Playful
In stock
$27.99
List Price:
$34.99
Overview
For ages 2–4 (Preschool).
Playful: Growing in God’s World is a beautiful activity book that uses play and Bible stories to introduce early learning in a gentle, parent-led way. It’s less like school and more like time well spent together.
Product Attachments
A Look Inside
Playful
(3.20 MB)
Product Details
| SKU | M360-5 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Master Books |
| Weight (in lbs) | 2.03 |
| Title | Playful |
| Subtitle | Growing in God's World |
| ISBN 13 | 9781683443605 |
| Contributors | Carrie Bailey |
| Binding | Paperback |
| Page Count | 408 |
| Publisher | New Leaf Publishing Group, LLC |
| Dimensions (in inches) | 8 1/2 x 11 |
More Information
The preschool years are short. Playful gives you a simple, unhurried way to spend them well: opening God's Word together, building early skills through play, and laying a biblical foundation that can last a lifetime.
This parent-led activity book contains 360 consumable pages with cheerful, bright visuals that invite participation, model activities, and reinforce Bible themes throughout.
How to Use Playful
Use it informally as a fun activity book, skipping around to the pages that appeal to your child in the moment. It’s perfect for preschoolers to do during church services or while older siblings are doing their daily homeschool studies.
Or use it in a more structured way if your child is ready for that. Playful gives you a clear, developmentally structured pathway without turning early education into school. No teaching degree required. Just you, your child, and about 20 minutes a day.
Skills supported in Playful (Ages 2–4)
Playful uses hands‑on, play‑based activities and printed exercises to help young children build these skills naturally at home:
- Fine motor strength and coordination
- Gross motor movement and body control
- Visual discrimination, matching, and sorting
- Color, shape, and number recognition (1–10)
- Early math thinking: counting, quantity, patterns, and spatial awareness
- Alphabet recognition and early letter–sound exposure
- Pre-reading skills: rhymes, listening, and sound awareness
- Language development and listening comprehension
- Attention, focus, and following directions
- Character and godly virtues: kindness, self-control, and cooperation
- Creativity, imagination, and expressive play
Foundational Bible Stories
Above all, Playful aims to build excitement for learning and a familiarity with Bible stories. Children are introduced to Creation, Old Testament characters and prophets, the Life of Jesus, and the Early Church.
What’s Included
Playful includes a supply list, daily schedule, 360 consumable activity pages (2 per day for 180 days), directions, answer key, and reproducible templates. Use the teaching extras if you want structure or just enjoy the pages without the schedule for a more laid-back approach.
How it Works
Playful schedules 180 days (36 weeks, 5 days a week) of preschool activities that take around 20 minutes each day. Each day is a two-page spread built around a Bible verse or passage and three short activities that reinforce the theme.
- Activity One: Skill-Building. A simple tracing, coloring, or matching activity helps children interact with the theme while developing early fine motor skills.
- Activity Two: Reinforcement. A second hands-on exercise revisits the biblical truth and gives children another opportunity to strengthen coordination and control.
- Activity Three: Enrichment Experience. Each lesson concludes with one of three types of enrichment:
- Hands-on - Sensory activities designed to strengthen little hands and build coordination.
- Pretend Play - Role-play and imaginative activities that connect biblical truths to everyday life.
- Song and Dance - Music, rhymes, and movement that make Bible themes memorable and joyful.
Readiness Benchmarks for Playful
Is your child ready to enjoy Playful? Playful is designed for young children who are receptive to short, parent-guided activities. Your child is likely ready if they:
- Can sustain attention for 5-10 minutes when led by a parent.
- Show curiosity about materials like crayons or playdough.
Children do not need to have mastered fine motor skills, sustained attention, or early learning behaviors before beginning Playful. These skills are developed gradually throughout the book and may look different for each child.
