How to Keep Preschoolers Busy with Newspaper

Before you throw out the newspaper, let me tell you about some awesome ways to practice motor skills and keep kids busy with just a newspaper! If you need a rainy-day activity or are looking for a way practice following directions and motor skills, then this is the activity for you!

Start by placing a newspaper (folded in half) in front of your child. Explain that the newspaper is their house. Say the following directions to them:

1. Step onto your house.

2. Jump off your house with 2 feet.

3. Jump over your house.

4. March around your house.

5. Gallop around your house.

6. Make a bridge over your house.

7. Hold the paper over your head and shake it. Listen to the rain!

8. Hold it behind your back and let it fly like you are wearing a cape.

9. Put the paper on your chest, lift your chin so it is not touching the paper. Now put your arms out to the side and run! Did the paper stay “glued” to your chest?! (This was my son’s FAVORITE part of the activity. He was zooming all around the house with his magical newspaper!)

10. Scrunch the paper into a ball.

11. Toss the newspaper ball into the air and catch it.

12. Toss it up in the air and clap before you catch it.

13. Toss and catch with someone else.

14. Now put the newspaper on the ground. Soccer dribble the ball (little kicks) to the trash can.

15. Lastly, toss it into the trash!

How is this educational?

1. Practice with directional words (around, up, under, etc.)
2. The big movements practice gross motor skills
3. The smaller movements practice fine motor skills
4. Listening skills with following directions

If you’d like to do this activity, but want a printable copy of the activity, you can download it here —> Newspaper Activity

This activity would be great for a classroom of preschoolers or to do at home with your child. Have fun with those newspapers!