A preschool pirate theme is perfect for summer camps! Of course, every kiddo I know would love these pirate activities at any point during the year.
Get Ready for a Preschool Pirate Theme, Me Hearties!
Here are more than 15 ideas and activities for a preschool pirate theme.
I’d love to hear about some of your favorites in the comments below.
READ BOOKS ABOUT PIRATES.
It’s a great way to set the stage for pirate fun and learning. Check out 10 of our favorite pirate books!
MAKE A PIRATE EYE PATCH.
This doesn’t have to be anything fancy . . . remember, pirates are pretty no nonsense characters!
My preschoolers and I cut a “patch” out of black foam, then stapled black yarn to the foam.
I helped them tie the yarn in a knot, with the patch over one of their eyes.
CREATE SUNKEN TREASURE DISCOVERY BOTTLES.
The children can explore science and sensory concepts while having a blast. We created three different versions of a pirate sensory bottle, and I love how they all turned out.
Be sure to ask the kiddos about where they found their treasure! That makes for some great imaginative story telling and vocabulary.
CRAFT GOLDEN DOUBLOONS.
Little pirates will have a blast making their own gold coins out of salt dough or play dough.
So many math games and activities could be played with the pirates’ gold coins!
GO ON A TREASURE HUNT!
I feel like this one is a MUST for a preschool pirate theme!
Prior to looking for treasure, make a treasure map with the kids.
COMMEMORATE THE PRESCHOOL PIRATE THEME WITH HAND PRINT ART.
Yes, I’m a sucker for hand print art! So it’s no surprise that I love The Kindergarten Smorgasbord’s hand print pirate.
FIND THE PIRATES’ LOOT IN “EXPLODING” TREASURE CHESTS.
Lots of science and sensory fun with this activity! It was, by far, the favorite activity the preschool’s pirate summer camp.
We ran out of treasure chests before the kiddos’ interest ran out.
WALK THE PLANK!
We simply set up a large wooden plank between two crates. Underneath the crates, we placed a blue plastic table cloth.
The children took turns “walking the plank” and avoiding the shark-infested waters.
For the younger kids, the plank was placed across the “water” (without the use of the crates).
MAKE AND CREATE WITH PLAY DOUGH ANY PIRATE WOULD LOVE.
I am definitely going to try out Fantastic Fun and Learning’s gold play dough with my little pirates soon!
WRITE A BOOK ABOUT PIRATES.
Have the children create their own pirate ships or draw themselves as pirates.
Depending on their levels, the kids can then dictate or write a story about themselves as pirates!
LET THE CHILDREN DISCOVER PIRATE SENSORY BINS.
These hands-on bins are great for those summer days when you can’t go outside (even if you aren’t teaching a preschool pirate theme)!
BUILD A PIRATE SHIP TO SAIL!
My preschoolers and I used basic cardboard boxes and decorated them with markers.
You could also use a toy bucket like Learn with Play at Home, or even a laundry basket like Inner Child Fun.
Just add a little imagination and you’re sailing the Seven Seas!
MAKE A PIRATE TELESCOPE.
We used a simple cardboard tube decorated with pirate-themed duct tape.
Hands On As We Grow used different recycled materials and tape to create her telescope.
DON’T FORGET THE PIRATE GRUB!
We had goldfish crackers, of course, as well as delicious “pirate jello” (complete with pirate flags).
BREAK OUT THE GOLD COINS
Choose from 20 different activities with gold coins, and let little pirates go nuts with their treasure.
MAKE GOLD SLIME
What pirate wouldn’t love making and playing with slime that reminds them of their pirate loot?
Add some gold coins for even more fun.
Have you ever taught a preschool pirate theme? I’d love to hear more about it, and feel free to share pictures on Fun-A-Day’s Facebook wall!
Pirate Theme Treasures
You’re all set with an entire unit of pirate-themed activities. To make sure that you’re ready for all of that fun, I’ve created a list of some great treasures perfect for this theme!
Check out the list below. I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Plastic jewels
- Gold coins
- Kinetic sand
- Play sand
- Mardi Gras beads
- Glitter
- Gem Beads
- Eye patches
- Pail and shovel
I really think you’ll find these items perfect for a pirate theme. But they’re also a great addition to general classroom supplies to have on-hand throughout the school year!
What is a favorite pirate-themed activity with your students? Be sure to let me know in the comments below!
Preschool Pirate Theme Lesson Plans
Save time and get right to the pirate-y fun with done-for-you lesson plans from Preschool Teacher 101. The preschool pirate-themed lesson plans have printable lesson plans for a week, as well as explanations for the activities (for whole group, small group, and center time), book suggestions, and related printables.
Get your pirate lesson plans here
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers
Originally published May 14, 2014
These are great ideas!! I have a pirate theme coming up in the summer and these will some great additions. Thanks so much 🙂
I would use a craft glue to glue the material over the foam patch – not staple it.
You can definitely do that as well!
Do you still have the pirate calendar numbers available? I printed numbers 1 – 10 but missed the rest of the numbers and can’t find the link to print the rest.
Hey Becky, since you’re a member of our email community I had it sent to your email again. In case anyone else is wondering, the link to grab them is at the bottom of the fizzing pirate treasure chest post. 🙂