Table of Contents
- Course Description
- Master Supply List
- Additional Activity Ideas
- Suggested Daily Schedule
- Lessons
- Lesson 1 – God Is the Creator
- Lesson 2 – Noah and the Ark
- Lesson 3 – God’s Plan Is Perfect
- Lesson 4 – God Helps His People
- Lesson 5 – Kings of Israel and Prophets
- Lesson 6 – Trust and Obey God
- Lesson 7 – Listen to God
- Lesson 8 – The Ministry of Jesus
- Lesson 9 – Jesus Teaches Us
- Lesson 10 – Numbers 1–5
- Lesson 11 – Numbers 6–10
- Lesson 12 – The 10 Commandments
- Lesson 13 – The 10 Commandments (cont.)
- Lesson 14 – Jesus’ Birth and Teaching in the Temple
- Lesson 15 – Jesus’ Early Ministry
- Lesson 16 – Jesus’ Disciples and Miracles
- Lesson 17 – More Miracles and Nicodemus
- Lesson 18 – Believing in Jesus and Following Him
- Lesson 19 – Prayer
- Lesson 20 – Trusting Jesus as Savior
- Lesson 21 – Serving God
- Lesson 22 – He’s Alive!
- Lesson 23 – The Church’s Mission
- Lesson 24 – The Early Church and Spreading the Gospel
- Lesson 25 – Paul’s Ministry
- Lesson 26 – Men of Faith
- Lesson 27 – God’s Power and Love for His People
- Lesson 28 – God’s Faithfulness
- Lesson 29 – ABCs through the Bible (C–G)
- Lesson 30 – ABCs through the Bible (H–L)
- Lesson 31 – ABCs through the Bible (M–Q)
- Lesson 32 – ABCs through the Bible (R–V)
- Lesson 33 – ABCs through the Bible (W–Z)
- Lesson 34 – The Gospel
- Lesson 35 – Salvation
- Lesson 36 – Jesus Is My Hope
- Activity Resources
- Answer Key
Customer Reviews
4
Fun Toddler "School"
Review by
JC
My 3yr old likes doing school like her big sister, so this has been a fun addition. We start by tracing her name at the top, which I write for her, then we look up the verse in her Bible. We talk a little about it on her level while she colors. Then to the activities on the back. There are a variety of activities, but I do agree with others when they say there are a lot of play dough activities. Of course, that's good for their motor skills, but there a number of reasons why some families may want to find an alternate activity for those. I do feel like at least a fourth, maybe a third, of the play dough activities could have been replaced with something else hands on. Playing with measuring cups and a pan of water when learning about day 2 of creation or the flood for example. It's certainly not a deal breaker, just something to keep in mind.
The lessons are short and age appropriate. If you have an eager and/or advanced child, you can always add a few extra activities or worksheets to it. We personally add a little bit. So I think it's good by itself or as a springboard depending on what you need for your child. I don't think you'll regret getting it, and I hope Masterbooks continues to put out great resources for the eager young learners.
The lessons are short and age appropriate. If you have an eager and/or advanced child, you can always add a few extra activities or worksheets to it. We personally add a little bit. So I think it's good by itself or as a springboard depending on what you need for your child. I don't think you'll regret getting it, and I hope Masterbooks continues to put out great resources for the eager young learners.
5
A Gentle, Joy-Filled Start to Learning Through Play
Review by
Kathleen C
As a homeschool mom of a 3-year-old, Playful Growing in God’s World has been such a sweet and gentle addition to our days. At this age, I’m not looking for anything structured or formal—just something that helps my child explore, learn, and enjoy the world around them in a natural way—and this fits perfectly.
The activities are simple and very hands-on, which is exactly what keeps my little one engaged. We’ve especially enjoyed the nature-based activities, like noticing things outside, talking about creation, and doing easy sensory play that connects back to what we’re learning. It’s helped me slow down and actually enjoy these early learning moments instead of rushing through them.
I also really appreciate how it gently points everything back to God’s design in a way that feels very age-appropriate. It’s not heavy or complicated, just simple truths woven into play and exploration.
Overall, it’s been a peaceful, flexible resource that helps us enjoy learning together without pressure—exactly what I want for this stage.
The activities are simple and very hands-on, which is exactly what keeps my little one engaged. We’ve especially enjoyed the nature-based activities, like noticing things outside, talking about creation, and doing easy sensory play that connects back to what we’re learning. It’s helped me slow down and actually enjoy these early learning moments instead of rushing through them.
