Preschool Activities in Spanish | Playful Words Kids Remember

A set of short Spanish games, songs, and routines can grow everyday vocabulary and speaking comfort in 15 minutes a day.

Spanish with preschoolers works best when it feels like play, not a lesson. Kids this age learn through movement, patterns, and repetition they choose. Your job is to hand them simple words, then give them a reason to use them.

You’ll find ready-to-run activities, mini scripts, a weekly plan, and easy tweaks for mixed levels. Each idea is low-prep, kid-led, and built for real rooms where someone is always spilling water or running in circles.

Preschool Activities in Spanish For Daily Play

Start with a tiny routine you can repeat daily. Preschoolers love knowing what comes next. A predictable flow also keeps adults from over-talking.

Set up a small Spanish corner

You don’t need flashcards on every wall. Pick one basket or shelf and rotate items weekly: toy food, a few picture books, chunky crayons, toy animals, and a scarf or ribbon for movement. Keep it simple so cleanup stays easy.

• Labels that kids touch: Put 6–10 picture labels at kid height (mesa, puerta, libro, agua, perro, coche). Say the word while they tap it.
• A “show me” tray: Keep 8–12 objects in a tray. Kids pull one, you name it, then they place it where it belongs.
• A “same songs” shortcut: Pick two songs for the week and keep them locked in. Less scrolling, more singing.

Use a talk-light pattern

Adults often fill silence. Try a three-step pattern: say it, show it, pause. If a child answers with a gesture, count it as a win. Model the word again and keep the game moving.

When you want more speech, offer choices kids can copy: “¿Rojo o azul?” “¿Grande o pequeño?” “¿Arriba o abajo?” Two options beat open-ended questions at this age.

Pick goals that match preschool growth

Preschoolers learn words fast when language connects to daily actions. If you want a classroom-ready view of skills across early learning, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework shows how routines, play, and language fit together in early settings.

First words that pay off all day

If you teach one set of words first, choose “room words” and “doing words.” Kids use them in every activity, so repetition happens without extra work.

Room words

Mesa, silla, puerta, ventana, libro, papel, agua, baño, mano, boca. Put these into tiny directions: “Manos arriba,” “Libro aquí,” “Agua, por favor,” “A la mesa.” Say it the same way each time so kids can echo it.

Doing words

Mira, toca, escucha, camina, salta, corre, para, abre, cierra, pega, corta. Pair each verb with a gesture. Say it once, show it once, then pause. Kids start chanting back when the timing stays steady.

Feelings that fit play

Feliz, triste, enojado, cansado, con miedo, con sueño. Keep it playful: act it out with faces, then reset with a stretch and “Estoy feliz.” You’re building words for real moments, not long talks.

Mini scripts you can reuse

Scripts keep you consistent, and kids learn faster when the adult’s wording stays steady. Print these lines and tape them near your activity basket.

Arrival and hello

• “Hola. ¡Buenos días!”
• “¿Cómo estás?” (model: “Estoy bien.”)
• “Choca esos cinco.” (swap in a wave if touch isn’t a fit)

Clean-up

• “A guardar.”
• “Uno… dos… tres… ¡ya!”
• “Gracias por ayudar.”

Snack

• “¿Tienes hambre?”
• “Quiero ____.”
• “Más, por favor.” / “Ya no.”

Letter names for grown-ups who want a reference

If you’re teaching letter names (or singing an alphabet song), it helps to model standard names. The RAE page on the Spanish alphabet lists the letters and their names in Spanish.

Songs and chants that get kids talking

Music works because the rhythm carries the words. Keep the lines short so kids can join in fast. You don’t need perfect singing. You just need the same beat each day.

Two easy call-and-response chants

Chant 1 (movement): Adult: “¡Listos!” Kids: “¡Listos!” Adult: “¡Salta!” Kids: “¡Salta!” Adult: “¡Para!” Kids: freeze and whisper “¡Para!”

Chant 2 (clean-up): Adult: “A guardar…” Kids: “A guardar…” Adult: “poco a poco…” Kids: “poco a poco…” Adult: “¡ya!” Kids: “¡ya!”

Keep song choices small

Pick two songs for the week: one hello song, one movement song. When kids know the songs, they start singing the words on their own. That’s free repetition with no pushing.

Activity bank you can rotate

Rotation keeps novelty high while the language stays familiar. Keep each activity short. Stop while kids still want more.

Tip: Use one “anchor phrase” per activity. Repeat it in the same rhythm each time. Kids latch onto rhythm before grammar.

Try building a “weekly loop” with five go-to games, then swap the nouns each week. Same game, new words. That’s the sweet spot for preschool brains.

Activity	Spanish you’ll repeat	Prep level
Color hunt	“Busca ____.” “Lo encontré.”	None
Animal walks	“Como un ____.” “Más rápido / más lento.”	None
Picture bingo	“Tengo ____.” “¿Quién tiene ____?”	Low
Play-dough bakery	“Quiero ____.” “Corta / pega.”	Low
Sock puppet talk	“Hola, soy ____.” “¿Qué ves?”	Low
Story time stop game	“Para.” “Sigue.” “Otra vez.”	None
Number hop	“Uno–diez.” “Salta al ____.”	Low
Sensory scoop station	“Llena.” “Vacía.” “Más / menos.”	Medium
Art stamp studio	“Círculo.” “Línea.” “Pon aquí.”	Medium
Freeze dance	“Baila.” “Para.” “Quieto.”	None

Color hunt

Pick one color each day. Say “Busca rojo” and walk with kids as they point to objects. When they find one, celebrate with the same line: “¡Rojo! Lo encontré.” Keep it moving so waiting time stays low.

To widen vocabulary, add one noun per round: “Rojo: manzana.” “Azul: coche.” Kids start hearing color + item as a pair.

