Canada Activities for Preschoolers: Preschool Around the World

Let your little ones learn through play with these Canada activities for preschoolers. They are sure to learn something new while having fun.

A Few Facts to Teach Little about Canada

Because you know they are going to ask (and ask). Before doing the Canada activities for preschool, explain to your preschooler that:

* Canada is located in North America. The same continent as the United States of America

*There are two official languages of Canada: French and English. This means things like their food packages have the words in both languages.

*Hockey is a popular sport in Canada.

*Niagra Falls is part of the way in Canada and part of the way in the United States.

*The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are called Mounties and wear red uniforms and ride horses.

*Maple syrup is a big deal in Canada.

Geography Activities

Activity 1: Map Outline

Print out an outline map of Canada. Use play dough to roll out a long snake. Wrap the snake around the perimeter of Canada to make the border. Then, have your little one use other pieces of play dough to fill the inside area.

If you live in North America, you may want to print out a map of North America and show where you live in relation to Canada.

This will help them to give context to other Canada activities for preschool so they know how close (or far away) they are from Canada.

Activity 2: Waterfall Pouring

Niagra Falls is a famous waterfall in both the US and Canada.

Set your little one up with a tub of water and some measuring cups. Let your little one explore and discover in with the water.

Try playing alongside your little one and using the cups to pour out the water, slowly making a waterfall.

You can also try filling a cup sitting on the bottom of the tub. Keep adding water to the cup to make the water overflow, creating a waterfall. This may be more fun if a floating toy (like a rubber ducky) sits in the cup as it gets filled.

This pick for the Canada activities for preschool has the added benefit of sensory play, too.

Culture Activities

Activity 1: Make a Rock Inukshuk

Inuit (indigenous) culture is an important part of Canada. You can make an inukshuk structure using rocks (or blocks).

Inukshuk are mounts of rocks that serve as a landmark or directional guide.

There are also inunnguag (meaning imitation of a person), which are made of rocks and stacked to look like humans. The Inuit associate them with a spiritual meaning.

Activity 2: Mounties Role Play

Dress up like the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol by wearing red. Then, gallop around on a (stick) horse to help people in need.

Math Activities

Activity 1: Coast-to-Coast Number Line

Create a number line on the floor using sheets of paper (or pillows) to represent a journey across Canada. Label each paper (or pillow) with a major city in Canada. Be sure the cities are in order. The westmost city is on the left, and the eastmost city is on the right.

Have your little one count as they step on each paper (or pillow).

You can also do this by labeling them the names of the provinces instead of cities.

Activity 2: Landmark Shape Hunt

Show pictures of various Canadian landmarks, like the CN Tower, totem poles, Parliament Hill, etc. Have your little one identify the different shapes they see on these landmarks.

This is one of the Canada activities for preschool that your little one may do all around after you do it once. Try it on your next car ride!

Language Arts Activities

Activity 1: English/ French Matching

Make flashcards with pictures of everyday items. You will need two of each item. Play a matching game to match up the pairs. Say the name of the item on the card that was flipped over in French.

Activity 2: Canadian Storytime

Read stories written by Canadian authors. Try stories like “Franklin” by Paulette Bourgeois.

Work with your little one to create a story about a Canadian adventure. Take turns making up sentences. You will most likely need to be the scribe and write down the story as you develop it.

Music Activities

Activity 1: Listen to Canadian Music

Play Indigenous Canadian artists’ music, folk music, and contemporary Canadian children’s music to introduce your children to diverse music.

Activity 2: Indigenous Drumming

Listen to videos of Indigenous drumming and try to replicate it by patting your hands on your legs. You can take it further by making a drum from an old (oatmeal) container.

Cooking Activities

Activity 1: Poutine

Most kids LOVE french fries. Try taking this yummy treat a step further by turning french fries into poutine with gravy and cheese together.

Activity 2: Butter Tarts

These delicious, flaky pastries are easier than you think to make. Use a standard muffin tin to make mini butter tarts. Some recipes call for currants or raisins, but there are recipes that don’t.

You can also find recipes that use maple syrup to make them even more of a Canadian dish!