Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

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This Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup incorporates loose parts in a big way. It's an easy center to include in harvest celebrations.

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Here’s an easy Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup your little learners will love. It incorporates fall-colored loose parts with a few turkey and pilgrim-themed accessories.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Supplies In The Thanksgiving Tablescape

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving play tablescape setup.

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The following supplies make this Thanksgiving tablescape a fun place to play:

  • harvest disposable plates and plaque
  • clear plastic glasses, dessert plates, and jars
  • baking pan
  • orange, yellow, and green cutlery
  • gold flowers in a vase
  • green, yellow, red, and orange felt balls and wooden beads
  • turkey centerpieces
  • miniature artificial pumpkins
  • Thanksgiving cookie cutters
  • Pilgrim sticker “cookies”
  • turkey game pieces and wooden beads
  • “Be Thankful” tea towel
  • white tablecloth

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Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Arrange supplies for this tablescape in a play kitchen on a shelf, or place them in the play stove, fridge, and cupboards. Your little learners will enjoy incorporating them into festive play.

Loose parts are always a highlight of pretend play setups. Green, yellow, orange, and red-themed felt balls and round wooden beads easily transfer from a fall play tablescape to this Thanksgiving one.

Loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving-themed dramatic play tablescape.

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The turkey centerpieces were a delightful find at a party store and add color and style.

Pilgrim-themed stickers make great “cookies” when placed on a baking pan.

Turkey game pieces and wooden beads help make the play set up super special.

Themed cookie cutters are easy-to-find items that add flair.

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup.

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Disposable plates befitting the Thanksgiving theme are included in the décor, as are artificial miniature pumpkins showcased in clear plastic glasses.

Early learners will enjoy role-playing Thanksgiving dinner events with this festive pretend play setup.

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A “Be Thankful” tea towel and harvest plaque are the finishing touches to this seasonal dramatic play center.

This Thanksgiving tablescape dramatic play setup incorporates loose parts in a big way. It's an easy center to include in harvest celebrations.

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Related:

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Play Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Corn Syrup Paint Sunflowers

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Make these glorious, corn syrup paint sunflowers using a taste-safe, homemade, two-ingredient recipe. Download and use the free template.

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If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you can probably tell that I like both sunflowers and corn syrup paint a lot. I regularly post sunflower activity ideas and frequently feature corn syrup paint art. These corn syrup paint sunflowers perfectly showcase the beauty and appeal of this shiny, glossy paint. Prepare to be wowed!

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This shiny, corn syrup paint sunflower art project is easy-to-do and looks gorgeous displayed. A free sunflower template is available to download.

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Supplies To Collect

For this easy-to-do, pretty painting activity, gather the following supplies:

  • white corn syrup
  • blue, red, and yellow food coloring
  • sunflower seeds
  • baby food jars
  • paintbrushes
  • teaspoons
  • 8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock paper
  • green construction paper
  • scissors
  • glue stick
  • glue gun
  • pencil
  • sunflower template
  • plastic tablecloth

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Making The Corn Syrup Paint Sunflowers

There is always white corn syrup in my art supply collection, as I love using it in painting activities. But you can substitute light corn syrup instead.

Steps to make glorious, corn syrup paint sunflowers using a taste-safe, homemade, two-ingredient recipe. Download and use the free template for this art project.

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First, pour the corn syrup into three baby food jars, or paint containers you have handy. Add a few drops of red, yellow, and blue food coloring to one jar and mix it with a teaspoon to make a shade of brown. Add a few drops of yellow to another and stir. Mix red and yellow colors into a third container to make orange.

Note: The more food coloring drops you add, the darker each hue will be.

Next, trace and cut leaves and stems from green construction paper.

Afterward, cut cardstock sunflowers from a template. Feel free to download and use the sunflower template included in this post.

Download this sunflower template to make gorgeous corn syrup art.

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Sunflower PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Then set out the paper sunflowers, brown paint, and seeds on a table covered with a plastic tablecloth. Invite participants to paint the circular middle of their sunflower brown, and press in seeds.

Next, set out the yellow and orange paints and brushes. Ask everyone to paint the petals of their sunflower. They’ll love using this bright, slick, translucent paint.

Gorgeous, glossy sunflower art made with a taste-safe, two-ingredient homemade paint recipe. This art project looks stunning when displayed.

