All about me activities allow children to learn about their own self identity including their physical features, emotions, likes and dislikes, in order to build a strong sense of self awareness and self esteem. All about me is also a great theme to explore at the start of the school year to help both children and teachers get to know everyone in the class.
I've put together a list of 20 different all about me activities including crafts, sensory play ideas and books that will help children learn about themselves and others. These activities are perfect to do either at home, in preschool, kindergarten or school.
WHY ALL ABOUT ME ACTIVITIES ARE IMPORTANT
All about me activities help teach children about their physical self such as their body parts, facial features and body autonomy, as well as everything else that makes them who they are such as their name, emotions, likes/dislikes and how to express themselves.
Engaging in all about me activities helps foster a positive self-image, establish self-awareness, boost self-esteem, enhance social and communication skills while also supporting cognitive development.
ALL ABOUT ME PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
All About Me Questionnaire
An all about me questionnaire is a great activity to do during the first week of school to get to know your new students. This fun-filled questionnaire is your students chance to show off their incredible personalities, interests, and unique talents. It's a great way to discover their favourite subjects, hobbies, and what makes them all extraordinary individuals.
All About Me Printable Pack
This free printable all about me pack includes 6 different sheets with space for children to draw their name, age and handprint, favourite colour and food, colour their eye and hair colour, draw a self portrait, draw their favourite outfit and draw a family portrait. The large sizes and focus on colouring, rather than writing, makes this pack perfect for younger children just starting school.
ALL ABOUT ME ART & CRAFT ACTIVITIES
Self Portraits
Download these free printable self portrait outlines then children can choose the face shape they prefer and draw a self portrait with crayons, pencils, pens or paint. There's an oval face, round face and side profile option.
Collage Portraits
Use different craft materials such as skin tone paper and coloured paper, markers, string and googly eyes or eye stickers so children can create their own collage self portraits, or family portraits. This is a great way for children to practice their scissor skills {or tear paper if they can't use scissors yet} and get creative in representing their various facial features.
Split Self Portraits
Creating split self portraits is a great way for children to have a chance to represent their own facial features with a real life example. Using a half face photo children can try and copy their features to draw the other half of their face. This is also a perfect opportunity to talk about symmetry and the similarities and differences between classmates.
Abstract Self Portraits
These abstract self portraits are another way to utilise photos of children plus art to create a design that's all about me. Children can decorate a background page with mixed media such as layers of crayons, watercolours and markers to create their own unique design then glue on a photo of them in a fun pose and typed answers to questions about all the things that make them, them.
All About Me Cut & Paste Body Parts
Another important all about me concept for children to learn about is the parts of their body and what each part does. To introduce this in a basic way with younger children, get them to draw a picture of themselves and then cut out this cut and paste printable and get them to label each part of their body with the correct words.
All About Me Person Puppet
Children can make little paper doll puppets that represent themselves using this free printable template. There's different template pieces which can be mixed and matched to create a puppet that looks most like them. They can also be used with a real head photo as shown below.
What I Like to Wear Craft
As soon as children are old enough to dress themselves, they're expressing themselves through their clothing every day. Each outfit choice whether it be matching clothes, purposefully mismatched patterns, bright colours, skirts instead of pants etc is a little insight into their individual personality.
A great way to transfer this self expression into an all about me activity is with this free printable what I like to wear craft. Children can colour in their clothing options in any colour or pattern choice they like then cut them out and dress the paper template that looks most like them. The finished artwork would make a great classroom display.
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Button Portraits
These button portraits are an easy all about me activity for young children. They can colour the paper plate with pencils or crayons the same colour as their skin and then pick buttons for their hair, eyes and smile. Toddlers may need some help gluing on the buttons.
Me On The Map Craft
This me on the map craft is a great way for children to learn about where they belong geographically by exploring where they are on different maps. The activity is designed to go along with the picture book Me on the Map, however you don't need the book to complete the craft.
The craft creates a circle flap book with each layer representing where the child belongs on a different map. The layers include me, street, town, state, country, continent and planet. Each layer has a section where children can write their answer, or you can write it for them if they can't write yet.
ALL ABOUT ME SENSORY ACTIVITIES
Emotions Play Dough Mats
Download and laminate our free printable feelings and emotions playdough mats and children can use the blank face mat to create their own face and facial expressions that represent their current emotion. The flashcards that are included can be used to help children create facial expressions for their emotions, or they can just create a self portrait with playdough and the blank face mat. These can also be used with washable markers and loose parts.
Sensory Self Portrait
Children can create their own sensory self portraits using playdough and loose parts. Be sure to give them a range of loose parts with different colours and textures that can be used to represent facial features and hair. I love how the child below included a button for their belly button.
This is a great hands on activity that gives them a chance to be expressive and work on their fine motor skills as they manipulate the materials. Playdough also has a lovely calming effect so it's a great activity to do during quiet time or as a transition activity.
All About Me Small World Play
Play, especially small world play and imaginary play, is an essential way children can act out real world scenarios to make sense of the world around them. Children will often re-enact events that have already happened while playing as well. Through this role playing they will express emotions, creativity and develop social skills.
To help facilitate self expression through play even further you can create DIY mini me characters for your children by laminated photos and attaching them to blocks. Children can then use them as themselves during small world play and manipulate themself around in their imaginary worlds.
ALL ABOUT ME BOOKS
All about me themed picture books are a great resource to help children understand their own identity including their body parts and emotions by using short relatable stories to build their self awareness and self esteem. They also teach children about individuality and diversity by showing everyone is different and unique in their own way.
These are some of our favourite all about me book for kids:
Disclosure - This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience, which means I may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, should you make a purchase.
