Hammer and Nails Preschool Style

A recipe for simple, clean, summer fun: A little supervision, a light finishing hammer, nails, and a piece of cardboard or styrofoam, doubled. Make sure you do this outside so you aren't hammering into your floor or something.

For younger preschoolers you might want to get the nails started as we did, but older children might enjoy doing it all by themselves. For variation, try drawing something like a house on the cardboard to "build."

Though you will want to discuss safety rules for hammers and nails, don't discount even a young child's ability focus and enjoy skillful play!

If you must have a higher purpose to try something fun, this is a great activity for tuning up fine motor skills, and it is engrossing so it builds attention spans and the sense of accomplishment too!