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As soon as the artists are finished, move each decorated sunflower onto an 8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock background, or a cardstock color of choice.  Adhere it with a glue gun. Then with a gluestick or glue gun, add a green paper stem and leaf.

The corn syrup paint is thick and sticky, and completed sunflower art projects should be left to dry for a few days.

Gorgeous, glossy sunflower art made with a taste-safe, two-ingredient homemade paint recipe. This art project looks stunning when displayed.

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Displaying The Corn Syrup Sunflower Art

These syrupy sunflowers have a shiny, firm finish when dry, and look beautiful displayed. The art is somewhat transient, as the paint will melt and drip in hot, humid conditions. But I have had a piece on display for over a year and it is still looking fabulous.

This shiny, corn syrup paint art project is easy to do and looks gorgeous displayed. It's an all-ages art activity everyone will love to try.

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More Corn Syrup Paint Art

As mentioned earlier, I feature lots of corn syrup paint activities on this blog. You may be interested in:

Textured Octopus Craft

Sea Star Art

Sea Turtle Hatchling Art

Painted Turtle And Lizard

Spooky Hands Craft

Sunflower Heart Craft

All these art projects yield gorgeous results.

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Gadget Printmaking Poppy Art

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Try this beautiful gadget printmaking poppy art project today! It introduces participants to a new and unusual way to paint.

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It started with a large dot print made with a pie pan, tempera paint, and a paintbrush. The intent was to make a simple red poppy print with a black round center. But afterward, I decided to add paint markings with gadgets to add more color and definition. The result is super striking gadget printmaking poppy art that’s easy and fun to do.

This poppy art is a Remembrance Day project. Red poppies are a symbol of lives lost to war since World War I. They especially serve as reminders of this each year on November 11, the Remembrance Day holiday in our country.

How to make stunning gadget printmaking poppy art.

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Poppy Art Supplies

Gadgets used as painting tools make interesting prints, and you can find them all over your home. Here are the gadgets I use for this large-scale art activity:

  • 9-inch round cake or pie pan
  • Jumbo circular bubble wand and tray
  • ground meat chopper
  • spools
  • bottle sponge brush
  • round sponge brush

A few simple supplies complete the list of items needed to make poppy art:

  • tempera paint colors in bright red, yellow, green, pink, and orange
  • 12-inch x 16-inch sturdy white paper
  • green construction paper
  • green marker
  • ruler
  • scissors
  • glue stick
  • flat plate or tray

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Gadget Printmaking Poppy Art Steps

Simple steps to create beautiful poppy art with a gadget printmaking technique. The art project introduces participants to a new and unusual way to paint.

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First, lay out a large sheet of sturdy paper on a table.

Next, pour red paint on a tray or flat plate. Dip the bottom of a round cake or pie pan in the paint, and press it down on the paper background to make the flower head.

Then dip a bubble wand into orange paint and press it in the middle of the dot. The bubble wand tray holds the paint perfectly for this step.

Afterward, press a sponge bottle brush into the green paint, and make a print in the center.

Then dip a spool into black paint, and press it into the very center of the flower.

Bubble wand, sponge bottle brush, and spool paint prints add color and definition to this gadget printmaking poppy art project.

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Next, draw on a stem with a green marker. If desired, use a ruler to keep the stem line straight.

Finally, cut a simple leaf from green fadeless construction paper, and glue it onto the stem.

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Poppy Art Color Variations

The gadgets and paint colors used for enhancing the red poppies can be varied. In this art project, a bubble wand, bottle brush, and two spools are the gadgets used.

Try this beautiful gadget printmaking poppy art project today! It introduces participants to a new and unusual way to paint.

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A ground meat chopper paint print adds detail to the flower center below.

A bubble wand and ground meat chopper paint print add color and definition to this gadget printmaking poppy art project.

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Remembrance Day Poppy Art

Simple steps to create beautiful Remembrance Day poppy art with a gadget printmaking technique. The art project introduces participants to a new and unusual way to paint.

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This next project employs the bubble wand tray for the large dot print. The tray is not as big as the cake or pie pan, so can be used with a smaller-sized paper base. And it has a scalloped edge, adding character to the poppy dot. This design is my pick for the official Remembrance Day art project for this year.

