25 Fun and Safe Technology Activities for Preschoolers

These 25 technology activities for preschoolers combine hands-on play, learning outcomes, and tech exploration in fun yet meaningful ways.

EDUCATION

Rhea Sutton

4/7/20258 min read

25 Preschool-Friendly Ways to Explore Technology for Little Learners

We are all well aware that we’re deep in the digital age. Back in 2020, kids as young as four and five were suddenly navigating keyboards and using mice just to keep up with their classes online. Parents and educators were forced to reconsider the role of technology in early childhood education during that time.

You’ve probably asked this yourself, if you work with preschoolers or have one at home:

What kind of technology is appropriate for young children?
How much screen time is acceptable?
Is it even feasible to use gadgets in a way that promotes real-world learning and social development?
What skills should kids actually acquire from their time on screens?
Are the apps and games they're using educational or merely recreational?
How involved should I be when my child is using technology?
What kind of technology habits do I want to emulate myself?
Am I making it possible for technology to complement experiential learning?

This piece has 25 ideas that’ll help you find a middle ground, where technology isn’t taking over, but is seamlessly integrated into everyday learning.

Let's get going!

1. Light-Up Name Tags

Help kids create name tags using paper, copper tape, LED stickers, and coin cell batteries. Children draw their names, decorate, and then use the circuit materials to make the letters light up.

Benefit: Introduces basic circuits and name recognition.

Supplies: Paper, LED stickers, copper tape, coin cell batteries, markers

2. Coding with Floor Arrows

Tape arrows on the floor in a grid and have children “code” a friend or toy to move to a goal by arranging directional cards (forward, turn, etc.).

Benefit: Builds sequencing and early coding logic.

Supplies: Masking tape, printed arrow cards, toy or plush

3. Digital Storytime

Use a tablet with a story app and let kids record their voices reading lines or adding their own narration or sound effects.

Benefit: Encourages digital literacy and storytelling.

Supplies: Tablet, storytime app (like Book Creator), microphone (optional)

4. Robot Costume Walk

Make wearable cardboard robot suits with buttons and “control panels.” Kids press buttons and follow action cards like “spin,” “walk backward.”

Benefit: Promotes cause-and-effect understanding and body movement.

Supplies: Cardboard boxes, paint/markers, action cards

5. Build-a-Bot with Recyclables

Using old boxes, bottle caps, and other recyclables, children design and build their own “robots,” imagining what functions it could have.

Benefit: Develops creativity and introduces robot design concepts.

Supplies: Recyclable materials, glue/tape, googly eyes

6. Sound Hunt with a Recording Device

Give kids a microphone or child-friendly recorder and go on a sound hunt around the classroom or outside, then play the sounds back.

Benefit: Enhances auditory discrimination and tech handling.

Supplies: Recorder or tablet with mic, headphones

7. Augmented Reality (AR) Animal Cards

Use AR cards (like Quiver or Animal 4D+) and an app to let children scan pictures and see animals “come to life” on a screen.

Benefit: Introduces AR and boosts visual curiosity.

Supplies: AR cards, tablet with camera, AR app

8. Digital Art Station

Kids use drawing apps to create pictures using digital brushes, stamps, and colors. Option to print or display digitally.

Benefit: Improves fine motor skills and digital creativity.

Supplies: Tablets, drawing apps (like Doodle Buddy or Tux Paint)

9. Snack Time Sequencing

Children use pictures of various healthy snacks (like fruit, crackers, cheese) and arrange them in a sequence to create their own snack time “recipe.” After that they can enjoy the snack they’ve “coded”..

Benefit: Develops sequencing, decision-making, and healthy eating habits.

Supplies: Pictures of snacks, laminated cards, or snack items for assembly.

10. Tinker Table with Disassembled Gadgets

Provide old (safe and non-working) gadgets like keyboards or phones. Kids use plastic tools to explore what’s inside.

Benefit: Sparks tech curiosity and fine motor exploration.

Supplies: Discarded gadgets (no batteries), plastic tools, supervision

11. Stop-Motion Animation

Kids use toys or clay figures and take sequential photos using a stop-motion app. When played together, the objects "move"!

