Notes for adults

Age 4 · 10 min · Easy

Help a friendly little witch find her way to her pumpkin cauldron in a Halloween maze.

Learning objectives

• Find a path from the little witch to the cauldron.
• Follow the path with a finger or pencil.
• Try another direction when a path ends.

What you need

• Printed maze page
• Pencil or crayon

Safety notes

Use age-appropriate drawing materials and supervise the activity.

How to do it

1. Print the page and place a pencil or crayon within the child's reach.
2. Point out the little witch and the pumpkin cauldron.
3. Show how to follow the beginning of the path with a finger.
4. Invite the child to find a path to the cauldron.
5. Offer a pencil or crayon to mark the path if the child wishes.
6. When finished, talk about the choices the child made.

Teaching suggestions

• Say, “Let's see where this path goes.”
• If the child reaches a dead end, help them return to an earlier choice.
• Let the child follow the path with a finger only if they prefer.
• In a group, give each child a page and encourage them to share ideas without rushing.

Variations

• Make it easier: Follow the path together with your fingers, pointing out the choices at each turn.
• Make it harder: Invite the child to look over the maze first, then try to follow the path without help.
• Extend the play: On another sheet of paper, create a story together about what the little witch will make in the cauldron.

Talk about it

• How did you choose which way to go?
• What did you do when you reached a dead end?
• What do you imagine the little witch will make in the cauldron?

What to look for

• Notice whether the child finds a path from the little witch to the cauldron.
• Watch how the child follows the path with a finger or pencil.
• Notice whether the child tries another direction after reaching a dead end.