in their natural habitat, and encourage preschoolers to imitate their movements, such as walking with exaggerated long strides like camels.

Day 3: Snakes and Their Senses

Introduce snakes as another type of desert animal. Discuss their unique features such as their long bodies, forked tongues, and ability to slither.
Explain how snakes use their senses, such as their keen sense of smell and ability to detect vibrations, to hunt for food in the desert.
Show pictures or videos of different types of snakes found in deserts, and let preschoolers observe and discuss their characteristics.

Day 4: Scorpions and Their Defenses

Discuss scorpions as desert animals known for their unique appearance and venomous stingers.
Explain how scorpions use their stingers for defense and to capture prey in the harsh desert environment.
Show pictures or models of scorpions, and let preschoolers observe and discuss their physical characteristics and unique features.

Day 5: Recap and Review

Review the desert animals discussed throughout the week, including camels, snakes, and scorpions.
Engage preschoolers in a discussion about what they have learned, and encourage them to share their favorite facts or observations.
Use flashcards or visual aids to reinforce the learning, and play games or do activities related to desert animals, such as matching games or animal charades.

Day 6: Desert Animal Crafts

Provide preschoolers with materials to create their own desert animal crafts, such as paper plate camels, sock snakes, or paper bag scorpions.
Encourage creativity and imagination while making the crafts, and discuss the unique features of each animal as preschoolers work on their projects.
Display the completed crafts around the classroom or at home, and use them as visual aids for further discussions about desert animals.

Day 7: Flashcards for Fun Learning

Introduce desert animal flashcards as a visual aid to reinforce the learning from the previous days.
Use the flashcards to play interactive games, such as "Guess the Animal," "Name that Animal Sound," or "Match the Animal to its Adaptation."
Discuss the benefits of using flashcards as a learning tool, and highlight how they can help preschoolers remember the information about desert animals in a fun and engaging way.
Mention that you have desert animal flashcards available for purchase as a visual aid to continue the learning at home or in the classroom.

If you're looking for a fun and interactive way to teach preschoolers about desert animals, my desert animal flashcards are a perfect visual aid! These flashcards feature vibrant illustrations of camels, snakes, scorpions, and other desert animals, making learning about them engaging and exciting for young learners.

Desert Animals Practice

February 13, 2021 Kylie Tuosto

Today we spent our morning with our Desert Animals Flashcard set from GoodnightFox. It was so much fun teaching Sofie about some animals that she doesn’t see regularly in her books or outside. She’s great at starting to mimic the sounds I make for each animal name. And she’s getting close to being able to recognize some of them as well. These flashcards are such a great little educational activity to pass the time, especially while I’m cooking or cleaning up around the house.