Preschooler Playtime with Scarves
Sometimes you and your child might want to run. Other times you might need quiet moments together. Scarves are great for both types of play. Having a good time together helps make your relationship with your child stronger.
- Audience
- Caregiver
- Subject
- Open-Ended Play
- Age
- Pre-KPreschool
- Languages
- EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish
- Materials
- Scarves, Paper Towels, Pillow Cases, Small Hand Towels
Play is a natural way to support the parent-child bond. Try engaging your preschooler in playtime with scarves!
Get ready
Clear some space or go outside. Have your child help you move anything that might break or get in the way. Toss the scarves up in the air and say, “Let’s play together!”
Try this!
Mirror me
Stand so you and your child are facing each other. Hold one scarf in your hand and give one to your child. Say, “You do what I do.” Then move! Wave your scarf up and down. Zig zag it in front of you. Invite your child to mirror your moves. Then let them lead.
Wear it!
Make a scarf into a costume. Put it on your head and say, “This is my party hat!” Or tuck it into your child’s pants as an animal tail. Let your child tell you what the scarf could be—and pretend together.
Scarf tag
Find some open space to play. Chase each other and try to touch or “tag” the other person with a scarf. Or tuck one end of a scarf into your pocket. Then encourage your child to chase you. Say, “Try to pull the scarf from my pocket!”
Safety tip!Do not wrap or tie scarves tightly around people. That can hurt! Make sure your child is tying and untying the scarves safely.
While you play...
Watch carefully. What are your child’s favorite ways to play? Do they like to pretend or play games with rules, like tag? Do they prefer being loud or quiet? Watching how your child plays can tell you about their likes and dislikes.
Practice together. Learning something new, like tying and untying scarves is not easy. And your child might get frustrated. Work together. Loosen a knot just a little. Or start a loop for tying. “Okay, I started it. Now you finish.”
Say, “Yay!” Show your child that you like how they are being creative. Laugh together when they wear a scarf as a tail. “What a good idea! You look just like a cat!” Maybe you wear a tail too—it’s okay to be a little silly!
Related Resources
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Playtime can often be exciting, but it is important to have calmer ways to play too. You can use scarves for both types of play. If your baby has a lot of energy, play with the scarves with lots of movement. If your child is just waking up or getting tired, play with the scarves more gently.