Benefit: Develops storytelling, sequencing, and patience.

Supplies: Tablet/smartphone, stop-motion app (like Stop Motion Studio), toys or modeling clay

12. Digital Puzzle Making

Children draw pictures, photograph them, and use an app to turn their drawings into digital puzzles they can solve.

Benefit: Builds spatial awareness and familiarity with app tools.

Supplies: Tablet, puzzle app (like Jigsaw Puzzle Creator), markers, paper

13. Interactive Whiteboard Drawing

Children take turns using a digital whiteboard or smartboard to draw shapes, trace letters, or match objects.

Benefit: Encourages motor skills and familiarity with touchscreen technology.

Supplies: Interactive whiteboard or tablet connected to screen, stylus or fingers

14. QR Code Scavenger Hunt

Hide printed QR codes around the room. Kids scan them to find videos, animal sounds, or letter clues.

Benefit: Teaches how digital links work and reinforces recognition skills.

Supplies: Printed QR codes, tablet or smartphone with scanner app

15. DIY Paper Circuits

Children create pictures (e.g. a house, car, or robot) and embed a basic circuit using copper tape and LED lights.

Benefit: Introduces circuits in a fun, art-integrated way.

Supplies: Paper, LED lights, copper tape, coin cell batteries

16. Tech-Themed Sensory Bin

Fill a bin with old keyboard keys, wires, toy circuit pieces, and let kids explore textures and shapes.

Benefit: Encourages tactile exploration and vocabulary development.

Supplies: Bin, old tech parts (safely cleaned), scoops, tongs

17. Digital Matching Games

Use matching games on a tablet where kids pair sounds, letters, or images.

Benefit: Strengthens visual and auditory discrimination.

Supplies: Tablet, preschool-friendly matching game apps (like Endless Alphabet)

18. Build a Microphone

Make a pretend microphone with a paper tube and foil. Then use a real mic or recording app to sing or speak.

Benefit: Builds confidence with voice tech and speaking skills.

Supplies: Paper towel rolls, foil, stickers, recording app or karaoke mic

19. Emoji Emotion Match

Kids match emoji faces to printed faces or real-life feelings, learning to associate symbols with emotions.

Benefit: Encourages emotional literacy and symbol recognition.

Supplies: Emoji cards, mirror, printed emotion face charts

20. Bee-Bot Obstacle Course

Kids program a Bee-Bot (or similar toy robot) to navigate around obstacles or reach targets like numbers or animals.

Benefit: Teaches coding basics and directional awareness.

Supplies: Bee-Bot, floor map, small obstacles or visual targets

21. Virtual Field Trip

Explore zoos, aquariums, or space via a guided virtual tour or video and pause for discussion and drawing.

Benefit: Builds digital navigation skills and global awareness.

Supplies: Computer/tablet, internet connection, projector/screen

22. Typing Fun Station

Kids type their names, favorite words, or letters on an old keyboard connected to a basic word processor.

Benefit: Develops keyboard familiarity and letter recognition.

Supplies: Keyboard, computer/tablet with word processor

23. Simple Coding with Color Patterns

Use color-coded blocks or stickers that tell a robot (or adult helper!) to do different actions like jump or spin.

Benefit: Strengthens pattern recognition and logic.

Supplies: Colored blocks or cards, printed legend, optional robot

24. Create a Talking Book

Children draw pages of a story, then record themselves narrating using an app. The app syncs the images and voices.

Benefit: Boosts language development and tech integration.

Supplies: Drawing tools, Book Creator app or similar, tablet

25. Tech Tool Sorting Game

Present a mix of pretend or real items (tablet, mouse, block, spoon) and ask kids to sort tech tools vs. everyday items.

Benefit: Teaches what is and isn’t technology.

Supplies: Bin of mixed items, sorting trays or labels

5 Practical Ways to Use Technology in Preschool Classrooms

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), digital tools can absolutely support early learning, as long as they’re used carefully, with specific objectives in mind, and tailored to each child’s needs.