I also really appreciate how it gently points everything back to God’s design in a way that feels very age-appropriate. It’s not heavy or complicated, just simple truths woven into play and exploration.
Overall, it’s been a peaceful, flexible resource that helps us enjoy learning together without pressure—exactly what I want for this stage.
5
Fun and Engaging
Review by
LaceeC
This will be a great structured first book for your 2-4 year old. It’s not about rigorous studies at this age and Master Book does a great job balancing the desired structure from some parents with PLAY for kids. Playful provides daily exercises like stacking and knocking down blocks, working on pincer grip, scooping, creative arts, tearing paper -what kid doesn’t love this!, threading and more, to promote the skills your 2-4 year old needs to set them up for success in school while keeping it engaging and fun. I know my 3 year old will LOVE getting to do school alongside his older brothers in his own book. YES preschoolers should 100% learn through PLAY… that’s what this does. It gives parents a guide and a fun book little ones can enjoy along the way in a biblically sound way.
5
Such a Fun Book!
Review by
Rachel
What a FUN option for little hands. In my house we have a 2 yr old whose closest sibling is 7 years older than her! She is constantly wanting to do what the big kids do, including school! I want her to have fun and not rush my littlest into all things school related! THIS is the prefect answer! It’s fun and engaging and playful! However, it gives her the opportunity to have “her own book!” It is done exactly how a curriculum guide for this age should be…let’s explore with play!
5
Simple and fun while learning.
Review by
Lyn C.
This is a simple and straightforward workbook for the little ones who are showing they’re ready to do book work learning. Each lesson is simple and easily adaptable to fit your learner. It can be done quickly enough for the ones who don’t sit very long but it also has the flexibility to add what is needed if your Little Learner is ambitious and wanting more. I like how it is Bible focused to get the Word in their hearts at a young age.
It is hands on, fun, with suggested books to read (although not needed if you have others you prefer) and songs to sing. My little one is very into music and enjoys tracing and coloring while singing the suggested songs. It’s a really good tool to use if you have a young child who is too young for ‘big-kid school’ but showing an eagerness to learn.
It is hands on, fun, with suggested books to read (although not needed if you have others you prefer) and songs to sing. My little one is very into music and enjoys tracing and coloring while singing the suggested songs. It’s a really good tool to use if you have a young child who is too young for ‘big-kid school’ but showing an eagerness to learn.
5
The book for toddlers and early preschoolers is finally here!! Thank you Carrie Bailey!
Review by
Michelle C.
Playful is a wonderful course for introducing 2–4-year-olds to the idea of learning for homeschool while being developmentally appropriate and engaging. It includes hands-on activities, tracing, coloring, pretend play, singing with motions, and more—all with Biblical truths presented in a simple way. Some people may glance at this course and think it’s a glorified coloring book, but it’s so much more. Playful begins to prepare the youngest learners for kindergarten through play and skill-building activities.
Some of these activities include:
playing with playdoh or making specific shapes,
gluing feathers, pom-poms, cereal, or tissue paper onto a picture,
finding things around the house,
sorting toys by different sizes or colors,
building a temple out of blocks,
making a barn out of craft sticks,
and the list goes on.
In addition to the varying activities throughout the book, there is a list in the front of 50 additional, intentional activities that can be done to strengthen specific skills. This list is one of my favorite parts! It can be hung up and used as an easy reference for things to do with your toddler or preschooler. This is especially helpful because play is so valuable at this age.
Many homeschooling families have multiple kids, and sometimes the youngest children want to have their own schoolbooks. For years, I’ve heard about this book coming, and it’s finally here! Now the youngest learners can have their own book that’s focused on play with a Biblical foundation.
Some of these activities include:
playing with playdoh or making specific shapes,
gluing feathers, pom-poms, cereal, or tissue paper onto a picture,
finding things around the house,
sorting toys by different sizes or colors,
building a temple out of blocks,
making a barn out of craft sticks,
and the list goes on.