Animal walks

Call out an animal and a motion: “Como un conejo” (hop), “Como un pato” (waddle), “Como una serpiente” (slither). Add speed words: “Más rápido,” “Más lento.” End with “Para” and one deep breath together.

Picture bingo with real objects

Make simple 3×3 grids with pictures: fruta, animales, ropa, transportes. Put matching objects or cards in a bag. Kids pull one, name it after you, then cover it. Keep turns fast: preschoolers stay engaged when each kid acts often.

Play-dough bakery

Set out play-dough, a plastic knife, and a few plates. Run a tiny “panadería.” You say: “Quiero pan,” then point. Kids “corta,” “pone,” and “da” the item. Add numbers: “Dos galletas.” Switch roles so kids take orders.

Keep your noun list small: pan, galleta, pastel, queso. When kids start using “quiero” without a prompt, you’ve got momentum.

Sock puppet talk

A puppet gives shy kids a reason to speak. Use a simple script and repeat it daily for a week:

• Puppet: “Hola, soy Tito.”
• Adult: “Hola, Tito.”
• Puppet: “¿Qué ves?”
• Kids: point or say one noun

Keep nouns concrete: perro, gato, tren, pelota. Let the puppet “mishear” once, then kids correct it by repeating the right word.

Story time stop game

Read a picture book in any language you like, then add Spanish control words: “Para,” “Sigue,” “Otra vez.” Kids love being the boss. Give one child the “stop card” and swap each page.

If you’re building Spanish habits at home with more than one language, the Spanish section on Colorín Colorado’s raising bilingual kids has parent-friendly ideas for book routines and language habits.

Sensory scoop station

Fill a bin with rice, dried beans, or pompoms. Add two cups and one spoon. Your phrases stay the same: “Llena,” “Vacía,” “Más,” “Menos.” Kids love repeating those words because the action is satisfying.

To keep it tidy, put the bin on a tray and set one rule in Spanish: “Dentro de la bandeja.” Say it with a pointing gesture. Repeat it calmly.

Art stamp studio

Cut sponges into shapes or use cookie cutters with paint. Teach shape words: círculo, cuadrado, estrella, corazón. Then add placement words: aquí, allí, arriba, abajo.

Kids often want to name what they made. Offer a choice they can copy: “¿Es un sol o una flor?” If they answer in English, echo the Spanish word and smile.

Ways to keep Spanish time calm and steady

Preschool groups swing from quiet to wild fast. The goal is flow, not perfect stillness. Use tools that reduce waiting and keep hands busy.

Use stations with one clear job

Stations stop crowding. Try three stations for 5–7 minutes each: a sorting tray, a movement mat, and a simple art table. Rotate by a cue: clap once, then say “Cambia.”

Build in reset words

Teach these early: para, listo, despacio, suave, turno. Use them during play, not after problems. Kids learn them as normal directions.

Keep praise short and tied to actions

Use quick lines kids can understand: “Gracias: esperaste,” “Me gusta: manos suaves,” “Bien: guardaste.” When you keep it short, kids stay in the game.

One week plan with repeatable routines

This plan keeps the word set small while activities change. Repeat the whole week for four weeks, then swap in new nouns. The routine stays the same, which keeps kids steady.

Day	Core words	15-minute flow
Monday	Rojo, azul, mira, toca	Hello song → color hunt → clean-up chant
Tuesday	Uno–cinco, salta, para	Hello → number hop → freeze dance
Wednesday	Perro, gato, pájaro, camina	Hello → animal walks → puppet talk
Thursday	Grande, pequeño, aquí, allí	Hello → sorting tray → story time stop game
Friday	Pan, galleta, quiero, más	Hello → play-dough bakery → snack script
Saturday	Feliz, triste, cansado	Feelings faces → stretch → picture bingo
Sunday	Abre, cierra, arriba, abajo	Scarf play → “abre/cierra” boxes → clean-up

Adaptations for mixed levels and learning needs

Most groups include kids with different speech skills. Keep the same activity, then change the “ask.” One child points, another says one word, another says a short phrase. Everyone still plays together.

When kids are quiet

Start with echo lines they can copy: “Yo quiero,” “Yo veo,” “Yo tengo.” Put the missing word on an object in your hand so the child can point if they don’t want to speak yet.

When kids already speak some Spanish

Give them a helper role. They pass out cards, lead the chant, or ask the question: “¿Quién tiene…?” Keep it light so it doesn’t turn into correcting others.

When attention runs short

Cut the activity in half, not the routine. Keep hello and clean-up the same. Swap the middle piece. That steady start and end helps the group settle.

When you want routine ideas that fit this age

Spanish time works better when the whole day has simple patterns. The CDC positive parenting tips for preschoolers shares age-fit ideas on communication and routines that pair well with language play.

Simple ways to track progress without pressure

You don’t need tests. You just need to notice what kids do with the words. Watch the actions first, then listen for speech.

• Week 1: Kids react to Spanish cues (para, mira, toca).
• Week 2: Kids copy single words during play (rojo, perro).
• Week 3: Kids use one word on their own (más, aquí).
• Week 4: Kids pair two words (rojo coche, más agua).

Write three names on a sticky note each day and jot one thing you heard. Rotate names so you’re not watching the same kids every time.

Printable routine you can tape to a wall

Use this as your daily 15-minute script. Keep it visible so you can stay talk-light and consistent.

1. Hello: “Hola” + one greeting song (2 minutes).
2. Move: one action game with para/listo (4 minutes).
3. Hands-on: one table activity with two choice questions (6 minutes).
4. Close: clean-up chant + “Gracias” (3 minutes).

After two weeks, swap in new nouns while you keep the same verbs and cues. Kids feel confident because the pattern stays the same, and you get fresh language without rebuilding the whole plan.