Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Salt And Glue Moon Art

August 8, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This salt and glue moon art activity is a simple way to create a realistic moon in its natural colors. It’s easy for little learners to do, and looks showy when displayed.

To help set the tone for the art activity, here are ten fun facts about the moon’s surface to share.

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Ten Moon Facts

The moon usually appears bright whitish, silvery gray, or pale yellow. This is because its surface is illuminated by the sun.
Close up, the moon is colored in shades of gray, with a little bit of black and white. There are tinges of orange, blue, or green in some parts.
The moon is rocky and bumpy.
There are light and dark areas on it’s surface.
The dark areas are huge craters filled primarily with basalt lava that has cooled and formed smooth, dark plains. Much of the lava is rich in magnesium and iron, which is the reason for the dark color.
The lighter areas are highlands with mountains and many craters. The highlands are low in iron and rich in calcium, giving them a lighter color.
There are volcanic domes and shield volcanoes, as well as channel-like depressions on the moon.
The moon is covered in a thin layer of moon dust, which is a dark grey color.
There are traces of water in the form of water ice at the moon’s poles. Water molecules have recently been discovered on the sunlit side of the moon.
From earth, we always see the same side of the moon.

An easy-to-do moon art activity with a salt and glue technique. The art project looks stunning on display.

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Powerful telescopes, space probes that orbit or land on the moon, spacecraft that circle the moon, and robotic rovers are some ways the moon is regularly explored. Twelve astronauts have had the chance to walk on the moon and see it up close.

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Moon Art Supplies

Just a few supplies are needed for this striking moon art project:

8 ½ inch x 11- inch gray cardstock paper
12 x 12-inch black cardstock paper
white glue
glue paddles
disposable plates
table salt
small bowls or paint cups
spray adhesive
hot glue gun

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The Salt And Glue Moon Art Process

To prepare for the activity, cut circles about 8 ½ inches in diameter from gray cardstock.

Next, set up a station for each child participating with a

gray cardstock paper circle
small bowl of salt and a teaspoon
container of white glue and glue paddle
disposable plate

Stunning moon art made with a salt and glue art technique. Teach facts about the moon while doing this process art activity.

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Invite little learners to drizzle white glue on their circle-shaped paper.

Then have them sprinkle salt from a teaspoon over the glue, and shake excess salt onto their disposable plate.

Let the art projects dry overnight.

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To help preserve the moon art, spray each salted circle with adhesive spray. Hairspray works fine for this task too.

When thoroughly dry, adhere each paper moon to a black cardstock or construction paper background using a hot glue gun.

Display the stunning art projects on a bulletin board or wall. They will look amazing!

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Little learners may have their own thoughts about the art they are creating. One of my students pretended he was making “The North Pole.” This led to a discussion about who was on Santa’s nice and naughty list!

Another student asked if he could taste the salt. After saying it was ok to taste a little of it, we discussed that it is a good choice to ask if it is safe to taste an art supply before doing it. We also talked about how there is a lot of salt in many playdough recipes, but we only use a little bit to season food.

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Related: Scented Moon Playdough

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Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

August 4, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This spring I started collecting lemon-themed supplies before the weather got warmer and the snow finally melted for good. It was refreshing just to look at the growing tub of yellow-infused accessories. A lemonade stand dramatic play center was one goal for the purchases. The other intent was to set up a lemon-inspired play kitchen, which is featured in this post.

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Supplies To Collect

A cheery lemon-inspired play kitchen theme that early learners will love. The lemony decor and loose parts will inspire imaginative dramatic play.

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No store is off limits for collecting supplies that are useful in children’s activities. Keeping an eye out for economical items on usual shopping runs often leads to spotting the perfect accessories for pretend play. Collected for the lemon-themed play kitchen are:

lemon play food in smaller and larger sizes
play food lemon pie
lemon counters
jar with green and yellow rainbow erasers
jar with apple sauce screw-top caps
lemon-themed tea towel, pot holder, spatula, and serving bowls
yellow disposable cups, cutlery, and ice cube tray
yellow accented paper plates
clear drinking cups
clear plastic beverage dispenser
citrus juicer
artificial lemon branch in a vase

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Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen Activities

It’s exciting for early learners to discover lemon-themed dramatic play props set out for them. They can be attractively arranged in a play kitchen on a low table and/or shelving units. The youngsters will happily pick up and use the supplies in their own way.

