Activities for Johnny Appleseed Day
September is the perfect time to celebrate and honor the life of John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed!
There are so many fun activities for Johnny Appleseed Day that preschoolers can enjoy to learn about and appreciate the beautiful nature he loved.
We’ve rounded up over 20 exciting Johnny Appleseed activities that teachers can use to bring Johnny Appleseed Day to life in their classrooms.
From planting seeds to making apple prints and more, these hands-on activities will help students truly understand and be inspired by this amazing person.
Johnny Appleseed Day, observed on September 26, pays tribute to a real historical figure named John Chapman. Born in 1774, Chapman earned the nickname ‘Johnny Appleseed’ because of his significant contribution to apple farming in America.
He spent his life traveling and planting apple trees across the Midwest, laying the groundwork for the thriving apple industry we know today.
For preschool teachers, Johnny Appleseed Day is a fantastic opportunity to educate young students about the importance of nature, agriculture, and perseverance. It’s a day that celebrates the beauty of trees, the value of planting, and the joy that comes from caring for our environment.
By introducing children to the story of Johnny Appleseed, we can instill in them an early love for nature and a passion for preserving it, just as Johnny Appleseed did all those years ago.
Activities for Johnny Appleseed Day
Get ready to dive into a world of exploration and fun! Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day with fun preschool activities that introduce kids to nature, farming, and the story of apples.
Explore 20+ hands-on activities that teach kids about Johnny Appleseed’s life, legacy, and love for apple trees.
Each activity is fun and fosters learning, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. Let’s get started!
How else can I celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day with my preschoolers?
Add a historical twist to your apples theme with Johnny Appleseed activities that celebrate his legacy of planting apple trees.
Hands-on Apple Exploration: Set up a sensory table or station where preschoolers can explore different types of apples. Provide apple slices, apple peels, apple seeds, and various apple-themed sensory materials like cinnamon sticks or apple-scented playdough. This activity allows children to engage their senses while learning about different aspects of apples.
Apple Tasting Party: Arrange a tasting session where preschoolers can try different varieties of apples. Cut the apples into bite-sized pieces and encourage the children to describe the taste, texture, and color of each apple. This activity promotes vocabulary development and introduces kids to the concept of diversity within apple varieties.
Apple Stamps: Use halved apples as stamps for creating artwork. Dip the cut side of the apple in washable paint and press it onto paper to create apple-shaped prints. Encourage children to experiment with different colors and patterns. This activity promotes creativity and fine motor skills.
Apple Sorting and Counting: Provide a variety of apples in different sizes and colors and have preschoolers sort them into groups based on their attributes. They can also practice counting the apples in each group. This activity reinforces math skills such as sorting, classifying, and counting.
More Learning Fun
Download and print these Johnny Appleseed puppets to make storytelling more fun.
This crocheted Johnny Appleseed hat is the perfect addition to your dress-up box!
By incorporating these activities into your preschool curriculum, little ones can learn about Johnny Appleseed’s legacy and develop skills in areas such as creativity, fine motor coordination, and sensory exploration.
Celebrating Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26th provides an excellent opportunity for educators and parents to engage children in fun and educational activities centered around this legendary figure.
So, let’s bring the spirit of Johnny Appleseed to our preschoolers and create a memorable learning experience filled with apple-inspired adventures!
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.
