Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Annette Kaminsky

Earth Day Spin Painting

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This Earth Day spin painting art activity engages children to the fullest and celebrates our beautiful Earth.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather just the following few basic supplies for this stunning Earth art activity:

  • salad spinner
  • white cardstock paper
  • red cardstock paper
  • black construction paper
  • circle-shaped tracer
  • pencil and scissors
  • glue stick
  • blue and green tempera paint
  • paint pots
  • spoons

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Earth Art Spin Painting Process

To create this gorgeous Earth Day spin painting project, pick a salad spinner for the activity. I have one set aside that I only use for art activities.

Next, trace and cut circles from white cardstock paper. The circles should be large enough to fit the bottom of the salad spinner basket.

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Then add green tempera paint to one paint pot, and blue tempera paint to the other.

Tips:

  • Add a little white paint to the blue, and a little yellow and white paint to the green. This will lighten and brighten their colors.
  • Drop a tiny bit of water into each pot and stir. This will help the paint spread more easily.

Afterward, place one cardstock or sturdy paper circle in the salad spinner.

Drop a few spoonfuls of blue paint onto the circle, and a few spoonfuls of green paint.

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Then place the top on the salad spinner, and rotate the handle. After about ten spins, lift off the lid and carefully remove the paint-filled shape.

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Set the decorated circle on an art rack or table to dry.

As a finishing touch, use a paper punch or cut out a red cardstock heart and affix it to the project with a glue stick. Add a black construction paper background if desired.

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This process art activity is a whole lotta fun, and children will likely want to make more than one Earth Day spin painting art piece. Make sure to have lots of supplies ready, or do this art project over several days.

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More Earth Day Art Projects

Recycled Cardboard Process Art

Salt Painting Earth Art

Earth Day Paper Craft

Watercolor Earth with Markers

Earth Day Heart Art

Earth Day Bead Craft

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Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt

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This Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt is a fun twist on the classic Easter egg hunt. It is simple and easy to prep, and lots of fun to play.

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Preparing the Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt

The printable set for this Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt is available in my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop. To prepare the game, purchase and download the listing.

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Next, print one copy of the “Hide the Bunnies” page, and cut out the bunny and egg pictures. Note: Printing this page on cardstock paper is recommended.

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Using tape gentle on surfaces, place the bunny pictures around your classroom, home, yard, or party space. Print one copy of recording sheet #2 and write down where each bunny is displayed or hidden.

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Then print a copy of the recording sheet for each person participating. There are two choices: 1) Mark off the found bunnies; 2) Write down where each bunny was found.

Have enough sharpened pencils to go along with the recording pages.

Lastly, print copies of the bunny coloring page and choose crayons, pencil crayons, or markers for the coloring activity.

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Optional: Prepare a treat bag or party bag for everyone who plays the game. Bunny and egg treats fit the theme beautifully. In addition to or instead of sweet treats, include items like gift cards, stickers, small toys, playdough, keychains, earbuds, jewelry, hair accessories and coins. Redemption prizes such as “pick the next family movie”, a coupon for an ice cream date, an extra story at bedtime, or “stay up one hour later” are also great ideas.

The Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt

In this Easter hunt, participants search for 9 unique bunny pictures placed around an area designated for the activity. Everyone can start the game at the same time, or be assigned to begin in groups.

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Give everyone a recording sheet and a sharpened pencil. Recording sheet #1 is optimal for younger children. Recording sheet #2 is perfect for older children. Explain where the hunt will take place, and whether the pictures will be visible without having to move things, or hidden.

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To keep the activity low-mess, tell everyone that they do not need to move anything to find the bunnies. To make the activity more challenging, hide the bunnies.

Keep the answer key and give clues to where the bunnies are hidden if needed.

As participants finish, give them the bunny coloring page and art media of choice and have them decorate the picture. This is a great activity to help everyone unwind.

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If desired, hand out treat bags or party bags after the festive activity is completed.

