Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Turkey Playdough Tray

November 5, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Turkeys are a big part of fall, and this turkey playdough tray celebrates them. Three rich fall playdough colors are featured, along with turkey-themed loose parts.

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Turkey Playdough Ingredients

All three playdough colors in the tray are made with my go-to basic recipe, with an icing color added.

For the orange playdough, gather the following ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups water
orange icing color
3 tablespoons oil

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How To Make Turkey Playdough

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To make the orange playdough, start by adding the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mixing them together.

Next, mix a half teaspoon of orange icing color in two cups of water, stirring well. Then blend in 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the oily, colored water to the dry ingredients and combine.

Afterward, heat the pot on the stove on medium heat.

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

Then scoop the dough onto a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding one tablespoon more oil.

Finally, store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag.

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Gold and Copper Playdough Colors

To make the gold playdough, stir a generous amount of buttercup yellow icing color into the water before mixing it with the oil and dry ingredients.

To make the copper playdough, stir in copper icing color instead of orange or yellow.

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Turkey Playdough Loose Parts

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Including loose parts in the turkey playdough invitation adds interest and offers more opportunities to develop finger and hand strength. The following loose parts are in the tray:

turkey game counters
life-like turkey figurine
pioneer and turkey cookie cutters
turkey wooden beads
turkey ring and cupcake topper
orange, red, and yellow spherical beads
yellow, orange, and red feathers
spotted brown feathers
small wiggly eyes
red and tan pipe cleaner sections

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Turkey Playdough Invitation

The orange, buttercup yellow, and copper playdough hues are complementary colors, so they go well together.

The turkey and pioneer cookie cutters are on point with the theme.

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Little learners have the opportunity to craft a turkey using playdough, feathers, and wiggly eyes. Cut and bent pipe cleaners work well for creating turkey feet and snoods.

The turkey counters and life-like turkey figurine provide models for creating playdough turkeys and are great for incorporating counting activities.

The fall-hued beads, turkey ring, and cupcake topper add interest to the manipulative play invitation.

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Besides being appropriate for a Thanksgiving or turkey theme, the beautiful playdough colors in the tray are perfect for any fall theme.

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More Turkey Activities

Paper Plate Turkey Craft

Turkey Sensory Tubes

Coffee Playdough Turkey

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Skeleton Sunflower Seed Bin

October 30, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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If you need an easy sensory bin idea for a skeleton theme, this skeleton sunflower seed bin is for you. Set it up in minutes, and you’ll have a super engaging sensory invitation your little learners will be happy to explore.

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Supplies To Collect

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The following supplies are in the sunflower seed sensory bin:

sunflower seeds
skeleton figurines
skeleton arm scoops
toy bones
skull reusable ice cubes
toy eyeballs in different colors
skull treat holders
skull cups
clear non-breakable jars
silver bowls and serving spoons

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The Skeleton Sunflower Seed Bin

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Striped sunflower seeds are the base for this seedy skeleton bin. They are economical to buy and provide a unique sensory experience. In my active world tray, two large bags of seeds work nicely. For a smaller bin such as a bus tub or saucer sled, one large bag would be enough.

The sunflower seeds bring plenty of color, so there is no need to dye anything. This saves a lot of preparation time.

The toy skeletons, skulls, and bones are supplies easily scooped up at dollar and party stores, or the seasonal section of a big box store.

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It’s always nice to see the excited look of children when they discover a new sensory bin invitation, and their reaction to this bin did not disappoint. There was lots of imaginative and creative play.

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Skeleton Lentil Bin Sensory Play

To keep the interest in skeleton sensory play going, offer the same supplies in a lentil-based bin. The red lentils are another base ingredient that brings its own color to the sensory invitation.

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More Sunflower Seed Sensory Play

After children have had plenty of time to explore the skeleton-themed accessories, swap them out for a pumpkin or sunflower and dinosaur-themed bin using the same striped sunflower seeds as a base.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

Q-tip Skeleton Craft

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Pumpkin Sensory Activities

October 29, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Pumpkin carving is a fun annual activity, and children love to get it on it. After the large fruits are carved or sliced, there are a few effortless, super-engaging pumpkin sensory activities children can do before saying goodbye to the showy gourds.

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Pumpkin Cross-Section Exploration

If you happen to have a very lop-sided pumpkin that wasn’t chosen for carving, use a sharp knife to carefully cut it from top to bottom into two cross-sections for everyone to view. This provides your little charges a novel way to investigate the inside of a pumpkin, and it is much easier for them to scoop out and feel the fibrous strands and pumpkin seeds this way.

