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Annette Kaminsky

St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

March 16, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This St. Patrick's Day playdough tray will help children celebrate the special day. Two no-cook homemade playdough recipes are featured.
This St. Patrick's Day playdough tray will help children celebrate the special day. Two no-cook homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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It’s nice to have a new clump of playdough for every theme, and this recipe is my pick for St. Patrick’s Day. It is an easy-to-make, no-cook playdough that keeps well. In this post, the dough is showcased in a St. Patrick’s Day playdough tray.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Recipe

Shamrock leaves add interest to a St. Patrick's Day playdough invitation. Two homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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The white playdough in this post is a fantastic homemade no-cook variety. I discovered the recipe for it on The Artful Parent website. The green and yellow playdough varieties featured are a result of minor tweaks to the recipe.

For the deep green playdough, gather the following ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon green gel food color
  • 1/4 teaspoon glycerin (optional)
  • 1 cup boiling water

In a large metal bowl, measure the dry ingredients and mix them together.

Make a well in the center and add the oil, gel food color, and glycerin.

Boil water in a kettle and immediately add the liquid to the dry ingredients.

Stir the mixture well until all the ingredients are combined.

Let it sit for a bit until it firms up into a dough.

If the mixture is still a bit goopy after you have given it a few minutes to thicken, add a little more flour and stir again.

When cooled, knead the dough into a smooth ball and place it in a sealed bag.

Three different colors of playdough are featured in a St. Patrick's Day playdough tray for early learners to explore.

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To make the vivid yellow playdough, substitute yellow gel color for the green.

Glycerin is optional in the recipe but adds a little shine to the playdough.

Note: I’ve made the plain white no-cook playdough recipe several times, and never had to add more flour. But adding a little more flour at the end worked well for me this time when including gel food color in the recipe.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

Set out this fun St. Patrick's day playdough tray for your little learners to explore. Three different colors of playdough are featured.

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Collected for this fun playdough invitation are:

  • rainbow, shamrock, and leprechaun hat erasers
  • green buttons
  • metallic and wooden shamrocks
  • small shamrocks and gold coins
  • gold beads
  • green necklace garland
  • shamrock cookie cutters
These St. Patrick's Day-themed loose parts are perfect for a playdough tray or a sensory play experience.

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All the shiny loose parts, from the large shamrocks to the tiny coins, are cut from St. Patrick’s Day necklaces.

Themed erasers are always a great addition to a playdough tray, as are a variety of buttons.

Setting the playdough and loose parts on a party tray is an eye-appealing way to offer the St. Patrick’s Day playdough invitation.

Set out this fun St. Patrick's day playdough tray for your little learners to explore. Three different colors of playdough are featured.

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If you have a shamrock plant available, snip off a few leaves to add to each participant’s playdough experience.

Shamrock leaves add interest to a St. Patrick's Day playdough invitation. Two homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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More St. Patrick’s Day Activities

Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

Scissor Skill Shamrock Collage

St. Patrick’s Day Sheep Craft

St. Patrick’s Day Painted Shamrock

Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tub

Leprechaun Sensory Jar

St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Sensory Bin

St. Patrick’s Day Jewelry Bin

Leprechaun Sensory Play

St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

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This St. Patrick's Day playdough invitation will help children celebrate the special day. Two no-cook homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

Filed Under: playdough, preschool, St. Patrick's Day, themes Tagged With: loose parts, playdough, shamrocks, St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

March 15, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A green and gold St. Patrick's Day pretend play tablescape filled with themed play kitchen accessories to explore.
A green and gold St. Patrick's Day pretend play tablescape filled with themed play kitchen accessories to explore.

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A play kitchen is a must-have center in an early learning classroom and is a favorite place for little learners to play. Adding seasonal items to a play kitchen keeps it interesting and inviting. In March, a St. Patrick’s Day pretend play center is a perfect fit.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

Green and St. Patrick's Day-themed accessories for a dramatic play kitchen center your little learners will love to explore.