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Just a few of the lemony accessories listed above will spark interest and add a pop of color to the play kitchen.

An artificial lemon branch makes a great centerpiece displayed in an unbreakable vase.

Including loose parts in complementary hues such as yellow and green apple sauce caps and rainbow erasers is great for igniting children’s imaginations. It gives little learners a chance to use recycled items in innovative ways.

This lemon-inspired kids' play tablescape can be set up any time of the year. Loose parts complement the lemon theme.

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These lemon-themed dramatic play props can be set out any time of the year. And they coordinate wonderfully with National Lemonade Day, which is commonly observed in early May and/or late August.

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Painting Striped And Spotted Sharks

August 1, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Painting striped and spotted sharks is an effective way for young children to incorporate simple design elements into the art process. And tiger and leopard sharks are the perfect subjects to encourage early learners to paint stripes and spots. These sharks are especially interesting because of their unique coloring.

Painting striped and spotted sharks are an easy way for early learners to incorporate simple design elements into the art process. Tiger and leopard shark facts are included.

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It is common knowledge that early learners just love, love, love to mix colors when painting. They never seem to tire of mixing paints. Oh so quickly, they will swirl paint around to make a mediocre brown or another dull hue, and be left with muddied paints to work with.

As they get a little older, I like to encourage children to try something a little more challenging. I say, “Try this challenge on your first painting. Then on your next ones you can paint any which way you like.” This is usually effective. Sometimes little learners choose to make a second or even a third painted piece. Other times they are ready to move on to another activity in the classroom after the first one.

With these shark painting activities, children are challenged to keep colors somewhat separate and add stripes and spots to their paintings.

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Painting Striped Tiger Sharks

Tiger sharks provide inspiration for painting stripes on fish art projects.

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To prepare for the art activity, draw and cut large tiger sharks from 12 x 18-inch paper. Manila or construction paper works well.

Then set out tempera paint colors of choice. The paint palette can feature a variety of colors, or monochromatic ones, such as black, gray, and white.

Next, add a paintbrush and paper towel section to each participant’s station.

To introduce the painting activity, read a picture book featuring different kinds of sharks.

Next, focus on tiger sharks. Show pictures of them from books and/or online sources, and share interesting facts. The information further on in this post may be helpful.

Invite early learners to decorate their sharks, making sure to add some stripes to them. Encourage them to dab excess paint on a paper towel when switching paint colors.

Ten fun facts about tiger sharks. These fascinating sharks inspire little artists to paint stripes.

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10 Tiger Shark Facts

Tiger sharks are the fourth largest shark. Only the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark are bigger.
These striking sharks have spots and vertical lines on the sides of their bodies, similar to the stripes on land tigers. The markings fade over time.
Their striped grey coloring camouflages the sneaky sharks in the water.
Preferring warmer waters, the large sharks live near coasts in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.
Tiger sharks have excellent eyesight and hearing and are slow-moving swimmers.
Not fussy about prey, the nocturnal hunters will eat almost anything whole, even garbage!
The food they commonly eat is invertebrates, other fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and seals.
Their broad jaws and strong, sharp, serrated teeth help them cut through their prey.
The orca whale is the only predator of tiger sharks.
Being very curious, these sharks will come close to humans and occasionally bite them.
Shark babies, called pups, hatch from individual eggs inside the mother’s body and are born live. There is an average of 30 – 35 pups per litter.

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Painting Spotted Leopard Sharks

With this second painting activity, draw and cut out leopard sharks from oversized sheets of sturdy paper.

Introduce little learners to the spotted sharks by showing pictures of them and sharing facts. Interesting leopard facts are listed below.

Invite participants to paint their sharks, adding spots to them.

Leopard sharks provide inspiration for painting spots on fish art projects.

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10 Leopard Shark Facts

Leopard sharks are smaller than tiger sharks, but also live near the shore.
The sharks live year-round in the Pacific Ocean from Oregon to the Gulf Of California.
The dark spots on their backs have a likeness to those of real leopards.
The narrow-headed mid-sized sharks have three pointed teeth that are good for smashing food.
The spotted sharks hunt on the bottom of the ocean at night.
Favorite prey is crabs, fish eggs, shrimp, clams, octopus, and fish. The sharks sometimes eat other small sharks.
Leopard sharks are active, strong swimmers, but will sink when not moving.
Being shy and skittish, they often hide before humans can spot them.
Like tiger sharks, leopard shark pups are born live after hatching from egg capsules in the mother’s uterus.
Loss of habitat is the biggest threat to leopard sharks.

