36 Lesson Plans for the 7 Hottest Preschool Themes: Keep Your Students Engaged All Year Long!

There are many great and popular preschool themes that teachers and parents use to create engaging and educational learning experiences for young children.

Here are some of the most popular preschool themes along with 36 lesson plan ideas for each:

Animals Preschool Theme

This theme is popular among young children because they love animals. Teachers can use this theme to teach children about different types of animals, their habitats, and their behaviors.

Here are 36 ideas for preschool lesson plans for the theme “Animals”:

1. Introduction to the theme: Have a group discussion about animals and what children already know about them.
2. Sorting activity: Sort pictures of animals into groups based on their habitats (e.g. farm animals, zoo animals, forest animals, etc.)
3. Animal sounds: Play a game where children guess which animal is making each sound.
4. Alphabet animals: Choose an animal for each letter of the alphabet and create an alphabet book.
5. Animal habitats: Create a sensory bin with different materials to represent different animal habitats.
6. Animal movement: Play a game where children mimic the movement of different animals.
7. Animal songs: Sing songs about different animals.
8. Animal stories: Read books about animals and discuss the different characters.
9. Animal body parts: Use a felt board to teach children about the different body parts of animals.
10. Animal patterns: Create animal patterns using different materials.
11. Animal camouflage: Teach children about animal camouflage and have them try to find hidden animals in pictures.
12. Animal masks: Make masks of different animals and have children act out animal behaviors.
13. Animal tracks: Use playdough to make animal tracks and discuss what animals the tracks might belong to.
14. Animal homes: Teach children about the different types of homes that animals live in.
15. Animal families: Teach children about different animal families and how they care for their young.
16. Animal movement relay: Play a relay race where children have to move like different animals.
17. Animal yoga: Do yoga poses that are named after different animals.
18. Animal habitat collage: Create a collage of different animal habitats.
19. Animal hunt: Hide animal toys around the classroom and have children find them.
20. Animal life cycle: Teach children about the life cycle of different animals.
21. Animal puppet show: Make puppets of different animals and put on a show.
22. Animal sorting: Sort pictures of animals into groups based on their characteristics (e.g. mammals, reptiles, etc.)
23. Animal magnets: Use animal magnets to create stories and discuss the different animals.
24. Animal footprints: Make animal footprints using paint and discuss what animals the footprints might belong to.
25. Animal colors: Teach children about different animal colors and have them create their own colorful animal.
26. Animal movements and sounds: Create a chart of different animals and their movements and sounds.
27. Animal art: Create animal art using different materials (e.g. clay, paint, etc.)
28. Animal costumes: Dress up like different animals and act out animal behaviors.
29. Animal habitats matching game: Match animals to their correct habitats.
30. Animal field trip: Take a field trip to a local zoo or farm.
31. Animal graphing: Graph different animals based on different characteristics (e.g. size, color, etc.)
32. Animal sculptures: Use recycled materials to create animal sculptures.
33. Animal riddles: Write riddles about different animals and have children guess the animal.
34. Animal symmetrical art: Create symmetrical animal art.
35. Animal counting: Count different animals and discuss how many there are.
36. Animal memory game: Play a memory game where children have to match different animal pictures.

Seasons Preschool Theme

Seasons theme can help children learn about the changes that occur in nature throughout the year. This theme can be used to teach children about weather, the different seasons, and the changes in nature that occur during each season.

Here are 36 ideas for preschool lesson plans for the theme about the “Seasons”:

1. Introduction to the theme: Have a group discussion about seasons and what children already know about them.
2. Seasons sorting activity: Sort pictures of different things associated with each season (e.g. snow, flowers, leaves, etc.)
3. Weather wheel: Create a weather wheel to help children understand the different types of weather associated with each season.
4. Seasonal sensory bins: Create sensory bins with different materials to represent each season.
5. Seasons songs: Sing songs about the different seasons.
6. Seasonal books: Read books about the different seasons and discuss the changes that occur in nature.
7. Seasonal art: Create art projects that reflect each season (e.g. winter snowflakes, spring flowers, etc.)
8. Seasonal clothing: Teach children about the different types of clothing that are appropriate for each season.
9. Seasonal patterns: Create seasonal patterns using different materials.
10. Seasonal movement: Play a game where children mimic movements associated with each season.
11. Seasonal science experiments: Conduct science experiments related to each season (e.g. melting snow, growing plants, etc.)
12. Seasonal collage: Create a collage of pictures representing each season.
13. Seasonal word search: Create a seasonal word search for children to complete.
14. Seasonal storytelling: Tell stories about each season and the different activities that take place during that time of year.
15. Seasonal math: Use seasonal items to teach children counting, addition, and subtraction.
16. Seasonal weather charts: Create charts to track the weather during each season.
17. Seasonal games: Play games related to each season (e.g. snowball toss, leaf jumping, etc.)
18. Seasonal science journals: Have children keep a science journal to record observations about each season.
19. Seasonal dramatic play: Set up a dramatic play area that reflects each season.
20. Seasonal spelling: Teach children to spell words associated with each season.
21. Seasonal calendars: Create calendars that reflect each season.
22. Seasonal writing prompts: Use writing prompts to help children write about each season.
23. Seasonal cooking: Cook foods that are associated with each season (e.g. pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, etc.)
24. Seasonal nature walks: Take walks to observe and discuss the changes that occur in nature during each season.
25. Seasonal poetry: Write and recite poetry about each season.
26. Seasonal scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt using items associated with each season.
27. Seasonal science experiments: Conduct science experiments related to each season (e.g. freezing water, making ice cream, etc.)
28. Seasonal music: Sing and play music that reflects each season.
29. Seasonal math games: Play math games related to each season (e.g. counting leaves, measuring snow, etc.)
30. Seasonal measurement: Teach children about measurement by using seasonal items (e.g. measuring snow depth, weighing pumpkins, etc.)
31. Seasonal storyboards: Use storyboards to help children create stories related to each season.
32. Seasonal science videos: Watch videos about each season and the changes that occur in nature.
33. Seasonal picture books: Read picture books that reflect each season and the changes that occur.
34. Seasonal word matching: Match words associated with each season to their corresponding pictures.
35. Seasonal tree observation: Observe and document changes to trees throughout each season.
36. Seasonal weather reports: Create weather reports for each season and discuss the different types of weather that occur.

Community Helpers Preschool Theme

This theme can help children learn about the different people in their community who help others, such as firefighters, police officers, doctors, and nurses.

Here are 36 ideas for preschool lesson plans for the theme “Community Helpers”:

1. Introduction to the theme: Have a group discussion about community helpers and what they do.
2. Community helper sorting activity: Sort pictures of different community helpers (e.g. police officer, firefighter, doctor, etc.)
3. Community helper dress-up: Provide dress-up clothes and props for children to role-play as community helpers.
4. Community helper puzzles: Use puzzles to teach children about different community helpers and their tools.
5. Community helper books: Read books about different community helpers and the work they do.
6. Community helper songs: Sing songs about different community helpers and the work they do.
7. Community helper art: Create art projects related to different community helpers (e.g. police badges, firefighter helmets, etc.)
8. Community helper math: Use community helper tools to teach counting and sorting.
9. Community helper writing: Help children write thank-you notes to community helpers in their town.
10. Community helper field trip: Take a field trip to a community helper location, such as a fire station or police department.
11. Community helper language: Teach children the language used by different community helpers (e.g. “stop, drop, and roll” for firefighters.)
12. Community helper puppets: Create puppets of different community helpers and use them for storytelling.
13. Community helper dramatic play: Set up a dramatic play area with different community helper stations.
14. Community helper games: Play games related to community helpers (e.g. “Simon Says” with community helper actions.)
15. Community helper bulletin board: Create a bulletin board displaying pictures and information about different community helpers.
16. Community helper videos: Watch videos about different community helpers and the work they do.
17. Community helper maps: Create maps of the local area that highlight the locations of different community helpers.
18. Community helper safety: Teach children about safety rules and practices associated with different community helpers.
19. Community helper guest speakers: Invite community helpers to speak to the class about their work.
20. Community helper charts: Create charts to show the tools and equipment used by different community helpers.
21. Community helper word search: Create a community helper word search for children to complete.
22. Community helper measurement: Use community helper tools to teach measurement (e.g. measuring a room with a tape measure.)
23. Community helper vocabulary: Teach children vocabulary words associated with different community helpers.
24. Community helper cooking: Cook food that is commonly associated with different community helpers (e.g. firefighter chili.)
25. Community helper vehicles: Teach children about the different vehicles used by community helpers.
26. Community helper dramatic play props: Provide props for the dramatic play area, such as toy fire hoses and police badges.
27. Community helper role-play: Have children act out scenarios in which they are community helpers.
28. Community helper puppets: Create puppets of different community helpers and use them for storytelling.
29. Community helper crafts: Create crafts related to different community helpers (e.g. police car paper crafts.)
30. Community helper dance: Create dances related to different community helpers (e.g. firefighter dance.)
31. Community helper memory game: Create a memory game with pictures of different community helpers.
32. Community helper math problems: Create math problems related to different community helpers and their tools.
33. Community helper songs with movements: Sing songs related to community helpers and include movements to act them out.
34. Community helper play dough station: Provide play dough and community helper tools for children to create and play.
35. Community helper books with rhymes: Read books about community helpers that include rhymes and songs.
36. Community helper field trip reflections: Have children reflect on their community helper field trip by drawing pictures or writing

Space Preschool Theme

Children are often fascinated by space, so this theme can be used to teach children about planets, stars, and space exploration.

1. Introduction to the theme: Have a group discussion about space and what it is.
2. Solar system sorting activity: Sort pictures of the planets in our solar system.
3. Space-themed dress-up: Provide dress-up clothes and props for children to pretend to be astronauts or aliens.
4. Moon phases lesson: Teach children about the different phases of the moon and why they occur.
5. Space books: Read books about space, astronauts, and the planets.
6. Space songs: Sing songs about space and the planets.
7. Space art: Create art projects related to space (e.g. planets, stars, or rockets.)
8. Space math: Use space-themed objects to teach counting, sorting, and basic addition and subtraction.
9. Space writing: Encourage children to write stories about what they would do if they went to space.
10. Space field trip: Take a virtual field trip to a planetarium or observatory.
11. Space language: Teach children the language used by astronauts (e.g. “Houston, we have a problem.”)
12. Space puppets: Create puppets of aliens, astronauts, or rockets and use them for storytelling.
13. Space dramatic play: Set up a dramatic play area with a rocket, space suits, and other space-themed props.
14. Space games: Play games related to space (e.g. “space tag” or “rocket ship relay races”.)
15. Space bulletin board: Create a bulletin board displaying pictures and information about the planets.
16. Space videos: Watch videos about space and the planets.
17. Space maps: Create maps of the solar system.
18. Space safety: Teach children about safety rules and practices associated with space travel.
19. Space guest speakers: Invite an astronomer or scientist to speak to the class about space.
20. Space charts: Create charts to show the relative sizes of the planets and the distances between them.
21. Space word search: Create a space-themed word search for children to complete.
22. Space measurement: Use space-themed objects to teach measurement (e.g. measuring a rocket with a ruler.)
23. Space vocabulary: Teach children vocabulary words associated with space (e.g. asteroid, orbit, and satellite.)
24. Space cooking: Cook space-themed food (e.g. star-shaped cookies or rocket-shaped sandwiches.)
25. Space vehicles: Teach children about the different vehicles used for space travel (e.g. rockets and shuttles.)
26. Space dramatic play props: Provide props for the dramatic play area, such as toy rockets and astronaut helmets.
27. Space role-play: Have children act out scenarios in which they are astronauts or aliens.
28. Space puppets: Create puppets of aliens or rockets and use them for storytelling.
29. Space crafts: Create crafts related to space (e.g. planet mobiles.)
30. Space dance: Create dances related to space (e.g. moonwalking like an astronaut.)
31. Space memory game: Create a memory game with pictures of the planets.
32. Space math problems: Create math problems related to space and the planets.
33. Space songs with movements: Sing space-themed songs and include movements to act them out.
34. Space play dough station: Provide play dough and space-themed objects for children to create and play.
35. Space books with rhymes: Read books about space that include rhymes and songs.
36. Space field trip reflections: Have children reflect on their space field trip by drawing pictures or writing.