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For this center, I gathered mostly green items, with a few yellow and gold items added in. Included are:

  • St. Patrick’s Day disposable plates
  • cutlery
  • play food
  • stir sticks
  • reusable shamrock ice cubes
  • clear glasses
  • baskets, serving bowls, and ice cube tray
  • felt “pretzel” shamrocks
  • sheet pan with felt shamrock “cookies”
  • wooden shamrock “candies”
  • shamrock-shaped serving tray with buns
  • ping pong ball “buns” in a muffin tin
  • St. Patrick’s Day erasers
  • jar with coins, beads, and garland strips
  • large gem pebbles
  • leprechaun and bear table decorations
  • artificial flowers in a vase
Green and St. Patrick's Day-themed accessories for a dramatic play kitchen center your little learners will love to explore.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Center

In this post, most of the supplies are set on a play kitchen table. These supplies can also be arranged in the appliances and on the shelves.

A green and gold St. Patrick's Day pretend play tablescape filled with themed play kitchen accessories to explore.

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There are a variety of green and St. Patrick’s Day-themed loose parts in the table display. Little learners will use their imagination to incorporate the loose parts in their own ways.

The themed supplies are set on a gold tablecloth. In an earlier post, I showcased similar supplies on an orange tablecloth. I also featured them on a green table-a natural fit!

Many of the play kitchen accessories seen here are useful in other centers as well. They can be used on a light table, in a water table, or on a rice sensory tray.

A super fun, easy-to-set-up St. Patrick's Day dramatic play activity. Themed loose parts are the highlights of the pretend play set up.

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More Pretend Play Tablescapes

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Tablescape

Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Chinese New Year Tablescape

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: dramatic play, loose parts, pretend play

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

March 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This St. Patrick's Day light table is filled with green transparent loose parts and treasures little learners will love to explore.
This St. Patrick's Day light table is filled with green transparent loose parts and treasures little learners will love to explore.

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Setting up activities for the light table is one of my favorite things to do, and the light table is a well-loved center in our classroom. A perfect center for March, this St. Patrick’s Day light table setup is full of captivating loose parts for early learners to explore.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

This oh-so-green St. Patrick's Day light table activity filled with transparent loose parts is super fun for early learners to explore.

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The following transparent loose parts are gathered for this very green light table center:

  • light-up rubber bear
  • bear figurine
  • shamrocks
  • numbers
  • stir sticks
  • tiny cups
  • gem animal figurines
  • reusable shamrock ice cubes
  • shamrock serving tray
  • pebble-shaped gems
  • light-up shamrock necklaces
  • pair of party eyeglasses
  • construction toy
This oh-so-green St. Patrick's Day light table activity filled with transparent loose parts is super fun for early learners to explore.

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A vase with artificial flowers, a leprechaun figurine, and a pair of St. Patrick’s Day glasses round out the supplies on the table.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Center

This St. Patrick's Day light table is filled with green transparent loose parts and treasures little learners will love to explore.

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For this light-illuminated center, I started off by checking my St. Patrick’s Day supplies for green transparent objects. These have been collected over the years from Dollar stores and party supply stores.

Next, I scrounged through my tub of green loose parts for interesting things to add, selecting the light-up bear, transparent pebbles and stir sticks.

Then I looked through my light table supplies and gathered mostly green and a few yellow transparent objects, such as a bear figurine, transparent construction toys, numbers, and tiny animal figurines.

An opportunity to sort shamrocks on a St. Patrick's Day light table filled with green transparent loose parts.

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An opportunity to sort green loose parts on a St. Patrick's Day light table filled with transparent treasures to explore.

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Finally, on a recent trip to a dollar store I purchased two light-up necklaces. I included them after little learners had a week to explore the center, offering my little charges new items that continued their interest in this St. Patrick’s Day activity.

A green shamrock light-up necklace is a highlight in a St. Patrick's Day light table center.

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A green shamrock light-up necklace and pair of glasses are highlights in a St. Patrick's Day light table center.

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View this center as a St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Video.

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More Light Table Activities

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

Canada Day Light Table

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

Filed Under: light table, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: light table, loose parts, sensory play, St. Patrick's Day

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

March 10, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This squeegee painting heart art project gives participants a chance to spread the paint in a new way. An all-ages process art activity.

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This super fun squeegee painting heart art project is bound to be one of your children’s favorites. Using a squeegee instead of a paintbrush offers participants a new way to move paint around a canvas.

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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 abstract art project:

  • tempera paints in a variety of colors
  • paint pots and spoons
  • cardstock paper
  • squeegee
  • heart template
  • pencil and scissors
  • newspapers or a plastic tablecloth

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Preparing The Squeegee Painting Heart Art Activity

How to paint with a squeegee to create beautiful heart art. This is an all-ages process art activity with collaborative possibilities.

