5 creative challenges for ages 5 to 7

1. The star shop

Practice small sums using drawn stars as counters.

1. Draw five large stars and three objects costing one, two and three stars.
2. Ask: if I choose the two-star item and the one-star item, how many stars do I need?
3. Check by counting the stars, then swap shopper and shopkeeper roles.

2. The letter map

Connect the first letters of familiar words with drawings.

1. Write S for Sophia, C for Camila and M for monkey.
2. Draw an object or character beside each letter.
3. Find another word that starts the same way. If it is hard, offer two choices.

A useful detail: When switching between Spanish and English, check the word: casa starts with C, but house starts with H.

3. A city of shapes

Circles, triangles and rectangles can become a complete scene.

1. Draw an example of each shape.
2. Invite children to make a house, vehicle or character using the shapes.
3. Ask which shapes they chose and how many straight sides each has. A circle has no straight sides.

4. Animal detective

A clue can describe an animal’s body without naming it.

1. Draw an elephant, a turtle and a bird.
2. Give a clue: I have a shell. Ask children to choose and explain.
3. Then let them invent clues; if a clue fits several animals, talk about it.

5. A story in turns

The challenge is to listen to another person’s idea and build on it.

1. Begin: Sophia and Camila find a cloud looking for her home.
2. Each person adds a sentence or drawing.
3. Finish with a solution in which the characters work together.