Transportation Preschool Theme

This theme can help children learn about different modes of transportation, such as cars, buses, trains, and airplanes.

Here are 36 ideas for preschool lesson plans for the theme “Transportation”:

1. Introduction to transportation: Have a group discussion about transportation and the different ways people get around.
2. Transportation sorting activity: Sort pictures of different modes of transportation (e.g. cars, trains, airplanes, and boats.)
3. Transportation dress-up: Provide dress-up clothes and props for children to pretend to be drivers, pilots, or conductors.
4. Traffic signs and safety: Teach children about traffic signs and safety rules for pedestrians.
5. Transportation books: Read books about different types of transportation (e.g. cars, trains, and airplanes.)
6. Transportation songs: Sing songs about transportation and the different ways people get around.
7. Transportation art: Create art projects related to transportation (e.g. making paper airplanes or drawing pictures of cars.)
8. Transportation math: Use transportation-themed objects to teach counting, sorting, and basic addition and subtraction.
9. Transportation writing: Encourage children to write stories or draw pictures about their favorite mode of transportation.
10. Transportation field trip: Take a field trip to a transportation museum, airport, or train station.
11. Transportation language: Teach children the language used for different modes of transportation (e.g. “All aboard!”)
12. Transportation puppets: Create puppets of different modes of transportation and use them for storytelling.
13. Transportation dramatic play: Set up a dramatic play area with a train, plane, or boat.
14. Transportation games: Play games related to transportation (e.g. “red light, green light” or “boat races”.)
15. Transportation bulletin board: Create a bulletin board displaying pictures and information about different modes of transportation.
16. Transportation videos: Watch videos about different modes of transportation (e.g. “how trains work” or “how planes fly.”)
17. Transportation maps: Create maps of different transportation routes (e.g. roads or train tracks.)
18. Transportation safety: Teach children about safety rules and practices associated with different modes of transportation.
19. Transportation guest speakers: Invite a driver, pilot, or train conductor to speak to the class about their job.
20. Transportation charts: Create charts to compare and contrast different modes of transportation.
21. Transportation word search: Create a transportation-themed word search for children to complete.
22. Transportation measurement: Use transportation-themed objects to teach measurement (e.g. measuring the length of a toy car.)
23. Transportation vocabulary: Teach children vocabulary words associated with transportation (e.g. engine, caboose, and cockpit.)
24. Transportation cooking: Cook transportation-themed food (e.g. car-shaped cookies or airplane sandwiches.)
25. Transportation vehicles: Teach children about different types of vehicles (e.g. cars, buses, and trucks.)
26. Transportation dramatic play props: Provide props for the dramatic play area, such as toy cars, planes, or boats.
27. Transportation role-play: Have children act out scenarios in which they are drivers, pilots, bus drivers, or train conductors.
28. Transportation puppets: Create puppets of different types of transportation and use them for storytelling.
29. Transportation crafts: Create crafts related to transportation (e.g. making paper airplanes.)
30. Transportation dance: Create dances related to transportation (e.g. “the train dance” or “the airplane dance.”)
31. Transportation memory game: Create a memory game with pictures of different modes of transportation.
32. Transportation math problems: Create math problems related to transportation (e.g. “If a train has 10 cars and 2 engines, how many total pieces does it have?”)
33. Transportation songs with movements: Sing transportation-themed songs and include movements to act them out.
34. Transportation play dough station: Provide play dough and transportation-themed objects for children to create and play
35. Food-related Transportation: Teach children about how our food is transported from the farms to our plates.
36. Family Transportation: Have students discuss and share the different types of transportation their family uses. (e.g. a parent flies to a meeting for work, they’re sibling rides in a bus to school, they ride in a car to the store.)