For the flower center, dip a round sponge brush or small round sponge into black paint, and press it in the middle of the red dot print. Then press a sponge bottle brush into yellow paint, and make a print on top of the black circle. Finish off with a black spool print in the center of the flower.

Tip: Letting the red and black paint dry for a few hours helps the yellow sponge bottle print stand out and remain bright.

Create this beautiful Remembrance Day poppy art with a gadget printmaking technique. The art project introduces participants to a new and unusual way to paint.

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More Gadget Printmaking Poppy Art Ideas

Instead of using only red for the large flower petal dot, introduce a few more color choices, such as yellow and orange. The colors will blend in nicely to make red-orange hues, adding shading and texture.

And since poppies come in a variety of colors, you could choose an entirely new color scheme for this project.

Bubble wand, sponge, meat chopper, bottle brush, and spool prints add highlights and detail to the poppy flower art. And the gadget painting technique introduces participants to a new and unusual way to do painting and printmaking.

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How to make stunning gadget printmaking poppy art.

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Bubble wand, sponge bottle brush, and spool paint prints add color and definition to this gadget printmaking poppy art project.

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Related: Remembrance Day Butterfly Craft

Related: Coffee Filter Poppy Art

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Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

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Skulls, bones, and spiders are non-threatening in this glam skeleton playdough tray, ready for early learners to explore.

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For the longest while I stayed away from featuring skeletons in activities for little learners. But you wouldn’t know it by all the posts about them on this blog. That’s because in recent years I’ve seen so many glam skeletons in home décor, inspiring a host of ways to showcase them in fun, non-threatening ways. This glam skeleton playdough tray is my latest bone-filled play invitation. It is an extension of a post I did last week about an elegant skeleton sensory bin.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Gather

Silver and gold loose parts complement the neutral palette in this glam skeleton-themed playdough invitation.

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The same loose parts used in the skeleton-themed sensory bin work wonderfully in a playdough party tray:

  • skeletons
  • skulls
  • bones
  • spider figurines
  • pearl beads
  • gem leaves
  • bead jewelry strands
  • crown hair combs
  • mini pumpkins
  • bells

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The Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

This playdough tray can be offered with a basic playdough recipe or one that is colored. Black and white playdough contrast each other in the tray below. There are links to the dough recipes further on in the post.

A skeleton sits atop black and white playdough in this inviting party tray. Other loose parts include pumpkins, spiders, skulls, and bones.

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This next tray features white playdough made with my go-to basic playdough recipe.

Silver and gold loose parts complement the neutral palette in this glam skeleton-themed playdough invitation.

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Although there’s a whole lotta glam in the sensory tray, an ornate mirror adds just a little more.

A mirror adds elegance to this glam skeleton playdough invitation early learners will be excited to explore.

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The loose parts spark the imagination and children can use them to make unique designs. They make interesting prints in the dough.

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Playdough Recipes

Find the recipes for the playdough here:

Black Playdough Recipe (from the blog “Left Brain Craft Brain.”)

This black playdough was featured in my “White Lilacs And Black Playdough” blog post a few months ago. Believe it or not, the playdough is still pliable.

Basic Playdough Recipe

The basic playdough recipe can be made in a big batch to use with a group of children.

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Four different ways to feature skeleton-themed loose parts in sensory play. Black and white playdough recipes are included.

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Related: Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

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Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

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Seasonal loose parts are the highlight of this fun fall tablescape pretend play setup. Imaginative play is sure to happen!

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Living in Alberta, Canada, it seems a little late to feature a fall activity post. The leaves have almost completely blown off the trees, by fierce winds that seem determined to knock every last one to the ground. But although fall has nearly left us, we are not ready to leave it behind. So here’s one last colorful autumn post…an inviting fall tablescape pretend play center.

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Supplies Collected

Pretend play is super fun and imaginative in this fall tablescape pretend play set up early learners are bound to love.