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Painting stripes and spots on sharks are an easy way for early learners to incorporate simple design elements into the art process. Tiger and leopard shark facts are included.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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More Ways To Create With Spots

In addition to brush-painted spots, eye-catching spots can be added to an art piece by:

fingerpainting
using dot markers
adhering circle stickers
gluing on paper circles

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Artist Yayoi Kusama

A famous artist who often uses circles/spots in her art is Yayoi Kusama. Her “obliteration room” collaborative projects are especially amazing!

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Watermelon-Inspired Banner Craft

July 31, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Summers are short in our part of the world! And so at this time of the year, we savor every moment of the season. This watermelon-inspired banner craft loaded with stripes expresses an appreciation of warm summer days perfectly. It is easy for little learners to create, and requires very little preparation time.

Stripes always make a statement, whether in art, fashion, or home décor. Early learners get practice drawing horizontal ones in this fruit-inspired craft.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for the watermelon-inspired banner:

broad line markers in shades of green, red, pink, and black
8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock paper
black adhesive gems
green yarn
wiggly eyes
scissors
ruler
single hole punch
white glue
glue paddle

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Making The Watermelon-Inspired Banner Craft

Celebrate the summer season with a low prep, easy-to-make watermelon-inspired banner craft. This is an all-ages papercraft.

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This watermelon-inspired banner requires minimal preparation. The craft is great to introduce on a day you are short on time.

Just give each child participating a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11-inch white cardstock paper and broad line markers in shades of green, red, and pink.

Then, demonstrate how to draw horizontal stripes in green hues on the top of the paper, and red and pink ones on the rest. The lines do not need to be perfectly straight.

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After everyone has added stripes to their paper base, write a word or saying on each piece of art using a black felt pen. Word choices on the featured art projects are:

Hello Summer
Sweet Summer
Happy Summer
Aloha

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Choose one of the following three ways to finish the bottom of the hanging banner craft:

Have children cut a triangle shape from the bottom edge to make a pennant design.
Have children cut a fringe on the bottom using scissors.
Help children punch holes on the bottom and thread through a green yarn fringe.

As a finishing touch, invite little learners to add adhesive gem “watermelon seeds” to their craft.

Embrace the summer season with this low prep, easy-to-make watermelon-inspired banner craft. This is an all-ages papercraft.

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Happy Summer Banner Craft

For the “Happy Summer” banner theme, invite early learners to add two wiggly eyes with white craft glue after drawing the stripes. Then have them draw on a smile with a black broad line marker. A few black adhesive gems can be added afterward.

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This striped watermelon-inspired banner craft adds color and style to any area when displayed, and makes a celebratory summer decoration.

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Pool Noodle Building Blocks

July 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Over a year ago, I purchased interlocking foam pool noodles, planning to pull them out one day as a boredom buster. This year they finally made their debut, as pool noodle building blocks!

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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Before introducing the pool noodles, I trimmed them into various lengths with a sharp knife on a cutting board. The cut pieces ranged from thin slices to much longer ones. A few sections were sliced in half lengthwise.

Then I loaded the connectable foam noodle loose parts into large bins and set them out in a block corner. I wasn’t sure how early learners would react to them. Would they find them interesting to build with? Would the novelty of the construction activity wear off after a few days?

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Pool Noodle Block Play

The first day the cut swim noodles were out I demonstrated how to slide them together. Children responded well and began creating structures.

The light, flexible blocks far surpassed my expectations as a building toy. Every day, early learners regularly picked them up and made something new. Here are some things they created with the noodles:

large sculptures
barricades
spaceships
an elevator
a castle

The hollow foam blocks stayed out for a few months. Over time, I added a few other types and colors of noodles to the play area in order to provide more choice. The new pieces were not interlocking but added interest, and early learners used them to enhance the creations they made.

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More Play With Pool Noodle Building Blocks

To my delight, children repurposed the different kinds of pool noodles in other play activities. They used individual pieces as:

candles on a table in a play restaurant
a bun for a sausage
food fried up in a pan
a telescope

And at times, other classroom building materials were added to pool noodle structures.

Set out these light, transportable, foam noodle building blocks for your early learners to build with and add to for STEAM fun.