A lot of schools use technology. Others stay away from it entirely. The philosophy of the school and your personal preferences as a parent or educator will ultimately determine the strategy. Balance is the key regardless of whether youre a tech enthusiast or a cautious adopter. Integrate virtual tools with real-world experiences active games with quiet creativity and screen time with sensory play.

We'll now go over five useful strategies for incorporating technology into preschool life.

1. Pick technology with a purpose.

Let’s begin with our real-world device usage. Young children dont have to play unstructured open-ended games or browse through YouTube. Using technology with a clear purpose is preferable.

For instance if your class is studying dinosaurs set up tablets with a single lesson-related app. On the smart board take a virtual tour of the museum. Keep it basic and related to your educational objectives. The following are some useful apps for this type of setup.

Some helpful apps for this kind of setup include:

Select one or two lock the screen and allow children to concentrate on their exploration.

2. Get kids up and moving.

Tech time doesnt have to be spent in silence and dozing off. It really shouldnt. Look for resources that encourage children to get active. There are integrated movement activities in apps like BrainPop and GoNoodle.

Some educational institutions have made investments in equipment such as the BEAM projector which projects games onto the ground for children to jump into (literally:). It transforms your classroom into an engaging gaming area that children adore. Additionally smart boards are an effective way to keep children engaged. During group time use them to practice letters match colors or draw shapes. You can even incorporate cameras into your educational day.

One suggestion is to assign a child to be the class photographer. . Throughout the day they can snap photos of the group learning centers or activities. Verify that each family has signed a photo release form. Once you have those images print them out and display them throughout the classroom. When children see themselves and their work on display they become ecstatic.

3. Understand what’s safe (and what isn’t).

Its a common misconception that all technology is good. Certain websites that appear fine at first glance may contain inappropriate content for children. Even kid-friendly apps may contain videos or advertisements that lead to content you wouldnt want a preschooler to see. Additionally a lot of games now have chat capabilities.

It is absolutely unnecessary to expose preschoolers to strangers on the internet. Bringing in an expert in internet safety to teach your employees—and even parents—how to keep children safe is worthwhile.

Even executives of tech companies have strict guidelines about how much time they spend using screens at home according to the Washington Post. You can infer something from that. As important as using tools to keep an eye on childrens device use is having conversations with them about it. Apps like OurPact and Bark are helpful but they function best when combined with in-person interactions.

4. Mix it up with different tools.

It is not wise to rely solely on one type of technology. Young children should have the opportunity to experiment with a range of digital tools. This entails utilizing cameras smart boards tablets and desktop computers. Each provides a unique opportunity for engagement and education.

Although it may seem archaic allowing children to practice using a mouse and keyboard is still beneficial. Tablets are another way to help them. Teach them to use a tripod alternately or to gently hold a camera. Children learn responsibility and digital awareness from these little things.

5. Use tech to strengthen connections.

The ease with which families can stay in touch is one of the greatest things about technology. You can instantly share notes images and videos with parents using apps like HiMama. This keeps them informed and makes it simple for them to see what their child is learning and doing on a daily basis.

Digital messages shouldnt of course take the place of in-person interactions. It is still necessary for parents and teachers to have in-person conversations or at the very least occasionally speak over the phone. For brief staff meetings or check-ins Zoom or Google Meet can be excellent particularly when its impractical to have everyone in the same room.

Final Thoughts

The key lesson here is that balance is crucial. You may be the kind of teacher who enjoys using video tools QR codes and every app imaginable. Alternatively you might favor a classroom that is largely unplugged. Both are alright. Finding and maintaining a rhythm that your kids enjoy is what matters.

Just as much time should be set aside for digital games or online storybooks as for painting outdoor play building blocks and dramatic play. That kind of diversity fosters childrens growth in all areas. And that is the true focus of early childhood education.

Author Bio

Rhea is an education enthusiast who enjoys breaking down classroom strategies, student motivation tips, and learning tools for curious minds of all ages. She believes that every skill becomes easier with the right guidance.

a little girl with a toothbrush in her hand, technology activities for preschoolers

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