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Fall colors, leaves, and animals feature prominently in this list of gathered supplies:

  • leaf-themed paper plates
  • green, yellow, and orange forks and spoons
  • fall cupcake liners
  • orange ice cube tray
  • bowl with owl, leaf, acorn, and apple game pieces
  • jar with yellow, orange and red felt balls
  • container with leaf, acorn, pumpkin, and diamond gems
  • felt animal decorations
  • orange artificial flower sprig
  • artificial sunflower heads
  • large felt maple leaf
  • muffin pan
  • cookie sheet
  • potholder and spatula

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The Fall Tablescape Pretend Play Setup

The list of supplies seems long, but this play tablescape is quick and easy to set up. I started out by setting out the red maple leaf and vase with flowers. Next, I added the plates and cutlery. Then I added the rest of the supplies.

Pretend play is super fun and imaginative in this fall tablescape pretend play set up early learners are bound to love.

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Loose parts such as gems, felt balls, and game pieces allow children to use their imagination. Little learners love incorporating them in pretend play. For instance, wouldn’t the felt animal decorations make super fancy cookies?

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Seasonal loose parts add a host of imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

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Loose parts such as game pieces and felt balls add imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

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Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten to set out on the table? It’s fall-themed cups! I didn’t realize they were missing until after I had taken all the pictures.

Seasonal loose parts are the highlight of this fun fall tablescape pretend play setup. Imaginative play is sure to happen!

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Little learners relish playing with seasonal accessories. And it’s especially fun to see their excited response the first day they notice a new play kitchen theme.

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View this Fall Play Tablescape as a video.

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Related: Kids’ Winter Wonderland Tablescape

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Pumpkin Painting Process Art

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A super fun pumpkin painting process art activity tailor-made for early learners. Gold glitter glams up the pumpkins big time.

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This pumpkin painting process art activity is easy and effortless to do. It looks a little messy but really isn’t at all. Your little learners will be very eager to participate in this unique art project.

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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 this creative painting activity:

  • tempera paints
  • paint brushes
  • napkins
  • small pumpkins
  • paint palettes
  • gold glitter
  • spray adhesive
  • large disposable tablecloth

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Pumpkin Painting Process Art Set Up

To offer this painting activity, first cover a table with a disposable tablecloth or one that can easily be wiped down afterward.

Then set out a small pumpkin for each child participating.

Next, add tempera paints to paint palettes. Place a paintbrush, filled palette, and napkin next to each pumpkin.

A no-fuss painting invitation with real pumpkins and tempera paint. A process art activity everyone will love.

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Invite children to choose a pumpkin and paint it any way they like.

A super fun way to decorate pumpkins with tempera paint. An all-ages art project everyone will love.

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Encourage little artists to wipe their brushes on the napkin provided when switching hues.

As a finishing touch, have them generously sprinkle gold glitter on top of their pumpkin. This glams up each one big time.

Gold glitter glams up painted pumpkins big time, and is a welcome addition to this showy process art activity.

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After leaving the pumpkins to dry overnight, spray them generously with a craft adhesive to help the glitter stay on.

Now the pumpkins are ready to be displayed or taken home.

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Choosing Paint Colors

In this post, I feature primary tempera paint colors. A little yellow and/or white is added to each hue to lighten and brighten it up, as the paint colors are quite intense coming straight out of the jug. There are lots of brown hues on the decorated pumpkins, as little learners never tire of large-scale color mixing. Feel free to choose an entirely different color scheme for your pumpkin art project.

Note: I briefly touch on this pumpkin painting process art activity in a post titled “Pumpkin Color Activities.”

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Clean Up

A little handwashing and spot cleaning on the floor take care of cleanup quickly. Most of the glitter and paint are usually contained by the tablecloth. And if there are traces of glitter around the room, I say: “A little glitter never hurt anyone.” The added sparkle is welcome!

An easy and fun pumpkin painting process art activity everyone will be eager to try. Gold glitter adds glamour to the pumpkins.

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Collaborative Pumpkin Process Art Project

Another way to do this fabulous art activity is to set out one large pumpkin. Give all children a chance to paint it, working in groups of two or three. Each day the pumpkin can be redecorated, giving it an entirely new look. Just remember to add the glitter at the last painting session.

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Related: Pumpkin Collage Art

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Light Table Leaf Exploration

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This light table leaf exploration activity takes nature indoors, It is easy and economical to set up, and has many learning opportunities.

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One of the nicest places to observe colors and shapes in fall leaves is on the light table. Early learners get the chance to investigate natural materials indoors. The leaves get illuminated and their stripes, spots, and beautiful colors become even more noticeable. And best of all, there are a lot of learning possibilities in this light table leaf exploration activity.

