Explore a desert-themed weekly planner for preschoolers inspired by the book Over and Under the Canyon. Includes desert activities, books, songs, crafts, and hands-on learning fun.
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Over and Under the Canyon Weekly Planner
Bring the wonders of the desert right into your preschooler’s week with this Desert-Themed Weekly Planner, designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning. Inspired by the beautifully illustrated book Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner, this planner invites young learners to explore what happens above the canyon rim and below the desert ground through play, stories, music, and meaningful activities.
Throughout the week, children will discover desert animals, plants, and landscapes while building early literacy, math, fine motor, and STEM skills. From tracing letters in a desert sand writing tray and matching cactus letters to playing desert animal games and creating colorful cactus crafts, each activity is thoughtfully chosen to keep learning fun and developmentally appropriate.
You’ll also find desert-themed songs, books, snacks, and art projects that encourage sensory exploration and imaginative play.
Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner
Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner follows a mother and child exploring a desert canyon and discovering the plants and animals that live both above and below the rocky landscape. From bighorn sheep and roadrunners to hidden geckos and blooming wildflowers, the story reveals how much life thrives in a seemingly quiet desert setting.
The gentle, lyrical text and beautiful illustrations, introduces young readers to the hidden life of the desert in a warm, engaging way.
Don’t have the book? You can listen to a Read Aloud of Over and Under the Canyon on YouTube.
Desert Songs for Preschool
Get your preschoolers moving and singing along with these desert-themed songs and videos that bring the sights, sounds, and rhythm of the desert to life!
From catchy tunes about desert animals and sunny landscapes to playful sing-alongs and educational field trip clips, these songs make learning about deserts fun and memorable for little learners. Whether you’re using them for circle time, transitions, or just plain fun, these desert songs are sure to add a musical twist to your week!
Down in the Desert | Learn With Miss Melon
I Love the Hot Desert | JunyTony
Out In The Desert | HiDino
Mojave Desert – Virtual Field Trip | Next Generation Science
Saguaro Wilderness: A Day in the Desert | National Park Service Wilderness
Desert Themed Schedule of Activities for Preschoolers
Each week we provide a simple plan of activities for you and your preschoolers to do together. Although we don’t have a strict schedule the one shown below works really well if you are planning a full week.
If not you can always carry out the activities on a single day or across a couple.
Desert Weekly Planner for Preschoolers
Whether you’re learning at home or in the classroom, this desert weekly planner makes it easy to turn one engaging picture book into a full week of playful learning—perfect for preschoolers who love to dig, create, and explore the natural world.
Desert Weekly Planner Inspired by Over and Under The Canyon
Throughout the desert themed weekly planner, children will discover desert animals, plants, and landscapes while building early literacy, math, fine motor, and STEM skills. From tracing letters in a desert sand writing tray and matching cactus letters to playing desert animal games and creating colorful cactus crafts, each activity is thoughtfully chosen to keep learning fun and developmentally appropriate.
Hands-on Desert Sensory Bin activity for kids with sand, rocks, desert animal — perfect for exploring desert facts through imaginative learning.
This Printable Desert Animal Matching Game is a fun hands on activity too.
Cactus Letter Matching is a fun letter matching activity for preschoolers! It is also an amazing fine motor activity using clothespins!
For even more fun, you can use this Desert Sand Writing Tray to work on writing too.
Reinforced skills in counting and one to one correspondence with this simple Cactus Flower Counting Game.
You can also explore this Cactus Number Recognition Game or Cactus Shape Matching Game with your preschooler.
Create your very own cactus with recycled cardboard! This Cardboard Cactus Craft is a fun building craft for this week's theme of desert.
You can also create your own cactus with this Torn Paper Cactus Craft, Popstick Stick Cactus or create your own Desert Animal Constellations Craft. This Black Glue Cactus Craft is super fun too!
Want a little desert animal fun too? Explore these Snake Crafts, Camel STEAM Craft, or Desert Animal Constellation Craft.
Create your own edible desert with this tasty Cactus Hummus Dip. You can also create Cactus Pretzel Rod Snacks too!
For a little STEAM fun you can make this Camel STEAM Racing Activity.
Desert Books for Kids
These desert-themed books invite kids to explore dry, sunny landscapes filled with fascinating plants, animals, and natural wonders. From gentle bedtime stories and colorful alphabet books to fact-filled nonfiction and stunning looks at national parks, each title helps children learn about desert life, geography, and ecosystems in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
They’re perfect companions for desert activities, sparking curiosity and inspiring young explorers to learn more about the world around them.
- Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Guiberson
- Bedtime in the Southwest by Mona Hodgson
- Deserts by Gail Gibbons
- A Day in the Life of the Desert by Roxie Munro
- Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
- G Is for Grand Canyon : An Arizona Alphabet by Barbara Gowan
- A is For Arches: A Utah Alphabet by Becky Hall
- National Parks of the USA by Kate Siber
We hope this desert-themed weekly planner helps you and your preschooler slow down, explore, and discover the amazing life found over and under the canyon. Whether you’re reading together, singing desert songs, crafting cacti, or playing hands-on learning games, these activities are designed to make learning feel playful and meaningful.
Save your favorite ideas, mix and match throughout the week, and enjoy turning a simple picture book into a full desert adventure your child will remember.
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