Skeleton Preschool Theme - Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Non-scary preschool theme featuring art, math, science, manipulative and dramatic play activities.

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Skeleton preschool theme? It’s only something I considered doing recently. In the latter part of October, my activities usually focus on pumpkins…bright orange, happy ones! My preschoolers are encouraged to dress up in non-scary costumes. Skeletons are not on the list to plan a theme around for my little students.

But I couldn’t help notice a glammed-up skull one fall day. Inspired by its beauty, my thoughts turned to “Yes, I can introduce some skeleton activities, and do it in a way that is non-threatening to preschoolers.”

Glam skull pillow. — My Skeleton Theme Inspiration

A focus for fall purchases became skeletons of all kinds. They were not hard to find … or expensive. Here’s what I bought and here’s what to do.

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Introducing The Preschool Skeleton Theme

COLLECT:

books about human bodies

X-rays of body parts

ADD:

light table or a DIY lightbox (plastic tub with led lights)

Books featuring human bodies with detailed pictures of skeletons.

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Set out a variety of books featuring human bodies and skeletons.

Display x-rays of human bones on a light table.

View x-rays on a lid covered, clear plastic tub with led lights inside.

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Led string lights inserted in a covered, clear tub can serve as a DIY lightbox.

A lid covered clear plastic tub with led lights inside works as a small light table.

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Stress that our bodies have skeletons and bones in them.

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Felt Skeleton Activities

THE FINDS:

felt skeleton (without bones)
felt, hinged skeletons (with bones)
cardboard skeleton (with bones)
toy bones

ADD:

Q-Tips
paper fasteners

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ACTIVITY ONE: Add Bones To A Skeleton

Cut a few Q-Tips in half, and others into thirds. Leave some whole. Let children add toy and Q-Tip bones to the felt skeleton, using the cardboard one as an example.

Felt skeleton decorated with plastic and Q-Tip bones. A cardboard skeleton serves as a model.

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ACTIVITY TWO: Skeleton Poses

Take turns moving a hinged, felt skeleton in different ways. Discuss what it might be feeling and communicating.

Adorable skeletons with movable limbs put in poses to create different expressions.

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ACTIVITY THREE: Put A Skeleton Back Together

Take apart the sections of a hinged, felt skeleton. Offer paper fasteners and invite children to put it back together, using the other skeleton as a model. This activity is great for enhancing fine motor skills.

A felt skeleton unhinged. Paper fasteners and a model skeleton aide in helping children put the skeleton back together.

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Plastic Skeleton Activities

THE FINDS:

three large, plastic hinged skeletons
pet costumes
adult fingerless gloves
children’s gloves and socks
beaded jewelry strands
stuffed animal
candy bag

ADD:

sticker gems and pearls
large roll of paper
felt pens

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ACTIVITY ONE: Compare Height With A Skeleton

Decorate one skeleton with sticker and pearl gems to “glam it up.”. Add some jewelry strands. Hang the skeleton on a wall with the caption: “ARE YOU TALLER THAN THIS SKELETON?”

Invite children to stand next to the skeleton. Measure and record who is taller.

A decorative wall decor skeleton hung on a wall. Invitation for children to compare their height with the skeleton.

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Take a picture of each child next to the skeleton for a unique photo op.

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ACTIVITY TWO: Dress The Skeleton

Set out a skeleton along with clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Invite children to dress the skeleton, offering help as needed.

Large, plastic skeleton dressed up in seasonal clothes.

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ACTIVITY THREE: Traced Body With Skeleton

Trace each child’s body on a large section of paper cut from a roll. Take a hinged skeleton apart and set the bones near the body tracings. Encourage children to add bones.

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Jumbo Skull Activities

THE FIND:

jumbo felt skull

ADD:

calendar pictures of animal heads
12 x 18 pieces of paper
pastel crayons

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ACTIVITY ONE: Guess The Animal

Slide the skull over each calendar animal head picture and ask children to “Guess The Animal.”

Guess The Animal activity using an oversized felt skull and calendar pictures of animal heads.

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ACTIVITY TWO: Trace The Skull

Place the skull on a table along with large pieces of paper and pastel crayons. Encourage children to trace and decorate the skull.

Traced skull activity using a large piece of paper, jumbo felt skull, and padstel crayons.

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ACTIVITY THREE: Jumbo Mask Photo Op

Take pictures of children holding the skull as a “jumbo mask.” The wall skeleton can be part of the backdrop.

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Glitter Skull Math Activities

THE FIND:

two tree branches decorated with metallic skulls

ADD:

plastic, rubber, or wooden numbers

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ACTIVITY ONE: Make Patterns

Take the skulls off the tree branches. (The branches can be saved for other activities.)

Glitter skulls cut from a decorative tree branch.

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Have children make patterns with them.

Glitter skulls used for counting, sorting, and patterning activities.

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ACTIVITY TWO: Count And Sort Skulls

Set out the skulls, and numbers 1 – 9. Invite children to count them and add the correct number. Encourage skull sorting.

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Neon Skull Activities

THE FIND:

neon skeleton party favors

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ACTIVITY ONE: Sort And Match Skeletons

Have children sort and match skeletons according to their color.

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ACTIVITY TWO: Make Patterns

Invite children to make patterns with the neon skeletons.

Neon plastic skeleton party favors are perfect for making patterns.

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Skull Printable

Download this cute skull printable that features basic shapes. Discuss the shapes. Invite children to glam it up with their favorite art medium and sticker gems and pearls.