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Supplies To Collect

Fall leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Gather the following supplies for this low-prep, economical nature play invitation:

  • leaves in different colors, shapes, textures, and sizes
  • overhead transparencies
  • black permanent marker
  • “leaf” word strip
  • transparent alphabet letters
  • magnifying glasses
  • artificial flowers in vases

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Light Table Leaf Exploration

To collect the leaves, take your little charges on a nature walk. Give everyone a bag and ask each participant to find leaves in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Back at home or in class, set some of the leaves on a light table for the children to view. Invite everyone to explore, sort, and arrange the foliage.

Extra leaves can be placed in an indoor DIY mud kitchen or added to a sensory tub.

Include magnifying glasses for early learners to see leaf veins and midribs clearly.

Fall leaves look extra pretty on the light table. And this leafy center has many learning opportunities.

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Place a word strip with the word “leaf” on the table, and include transparent alphabet letters. Encourage children to say and spell the word.

Fall flower sprigs in vases add ambiance to the center.

Exploring leaves is super fun on the light table. Magnifying glasses and the word "leaf" add learning possibilities to the center.

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Overhead Transparency Leaf Silhouettes

Trace some of the leaves onto overhead transparencies using a black permanent marker. Invite your early learners to match the light-enhanced leaves to their silhouettes.

Leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Light Table Leaf Exploration Benefits

This simple sensory activity has so many learning opportunities. Here are some possibilities this leaf light table setup offers:

  • recognizing leaf colors
  • counting and sorting leaves
  • shape matching
  • ordering leaves by size
  • alphabet letter identification
  • learning to make and spell a word
  • discussing leaf midribs and veins
  • creating designs with leaves
Fall leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Related: Eyedropper Leaf Art

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Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

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Fall is such a great time to spot seasonal home décor in stores, as it is very plentiful. And one of my favorite things to do is to translate a seasonal trend into an “of the moment” sensory bin. This fall I’m particularly drawn to the beautifully adorned skeletons in wall art, decorations, and tableware. And this theme works well in a glam skeleton sensory bin guaranteed to catch the attention of little learners.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Skeleton-themed loose parts tray for early learners to explore. Gold and silver accessories add glamour to the tray.

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The color scheme for this elegant sensory bin is silver, gold, cream, and white. Loose parts gathered for the bin are:

  • skeletons
  • skulls
  • bones
  • spider figurines
  • pearl beads
  • gem leaves
  • bead jewelry strands
  • crown hair combs
  • mini pumpkins
  • bells

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The Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

A large square metal serving tray is a good fit for this sensory activity. Brown, white, or gold rice provides a good base. My bin features glutinous rice… I love its super white hue.

To prepare this glamorous sensory invitation, pour a layer of rice into a tub or tray. Then spread gem diamonds and leaves, bead strands and pearl beads, bells, bones, and pumpkins over the rice. Add skeletons. spiders and crown-adorned skulls as a finishing touch.

An oh-so-glam skeleton-themed rice bin featuring gold and silver loose parts. A non-threatening way for little learners to explore the skeleton.

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Setting the loose parts in a smaller metal tray without adding rice is a no-fuss alternate way to offer this sensory activity.

An easy-to-set-up glamourous sensory tub for early learners featuring skulls and skeletons, and gold and silver loose parts.

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And placing a mirror on a stand at the back of the bin adds a double dose of glam.

An ornate mirror adds a double dose of glam to a skeleton-themed rice sensory bin your little learners are sure to love.

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Offering skulls, skeletons, and bones in a sensory bin filled with pretty loose parts is a non-threatening and inviting way for little learners to explore the human skeleton.

Glam up a skeleton-themed rice bin with gold and silver loose parts. Miniature pumpkins and pearl beads complete the bin.

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Black Light Skeleton Sensory Bin

Since there are many white or cream-colored pieces in this bin, it’s fun to extend sensory learning by observing if any of them light up under a black light. Surprisingly, a few gem leaves glow the most when the bin is placed in a dark room under a black light.

Find out what loose parts glow under a black light with this fun glam skeleton rice bin.