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When the fruity exploration is over, store the pumpkin parts and slimy pumpkin seed mixture in the fridge for more sensory play at another time.

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Pumpkin Sensory Bin

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To set up a tantalizing pumpkin sensory bin activity, first place two pumpkin halves into a generous-sized container. A large green active world tray is up to the task and color coordinates with the pumpkin parts perfectly.

Next, set tablespoons, serving bowls, and food storage containers in the bin.

Then add non-breakable or disposable plates with a slimy pumpkin seed and fibrous strand mixture to the sensory play center.

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Afterward, make a goopy, cornstarch and hair conditioner mixture for the bin. Green apple playdough thinned with a bit of water works well for the slimy mixture, and you can use older playdough which has been stored in the fridge for it.

An alternative is to mix a cup or two of cornstarch with half the amount of water to get a thick but flowing consistency, and then squirt and blend in about half a bottle of apple-scented hair conditioner to make it slippery and aromatic. Add more cornstarch or water if needed. Squirt in a generous amount of green food coloring to give the mixture a deeper green hue.

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Finally, scoop the cornstarch and green apple conditioner mixture into the pumpkin halves and invite your little learners to explore the bin.

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Note: Apples and pumpkins are commonly used together in pies, as their scents and tastes are complementary. The two scents also work nicely together in sensory play.

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Washing up afterward is part of the fun, as your little charges will love seeing the water turn green.

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Green Apple Goop Pumpkin Play

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In this tactile autumn activity, green apple playdough, often called cloud dough, is turned into a goopy mixture with the addition of a little water. Just scoop the thinned dough into a serving bowl and set it in a sensory table next to a carved and hollowed-out pumpkin for your little learners to use in hands-on play.

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Golf Tee Pumpkin Play

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This last pumpkin sensory activity is less messy than the above slimy, goopy versions. Simply set a carved or uncarved pumpkin out on a table along with small, child-sized hammers and a container of golf tees. Invite little learners to use a hammer to gently pound the golf tees into the pumpkin. This is a great activity for practicing eye-hand coordination. Two children can share in this activity at a time, providing an opportunity for cooperative, synergetic play.

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More Pumpkin Activities

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Color Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

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Q-tip Skeleton Craft

October 28, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Out shopping this fall, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful skull art in craft and home décor stores. Pastel skull heads were one of my favorite finds, and this colorful dyed Q-Tip skeleton craft is inspired by them. It is super fun to do, so why not give it a try.

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Supplies To Collect

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For this cute skeleton craft, gather the following supplies:

Q-tips
liquid food coloring
paint pots or small jars
paint brushes
black fadeless construction paper
white paper
paper in pastel shades
thin marker
scissors
paper towel roll
white glue
glue stick
glue paddle

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How To Dye Q-Tips

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Before setting out supplies for this craft, dye a package of Q-tips in various pastel shades.

To dye Q-tips, pour liquid food colors of choice into small paint pots or jars, and mix in a little water. My chosen colors were turquoise, orange, violet, and neon green.

Next, quickly dip each soft Q-tip end into a jar of liquid color and lay the Q-tips out to dry onto paper towel strips.

When dry, gather the Q-tips and sort them by color into a compartment tray.

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The Q-tip Skeleton Craft

The first thing to do when making a Q-tip skeleton is to select or craft a skull to use. Here are three options:

Draw a skull on white or pastel paper using a marker, and fill in the eye socket and teeth details. Then cut it out.
Select a sticker or crafted skull.
Use a skull rubber stamp/ink pad to print the skull.

On a last-minute shopping trip, I was happy to find a package of skull-themed paper doilies, from which I cut a few skull heads. They work perfectly for the craft as they can be painted.

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After picking out a skull design and painting it with a pastel shade if desired, use white glue or a glue stick to tack it near the top of a black piece of fadeless construction paper.

Next, lay out Q-tips in the shape of a skeleton below the skull. Whole Q-tips work fine for the rib cage and backbone, and Q-tips cut into various lengths with a pair of scissors are best for the arms and legs. Q-tip ends are perfect for the little fingers.

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When you have a design that you are happy with, use a glue paddle to add white glue to the Q-tip ends, and carefully affix them one by one to your skeleton design.

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A group of crafted Q-Tip skeletons would be eye-catching if displayed together, as each pose is bound to look different.