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As loose parts, the pool noodles were used innovatively and creatively by early learners. I loved seeing the inventions made, and always responded enthusiastically.

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Pool noodles are inexpensive, light, and easy to move around and store. They work fabulously as creative building pieces and loose parts for construction and dramatic play centers.

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Scented Moon Playdough

July 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This scented moon playdough is the result of a color and flavor mixing science experiment with jello powder. Can you guess which flavors of jello were used?

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The Scented Moon Playdough Recipe

Your child will love to explore space with this moon playdough tray. The homemade playdough is amazing!

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To make a big batch of this steely gray playdough that matches the color of the moon, gather the following supplies:

3 cups flour
1 ½ cups salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 85-gram package of lime jello powder
2 85-gram packages of grape jello powder
3 cups water
3 tablespoons oil

Add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix them together.

Boil the water and stir in all three packages of jello powder.

Then stir in two tablespoons of oil.

Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat the pot on the stove on medium heat.

Stirring frequently, cook the mixture until it is no longer glossy and the dough forms a ball.

Scoop the dough onto a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding one tablespoon more oil.

Store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag.

Note: The liquid in the pot is very black at first, but when mixed thoroughly with the dry ingredients, the result is gray playdough!

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Scented Moon Playdough Invitation

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Set out the moon playdough in a compartment tray with the following supplies:

star-shaped reusable ice cubes and cookie cutters
glow in the dark moon, stars, and stones
gray and tan gems and rocks
loose parts such as baby bottle collars, buttons, hair ties, and wooden circles
space vehicles and lunar rovers
astronaut figurines

After the playdough has been used a time or two, sprinkle silver glitter and/or foil stars on the dough to extend interest in the play invitation.

This super fun moon playdough is perfect for your space exploration theme. Children participate in a science experiment when they help make the homemade dough.

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Note: This gray scented playdough has a blended grape and lime scent. When I introduced the dough to my preschoolers, I wasn’t sure what they would think. Overall the children felt it smelled pretty nice.

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Colored Light And Moon Playdough

Our moon is mostly hued in lighter and darker grays. But from the earth, we see the moon shine due to reflected sunlight. To us, it often looks bright yellow.

The full moon, which we see once a month, can appear in different colors and sizes. This is due to its position in the sky, the particles in the atmosphere, the amount of air pollution, and the current season.

To see the full moon in a variety of colors, check out a post titled “Colors Of The Moon” by Nasa Science. It features an amazing photo showing different colors our rocky satellite has been viewed and photographed by one astrologer in Italy.

In the home or classroom, a color-changing light is fun to use to illuminate the moon playdough so that it shines in different hues.

Add colored light to the moon playdough invitation as you discuss the colors the moon shines as it reflects light from the sun.

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My featured light shines red, green, purple, blue, and white. Since the moon has been photographed in tones of red, blue, and purple, this lighting isn’t a stretch. Green is a popular color for depicting aliens, and some moon rocks with a green tinge have been discovered. And so the green lighting works too!

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Playdough Dwarf Planets

This scented grey playdough also works as a follow-up activity to a discussion about dwarf planets. These small planets are far away, super icy, and take many years to orbit the sun. Some dwarf planets are:

Pluto: Recently reclassified, it shines red and grey in space and has one big moon named Charon.
Ceres: This dwarf planet is grey and dotted with craters.
Haumea: A grey and egg-shaped dwarf planet with two moons.
Eris: This round dwarf planet takes a half-century to orbit the sun. it is far, far away and has one tiny moon.

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Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin

July 19, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This taste-safe strawberry lemonade sensory bin is refreshing in the heat of the summer and would brighten up a cool fall or icy winter day. Any time of the year, it is bound to be a huge hit with your little learners. They’ll especially love the lemonade ice cubes in the bin!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following for this colorful and tasty sensory bin:

tray or tub
lemons
strawberries
can of frozen lemonade
ice cube trays
red and yellow food coloring
plastic glass and bowl
large spoon
kitchen tongs
knife
cutting board
plastic tablecloth

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Preparing The Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin

Steps to easily put together a colorful, refreshing strawberry lemonade sensory bin.

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To prepare this oh-so-easy lemonade sensory bin, do the following:

First, mix a container of frozen lemonade with water according to the package directions.

Next, pour lemonade into a variety of ice cube trays and freeze overnight.

