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The Ultimate List of Free Preschool Printables for Activity Trays

May 24, 2018 By Deb Chitwood 18 Comments

Do you often wonder how you can afford it all? Whether you use Montessori education or a more traditional form of teaching or homeschooling, free printables are invaluable. Along with saving you money, they can save time and help you easily create attractive, professional-looking activities.

The Ultimate List of Free Preschool Printables for Activity Trays

Creating Montessori-Inspired Activity Trays

Free Montessori Materials Online

I already have a post with free Montessori materials online with links to many fantastic Montessori printables. Montessori printables are generally created for hand-on learning. Montessori activities are arranged attractively in baskets or trays on low shelves where preschoolers can easily choose their own activities.

Other printables can generally be made into Montessori-inspired activity trays with hands-on learning, too. Often small objects can be added to the activity or you can think of how the activity can be made reusable. Many times, the pieces can be cut apart and laminated. Remember, the younger your child is, the more important hands-on learning is.

Thank you to the bloggers who so generously share their free printables. There are so many great sites offering free printables. Here are some sites with lovely printables that can often be made into hands-on activity trays (listed in alphabetical order according to my computer). Note: Even though this post is for free preschool printables, often they’re appropriate for toddlers or preschoolers through first or second grade.

Note: I’m hoping to have a thorough list of sites that publish free printables. If you publish them, I plan to add your site to this list or my free Montessori materials list. Please contact me if I missed your site.

Sites with Free Preschool Printables That Work Well for Activity Trays

Typically, these sites have printables for sale along with free printables. I’m just focusing on the free printables here, though. Most of the sites have some subscriber freebies as well, even the ones that have a large number of instant downloads. I’ll try to specify if the sites have mainly instant downloads or subscriber freebies, though. Sometimes that changes, so I can’t guarantee these will remain accurate. 

Covered Wagon Lacing

Activity Tray from Free Pioneer Printables and Montessori-Inspired Pioneer Activities Using Covered Wagon Lacing from Wild West Mega Pack at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

123 Homeschool 4 Me – instant downloads

3 Boys and a Dog – instant downloads

Subtract the Animals at the Zoo Tray

Activity Tray from Free Zoo Printables and Montessori-Inspired Zoo Activities Using Subtract the Animals at the Zoo Printable from Zoo Pack Update (part 5) from 3 Dinosaurs

3 Dinosaurs – instant downloads

A Little Pinch of Perfect – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

All About Learning Press – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

All Our Days – instant downloads

All Things with Purpose – mainly subscriber freebies

And Next Comes L – instant downloads

Artsy Momma – instant downloads

A Teaching Mommy – instant downloads

Autism Little Learners – instant downloads

Bren Did – instant downloads (kids’ activities are near the bottom of the page)

Busy Bee Kids Printables – instant downloads

Can Do Kinders – instant downloads

Childcareland.com – instant downloads

Roll and Draw Spiders Game

Activity Tray from Free Spider Printables and Montessori-Inspired Spider Math Activities Using Printable Roll and Draw Spiders Game from Childhood 101

Childhood 101 – instant downloads

Christian Preschool Printables – instant downloads

CHSH-Teach.com (Christian Home School Hub) – instant downloads

Classroom Freebies – free printables from a variety of sites

Confessions of a Homeschooler – instant downloads

Cottage Chronicles – subscriber freebies

Crystal & Co. – instant downloads

Alligator Beginning /a/ Sound Basket

Activity Tray/Basket from Montessori-Inspired Alligator Unit with Free Printables and Activities Using Alligator Clothespin Puppet/Fine-Motor Activity from Delia Creates and A is for Alligator by The Educators Spin On It at Teacher’s Notebook (plus a font card from my monthly subscriber freebie pack)

Delia Creates – instant downloads

DLTK’s Crafts for Kids – instant downloads

Early Learning Ideas – subscriber freebies and instant downloads

Easy Peasy Learners – instant downloads

Education.com – register for instant downloads

Edventures with Kids – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Enchanted Learning (has a membership section but also has free printables)

Roll and Stamp Recycling Addition Activity

Activity Tray from Free Recycling Printables and Montessori-Inspired Recycling Activities Using Covered Wagon Lacing from Earth Day Pack at Encouraging Moms at Home

Encouraging Moms at Home – some instant downloads and some subscriber freebies

File Folder Fun – instant downloads

Free Homeschool Deals – instant downloads and links to free printables from a variety of sites

What Number Is Missing from the Honeycomb Activity

Activity Tray from Free Bee Printables and Montessori-Inspired Bee Activities Using Bee is for Bumblebee Missing Number Activity – From ABCs to ACTs

From ABCs to ACTs – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Fun-a-Day – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Fun Learning for Kids – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Fun with Mama – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Gift of Curiosity – shop with search ordered by price so that free ones are listed first

Growing Book By Book – subscriber freebies

Happy and Blessed Home – subscriber freebies with some instant downloads

Have Fun Teaching – instant downloads

Homeschool Creations Early Learning Printables – mainly instant download

Homeschool Giveaways and Freebies – links to free printables from a variety of sites