Benefits of the Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt

Besides being super enjoyable, the bunny hunt activity encourages literacy skills, movement, and observation.

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This bunny hunt Easter activity is budget-friendly and requires little time to set up and clean up afterwards. Having one treat bag instead of the time-consuming task of filling numerous eggs with treats or toys and accessories is also a plus.

Variation of the Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt

Instead of doing a bunny hunt as an Easter activity, you can have a bunny scavenger hunt anytime in Spring with this Spring Bunny Scavenger Hunt Printable Game.

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More Easter Activities

Lentil Easter Bunny Sensory Bin

Easter Store Dramatic Play Center

Easter Clothespin Fine Motor Activity

Easter Bunny Light Table Activity

Dot Market Easter Bunnies

Paper Plate Easter Basket

Easter Peeps Houses

Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

Easter Playdough Tray

Easter Transient Art

Easter Bunny Sensory Bins

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Celebrate Diversity Coloring Pages

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These Celebrate Diversity coloring activities with an “I Belong” theme help children feel seen, accepted, and valued. Designed to nurture confidence and a sense of inclusion, this printable set includes three coloring pages (two are editable), and matching bookmarks to color. The printable is available in my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop.

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The self-esteem building printable set offers the chance to decorate with patterns of two, four, or seven colors or designs, adding a math component to the creative coloring activities.

I Belong Coloring Pages

The Celebrate Diversity printable set includes three coloring pages, each with a heart and sunray design. The first has a heart with the words “I Belong” in the center. The other two have different-sized hearts with no text, enabling participants to add their name or a saying of choice.

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There are many ways to decorate the Celebrate Diversity coloring pages. Skin-toned markers or pencil crayons provide a standout result.

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Pastel-colored markers, pencil crayons, or crayons are also great choices. Offering one of the printables in a medium with these soft colors encourages conversations about kindness and self-worth.  

I Belong Bookmarks

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The “I Belong’ bookmarks come in a design with 5 color options. Crayons, markers, or pencil crayons in skin tones or pastel kindness colors also work great for decorating the bookmarks.

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Below are the steps to make the bookmarks. Adding yarn or ribbon as a finishing touch offers more choice in personalizing a bookmark.

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How to add yarn or ribbon:

  1. Fold two or three 8 or 9-inch strands of yarn or ribbon in half.
  2. Insert the loop at the top through the punched hole.
  3. Pull both ends through the loop and gently tighten.

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Celebrate Diversity Printable Set Uses

This Celebrate Diversity printable set is perfect for:

  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities
  • Inclusive classroom themes
  • Back-to-school community building
  • Anti-bullying discussions
  • School counselors and therapists
  • Morning work or quiet time
  • Library and literacy centers
  • Homeschool affirmation activities

Grab the easy-to-use Celebrate Diversity printable set in my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop today!

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Related:

Celebrate Diversity Paper Craft

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

Black History Month Positive Affirmations Art

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Lunar New Year Lantern Craft

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This Lunar New Year lantern craft is easy to make and looks stunning on display. The gorgeous craft comes in two sizes and five themes, and adds flair to Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year celebrations at home or in the classroom. The hanging lanterns are simple for both children and adults to make.

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At the start of many New Year celebrations in South and Southeast Asia, paper lanterns are displayed indoors in homes and businesses. Outdoors, they are strung along streets and hung on trees. They are most prominently displayed on the 15th day of the New Year, the Lantern Festival.

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Making the Lunar New Year Lantern Craft

To make one or more of these classic hanging lanterns, first download the paper lantern printable set. It is available in my Skills N Smiles shop on Etsy for an everyday low price, and comes in both 8.5 x 11-inch and A4 sizes.

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Next, print a design you would like to craft. Cardstock paper is recommended for printing, but regular copy paper will also work.

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Fold the printed paper in half, with the parallel lines going upwards from the folded edge to the open edge.

Then cut along the lines from the folded paper edge to the open edge. Stop cutting where the lines end.

