It's summer. It's hot. And I'm always looking for fun activities to keep my kids busy when they are staying inside out of the heat. One of my 4yo's favorite themes at this time of year is paletas. So for him, I created a few paleta-themed printables. I kept looking and discovered other ideas, too, with a popsicle theme, including toys, books, crafts, and more.
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Paleta (Popsicle) Printables
Here are a few paleta-themed activity sheets that you may love!
Paleta Activity Pack for PreK & Kindergarten
Perfect for summer learning, this popsicle-themed activity pack is great for little learners. And for young Spanish learners, the paleta theme is win-win!
There are 12 pages total with activities that focus on the following concepts and skills:
- counting
- spot the difference
- puzzles
- vocabulary
- math
- sequencing
- tracing
- maze
- featured letter
All the activities are available in English and Spanish - you choose the version that works best for you.
A simple board game that teaches number recognition (1 - 5) and basic counting. Comes with game pieces and a spinner base, as well as a game board. Object is to get the players (game pieces) to the finish where the paletero's cart is waiting for them!
Other Paleta-themed activities
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GetColoringPages has a whole ton of popsicle coloring pages that you can print for free.
- Make a popsicle/paleta garland with this free template from Lil Tigers.
- What do you do with those popsicle sticks when you're done eating your popsicle? Make art, of course! Here's a list of 50 Fun Popsicle Crafts You Should Make With Your Kids This Summer from DIY&Crafts.
- I really like this popsicle sticks shapes activity game from RikiTikiArt
- FeltyFun has this Popsicle Color Matching Game available on Etsy
- Older children may prefer this free Hello Summer coloring page for artists from Creatively Beth.
Paleta (Popsicle) Learning Toys
Recently, the popsicle/paleta theme has been popular with toy makers. Here are some that I find adorable and educational.
Learning Resources Smart Snacks Number Pops $27
Ages 18months+
Build number and fine-motor skills with these irresistible ice cream pops. Pop the numbered shell over the ice cream pop with the matching number of dots. Perfect for practicing 1-to-1 correspondence with numbers 1-10. Great for color matching too. Includes 20 pieces total-10 pops and 10 matching shells.
Learning Resources Smart Snacks Alpha Pops $28
Ages 2+
Reinforce upper and lowercase letter recognition as your child matches together these frozen pops. Great for fine motor skills and imaginative play. Each pop is double sided so all letters of the alphabet are included. Pops are self-checking by color. 26 pieces.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Frozen Treats Ice Cream Play Set $16
Ages 3+
Chill out with this 24-piece mix-and-match set! Make wooden ice cream sandwiches, ice pops, and Italian ice cups. Self-sticking tabs hold together 3 different cookie flavors and vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream fillings. The set also includes 6 multicolored ice pops on sticks that kids can stick together and pull apart. Or, fill the lidded cups with 4 flavors of ice and serve with a classic wooden spoon! Display the array of chilled goodies in the storage tray and use the menu card to identify all the pieces and place orders. This play set is a great way for kids 3 and older to develop fine-motor, matching and sorting, and counting skills. Playing with food has never been so cool.
Paleta Books
by Lucky Diaz
What Can You Do With a Paleta? / ¿Qué puedes hacer con una paleta?
by Carmen Tafolla
As she strolls through her barrio, a young girl introduces readers to the frozen, fruit-flavored treat that thrills Mexican and Mexican-American children. Create a masterpiece, make tough choices (strawberry or coconut?), or cool off on a warm summer's day--there's so much to do with a paleta.
And for mamis, I recommend Aguas Frescas & Paletas: Refreshing Mexican Drinks and Frozen Treats, Traditional and Reimagined by Ericka Sanchez.
