7 Preschool Activities Trending Right Now: STEAM, SEL & Outdoor Play

Why We Cannot Stop Talking About New Trends

It is funny how the world of early education changes so fast. One minute we are doing simple coloring, and the next minute every preschool teacher is talking about engineering projects for three-year-olds. If you have been scrolling through social media lately, you have probably seen a massive wave of new preschool activities that look incredibly fun. It is not just about keeping kids busy anymore. It is about preschool learning that feels like play. I remember when I first started looking for educational activities for preschoolers, I was overwhelmed. Now, whether you are looking for at home preschool ideas or something to tell your local school about, the trends are everywhere.

The cool thing is that these preschool activities are actually doable. You do not need to be a professional preschool teacher to pull them off. A lot of parents are finding that preschool activities at home are saving their sanity. We are going to look at seven specific trends involving STEAM, SEL, and outdoor play. And honestly, even if you are just looking for activities for infants for a younger sibling or thinking ahead to kindergarten activities, these ideas help everyone. It is wild how online preschool resources have made this information so accessible. You can find crafts for preschoolers and sensory activities with just one click.

STEAM Is Not Just for Big Kids

We keep hearing about STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. It sounds serious, but for little ones, it is just messy fun. One of the biggest preschool activities trending right now is building structures with unconventional materials. A preschool teacher might use marshmallows and toothpicks, but for at home preschool, you can use mud and sticks. This is one of those educational activities for preschoolers that teaches gravity and balance without a textbook.

When you try these preschool activities, you realize that preschool learning is best when it is hands-on. I have seen so many fun activities for preschoolers that involve baking soda volcanoes or ice melting experiments. These are clearly not activities for infants, as they require a bit more safety, but they are perfect for the three-to-five crowd. If you are doing preschool activities at home, STEAM is a lifesaver. It beats the passive nature of some online preschool videos. Plus, it prepares them well for future kindergarten activities. Do not forget that crafts for preschoolers can be part of STEAM too. If you build a robot out of cardboard, that counts. It is one of the best sensory activities because they get to touch so many textures.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is Huge

Another massive trend we see is SEL. This stands for Social Emotional Learning. It is strange to think that preschool activities now focus on mental health, but it is so important. A good preschool teacher knows that kids need to understand their feelings. So, we are seeing preschool activities that involve “emotion stones” or “calming jars.” These are fantastic educational activities for preschoolers.

In the world of at home preschool, creating a “calm down corner” is becoming very popular. It is a dedicated space for preschool learning about emotions. Unlike simple activities for infants where you just cuddle, these activities ask kids to name their feelings. Preschool activities at home that focus on SEL help reduce tantrums. It is better than just parking them in front of an online preschool game. These skills translate directly to kindergarten activities where social interaction is key. You can also make crafts for preschoolers that focus on faces and expressions. It is one of those fun activities for preschoolers that has a deep purpose. Also, making a glitter jar is one of the most soothing sensory activities you can do.

Why SEL Matters for Every Child

I think every preschool teacher agrees that kindness is a skill. Preschool activities that encourage sharing and empathy are trending hard. It is central to preschool learning.

Getting Messy with Outdoor Play

The third big bucket of trends is getting outside. We are moving away from plastic playgrounds and toward “nature play.” Preschool activities in the mud are taking over Instagram. If you follow pages like Prodigy Creekside, you know what I mean. They have some great insights at which is worth checking out. A preschool teacher today is likely to take the class on a bug hunt. For at home preschool, this is easy. Just open the door.

Outdoor educational activities for preschoolers are unmatched. You cannot replicate the feeling of grass and dirt in an online preschool. When you do preschool activities at home in the yard, you are building immunity and imagination. While activities for infants might just involve lying on a blanket, older kids need to run. These outdoor games are the precursors to organized kindergarten activities. Nature also provides free supplies for crafts for preschoolers. Pinecones, leaves, and rocks are better than glitter. And talk about sensory activities—nature is the ultimate sensory bin. These are genuinely fun activities for preschoolers that tire them out for nap time.

Sensory Bins are Everywhere

Speaking of sensory activities, sensory bins are not going away. They are one of the top preschool activities for a reason. A preschool teacher loves a good bin filled with rice or beans. For preschool learning, it teaches volume and texture. At at home preschool, you can use water or sand.

These are great educational activities for preschoolers because they are open-ended. You can even adapt them as activities for infants if you use edible items like crushed cereal. When looking for preschool activities at home, a plastic tub is your best friend. It is more engaging than online preschool. It helps with fine motor skills needed for kindergarten activities. You can hide items for crafts for preschoolers inside the bins too. It turns fun activities for preschoolers into a treasure hunt.

The Magic of Water Play

Water is the easiest of the sensory activities. All preschool activities involving water are a hit. Ask any preschool teacher.

Integrating Arts and Crafts

We cannot ignore the classic crafts for preschoolers. But the new trend is “process art.” This means the result does not matter, only the fun. These preschool activities are less about making a perfect picture and more about preschool learning. A preschool teacher might let kids paint with their feet. For at home preschool, this might get messy, but it is worth it.

Process art is one of the most freeing educational activities for preschoolers. It is different from activities for infants which are usually hand-over-hand. These preschool activities at home build confidence. It is something online preschool cannot really teach. It is a stepping stone to the art classes in kindergarten activities. It is definitely one of the most fun activities for preschoolers. And because it involves paint and glue, it doubles as sensory activities.

The Role of Technology and Online Options

While we love nature, online preschool is still a trend. Some preschool activities are digital now. A modern preschool teacher might use an iPad for a specific lesson. However, balance is key for preschool learning. Educational activities for preschoolers should not be 100% screens.

If you use at home preschool apps, mix them with real play. Preschool activities at home need that human touch. You would not give screens as activities for infants, so be careful with toddlers too. Use tech to prepare for kindergarten activities that use computers. There are even digital crafts for preschoolers and games that mimic sensory activities, though they are not quite the same. They can be fun activities for preschoolers in moderation.

Final Thoughts on These Trends

So there you have it. The world of preschool activities is exciting right now. From the messy experiments a preschool teacher sets up to the quiet moments of preschool learning in a reading nook, there is so much to do. If you are doing at home preschool, try to mix it up. Include some educational activities for preschoolers that challenge them.

Remember that activities for infants are just the start of the journey. Soon you will be planning preschool activities at home every day. Whether you use online preschool resources or go outside for sensory activities, the goal is growth. Prepare them for kindergarten activities with love and fun. Do plenty of crafts for preschoolers. Keep looking for fun activities for preschoolers. The more preschool activities you try, the happier your child will be. It is a chaotic, beautiful time of life.