Just before playtime, wash the lemons and strawberries. Cut strawberries into halves and slices, and lemons into halves, quarters, and slices.

Then cover the table the sensory bin will be set on with a plastic tablecloth.

Pour a layer of cool water into a container the size of a food service tub. A smaller tub or tray will work fine for one child to play in.

Note: If more than one child is participating in the activity, offer an individual lemonade sensory bin to each child.

Next, set in a non-breakable cup and bowl, kitchen tongs, and a large spoon.

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Afterward, sprinkle in cut lemons and strawberries.

Lastly, add lemonade ice cubes in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Note: Smaller ice cubes are easier and safer for little learners to taste. Larger ones are easier to see in the bin.

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Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin Exploration

You may wish to offer this bin with just lemon slices and lemonade ice cubes first.

Lemons and lemonade ice cubes are the highlight of this easy-to-put-together taste-safe sensory tray.

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Strawberries can be sprinkled into the bin at the start, or put in a little later to add interest and sensory exploration possibilities.

Turning the water into a shade of coral by squirting in a few drops of red and yellow food coloring further adds to the learning through play experience.

Coral water brightens up this cheery, taste-safe strawberry lemonade sensory tray.

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Benefits Of The Lemonade Sensory Play

Your little learners have the opportunity to use all of their senses in this taste-safe bin. They can…

taste sweet and sour foods
feel cold, sticky, and smooth food parts
smell the refreshing scent of strawberries and lemons
hear the foods splash into cups and be stirred into bowls
see the colorful lemons and strawberries, and subtle ice cubes

Lots of interesting conversation naturally occurs while children explore their lemonade sensory bin, enhancing language.

Developing eye-hand coordination while scooping and pouring and exercising fine motor control by squeezing lemons and using kitchen tongs are also benefits. And when the color of the water is changed, little learners experience science!

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Lemonade Recipes

Interested in trying some new lemonade recipes, or discovering more additives for a lemonade sensory bin? Check out this excellent post “The Twelve Best Lemonade Recipes” by gypsyplate.com.

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Related: Strawberry Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin

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DIY Grey Wolf Softie

July 14, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky 1 Comment

Make this adorable grey wolf softie today! A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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This charming DIY grey wolf softie is ready to be included in storytime or play. It is an entry for #sewasoftie on Instagram, and part of a tutorial hop organized by Trixie Symonds on her amazing “Sew A Softie” website. The theme for the July 2022 softie sewing projects is “magic.”

It seems like a poor fit for a wolf softie to be part of a magic theme. After all, wolves are depicted as anything but magical in many storybooks. They are usually hungry villains that are devising a plan to eat one or more of the other characters for dinner!

Although super entertaining, these books give wolves a negative reputation. But there is a trend wherein authors write stories that portray wolves as more sympathetic. The tales “pull out the magic rather than the madness” in their wolf characters. And that’s how wolves, including my softie, fit into the 2022 “magic” theme for the current “Sew A Softie” topic.

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Supplies To Collect

To craft the wolf softie, gather together the following supplies:

9 x 12 inch felt sheet of white glitter felt, and a same-sized sheet of black glitter felt
three 9 x 12-inch sheets of grey felt
white and black embroidery thread
embroidery needle
sewing pins
polyester fiber fill
two small black buttons
scissors
white glue
glue paddle
wolf softie pattern

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Making The Grey Wolf Softie

Download this pattern to make the wolf. You may wish to make yours slightly bigger. If so, enlarge the pattern using a photocopier.

Free wolf softie pattern to download for an easy sewing project.

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Wolf-Softie-Pattern Download

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Cut two heads, two bodies. and a tail out of grey felt. Snip a chest, two ears, and two tail tips from white. Cut a heart nose from the sheet of black.

Note: You’ll have most of the black felt left over, but it will be useful for other projects, such as this lovely star wand by @life.with.moon.and.co.

Steps to make an adorable grey wolf softie. A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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Using white glue and a glue paddle, adhere the ears and nose to the front piece of the head, and the white chest to the front section of the body. Then glue a white tip to both sides of the tail.

Using black embroidery thread, stitch on the button eyes. With a back stitch, add on a mouth. Then stitch on eyebrows to give the wolf a little more character. You can lightly pencil in dots and lines on the felt first to mark where the facial features should go.

Note: You can change the formation of the mouth and eyebrows to give your wolf a unique expression.