Next, unfold the paper and roll it into a tube.

Tape or staple the top and bottom edges.

Lastly, attach a paper or ribbon handle, about 8 to 10 inches long, with tape, a glue stick, or a glue gun.

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Skill Level

This paper craft is beginner-friendly and low-prep. Younger children may need help with each step, but will love the chance to use scissors, tape, and glue. Older kids and adults can easily assemble it independently.

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Lanterns in Two Sizes

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These paper lantern designs come in two sizes for versatile decorating. Both look beautiful on display. The smaller size is perfect for children to carry in a Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year parade, or at a Lantern Festival.

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Variation of the Lunar New Year Paper Craft

In addition to white, these striking lantern designs also look nice printed on pastel cardstock or copy paper. Light yellow, blue, green, cream, and pink paper work well.

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Add a festive, cultural touch to your Lunar New Year celebration or Chinese New Year classroom theme in minutes with this beautiful Lunar New Year Lantern craft!

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“Year of the Horse” Wall Art

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This “Year of the Horse” wall art is perfect for an entryway, classroom, or office. Download it at Skills N Smiles on Etsy for Lunar New Year or Zodiac-themed decor, or a cultural celebration display.

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The “Year of the Horse” art print will elevate your Lunar New Year decor, and is available as an instant download on Etsy. It comes in four print sizes, and PDF and PNG formats.

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Get this “Year of the Horse” Chinese Zodiac-themed wall art today!

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Related:

Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

Chinese New Year Sensory Bins

Chinese New Year Chickpea Bin

Chinese New Year Pretend Play

Chinese Money Tree Activities

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Black History Month Positive Affirmations Art

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These Positive Affirmation coloring pages reflect character qualities that black people possess and employ to achieve goals and major accomplishments. As such, they are perfect for art activities that celebrate Black History Month. The positive qualities surrounded by beaming sunrays build self-esteem and are key to Black excellence and resilience.

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The positive affirmations in the coloring pages were inspired by picture books that highlight Black history and culture.

Decorating the Black History Month Positive Affirmations Printable

There are a variety of ways to decorate the sunshine-themed printables, allowing for many design possibilities. 28 sunrays have room for creative patterns with 2, 4, or 7 colors and/or styles.

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The patterns below are inspired by the splendid suns in the storybook “Seven Spools of Thread” by Angela Shelf Medearis. Although written for Kwanzaa, the book is wonderfully suited for a Black History Month theme.

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The seven bright colors in the decorated printable below were inspired by those of the spools of thread in the same book.

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In the next art sample, the pastel colors represent kindness.

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Traditional Black History Month hues (red, green, yellow-gold, and black), are showcased in this last arty project.

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Aside from including these Positive Affirmations coloring pages in an art project during Black History Month, they are a fantastic addition to an “I Am Special” or a “Celebrate Diversity” theme. It is an empowering, easy-to-do creative activity with striking results.

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Black History Month Positive Affirmations Bulletin Board

The finished artwork and the words “I AM” (Brilliant), (Irreplaceable), “I AM A” (Traveller), “YOU ARE” (Brave) (Strong), or “YOU ARE A” (Leader) make a stunning bulletin board display. It is a gorgeous addition to classroom decor.

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Where to Get the Black History Month Positive Affirmations Printables

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The BHM Positive Affirmations coloring pages are available for an everyday low price in my Etsy Skills N Smiles shop. There are 18 pages, each with a different word of affirmation. In addition, there are four editable pages to add words of affirmation to by hand or using a program such as Canva. Lastly, the captions “I AM”. “I AM A”, “YOU ARE”, and “YOU ARE A” are included in the set. The instant download printables are available in 8 ½ x 11-inch and A4 sizes. Download your set today.

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More Black History Month Activities

Three Black History Month Crafts

Black History Month Hair Decorating Art

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

Black History Month Mixed Media Art

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[Read more…] about Black History Month Positive Affirmations Art
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