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To prepare this unique process art activity, trace and cut hearts from sturdy cardstock paper.

Then cover an art table with newspapers or a plastic tablecloth.

Next, set out a workstation for each participant with tempera-filled paint pots. Add a teaspoon to scoop paint into each one.

Note: I feature paints in red, pink, magenta, and white hues. Any color scheme would work wonderfully with this art project.

Afterward, add a paper heart canvas and squeegee to each workspace.

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The Squeegee Painting Heart Art Process

How to paint with a squeegee to create beautiful heart art. This is an all-ages process art activity with collaborative possibilities.

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Invite participants to spoon blobs of paint on different areas of their hearts. The blobs can be large or small. They can be dotted randomly or placed strategically around a heart.

Note: Paint can be squirted from paint bottles instead of spooned from paint pots. Smaller-sized bottles work best for this method.

Afterward, have them use a squeegee to move the paint around. You can suggest sliding the squeegee downward or from side to side. Using the squeegee in random motions is just fine too.

A super fun squeegee painting technique to create a hombre heart. This is an a;ll-ages process art project.

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A super fun squeegee painting technique to create a hombre heart. This is an a;ll-ages process art project.

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Note: The longer the squeegee scrapes over the paper, the more the colors will blend.

An oh-so-fun squeegee painting activity that offers participants a new way to spread the paint. It is a top ten process art project.

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After participants have had a chance to paint one or more heart-shaped canvases, set out large sheets of sturdy paper for them to work on.

Squeegee painting on huge sheets of paper is a great process art project to take outdoors. The canvases can be set out on a flat ground surface or tacked to a fence. Large canvases also lend themselves to collaborative art projects.

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What do you think about this squeegee painting project? Do you think it is a top ten process art activity for children? Let me know in a comment below.

This super fun squeegee painting heart art activity offers participants a chance to spread paint with a squeegee instead of a paintbrush. This is an all-ages process art project.

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Related:

Salad Spinner Heart Art

Eye Dropper Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Process Art

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[Read more…] about Squeegee Painting Heart Art

Filed Under: art, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, painting, process art, squeegee painitng, Valentine's Day

Salad Spinner Heart Art

February 27, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This salad spinner heart art project is super fun from start to finish. Each piece of art is unique. It is process art at its best.

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This salad spinner heart art activity is so easy, and it’s super fun to do. From dripping paint into the basket to turning the spinner to taking the lid off to view the interesting heart designs, the project is fascinating for little learners from start to finish.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Salad Spinner Heart Art Supplies To Collect

A must-try easy and fun salad spinner heart art activity your little learners will love, This is process art at its best.

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Gather the following supplies for this exciting process art invitation.

  • salad spinner
  • tempera paints
  • paint pots
  • spoons
  • white cardstock paper
  • heart template
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • old newspapers or plastic tablecloth

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Preparing The Salad Spinner Heart Art Project

Super fun salad spinner heart art that results in unique process art projects every time. Pick your tempera paint colors and have fun spinning.

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To set up this art activity, first, select a salad spinner. It’s a good idea to have one set aside just for process art projects. I promise it will get well used.

Then draw heart shapes that just fit into the basket on white cardstock paper, and cut them out. Prepare enough paper hearts so that each participant can use at least two as a canvas.

Tip: Trace the bottom of the salad spinner basket on a piece of paper first to figure out the right size for the heart shape. Then save it for future activities.

Next, select tempera paint colors and pour them into paint pots. I feature turquoise, magenta, green, and pink hues, but the color possibilities are endless.

Then cover a table with old newspapers or a plastic tablecloth. Set out the salad spinner and paper hearts, as well as the paint pots with a spoon in each one.

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Creating Salad Spinner Painted Hearts

Gorgeous spin art heart created with a salad spinner and tempera paints. It's a process art activity your little learners will love.

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Invite a little learner to place a paper heart in the spinner and spoon a variety of paint colors on the heart.

Note: As an alternative, paint can be squeezed directly from paint bottles. Smaller tempera paint bottles are a good size for little ones to work with.

Super fun salad spinner heart art that results in unique process art projects every time. Pick your tempera paint colors and have fun spinning.

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Afterward, fit the lid snugly on the salad spinner and invite the little artist to turn the knob to spin the basket around. The faster the salad spinner spins, the better.