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Q-tip Skeleton Arm

Instead of making a whole skeleton out of Q-tips, trace an arm from black construction paper, cut it out, and glue Q-tip pieces to it. This Q-tip craft version draws attention to the many bones in the hands, and the two bones in the lower arm.

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Q-tip Skeleton Transient Craft

If you are short on time but would still like to offer a Q-tip skeleton-building experience, this craft project could be set up as a transient craft invitation.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

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Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

October 27, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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On a recent trip to a Dollar store, I picked up a pair of skeleton arms to add to my growing supply of bony resources. In the checkout line, a man turned around, smiled, and announced “Grandma’s spaghetti scoops.” I took the comment in humor, and immediately thought it would be fun to use the skeleton props in a spaghetti and eyeball sensory bin. The sensory invitation was a hit with my little learners, and I highly recommend trying it.

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Supplies To Collect

For this ooey-gooey sensory bin, gather the following supplies:

saucer sled
large package of spaghetti noodles
big pot
orange tempera paint
toy eyeballs
pair of skeleton arms
two bowls
painting aprons

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Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin Preparation

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To prepare this slimy sensory bin, cook a large package of spaghetti noodles in a big pot.

Next, pick a bin or tray to hold the cooked noodles. A saucer sled is a good size for this sensory invitation. It is neither too small nor too large to hold this amount of noodles. A bus bin or similar-sized storage tub would work nicely too.

Then slide the noodles into your bin of choice, and spread them around.

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Afterward, mix three parts of orange tempera paint with one part of water. Pour the thinned paint over the noodles so that it looks like spaghetti sauce.

Next, add toy eyeballs to the bin to represent meatballs.

Finally, place two bowls and a pair of skeleton arms in the slippery, mushy bin. The skeleton arms will serve as spaghetti scoops.

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The Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

In offering this noodle-based sensory bin to little learners, you’ll find out which children love to get covered in paint, and which ones prefer not to. Not everyone will want to explore the bin, but it will likely be a huge hit with most.

A saucer sled sensory bin is perfect for two children to play in at a time.

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Having participants wear a painting apron is encouraged, as well as setting up a hand washing station close by.

Washing hands in a tub after exploring the noodle bin is as fun as playing in it. The orange water and bubbles created by handwashing will delight little learners and add to the sensory experience.

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Taste-Safe Spaghetti Sensory Bin

To make this spaghetti and eyeball sensory bin taste safe, use a mildly spiced spaghetti sauce instead of tempera paint for the noodle-based sensory activity.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

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Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

October 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This eye dropper pumpkin art project is super easy to set up and loads of fun to do. Participants will want to make a few watercolor-painted pumpkins, so you will end up with a bunch of pumpkin art to display at home or in the classroom.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this no-fuss pumpkin art project:

liquid watercolors
eye droppers or pipettes
paint pots
non-permanent black marker
permanent black marker
paper towel roll
pumpkin template
scissors and pencil
newspaper or waterproof tablecloth

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Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art Preparation

Preparation for this eye dropper pumpkin art project is super quick. Start by tracing pumpkins onto one or two sheets of paper towel. Choosing a thick paper towel brand is recommended.

Next, mix liquid food colors and water into paint pots, and add an eye dropper or pipette to each one. In this project, my colors of choice are orange, yellow, and magenta, as they go nicely together.

Afterward, cover an art table with newspaper or a waterproof tablecloth.

Then set up art stations with liquid watercolor pots, eye droppers or pipettes, and paper towel pumpkins.

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The Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

To create the gorgeous eye dropper art, invite your little learners to draw a mouth, nose, and eyes on a paper towel pumpkin using a black permanent marker.

Then direct your little charges to use the eye droppers or pipettes to squirt all three colors on their pumpkins. In no time the large fruits will be covered in brilliant hues.

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Let the arty pumpkins dry in the spot they were created or move them to a new place to do so. The painted pumpkins will likely be very wet, but by the end of the day, they will be totally dry.

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Eye Dropper Scary Pumpkin

If children use a non-permanent black marker to draw a face on their pumpkin before wetting it with liquid watercolors, the marker color will bleed during the art process. The pumpkins will have an ominous, scary look.

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Rainbow Pumpkin Art

You can choose to skip having your little artists draw a face on the paper towel pumpkin and get them right to work squirting liquid food colors on it. Adding a few more watercolor hues makes creating a rainbow pumpkin possible.

