St David's Day Toddler Activities

While living in Wales for a couple of years I witnessed the great cultural importance of St. David's Day to Welsh people. St. David is the patron saint of Wales and so celebrating St. David's Day means celebrating all that is special about Wales. Even if you aren't Welsh or living in Wales you can help your child experience the symbols of Welsh culture with these St. David's Day toddler activities.

St David's Day Discovery

For this excellent preschool science activity, it's all about exploring the national vegetable of Wales - the leek.

Try to obtain a fresh leek and invite your toddler to use all of his senses to learn about the leek. It's best to both wash your hands first if you're going to taste it too. Let him handle the leek while you extend your child's vocabulary and observation skills by describing and comparing the texture and colour of the leaves, stem and roots.

Demonstrate how and encourage your toddler to peel off a layer or two. Then cut it straight down the middle and examine the different layers all the way though. You could take full advantage of the sensorial benefits of this toddler activity by inviting him to smell and taste the leak raw and then cooked. There are some wonderful comparison opportunities here. Hey, you could even compare different ways of cooking it - boiled, stir-fried and baked.

St David's Day Painting

First of all, pop a single daffodil in a vase or tall container and place this Welsh national flower where your toddler can see it while painting. (Keep it out of reach of younger toddlers though, they might want to eat it!) Next, follow the instructions relevant to the age of your little one.

The Toddler Art Version

1. Draw a simple outline of a daffodil on card.
2. Provide yellow and green poster paint and thin paint brushes. Either strip your toddler down to their nappy (diaper) or pop an apron on them.
3. Hand your toddler the green paint pot while pointing at the stem of the daffodil and mentioning the colour.
4. When she's done, put the paint to the side. For younger toddlers, turn the page so the flower is upside down to your toddler while explaining that you're making it easier for her to reach the petals.
5. Then do repeat step 3 using the yellow paint for the petals.

The Preschool Art Version

1. A child's water colour paint set is perfect for this art activity but don't worry if you don't have one, regular poster paints work well too. White card is best but paper's fine too. If your child is going to be using poster paints he'll need a larger piece to work with. Aprons are handy too.
2. Point out the details of the daffodil - the stalk, petals, stamen, and the shapes and sizes relative to each other.
3. Then let him create his own interpretation of what he sees

Click here for more toddler art ideas.

St David's Day Tactile Activity

Provide red, green and/or white play dough (colours of the Welsh flag). If you're feeling creative you could mold a red Welsh dragon (one lying down maybe) and it may spark your little one's interest to make his own. Click here for more tactile activities.

Toddler Rugby

Want to get a bit of fresh air and a bit of exercise? (Well, your toddler will get exercise at least!). Wales' most revered sport is rugby and the Welsh are deservedly proud of their national team. So, when you want to get outdoors on St. David's Day, find yourself a rugby ball (if you can find a child-size imitation ball, even better), and just have fun tossing it around with your toddler.

I hope you and your child enjoy these St David's Day toddler activities together. Happy St David's Day!

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