Food Preschool Theme

This theme can be used to teach children about healthy eating habits, different types of food, and where food comes from.

Here are 36 ideas for preschool lesson plans for the theme “Food”:

1. Introduction to food: Have a group discussion about food and the different types of food people eat.
2. Food sorting activity: Sort pictures of different types of food (e.g. fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains.)
3. Food groups: Teach children about the different food groups and the importance of a balanced diet.
4. Food pyramid craft: Create a food pyramid craft using construction paper or felt.
5. Healthy vs. unhealthy food: Teach children to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods.
6. Food books: Read books about food, nutrition, and cooking.
7. Food songs: Sing songs about food and healthy eating.
8. Food art: Create art projects related to food (e.g. making fruit or vegetable prints.)
9. Food math: Use food-themed objects to teach counting, sorting, and basic addition and subtraction.
10. Food writing: Encourage children to write stories or draw pictures about their favorite foods.
11. Food taste test: Have a taste test of different types of food (e.g. fruits, vegetables, or grains.)
12. Food vocabulary: Teach children vocabulary words associated with food (e.g. broccoli, carrot, and bread.)
13. Food puppets: Create puppets of different types of food and use them for storytelling.
14. Food dramatic play: Set up a dramatic play area with a kitchen or grocery store.
15. Food games: Play games related to food (e.g. “grocery store scavenger hunt” or “fruit and vegetable bingo.”)
16. Food bulletin board: Create a bulletin board displaying pictures and information about different types of food.
17. Food videos: Watch videos about food, nutrition, and cooking.
18. Food safety: Teach children about safety rules and practices associated with food preparation and consumption.
19. Food guest speakers: Invite a nutritionist or chef to speak to the class about healthy eating.
20. Food charts: Create charts to compare and contrast different types of food.
21. Food word search: Create a food-themed word search for children to complete.
22. Food measurement: Use food-themed objects to teach measurement (e.g. measuring the weight of a fruit or vegetable.)
23. Food cooking: Cook food with the children (e.g. making a salad or baking bread.)
24. Food taste and texture: Teach children about the different tastes and textures of food (e.g. sweet, sour, crunchy, or soft.)
25. Food origins: Teach children about the origins of different types of food (e.g. where they come from and how they are grown.)
26. Food dramatic play props: Provide props for the dramatic play area, such as play food, dishes, and utensils.
27. Food role-play: Have children act out scenarios in which they are chefs or grocery store clerks.
28. Food puppets: Create puppets of different types of food and use them for storytelling.
29. Food crafts: Create crafts related to food (e.g. making fruit or vegetable puppets.)
30. Food dance: Create dances related to food (e.g. “the fruit dance” or “the vegetable dance.”)
31. Food memory game: Create a memory game with pictures of different types of food.
32. Food math problems: Create math problems related to food (e.g. “If we have 5 apples and we eat 2, how many do we have left?”)
33. Food songs with movements: Sing food-themed songs and include movements to act them out.
34. Food play dough station: Provide play dough and food-themed objects for children to create and play.
35. Food-related community helpers: Teach children about food-related community helpers, such as farmers, chefs
36. Family Food: Discuss and review what each student’s family eats for food. What they’re favorite meals are.

Ocean Preschool Theme

This theme can help children learn about different ocean creatures, their habitats, and the importance of keeping our oceans clean.

Here are 36 ideas for preschool lesson plans for the theme “ocean”:

1. Introduction to the ocean: Have a group discussion about the ocean and what animals and plants live there.
2. Ocean habitat: Teach children about the different types of ocean habitats, such as coral reefs, kelp forests, tide pools, and open ocean).
3. Ocean animal sorting activity: Sort pictures of different types of ocean animals (e.g. fish, whales, sharks, and sea turtles.)
4. Ocean animal matching game: Create a matching game with pictures of ocean animals and their names.
5. Ocean animal craft: Create an ocean animal craft using construction paper or clay.
6. Ocean books: Read books about the ocean, marine life, and ocean conservation, sea creatures, and the beach.
7. Ocean songs: Sing songs about the ocean and ocean animals.
8. Ocean art: Create art projects related to the ocean (e.g. making a paper plate jellyfish, making seashell collages.)
9. Ocean math: Use ocean-themed objects to teach counting, sorting, and basic addition and subtraction.
10. Ocean writing: Encourage children to write stories or draw pictures about the ocean and their favorite sea creatures.
11. Ocean vocabulary: Teach children vocabulary words associated with the ocean (e.g. shark, octopus, seahorse, coral, and seaweed.)
12. Ocean puppet show: Create puppets of different types of ocean animals and use them for storytelling.
13. Ocean dramatic play: Set up a dramatic play area with a boat or a beach.
14. Ocean games: Play games related to the ocean (e.g. “ocean animal scavenger hunt” or “ocean bingo, “ocean animal charades” or “shark tag.”)
15. Ocean bulletin board: Create a bulletin board displaying pictures and information about different types of ocean animals.
16. Ocean videos: Watch videos about the ocean, marine life, sea creatures, and the beach.
17. Ocean conservation: Teach children about the importance of ocean conservation and protecting marine life.
18. Ocean safety: Teach children about safety rules and practices associated with swimming and playing in the ocean.
19. Ocean guest speakers: Invite a marine biologist or a scuba diver to speak to the class about ocean life.
20. Ocean charts: Create charts to compare and contrast different types of ocean animals.
21. Ocean word search: Create an ocean-themed word search for children to complete.
22. Ocean measurement: Use ocean-themed objects to teach measurement (e.g. measuring the lengths of different fish, sharks, whales.)
23. Ocean cooking: Cook ocean-themed snacks with the children (e.g. making a fruit shark or a seaweed salad.)
24. Ocean taste and texture: Teach children about the different tastes and textures of ocean food (e.g. salty, slimy, or crunchy.)
25. Ocean conservation crafts: Create crafts related to ocean conservation (e.g. making a sea turtle out of recycled materials.)
26. Ocean dramatic play props: Provide props for the dramatic play area, such as a boat, a fishing nets, and sea creature costumes.
27. Ocean role-play: Have children act out scenarios in which they are fishermen or marine biologists.
28. Ocean puppets: Create puppets of different types of ocean animals and use them for storytelling.
29. Ocean crafts: Create crafts related to the ocean (e.g. making a seashell necklace or a paper plate octopus.)
30. Ocean dance: Create dances related to the ocean (e.g. “the crab dance” or “the jellyfish dance.”)
31. Ocean memory game: Create a memory game with pictures of different types of ocean animals.
32. Ocean math problems: Create math problems related to the ocean (e.g. “If we have 3 whales and 2 dolphins, how many ocean animals do we have?”)
33. Ocean songs with movements: Sing ocean-themed songs and include movements to act them out.
34. Ocean sorting activity: Sort pictures of different ocean creatures (e.g. fish, sharks, and whales.)
35. Ocean zones: Teach children about the different zones within the ocean (e.g. sunlight zone, twilight zone, and midnight zone.)
36. Ocean sensory bin: Create a sensory bin filled with sand, seashells, and sea creature toys.

These 7 preschool themes and their 36 lesson plans for each week of the school year are sure to keep young minds engaged and excited about learning.

Whether it’s exploring the vastness of space, delving into the depths of the ocean, or learning about the people who make up their community, these lesson plans provide teachers with a plethora of new and engaging ideas to help their students thrive.

By incorporating these themes into their curriculum, teachers can create a fun and stimulating learning environment that encourages children to develop their creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills.

With so many exciting possibilities to explore, the possibilities are endless for a year of fun and educational adventures in the classroom. 

-This article was written by Rebecca Calbert. 

Rebecca is a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience.  She owns and operates an architectural firm, Calbert Design Group,  and educates her clients through the commercial real estate development process with online content at SaveOnBuilding.com.  Rebecca’s “purpose” is to educate small business owners and protect them from what they don’t know.