Then, attach the tail to the back of the body with a running stitch. Stitch the white chest on the front.

Afterward, pin the front and back head pieces together and stitch around the sides and top. Leave an opening at the neck.

Next, pin the heads to the bodies, and the front to the back. Make sure all pieces match and are ready for sewing.

With a running stitch, fasten the head and body parts together.

Using the same stitch, go around the body of the wolf, leaving an opening for the fiber fill.

Note: The thread color for most of this wolf is white. Black or grey thread works well too.

Stuff the wolf with polyester fiber fill.

Finally, sew closed the opening in the wolf.

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Good Books Featuring Wolves

This wolf softie could make its first appearance just before or after reading a few storybooks to children featuring wolves. It would be a handy accessory for retelling stories. Below is a list of delightful storybooks to share. In each one, the supporting characters succeed in “pulling out the magic rather than the madness” out of the wolf.

The Wolf, The Duck, And The Mouse by Mac Barnett
Brenda Is A Sheep by Morag Hood
Sheepish by Helen Yoon
When A Wolf Is Hungry by Christine Naumann-Villemin
The Wolf’s Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza
Little Wise Wolf by Gijs van der Hammen
The Girl And The Wolf by Katherena Vermette

Two notable books about little wolves are:

The Way Home For Wolf by Rachel Bright
Little Wolf’s First Howling by Laura McGee Kvasnosky and Kate Harvey McGee

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An adorable grey wolf softie sewing project that is easy to do. A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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Ten Wolf Facts

Sharing positive characteristics about wolves helps in understanding their magic. Here are ten fascinating wolf facts:

Wolves are the largest member of the dog family.
Grey is the most common wolf color.
Living in packs, wolves are social creatures who mate for life.
Female wolves have four to six pups at a time.
Recognized as a “keystone species,” wolves play an instrumental role in keeping nature in balance.
Wolves help control deer and elk populations, and this benefits many plant and animal species.
They are good at working as a team when hunting.
Their leftovers are prime food for many scavengers such as birds, bears, and beetles.
When the animal carcasses decompose, they add valuable nutrients to the soil.
Wolves are afraid of people and are not known to attack them. Killing livestock isn’t common.

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Sewing a softie is a rewarding experience. Learning new skills, using unique materials, creating a design or following a pattern, practicing eye-hand coordination, and having a cuddly finished project to cherish are all benefits. Include this grey wolf softie on your list of crafts to try!

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To learn more about sewing softies, check out the book Sewing Simple Softies by Trixi Symonds and Deborah Fisher.

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Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray

July 7, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This teacup and peony sensory tray is bound to wow the little charges in your care. The chance to cut gigantic flowers and use teacups in waterplay are sure to be tactile activities they want to try.

The flower-themed sensory tray is an afterthought of a project I originally wanted to do. A few years back I shopped for low, wide teacups to set peonies in as a gift for Mother’s Day or year-end. But I couldn’t find teacups in the shape I wanted. I decided to table the idea for the future, determined to pair peonies and teacups in some way.

We have a peony plant in our yard, so that makes an activity with the spotlight-grabbing flowers economical to do. This year peonies were late bloomers due to our extremely looooong winter! Mine didn’t bloom in time for Mother’s Day or our last day of preschool in June, so I decided on plan B: to feature peonies and teacups in a summer sensory tray!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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An easy-to-set-up flower-themed sensory tray that features teacups and show-stopping peony flowers.

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Ten Peony Facts

Peonies are large, layered flowers that look like many-petalled roses.
The stunning flowers can measure up to 10 inches wide.
The blooms come in many colors, such as white, pink, red, coral, maroon, or yellow.
Many kinds of peonies are fragrant. Their smell varies from sweet, citrusy, or slightly spicy.
There are early, midseason, and late blooming varieties.
Peony plants are hardy to zone 3 and embrace cold winters.
The striking plants can live up to 100 years.
Ants are attracted to peonies, eating the sugary sucrose the buds secrete before they open.
Peonies make an excellent cut flower.
Popular throughout history, peonies symbolize romance and love. In China and Japan, peonies represent bravery, honor, respect, good fortune, and prosperity.

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Sensory Tray Supplies To Collect

An easy-to-set-up flower-themed sensory tray that features show-stopping peony flowers.