Now comes the most exciting part. Lift the lid off the spinner and view the painted heart together. You’ll discover a stunning and unique spin art project.

A must-try easy and fun salad spinner heart art activity your little learners will love, This is process art at its best.

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Carefully take out the spun-painted heart and let it dry on a flat surface. The salad spinner is now ready to be used for more spin art heart paintings.

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This salad spinner heart art project is super fun from start to finish. Each piece of art is unique. It is process art at its best.

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Related:

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

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[Read more…] about Salad Spinner Heart Art

Filed Under: art, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, painting, spin art

Eye Dropper Heart Art

February 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Oh so pretty eye dropper heart art that little learners will love. An easy process art activity for Valentine's Day or any time ot the year.
Oh so pretty eye dropper heart art that little learners will love. An easy process art activity for Valentine's Day or any time ot the year.

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This eye dropper heart art project is bound to put a smile on the face and joy in the heart of each of your little learners. It works well for a Valentine’s Day theme but would be a hit any time of the year.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Easy to set up eye dropper heart art that will bring a smile to the face and joy in the heart of each participant.

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There are just a few supplies to gather for this art project and you probably have them around your home. You will need:

  • eye droppers or pipettes
  • paint jars
  • neon pink and purple food coloring
  • red food coloring
  • paper towel roll
  • heart template
  • spoons
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • plastic tablecloth or newsprint paper

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The Eye Dropper Heart Art Project

Super pretty eye dropper heart art that will bring a smile to the face and joy in the heart of each participant.

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To prepare this art project, trace and cut out large hearts from a roll of paper towel. Make sure you have at least two paper towel hearts for each little learner participating.

Next, add water to small paint jars. Baby food jars work well for this art activity.

Mix a few drops of food coloring in each jar. I feature watercolor paints made with red and neon pink and purple food coloring.

A fabulous eye dropper painting process art activity with food coloring paint and paper towel hearts.

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Then stick an eye dropper or pipette in each jar of colored water.

Afterward, cover a table with newsprint paper or a plastic tablecloth and set up art stations.

Invite participants to use the eye droppers or pipettes to drop paint colors onto their paper towel hearts. They will absolutely love this process art invitation and will want to make a few eye dropper heart art projects.

A fabulous eye dropper painting process art activity with food coloring paint and paper towel hearts.

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Note: It looks like turquoise paint was included on these hearts, a color I was thinking of adding to the mix. But the turquoise color appeared after neon purple bled into the paper towel shapes. This was a delightful surprise.

If little learners have had a chance to drop paint on a few paper towel hearts and there are paint colors left over, roll out long paper towel pieces across the table to allow them to paint large scale.

Oh so pretty eye dropper heart art that little learners will love. An easy process art activity for Valentine's Day or any time ot the year.

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More Eye Dropper Painting Art Activities

Earth Day Heart Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

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[Read more…] about Eye Dropper Heart Art

Filed Under: art, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, painting, Valentine's Day

Polar Bear Small World

February 22, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A professional stage light adds ambiance to this inviting northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.
A professional stage light adds ambiance to this inviting northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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Two of the most majestic things to see in the Arctic are polar bears and northern lights. It is not uncommon to spot them depicted together in far north artworks. A memory of an award-winning painting of polar bears trekking across a snowy landscape lit up by northern lights is what inspired this lighted polar bear small world.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

This polar bear small world is inspired by northern lights, which are often visible in Arctic skies at night.

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To set up a mesmerizing polar bear small world, gather together the following supplies:

  • polar bear figurines
  • LED stage light
  • white pompoms
  • acrylic snowflakes
  • clear acrylic ice cubes
  • silver placemat
  • turquoise placemat
  • toy igloo, ice floe, tent, and snow vehicle
  • white tablecloth
  • scissors

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The Polar Bear Small World

A professional stage light adds interest to this northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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To put together this polar bear-themed small world, start by covering a table with a white tablecloth to create a “snowy” base.

Next, add placemats to represent ice and water. A silver placemat suggests ice. A turquoise placemat trimmed with scissors becomes “a body of water.”

Then set up a LED stage light at one end of the table.

Afterward, add polar bear figurines, pompom “snowballs,” acrylic snowflakes, and clear ice cubes.

