Around the World Activities for Toddlers
You and your preschoolers can travel the world without even leaving the classroom with an Around the World preschool theme. Open the door to discovery of the world and other cultures with this fun and relevant preschool theme.
Like all well rounded preschool themes, an Around the World preschool theme needs some sensory activities. Try this simple money sensory bin and add it to your Around the World sensory activities.
If your preschoolers are anything like mine, they will be so intrigued by all of the foreign money! And of course they will love running their hands through the rainbow-colored rice.
This activity is an international celebration in a bin!
Around the World Preschool Theme
This sensory bin is easily one of my favorites, and a favorite of my preschoolers as well. They were so intrigued by the different kinds of money in the bin.
Developmentally, preschoolers are insular. They see others as just like them. People have many similarities and many differences, and both those should be celebrated.
An Around the World preschool theme helps teach little learners that children live all over the world. You can use a world map or globe to teach this. You can also show your preschoolers some of the foreign money and explain that it is something that is unique to different countries and regions.
This sensory bin is fun to explore, but more importantly, is a perfect catalyst to teach about people and cultures all over the world. Don’t forget the huge value in encouraging your preschoolers to share about their own cultures and traditions. A great way to do this is with an around the world show and tell.
Of course, my preschoolers loved using their hands in the rainbow rice, but they also loved looking at the money and counting it. I kept this sensory bin out for the duration of the Around the World theme because of its popularity.
The Around the World preschool theme is just one of many fun preschool themes you can use in your classroom. Check out my learn at home lesson plans to help you in your yearlong planning!
-
Product on sale* Learn At Home Preschool Lesson Plans BundleOriginal price was: $60.00.$22.00Current price is: $22.00.
Around the World Sensory Bin
This sensory bin isn’t limited to an Around the World preschool theme. You can add this to your money activities for preschoolers. But I always include them in my Around the World preschool lesson plans.
Materials
- any kind of dry sensory filler (I use rainbow rice for this)
- a variety of foreign money
- small coin purses (preferably collected from different countries)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that at no cost to you, I may earn a small sum if you click through and make a purchase.
How to Dye Rice
You might think it is a bit intimidating to dye rice if you haven’t yet tried it. However, this is nothing to fear! It is super easy and inexpensive to dye rice to use as an awesome sensory bin filler.
There are different recipes out there, but I like this one that uses three simple ingredients: white rice, vinegar and food coloring. Give it a go, and you will see how easy it is: Sensory play colored rice instructions.
-
Product on saleCounting Cards for the Entire Year (16 Themes)Original price was: $16.00.$1.00Current price is: $1.00.
The Set Up
- Pour a dry sensory bin filler into the sensory table or tub. We used some left-over dyed rice from another sensory bin, but anything dry will work and the rice doesn’t have to be dyed, either.
- Add some money to the sensory bin. If you’re doing this as a preschool money activity, you can use play money, but if you’re including this for an around the world theme sensory activity, I suggest using real money or at least money that looks real.
- Finally, simply invite your preschoolers to explore and play!
realistic fake money here.
Foreign Money for Pretend Play
Infusing counting skills and money into your sensory play is great exposure to cultures around the world! These are some of our favorite money add-ons for your toddlers or preschoolers.
- Toy wallet with play money and write-on cards
- Includes 14 play bills ($1s, $5s, $10s, $20s, $50s, $100) 19 play coins (pennies, nickels, dimes,…
- BEST BANG FOR YOUR REAL BUCKS — This set has everything you need with 35 ones, 25 fives, 20 tens,…
- TEACH MONEY MATH — Use this play money set to teach children how to count change. Introduce…
- World Coin Grab Bag – 50 coin assortment from around the world. Only different old coins in a velour…
- PERFECT FOR SMALL INVESTMENT INTO A SMALL PIECES OF HISTORY. These collectible coins are not legal…
- Cash Register for Kids: Working solar-powered calculator and pretend cash register
- Encourage Money and Math Skills: Includes 30 actual-size pretend bills, 40 plastic coins, pretend…
Around the World Books
Liven up your around the world learning with these high-quality books celebrating the unique similarities and differences in our cultures. These picture books are full of vibrant photographs and illustrations and celebrate life around the world.
- Lewis, Clare (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Puck (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Hardcover Book
- Lamothe, Matt (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 02/01/2004 (Publication Date) – Kids Can Press (Publisher)
- Ruurs, Margriet (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Hardcover Book
- Lynne Marie (Author)
Foreign Money Sensory Bin
I offered the foreign money sensory bin during free center time.
Because of the nature of the contents, I limited the sensory bin to only two children at a time. I was worried about the bills being crumpled or torn. Since the money used was from trips I’d taken, the money didn’t just have monetary value, but sentimental value, as well.
With some modeling on how to play in the sensory bin, my preschoolers were very respectful and delicate.
The preschoolers immediately set to work looking for “hidden” coins and picking them out of the rice. They used a magnifying glass to look closely at the details of each coin. It quickly became a challenge to find as many different kinds of coins as possible.
As a teacher, that was the part I loved the most! This sensory bin fulfilled so much in terms of language development. My preschoolers described the coins to one another and were thoughtful.
“This one has a golden center!”
“Look how big this coin is!”
“This one has a person on it!”
“My mom has some just like this.”
I love that this activity organically lends itself to counting practice and comparing and sorting (different coins, bills, etc.). There is so much fantastic learning embedded into one fun sensory activity!
The preschoolers counted the coins and placed them safely into coin purses, which not only offered extra practice in number sense skills, but also fine motor work as they practiced snapping the coin purses.
There was also a little dramatic play that took place as the children pretended to buy purely imaginary items and used the foreign money to exchange with one another for the item purchased. They even pretended to be children around the world making candy purchases.
I loved witnessing the creativity, problem solving, and imaginary play that happened. With this Around the World sensory bin, there are endless opportunities for exploration and learning.
Around the World Preschool Activities
Amp up the fun and learning with these activities. Add them to your Around the World lesson plans. There are more great sensory play activities, as well as circle time activities.
- Around the World Suitcase Activity
- Around the World Dramatic Play Activity
- Paper Cup Pyramids
- Around the World Unit Ideas
- Around the World Activities
Around the World Activities for Toddlers
Help your toddlers and preschoolers travel around the world without even leaving the classroom!
Exploring foreign money is a perfect around the world activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Mixing this in with sensory play makes it even better!
You will be amazed at all the things your kiddos learn and discovery with this exciting foreign money sensory bin. I
t's the perfect activity to offer throughout your Around the World theme. Happy travels!
Materials
- Dry sensory filler (I use rainbow rice for this)
- A variety of foreign money (coins and bills)
- Small coin purses (preferably collected from different countries)
Instructions
- Pour a dry sensory bin filler into the sensory table or tub. (I use rainbow colored rice for this activity)
- Add money to the sensory bin.
- Spread the money throughout, burying some deep for added exploration.
- Invite your toddlers and preschoolers to play.
- Encourage conversation about what the children observe in the different coins and bills.
- Also, encourage the children to sort, count, stack, etc. They often will do some of these things organically as they explore.
Notes
I typically limit this activity to two children at a time. It is important that they treat the money with care (especially if it is real money, you many have collected during your travels).
I like to keep this sensory activity available throughout our entire around the world thematic unit because it is so popular.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Product on sale* Learn At Home Preschool Lesson Plans BundleOriginal price was: $60.00.$22.00Current price is: $22.00.
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
3 Comments