Unicorns are everywhere in early childhood - story books, the media and commercial toys. Unicorns are exquisite and have strong links to myths and legends from diverse cultures.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) supports learning about mythical creatures and magic. Unicorns promote curiosity, confidence and imagination (4.1)
Learning experiences
Play with unicorn colours
Unicorn colours can be used in many popular early childhood activities. They are usually light purple, pink, turquoise and yellow. Ask the children what they think unicorn colours look like. Encourage them to use descriptive words like "pretty" or "glittery".
Make these learning experiences in unicorn colours:
- Playdough, slime or goop.
- Shaving cream sensory play.
- Painting.
- Cooking (e.g. colour cooked rice, pasta or noodles with food colouring).
- Water play.
- Magical potions (e.g. mix flower petals with warm water).
Research artists
Unicorns feature in many artworks. Children can use these as inspiration before completing their own unicorn-themed art.
- The Unicorn Rests in a Garden is a tapestry from the middle ages. It was woven from wool and silk.
- Unicorn A is a sculpture by Yoshimasa Tsuchiya.
- Maria’s Unicorn is a mixed-media sculpture by Marco Abarca.
- Brad the Unicorn is a painting by Melinda Mcleod.
Make paper horns
Demonstrate how to roll a piece of paper into a cone shape and then sticky tape it together. Preschool children may be able to do this themselves but younger children will need help. Paint your horns or glue on shining, shimmering collage pieces.
Play unicorn balloon
An educator throws balloons into the air above a group of children who pretend to be unicorns with horns on their heads. As the balloons fall down, the children attempt to hit the balloons up again with their pretend horns (their foreheads).
Fly through an obstacle course
An educator sets up an obstacle course for unicorns. The children pretend to gallop along, flying or jumping over objects.
Find magic treasures
Children are given a list of items that are said to have been left behind by unicorns. Educators may need to prepare these beforehand to surprise the children. They search in a designated area for them.
- A unicorn's horn.
- A strand of its mane.
- A rainbow feather.
- A glittering stone from a unicorn's hoof.
- An enchanted flower that only grows in unicorn land.
- A piece of a cloud that the unicorns rest on.
- A magical crystal.
- An enchanted apple from the unicorn orchard.
Resources
Picture books
- Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
- Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- That's not my Unicorn by Fiona Watt
- Where's the Unicorn? by Sophie Schrey