If available, include arctic toys such as an igloo, ice floe, research tent, and snow vehicle. These will add imaginary play possibilities to the small world.

Finally, turn on the LED stage light to illuminate the scene. You can set the stage light to one color, or have it project alternating colors such as green, blue, red, and purple.

A professional stage light adds interest to this northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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For a stunning art activity and facts about northern lights, view the blog post “Northern Lights Squish Painting.”

To learn facts about polar bears and other arctic animals, visit the blog post “Arctic Animal Sensory Trays.”

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A professional stage light adds ambiance to this inviting northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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Related: Igloo Camping Pretend Play

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[Read more…] about Polar Bear Small World

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, science, sensory, winter Tagged With: light, northern lights, polar bears, small worlds

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

February 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This simple and pretty Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape is filled with hearts and red and white loose parts.
This simple and pretty Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape is filled with hearts and red and white loose parts.

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Early learners absolutely love dramatic play and eagerly embrace new seasonal accessories in a play kitchen. Here’s a heart-filled Valentine’s Day Pretend Play tablescape your little charges will be excited to explore.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

Lots of hearts and red and white loose parts make this Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape fun to play in.

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The following economical supplies were gathered for this seasonal play tablescape:

  • valentine-themed cups and disposable plates
  • heart-shaped measuring spoons, serving plate, and silicone mold
  • heart-themed ice cube tray, spatula, canister, and a small tin
  • cookie pan and valentine’s muffin tin
  • purple, red, and magenta craft foam hearts
  • red, white, and black stuffed felt hearts
  • large red and white pompom balls
  • valentine erasers
  • red gem hearts
  • white pearl beads
  • metallic red beads
  • vase with red hearts and white flowers
  • white tablecloth

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The Valentine’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape

A super fun Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape with lots of heart-themed accessories.

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Dollar stores are a handy place to find many of the supplies featured in this tablescape.

Foam craft hearts and stuffed felt hearts make great “cookies.”

Loose parts such as valentine erasers, gem hearts, and pearl and metallic beads allow early learners to exercise their imagination.

Lots of hearts and red and white loose parts make this Valentine's Day pretend play tablescape fun to play in.

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These Valentine’s Day-themed supplies can be set up as a tablescape or spread around play kitchen appliances and shelves.

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More Valentine’s Day Play Tablescape Ideas

Heart-themed accessories take center stage in this Valentine's Day dramatic play invitation.

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In this next Valentine’s Day tablescape, heart-themed plates, bowls. and cookie cutters are included, as well as sunglasses and a purse.

Heart-shaped reusable ice cubes, a Valentine’s-themed tea towel and oven mitt, and cupcake play food would also make great additions to a Valentine’s Day pretend play tablescape.

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This simple and pretty Valentine's Day dramatic play tablescape is filled with hearts and red and white loose parts.

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Related:

Valentine’s Day Store

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

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[Read more…] about Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, Valentine's Day Tagged With: dramatic play, hearts, loose parts, play food, pretend play

Loose Part Jewelry Heart

February 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

An invitation to create a loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.
An invitation to create a loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.

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Do you have some costume jewelry you no longer wear? Have you picked up vintage jewelry at a garage sale or second-hand store? It will be perfect for this beautiful loose-part jewelry heart invitation to create.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

An invitation to create a gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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For this easy-to-set-up transient heart art activity, gather the following supplies:

  • large wooden canvas frame
  • wood heart plaque
  • vintage costume jewelry
  • small containers

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The Loose Part Jewelry Heart Play Invitation

An invitation to create a loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.

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To prepare this gorgeous loose part play invitation, first, select a large wooden canvas frame. My frame is approximately 12 inches wide and 16 inches long.

Flip the frame over and use the backside.

Note: A serving tray or an art frame with the back removed also work well for this activity.

Next, put a wood heart plaque inside the frame.

Then cut costume jewelry into pieces suitable for loose part play. Make sure there are no rough edges on the jewelry.

Place the jewelry bits into small containers and set them in the corners of the canvas frame. Add more jewelry pieces around the frame if available.

Finally, set the canvas frame on a table and invite little learners to take turns decorating the heart with jewelry treasures.

A gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart created with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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Benefits Of Loose Parts Play

In this loose part jewelry heart play invitation, early learners get to:

  • engage in open-ended play
  • practice sorting, counting, and color matching
  • strengthen finger muscles by moving and arranging jewelry pieces
  • experience beautiful objects with different colors and textures
  • create unique patterns and designs
  • focus on a task and be mindful
  • develop higher thinking skills

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A gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart created with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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More Loose Part Heart Decorating

On another day, offer this loose part heart invitation to create with polished agate slices and precious rocks and gemstones.

A gorgeous loose-part precious rock heart created with polished agate slices. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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An invitation to create a loose-part precious rock heart with polished agate slices. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.

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A gorgeous loose-part precious rock heart created with polished agate slices. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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Related:

Jewelry Sensory Tray

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Sensory Bin

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[Read more…] about Loose Part Jewelry Heart

Filed Under: art, Mother's Day, preschool, science, sensory, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, jewelry, loose parts, rocks, transient art, Valentine's Day

Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

February 18, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouette outdoor transient art activity. Fun facts about snow are included in the post.
A beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouette outdoor transient art activity. Facts about snow are included in the post.

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If you are looking for an exciting and easy outdoor winter art activity, this spray paint snowflake silhouette project is a great choice.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies to Collect

An invitation to create a spray paint snowflake silhouette outdoors. A quick and easy transient art activity with stunning results.

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On a day when there is fresh snow on the ground outdoors, gather the following supplies:

  • spray bottles
  • red, blue, green, and yellow food colors
  • large snowflake decoration
  • small towel
  • tray

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The Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette Activity

A beautiful blue background snowflake silhouette created with a spray paint technique. A quick and easy ourdoor transient art activity.

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This painting activity works best when there is a fresh layer of snow on the ground.

To do the art activity, fill spray bottles used only for craft activities at least half full of water. Then add a few drops of food color in each one, and mix it in. I use red, blue, green, and yellow food coloring.

Next, select a large snowflake decoration. I feature an economical 12-inch plastic one purchased at a dollar store.

Afterward, place the colored water-filled spray bottles, the snowflake decoration, and a small towel on a tray.

Then invite participants outside and take the tray of supplies with you.

Gather around a smooth patch of snow that no one has stepped over and gently place the snowflake decoration down.

Have everyone take turns spraying food color paint around the edges of the snowflake.

Afterward, gently lift the decoration off of the snow and admire the beautiful white snowflake silhouette.

A beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouette outdoor transient art activity. Facts about snow are included in the post.

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Wipe the decoration down with a towel and lay it down on another spot. Spray-paint the snow around it again. Drying the snowflake template is a tip I learned after trying this red background silhouette. There are a few drops of other colors on the red-framed flake as the decoration was used in the previous snowflake design.

A beautiful red background snowflake silhouette created with a spray paint technique. A quick and easy ourdoor transient art activity.

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If you have enough snowflake decorations and spray paint bottles, invite participants to spray paint their own snowflake silhouette.

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Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette Benefits

In this snowflake painting activity, squirting a spray bottle develops finger muscles. And participants get the opportunity to create beautiful transient art outdoors during the winter season working cooperatively or on their own.

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Spray Painting Snow Indoors

An invitation to spray paint snow indoors. This is a super fun winter transient art invitation.

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Originally, I hoped to offer this spray paint snowflake silhouette activity indoors. I  filled a round tub with snow and got the colored water spray paints ready. But the snow was too sticky and hard, and I couldn’t achieve a smooth snow surface to lay the snowflake decoration down on. But even without a snowflake decoration, the snow is enjoyable to spray paint indoors.

Take snow indoors and invite early learners to spray paint it with food coloring paint. A quick and easy sensory activity.

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Fun Facts About Snow

Snow is composed of many snowflakes. Tiny ice crystals clump together to make each snowflake.

The light reflecting off snow makes it appear white.

In cold weather, snow is powdery, while in warm weather it is sticky.

New snow absorbs sound waves, resulting in a quiet atmosphere.

Snow creates a wonderful playground for activities such as making snowballs, snow angels, snow forts, and snowmen.

Snow contains 95 % trapped air, and is a great insulator for animals who burrow under it.

When snow melts, it makes 1/10th the amount of water.

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A spray paint snowflake silhouette created outdoors. A quick and easy transient art activity with stunning results.

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Related: Painting Ice And Snow

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[Read more…] about Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

Filed Under: art, preschool, science, winter Tagged With: painting, snow, snowflakes, transient art

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Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

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