Fun Fairy Tale activities for preschoolers
Fairy tales are not just entertainment; they have traditionally played an essential role in children’s development. But what exactly makes fairy tales so special, and why are they so important for our kids?
Fairy tales captivate children in many ways, especially when it comes to building their vocabulary. With each story, children gain a deeper understanding of synonyms and related terms, as fairy tales often repeat similar ideas and phrases in varied ways.

Activities for preschoolers
When children hear a fairy tale, they’re introduced to rich language, vivid images, and dramatic characters.
Reading a story together is only the first step; it’s what we do afterward that lets children fully experience the tale.
Consider gathering children in a cozy circle and reading The Three Little Pigs aloud. As the story progresses, dramatic voice changes for each character, making the Big Bad Wolf’s huffing and puffing sound particularly threatening.

After finishing the story, encourage a discussion about how the pigs outsmarted the wolf, asking questions like, “Why do you think the third pig’s house was stronger?”
Letting kids reflect on these questions helps them think critically about the choices characters make and their outcomes. This is something we can do for every story.
For a more interactive experience, try storytelling with props. Small hand puppets or even soft toys representing characters can make children feel closer to the story, inviting them to retell it using their own words and ideas.

Story boxes and sensory play
Story boxes are an immersive way to explore fairy tales, especially for younger children who benefit from hands-on play.
Take a box and fill it with simple props related to a story— a bridge and a small hill for The Three Billy Goats Gruff, for instance.
These objects let children physically interact with the story, touching and exploring while you discuss why each material had a different effect.
Set up a fairy tale-inspired sensory bin with objects like sparkly blue sand, which could represent a magical ocean for Noah’s Ark, or smooth stones and sticks for a forest from The Ant and the Grasshopper.
Encourage children to tell their own stories with the items, bringing their own interpretations to the fairy tale themes.

Fairy Tale role play and dramatic play
Young children often process ideas best by acting them out. After reading Little red riding hood, for instance, let children act out the roles. Set up a small area with a blanket and toy dishes, or even create a makeshift “forest” with pillows or boxes.
Children can take turns being little red riding hood or the wolf, experimenting with different voices and expressions.
If possible, introduce costume elements like a small cape or wolf hat. These small touches can transport children into the world of the story and encourage them to fully embody their character.
Role play isn’t just about fun; it’s a powerful way for children to develop empathy as they consider how each character feels and responds to situations.

Art and craft projects
Art activities related to fairy tales can help children visualize the stories and characters they love. After reading Jack and the Beanstalk, provide children with green paper, markers, and cotton balls to create their own giant beanstalks.
You could add some cotton clouds and let them decorate a castle at the top, sparking conversations about Jack’s adventures and the thrilling world he discovers.
Another fun project is designing crowns or “magic” wands. After reading Cinderella, children can make their own fairy godmother wands with glitter and stars or create crowns fit for royalty.
Each child’s unique creation gives them a sense of ownership over the story, and they can wear their crowns or wave their wands as they retell Cinderella’s journey.
Art becomes a pathway for storytelling, allowing children to express what they find exciting or inspiring in the tale.
Bringing science and math into Fairy Tales
Fairy tales also provide a wonderful backdrop for early science and math exploration. Take Goldilocks and the Three Bears—use the different-sized bowls to introduce concepts like size comparison (big, medium, small) and counting.
Ask questions like, “How many bears are in the family?” and “Which bowl is the largest?” Not only does this reinforce math skills, but it also brings an element of real-world learning into the story.
For Jack and the Beanstalk, you could plant bean seeds and track their growth over time. Watching their own “beanstalk” grow gives children a hands-on understanding of life cycles and plants, making Jack’s adventure feel tangible.
Encourage children to water their plants regularly and measure how tall they get.
Connecting the magic of the fairy tale to real science sparks curiosity, showing children that there’s wonder in the natural world too.

Fairy Tale music and emotions
Fairy tales are full of rhythm and rhyme, and many stories can be set to music to make them memorable.
You could sing about The emperors new clothes, sing-alongs let children release energy and feel part of the story.
Music and rhythm activities not only bring joy but also aid memory and encourage active listening as children match their movements to the story’s beat.
Moral lessons
Fairy tales often touch on themes of bravery, empathy, and kindness, and these are valuable emotional and moral lessons for preschoolers.
With Little Red Riding Hood, discuss concepts of caution and trust. While the tale highlights the importance of listening to trusted adults, it’s also an opportunity to talk about intuition and safety in a child-friendly way.
Through these discussions, fairy tales become a gentle way to approach big feelings, allowing children to express their thoughts and emotions in a safe, comforting environment.
Fairy tales are a treasure trove of adventure, moral lessons, and creative exploration for preschoolers.

How Fairy Tales enhance language development
Fairy tales aren’t just magical because of the incredible stories they tell; they’re also a powerful tool for language development.
Through vivid illustrations and imaginative scenes, fairy tales stimulate children’s linguistic creativity.
This helps them build a more extensive vocabulary for describing what they envision.

The fantastical elements also encourage children to think beyond the literal. Fables introduce children to the creative potential of “what if.” What if a you could talk to animals? What if a dog could fly?
By pondering these improbable scenarios, children enhance their ability to hypothesize, predict, and solve problems in unconventional ways.
Fairy tales are integral to a child’s development because they stimulate imagination and creativity. Following a fairy tale’s storyline helps children practice visualization and develop the ability to create mental images.

Why should kids read Fairy Tales?
Through fairy tales, children gain an understanding of different values and perspectives. Stories also introduce them to the world of literature, fostering a positive attitude toward reading.
One reason old fairy tales remain popular is their timelessness. Even though they were written hundreds of years ago, they contain universal themes that resonate with us today.
They often explore emotions and traits like love, courage, empathy, and resilience—qualities that are valuable for everyone, regardless of time or place.
Some of the most well-loved fairy tales for children include:
- The Hare and the Tortoise
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf
- The frog and the Cow
- The Frogs Who Desired a King
- The Ant and the Grasshopper
Through fairy tales, children also learn to navigate emotions, tackle challenges, and develop social and moral skills.
By weaving together storytelling, sensory play, art, science, music, and emotional learning, parents and teachers can bring these stories alive in a way that sparks curiosity and fosters a love of reading and learning