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For this easy-to-set-up sensory tray, gather the following:

large tray or bin
tea cups and saucers
cut peony flowers and leaf stems
peony bud sprays
bowls
cake stand
small plant pots and watering cans
ant and fly figurines
large tablespoons
scissors

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The Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray

In a large sensory bin or active world tray, set up stations with a teacup and saucer, large spoon, and pair of scissors.

Note: My featured tray includes china teacups and saucers. Use unbreakable ones as an alternative if you are more comfortable with that. No matter which kind of cups and saucers you choose, this sensory activity should be supervised closely.

Set plant pots, bowls, and water-filled spray bottles and watering cans around the teacup stations.

Cut peonies leaving two inches of stem, and set one in each teacup.

Position three large peonies cut right to the flower base on a cake stand in the middle of the play tray for an eye-catching centerpiece.

Three flowers on a cake stand make a stunning centerpiece in a peony and teacup sensory tray play invitation.

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Spread peony leaf stems and bud sprays around the bin, and top them with ant and fly figurines.

Invite your little learners to explore the dainty sensory tray.

Set up this peony flower sensory play invitation your little learners will absolutely love in just minutes!

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Note: Before going ahead with the activity, I researched whether peonies are safe to use with children. Some websites say they are toxic if consumed in large quantities but not harmful to the skin if touched.

Since my students do not have a habit of putting things in their mouths, I decided these flowers were a go for a sensory tray. Aside from the tactile experience, I felt it would be a good opportunity to discuss plant-tasting and possible toxins/poisons.

If the children in your care like to explore by putting things in their mouths, choose an edible flower for this activity

Tip: To stave off ants, it’s best to snip buds before the flowers bloom, and use them once they open. But since we only have one peony plant in our yard, I decided to wait until bloom time so my family could enjoy the flowers first!

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Benefits Of The Teacup And Peony Play Tray

Developing eye-hand coordination, practicing using scissors, exploring fluffy peony flowers, and getting the opportunity to use teacups are just some of the benefits of this gorgeous sensory invitation.

Early learners get plenty of practice with scissor skills and eye-hand coordination in this peony flower sensory play invitation.

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Blogposts About Peony Flowers

Interested in learning more about peony plants? Here are two great blog posts about them:

“The Magic Of Peonies” by salisburygreenhouse.com.
“How To Grow Peonies” by thespruce.com.

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This beautiful peony and teacup sensory tray allows for practice with scissors skills and eye-hand coordination. Peony facts are included.

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Canada Day Sensory Play

June 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This Canada Day sensory play activity is a must to include in a celebration of this annual holiday. It offers early learners the chance to explore Canadian flag-themed loose parts in an unexpected way on a light table or light box. Party supplies are a natural fit, and add pizzaz to the sensory invitation.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Set out Canada Day-themed loose parts on a light table or light box for magical sensory play.

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Gathered for this red and white Canada Day sensory play activity are:

clear compartment tray
clear plastic egg carton
maple leaf frame
small Canadian flag
reusable maple leaf ice cubes
transparent maple leaves
red and clear gems
large red diamond-shaped gems
light-up necklace and glasses

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The Canada Day Sensory Play Invitation

This patriotic sensory play activity shines on a light table or light box. You can also use an economical DIY lightbox as a base. It will work just fine!

A clear compartment tray showcases red and white loose parts collected for exploration.

A maple leaf cut out taken from a hanging decoration makes a nice frame to decorate with loose parts. A rectangular frame can be used too.

A clear egg carton invites sorting activities.

Transparent maple leaves and reusable ice cubes, red diamond-shaped gems, and red and clear gems provide gleaming loose parts for little learners to explore.

Transparent maple leaves and gems are gleaming loose parts in this Canada Day sensory invitation for the light table.

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A small Canadian flag is another great accessory to arrange loose parts on.

Not all the items offered need to be transparent or light-themed. Rubber ducks and story stones add variety and interest.

This Canada Day sensory play invitation for a light table or light box is party-ready. Transparent maple leaves and light-up accessories are the highlights!

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A light-up necklace and pair of glasses add a party vibe to the sensory activity and offer additional ways to investigate light.

Maple leaf and Canadian flag finger projectors would be a fun accessory to include!

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This Canada Day sensory play activity is designed for a light table or light box. But early learners would love to explore the loose parts anywhere in your home or classroom.

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Related:

Canada Day Sensory Bin

Maple Leaf Activities

Butterfly Canada Day Craft

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