In addition to the varying activities throughout the book, there is a list in the front of 50 additional, intentional activities that can be done to strengthen specific skills. This list is one of my favorite parts! It can be hung up and used as an easy reference for things to do with your toddler or preschooler. This is especially helpful because play is so valuable at this age.
Many homeschooling families have multiple kids, and sometimes the youngest children want to have their own schoolbooks. For years, I’ve heard about this book coming, and it’s finally here! Now the youngest learners can have their own book that’s focused on play with a Biblical foundation.
5
Fun and Engaging
Review by
Dawn P
While this is a workbook, there are so many fun activities included that aren’t just workbook pages. There is a lot of playdoh and other crafts included to work on those fine motor skills and to make learning fun. I am a firm believer in learning through play, but I also know that my preschoolers often want something that looks like the schoolwork their older siblings are doing. This book is the perfect combination of those two, and most importantly, it also focuses on teaching children about God and his word while they work on those other preschool skills. Each day is only 15-20 minutes so it is easy to fit in and doesn’t take away from other play or family activities. The pages are colorful and engaging without being crowded and overwhelming.
5
Great for Littles
Review by
Jen
Playful is a great resource for little hands to grasp the fundamentals of letters and numbers. Each lesson is engaging, fun and Bible verse focused. Every activity is so much fun! This is a great way to keep little ones engaged even when teaching to older children. Each activity help with building fine motor skills which is so important at this age. I think it is a great segway into Masterbooks Preschool Curriculum and stays true to the GENTLE approach!
4
My daughter loves her "first school book"
Review by
Barbara D
I saw this was for 2-4 year olds and I got excited that my 2 and 4 year olds can do "school" together.
To start with, this is a great book for an introduction to schooling. It can stand alone, be part of another book, or however the family chooses to use it.
Each day is a page, front and back. It starts with a place for the child to write their name and a biblical truth with the verse reference. (Not the verse itself but more of a simple summary. It does have the reference so parents can read the verse with their child.) Then there is a coloring or tracing activity. On the backside is another activity as well as a activity that does not need the book, and most of the time requires playdoh or other supplies. (Supply list is includes and has items like yarn, pom poms, or noodles.)
*A warning for those with gluten allergies, a lot of playdoh is used and colors will get mixed. However, the pasta projects can be switched for yarn or pom poms.
The alphabet, numbers, and colors are introduced. This makes it a good book before kindergarten.
My reason for 4 out of 5 stars, it is only one double sided full color page for one side a coloring sheet.
All that said my daughters love this book and enjoy having their own schoolwork wile big siblings are doing school, and it doesn't add a burden to my day to use this book.
To start with, this is a great book for an introduction to schooling. It can stand alone, be part of another book, or however the family chooses to use it.
Each day is a page, front and back. It starts with a place for the child to write their name and a biblical truth with the verse reference. (Not the verse itself but more of a simple summary. It does have the reference so parents can read the verse with their child.) Then there is a coloring or tracing activity. On the backside is another activity as well as a activity that does not need the book, and most of the time requires playdoh or other supplies. (Supply list is includes and has items like yarn, pom poms, or noodles.)
*A warning for those with gluten allergies, a lot of playdoh is used and colors will get mixed. However, the pasta projects can be switched for yarn or pom poms.
The alphabet, numbers, and colors are introduced. This makes it a good book before kindergarten.
My reason for 4 out of 5 stars, it is only one double sided full color page for one side a coloring sheet.
All that said my daughters love this book and enjoy having their own schoolwork wile big siblings are doing school, and it doesn't add a burden to my day to use this book.
5
Developmentally-appropriate structured play
Review by
JoyfulMommy
This is an excellent, developmentally-appropriate way to give some structure to families wanting to be intentional about developing skills and small motor control, centered on a brief introduction to the Bible. It goes through a very basic overview of the whole Bible with simple (sentence or two) Bible stories, that the activities for each lesson key off of. All the activities are developmentally appropriate for little ones, with lots of coloring and playdough activities, tracing lines, circling objects, drawing lines to match items, and some fine motor skill-building and play-acting games and activities. I think this sweet beginning “school book” will be especially loved by younger siblings who want to do “school” just like the big kids!
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