Preschool Alligators and Crocodiles Theme

Learning About Alligators and Crocodiles.  Here are some basic theme ideas for helping preschool aged children learn about Alligators and Crocodiles.

Sing About Alligators/Crocodiles

Oh She Sailed Away
Oh she sailed away
On a bright and sunny day
On the back of a crocodile
“You see”, said she
“He’s as tame as he can be
I’ll ride him down the Nile”
Well,  the croc winked his eye
As she bade them all good-bye
Wearing a happy smile
At the end of the ride
The lady was inside
And the smile was on the croc-o-dile.

5 Little Monkeys
5 little monkey’s swinging in a tree
Along came a crocodile
Quiet as can be
The first monkey said
“You can’t catch me”
SNAP!
4 little monkey’s swinging in a tree… etc
3 little monkey’s swinging in a tree… etc
2 little monkey’s swinging in a tree… etc
1 little monkey swinging in a tree
Along came a crocodile
Quiet as can be
The last monkey said
“You can’t catch me”
SNAP!
“You missed me.”

Clothespin Alligator
Paint a clothespin green.  When dry, add googly eyes and funfoam teeth.

Crocodile Sock Puppet.
Paint the top of an egg carton.When dry, cut in half width-wise and then glue closed.  Cut the toe out of a green sock and insert the egg cartons into the hole with the bumps facing each other - these will be the crocodile’s teeth. Secure with a green elastic.  Glue green pompoms onto the sock for eyes.

 

Crocodile Games

Cross Crocodile Pond
Have one child be the crocodile in an area designated as the pond.  The other children take turns trying to cross the pond without being caught by the crocodile.  If caught, that child becomes the new crocodile.

 

Read About Alligators and Crocodiles

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber

Crunch the Crocodile by Josephine Croser

Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch

The Selfish Crocodile byFaustin Charles

A Girl and Her Gator by Sean Bryan

 

Snacks

Alligator Krispies
Make rice krispie squares according to box directions, but substitute ½ corn flakes for the cereal to create a bumpy texture.  Add green food colouring to the butter/marshmallow mixture before adding the cereal.  Have children lightly grease their hands and shape their treat into alligators on labelled pieces of wax paper.  Let set and enjoy.    

 

 

More Alligator/Crocodile Fun

PBS Nature: Crocodiles and Alligators
Creature Feature: Crocodiles

 

~Ruth A Child's Place