Ages 3-5 are crucial times when children learn and develop. Kids are constantly curious, asking questions and exploring the world around them. Parents can have a blast helping their little ones to grow through play at this stage. Just about everything can be a fun adventure. Here are 10 simple and fun activities for parents and preschoolers to do together:

1. Trace letters together

Three-year olds are often big fans of drawing. They'll make circular people with stick limbs and funny faces all day if you let them! Use this penchant for art by helping them trace letters. Buy paper meant for this purpose with red dotted lines where the middle of the letters will lie. This will help your little one learn the shape of each letter. Draw letters in pencil and have your children go over your writing with markers.

2. Do puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles aren't just for retirees! Children can gain fine motor skills as they move puzzle pieces and place them in the correct spots. Look for puzzles with pieces that have pegs to make it easy for little hands to use them. This activity also teaches patience, a key attribute at all stages in life.

3. Throwing games

Another great way to help little ones gain control of their motor skills is to play throwing games. Hopscotch is a perfect option because kids must toss a rock or a bean bag onto a particular square. This tests their aim and is a fun game to play together!

Shapes are important for children to learn at home.

4. Matching shapes

At this age, children should know the names of simple shapes. Parents can help their kids by pointing out shapes in the world around them. A toy cubby may be a square or a ball a circle. Then, make flash cards resembling these shapes. Create two circles, squares, hearts, ovals etc. Mix up the cards and encourage your kids to match the correct shapes together.

5. Play bingo

While this game is commonly played at senior centers, it's a great way to teach kids about letters and numbers! Create bingo cards that reflect the letters and numbers your kids are learning and then play, offering help when necessary. Make sure to reward the winners! A new book is an awesome prize as it furthers learning those letters.

6. Create a tin can phone

Yes, you probably have a cell phone, but talking on that isn't nearly as fun as this type of communication! Teach your kids about vibration and sound waves by making a tin can phone. Use two cans that have the edges fully removed so they don't have any sharp areas. Then, punch or drill a hole through the bottom and place a wire or string between the cans. Tie a knot on each end so the string or wire stays there. While a string version won't actually conduct sound, you can wiggle the string to show what sound waves look like. The tin version will transmit some sound, illustrating what happens when you talk on the telephone.

7. Do a color scavenger hunt

Another basic ability that preschoolers should understand is to identify the colors of the rainbow. Instead of simply pointing to things and asking your children what color they are, have a scavenger hunt! Send your kiddos into the yard to find something from every shade of the rainbow. Soon they'll come back with a purple ball, red bike, yellow leaf and more. It's a fun way to get kids into their environment while thinking about color identification.

8. Try an information game

Little ones should know a few key pieces of personal information when heading into preschool. Parents can help their kids learn full names, addresses, parents' names and phone numbers by playing games. Cut out cards with the letters of your kids' names and then have them rearrange the cards until they make the correct name. You can even sing a song that lists all this info in one place - the melody can help them remember.

9. Play with sensory toys

Your youngest kids are probably all about touching things. They run their hands over the carpet, love playing with the dog's tail and often smoosh around their food. This is an important, and messy, learning technique. Play-Doh is a great toy to encourage purposeful sensory play. Shaping it is fun for kids of all ages.

10. Notice the seasons

Kids often love going outside no matter the weather! Make use of this to teach your children about the seasons. Talk about what happens as spring turns to summer or winter snow falls. Ask what your kids notice, like the temperature changing or leaves falling. The seasons are an important subject to understand and may even make getting your little ones dressed to head to preschool easier as they know why a coat or rain boots are necessary!