Annette Kaminsky

St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

March 16, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

________

St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Recipe

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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

_______

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

_______

[Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

March 15, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies Collected

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

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

[Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

March 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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

________

The St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Center

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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

_______

More Light Table Activities

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

Canada Day Light Table

_______

[Read more…]

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

March 10, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

The Squeegee Painting Heart Art Process

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

Related:

Salad Spinner Heart Art

Eye Dropper Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Process Art

_______

[Read more…]

Salad Spinner Heart Art

February 27, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

_______

[Read more…]

Eye Dropper Heart Art

February 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

More Eye Dropper Painting Art Activities

Earth Day Heart Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

_______

[Read more…]

Polar Bear Small World

February 22, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

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

_______

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

_______

The Polar Bear Small World

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

_______

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.

_______

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.”

_______

Related: Igloo Camping Pretend Play

_______

[Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

February 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies Collected

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

_______

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

_______

The Valentine’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape

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

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

More Valentine’s Day Play Tablescape Ideas

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

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

Related:

Valentine’s Day Store

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

_______

[Read more…]

Loose Part Jewelry Heart

February 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

The Loose Part Jewelry Heart Play Invitation

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

Related:

Jewelry Sensory Tray

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Sensory Bin

_______

[Read more…]

Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

February 18, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies to Collect

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

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

Spray Painting Snow Indoors

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

_______

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.

_______

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 1/10^th the amount of water.

_______

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

_______

Related: Painting Ice And Snow

_______

[Read more…]