Homeschool Share – instant downloads

I Can Teach My Child – instant downloads

Apple Fractions Activity

Activity Tray from Free Apple Printables and Montessori-Inspired Apple Activities Using Apple Fractions Math Game from Itsy Bitsy Fun

Itsy Bitsy Fun – instant downloads

JDaniel4’s Mom – instant downloads

K-3 Teacher Resources – free samples along with paid subscription

Kelly’s Kindergarten – instant downloads

Kiddy Charts (not just charts) – instant downloads

Kids Activities Blog – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

KidSparkz (has a membership section but also many free, instant downloads)

KidsSoup (has a membership section but also has free, instant downloads)

Kindergarten Worksheets and Games – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Kindred Inspiration – instant downloads

Kiz Club – instant downloads

Lawteedah – instant downloads

Learn Create Love – instant downloads

Let’s Play Music – instant downloads

Librarian in the House – instant downloads

Life of a Homeschool Mom – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Life Over C’s – subscriber freebies

Life with My Littles – instant downloads

Little Bins for Little Hands – instant downloads

Little Bunny Series – instant downloads

Little Owl Resources – instant downloads

Live Laugh Rowe – instant downloads

Living Life and Learning – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Liz’s Early Learning Spot – instant downloads

Made by Joel – instant downloads

Made by Teachers – (Like TPT, Made by Teachers has printables for all levels, both free and to purchase. You have to register to download printables, but it’s free. My link goes to the search for free preschool printables.)

Highway Shapes

Activity Tray from Free Car Printables and Montessori-Inspired Car Activities Using Highway Shape Cards (or highway letter or number cards) from Making Learning Fun

Making Learning Fun – instant printables

Mama Jenn – instant downloads

Mama Miss – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Miniature Masterminds – instant downloads

Modern Preschool – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Moments a Day – instant downloads

Doodle on the Moon Activity Using Doodle on the Moon Printable from Mr Printables

Activity Tray from Free Moon Printables and Montessori-Inspired Moon Activities Using Doodle on the Moon Printable from Mr Printables (also uses a Montessori printable from Every Star Is Different)

Mr Printables – instant downloads

My Belle Michelle – instant downloads (mainly activities for families)

Notebooking Fairy – instant downloads

No Time for Flash Cards – instant downloads

Our Country Road – instant downloads

Our Jewish Homeschool Blog – instant downloads

Paper Trail Design – instant downloads

Five Little Ducks Finger Puppets and Book

Activity Tray from Free Duckling Printables and Montessori-Inspired Duckling Activities Using Five Little Ducks Printable Puppets from Picklebums

Picklebums – instant downloads

Pink Oatmeal – subscriber freebies

Playing House – instant downloads (often has photos of the activities on trays)

Powerful Mothering – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Animal Classification Picture Sorting

Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Juanita the Spanish Lobster (Juanita la langosta española) Activities Using Animal Classification Chart and Cards from Practical Pages

Practical Pages – instant downloads

PreK + K Sharing – instant downloads

PreKinders – instant downloads

Pre-K Pages – instant downloads

Preschool Mom – instant downloads

Preschool Play and Learn – instant downloads

Preschool Post – instant downloads

Preschool Powol Packets – instant downloads

Primary Learning (has paid memberships but also has free, instant downloads with registration)

Progressive Phonics – instant downloads

Raising Up Wild Things – instant downloads

Red Ted Art – instant downloads

Snappy the Snapping Syllable Turtle Game

Activity Tray from Free Turtle Printables and Montessori-Inspired Turtle Activities Using Snappy the Syllable Turtle Board Game from Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational – instant downloads

Dinosaur CVC Word Family Tray

Activity Tray from Free Dinosaur Printables and Montessori-Inspired Dinosaur Language Activities Using Dinosaur CVC Word Mats from Royal Baloo

Royal Baloo – instant downloads and some subscriber freebies

Sightwords – instant downloads

Simply Kinder – instant downloads

Simply Learning – instant downloads

Skip to My Lou – instant downloads of coloring pages/interviews, holiday printables, and valentine cards

Speak and Play English – instant downloads

Spell Outloud – instant downloads

Sun Hats & Wellie Boots – instant downloads

Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT has printables for all levels, both free and to purchase. There are over 2,000 free printables for preschoolers. You have to register to download printables, but it’s free and the weekly newsletter has links to free resources each Sunday. My link goes to the search for free preschool printables.)

Teacher’s Pet (a UK site, so look for Foundation Stage activities for ages 3-5) – instant downloads

TeachEzy – instant downloads

Teaching Mama – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Teaching Without Chairs – instant downloads

The Art Kit – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

The Curriculum Corner – instant downloads

The Daycare Resource Connection – instant downloads

The Inspired Treehouse – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

 

Snail Game for Beginning Blends

Free Snail Printables and Montessori-Inspired Snail Activities Using Game for Beginning Blends from The Measured Mom

The Measured Mom – instant downloads

The Preschool Toolbox – instant downloads (including free “Ways to Play Every Day” printable monthly calendars)

The Usual Mayhem – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

This Reading Mama – mainly instant downloads with some subscriber freebies

Three Busy Boys – instant downloads

Tired, Need Sleep – instant downloads

Totschooling – instant downloads

What Do We Do All Day? – instant downloads

Wild Earth Lab – instant downloads

Wildflower Ramblings – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

Wunder-Mom – instant downloads and subscriber freebies

You’ll find a variety of posts with free printables in my free printables category.