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Paper Towel Rainbow Art

If you run out of paper towel pumpkins for your eager art session participants, allow them to spread watercolors directly on rectangular or square sections of a disposable towel roll. They’ll be happy to use these as a canvas to continue exploring this watercolor painting technique.

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More Pumpkin Activities

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Pumpkin Color Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

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Skeleton Treasure Blocks

October 24, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Children love using loose parts in pretend play centers and sensory trays, and they make playful playdough accessories. I also enjoy featuring them in treasure blocks, and these skeleton treasure blocks are among my favorites.

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Supplies In the Treasure Blocks

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The following supplies are featured in the skeleton treasure blocks:

wooden treasure blocks with two clear panels
skeleton figurines
skeleton and bone metallic necklace pieces
green, orange, and purple pompoms
orange bead necklace
white, green, orange, purple, and black beads
skull treat holder
squishy eyeballs
toy bones

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The Skeleton Treasure Blocks

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Treasure blocks are fillable wooden blocks with two clear or transparent panels. They are perfect for holding natural and found objects and sensory loose parts. They can be used in many different ways, and I highly recommend having a set or two in your collection of educational supplies.

Bendable skeleton figurines in purple, green, and orange, are the highlight of my skeleton blocks. They are featured in a large square sensory block, and in the rectangular block. The neon skeletons set the color scheme for most of the rest of the supplies.

Bright, sparkly green, orange, and purple pompoms are included in the orange skeleton block and also have a moment of their own in a small square block.

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Similarly colored small beads accent the block with two skeletons.

Skull and bone necklaces that are cut apart make tiny, exquisite loose parts for a second small square block.

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Strips cut from a metallic orange bead necklace provide the sensory base for the second large square block. Bones are featured on the middle layer, and white squishy eyeballs are layered on top.

Individual beads cut from the orange bead necklace are also featured in the third small square treasure block.

A small skull treat holder fits perfectly inside the last square block.

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Other Skeleton Activities

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Painting With Corn

October 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This painting with corn process art activity is quick and easy to do and offers young children an unexpected way to paint. It can be completed in a few different ways, adding variety and sensory options to the art experience.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for painting with corn:

corn ear and husk
box or serving tray
large sheets of sturdy art paper
8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper
tempera paint
paint pots
paint tray
teaspoons
sharp knife

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Painting With Corn Techniques

Corn Painting In a Tray

The first way to paint with corn is to set a piece of sturdy paper into a low-edged box or serving tray.

Next, spoon globs of paint in the colors of your choice onto the paper.

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Then shuck an ear of corn and drop it in the box or tray. Or use an ear of corn that is already shucked for the art activity.

Tip the box or tray carefully from side to side to move the corn ear around, and you’ll soon have a completed piece of art.

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For a little more control, paint the ear of corn instead of spooning paint onto the art paper. When the corn cob is covered in paint, drop it into the box or tray. Then tip the box from side to side as in the process above.

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Painting By Hand Rolling Corn

A second way to paint with corn is to forgo using a box or tray for the art process. Simply set a large piece of sturdy paper on a table covered with newsprint or a washable tablecloth.

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Then drop globs of paint onto the paper and roll the corn over them with your hands as if you were using a rolling pin.

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Or paint the corn ear first and then roll it in different directions over the paper.

This rolling corn technique just might go over best with little learners, as they love to mingle with the paint.

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Corn Half Paint Prints

The third method of painting is to start by cutting an ear of corn in half with a sharp knife, aiming to get a smooth sliced end on each half.

Next, spoon tempera paint colors into pie tins, disposable plates, or paint trays.

Dip the sliced end of one corn ear half into a paint color and press it onto the paper.

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When switching colors, wipe the paint-filled edge of the corn with a paper towel sheet before dipping it in a new hue.

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Corn Cob Paint Print

In the last method of painting with corn, the goal is to make a realistic corn cob by using a printmaking technique. In this art activity, a corn cob and a husk are used to make paint prints.

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For the art project, set out an ear of shucked corn. Save one of the green husks to use.

With a paintbrush, first thoroughly paint a corn ear with yellow tempera paint.

Next, press the corn cob on a piece of 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper, slightly rolling it back and forth with your fingers.

Remove the corn cob from the paper.

Then paint one side of a husk and press it down on the paper next to the corn print. Make a second husk print on the other side of the cob. Afterward, add a couple more husk prints around the corn.

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You may wish to try all of the above painting with corn methods as each adds an interesting twist to the art activity. Which corn process art painting technique is your favorite? Share in a comment below.

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Related: Corn Theme Activities

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