Toy Story: Movie-Themed, Educational Activities and Games for 2 to 5 Year Olds

Let's face it: Kids love movies. But it's been proven that they should watch no more than two hours of television a day. So why not combine their love of a movie and activities that will help them learn and grow? Following are suggestions for the movie Toy Story released in 1995. These activities would also work well for preschool classes and party games for this age group.

Watch the movie

Let your kids watch the show while you prepare the activities for the rest of the day or attend to other responsibilities.

Talking Toy

Get out one of your child's favorite toys and pretend to be the voice for the toy. Ask your child to put the toy in certain places. For example, in the toy voice say "please put me on the bed." See if your child understands in, on, over, under, next to and so on. If they have a hard time with one of these show and teach them what it means.

Read a Book

There are a lot of different themes you can choose from that relate to the movie for a book to read with your child. Have your child find and point out different things in the pictures. Talk to your child about the story after reading it. Ask them questions about what happened. Following are a few suggestions for books you might read.

· Cowboy Small (Lois Lenski Books) by Lois Lenski

· Cowboy Up! (Rookie Readers) by Larry Dane Brimner and Susan Miller

· Giddy Up, Cowgirl by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

· There's No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System (Cat in the Hat's Lrning Libry) by Tish Rabe and Aristides Ruiz

· Roaring Rockets (Amazing Machines) by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker

My Favorite Toy

Have your child gather a couple of their favorite toys or stuffed animals and have a picnic or tea party with them. If you have a very young child you can have pretend food. If you think your child is old enough, make a few sandwiches and some cookies to have at your tea party or picnic.

Take a Trip

Take your child someplace in town that has a crane machine game. Let them try getting a prize.

Make a Rocket

Give your child a toilet paper tube, and some construction paper. Help them turn the toilet paper tube into a rocket by adding wings and a nose. Let them color and decorate the rocket.