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Note: To find out more about what glows under a black light, view my blog post “Glow Art Words Of Affirmation.“

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Related: Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

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Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

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This fall leaf salad spinner art activity is perfect for showcasing the bright colors of the season. It is easy and fun for little learners to do.

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Fall is well underway in our area of the world, and the leaves on the trees have turned bright shades of red, orange, and yellow in the past few weeks. The colorful leaves provide wonderful inspiration for art projects, and this fall leaf salad spinner art activity is one of my favorites.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies to Collect

For this fun and easy art project, gather the following supplies:

  • salad spinner
  • white cardstock paper
  • red, yellow, green, and orange tempera paint
  • paint pots
  • teaspoons
  • leaf tracer
  • pencil
  • scissors

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A beautiful painted leaf made with a salad spinner painting technique. This process art project is bound to be a hit with your little learners.

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The Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art Project

To do this art project, pick a leaf to trace and cut from white cardstock. I feature a maple leaf, as it fits nicely in a salad spinner and has an interesting shape. Cut out a few paper leaves for each child participating.

Next, pour red, yellow, orange, and green paint into small containers, and add a teaspoon to each paint pot.

Then have participants take turns placing a paper leaf in the spinner, dripping paint colors on top, and spinning the salad spinner as fast as they can.

How to make beautiful fall leaves with a salad spinner painting technique. An easy and fun all-ages art project.

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The resulting paint patterns are always a delightful surprise, and the arty leaves are display-worthy. And they make a great addition to year-end school memory albums.

A beautiful way to create painted fall leaves using a salad spinner technique. And it's so easy and fun.

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Note: I previously featured maple leaf salad spinner art in a Canada Day post. You can download a leaf template (available in that post) to use for this art activity if you wish.

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Beautiful fall leaves created with a salad spinner painting technique. The arty leaves are display-worthy and would be a great additions to year-end school memory albums.

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The salad spinner cleans up surprisingly well with soap and water at the end of the art session.

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Related: Maple Leaf Theme Activities

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Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

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Quick and easy glow-in-the-dark pumpkin art with highlighter markers, paper, and a black light. Free printable to download on the blog.

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This glow-in-the-dark pumpkin art is easy and fun to do. It’s an all-ages art activity the whole family can participate in, and looks stunning displayed in a dark room with a black light. Mounted on a neon-colored paper background, the pumpkin art project displays nicely in daylight too.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies for making neon pumpkin art to use with a black light and take home afterward.

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Just a few supplies make this arty activity come to life. To get it ready, gather the following:

  • highlighter markers in a variety of colors
  • white cardstock paper
  • pumpkin template
  • pencil
  • scissors
  • neon green pipe cleaners
  • masking tape
  • small table
  • black light
Glow-in-the-dark pumpkin art with white cardstock paper, highlighter markers, and neon pipe cleaners. A stunning art project the whole family can do.

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The Glow in the Dark Pumpkin Art Activity

To prepare this activity, cut out pumpkins and leaves from white cardstock. Feel free to download the template below.

A free pumpkin template to download for glow-in-the-dark art activities.

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Pumpkin PatternDownload

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Then, set out a container with highlighter markers along with a paper pumpkin and leaf for each participant.

Next, invite everyone to color their pumpkin and leaf. Leaving some parts white is fine because it glows in the dark too.

Afterward, wrap neon green pipe cleaners around a pencil, and fasten one around the stem of each pumpkin.

Then set a small table against a wall in a room that can be made totally dark and place a black light on it.

Next, tape the pumpkins and leaves to the wall above the table.

This highlighter marker pumpkin art enhanced with a black light looks stunning in daylight too.

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Finally, invite artists into the room to admire their displayed art in daylight with the black light turned on. Then turn off the room lights. Participants are sure to be wowed by how beautiful their highlighter-decorated pumpkins look under ultraviolet light.

Quick and easy black light pumpkin art with highlighter markers, paper, and a black light. Free printable to download on the blog.

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Note: For an explanation of how black light and highlighters interact with each other, view my blog post “Glow Art Words Of Affirmation.”

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Black light pumpkin art with white cardstock paper, highlighter markers, and neon pipe cleaners. A stunning art project the whole family can do.

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When this art project is ready to send home, mount it on a complementary-colored neon paper background.

Neon pumpkin art for use with a black light, Afterward, mount it on neon paper to take home and display.

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