Do you have  a favorite site or sites for printables that you use for activity trays? If you have free printables that would work for activity trays, please let me know.

Deb - SignatureLearn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!

If this is your first time visiting Living Montessori Now, welcome! If you haven’t already, please join us on our Living Montessori Now Facebook page where you’ll find a Free Printable of the Day and lots of inspiration and ideas for parenting and teaching! And please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest (lots of Montessori-, holiday-, and theme-related boards), and YouTube. While you’re here, please check out the Living Montessori Now shop.

And don’t forget one of the best ways to follow me by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll receive some awesome freebies in the process!

Filed Under: Fantastic Finds, Free Printables Tagged With: activity trays, fantastic finds, free instant downloads, free preschool printables, free printables, hands-on, Montessori-inspired activity trays, preschool printables, preschoolers, printables for activity trays

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carine says

    September 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

    Thank you for all the links!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      September 16, 2011 at 5:33 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Carine! I had fun checking out all the sites! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Our Country Road says

    September 15, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Thank you for including us on the list!! And thank you for the list, there are some on here that I havent heard of!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      September 16, 2011 at 5:34 pm

      My pleasure … and thanks for all the printables and activities you share! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jessica says

    September 15, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Thanks Deb,

    As always you are most helpful. Love it 🙂

    Reply
    • Deb says

      September 16, 2011 at 5:34 pm

      Thanks for your kind comment, Jessica! I’m so glad it helps! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Lulu says

    September 18, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    What a fab list of places to get printables. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      September 18, 2011 at 5:41 pm

      Thanks so much, Lulu! I hope you find some printables that work perfectly for you! 🙂

      Reply
  5. viv says

    September 19, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    wow thank you so much deb . honestly i don’t know how one could possibly manage over 100 emails a day , with three kids all needing their mama all waking hours . i started subscribing to posts looking for ideas , printable s ,… for a while now i am considering unsubscribe to almost all and just follow you . you are keeping us updated of all what is happening in blog word and montessori . i think following your blog is more than enough .

    Reply
    • Deb says

      September 19, 2011 at 8:21 pm

      What a sweet thing to say, Viv! I’m lucky that my kids are grown as far as online time is concerned, but it’s definitely difficult to balance the needs of young children with computer time. Actually, I can’t balance it all as an empty nester! I’m so glad my posts are helpful for you! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jackie says

    September 22, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    What a great resource. I’ll have to come back and visit this post often 🙂

    Reply
    • Deb says

      September 24, 2011 at 1:14 am

      Thanks so much for your kind comment, Jackie! I love that so many sites share such wonderful printables … makes it so much easier to create activity trays. I had to make everything by hand when I taught, so I really appreciate that there’s so much that can just be downloaded and printed out now! 🙂

      Reply
  7. JDaniel4's Mom says

    September 22, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    I love the pom pom activities!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      September 24, 2011 at 1:15 am

      Thanks for your comment, JDaniel4’s Mom! I think those are great, too – simple to prepare but fun and educational! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Cassie says

    July 12, 2012 at 4:40 am

    Thanks for adding 3 Dinosaurs!

    Reply
  9. Faith says

    September 27, 2012 at 12:40 am

    I am overwhelmed! There are so many resources listed and I don’t even know where to begin (I guess this is a good problem to have). I have a kiddo who’s five years old and has a diagnosis of Asperger’s. I also have a 3 yr. old and 1 yr. old. To make matters worse I’m disorganized and a perfectionist–help! I’ve created 3 solid one to one correspondence activities and my little one (5 yr. old) is responding well. Also, she’s a visual-spatial learner and she learned to read 45 sight words with the aid of “Meet the Sight Words” (yes, it’s a video, but I was panicking about her not knowing how to read and was clueless about how to teach her). We are now going to get into phonics; she knows letter sounds, but doesn’t quite understand how they make words. Part of her issue is that abstract concepts present challenges for her. She gets big pictures (like putting together jigsaw puzzles–it’s amazing to watch her put together a 100 piece puzzle starting in the middle and all over the place, but somehow, she finishes in record time…), but smaller concepts go over her head. Teaching her to count objects seemed an insurmountable task and she eventually got the hang of it with lots of practice and clapping. I’m not sure how to progress and simply feel lost. Thanks for reading this novel if you did. Please feel free to email me any suggestions you may have. I appreciate it sincerely.

    Reply
  10. Maura-Leigh says

    September 30, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    Wow this is a great list of links!

    Reply
  11. [email protected] says

    March 7, 2019 at 8:05 am

    Thank you for including us in the list! And thank you for such a comprehensive list of resources!

    Reply

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