Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Annette Kaminsky

Contact Paper Flower Art

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How to create oh-so-pretty contact paper flower art using flowers and foliage found in the wild. A beautiful, transient nature art project.

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For at least two years I have been wanting to try a floral window art project with contact paper. And I was hoping to use flowers and foliage growing in the wild in my first attempt, just to give them a moment. Although this summer I purchased more flowering annuals than usual and the blooms are taking over my yard, this contact paper flower art project is made with wildflowers and greenery found in our city. It is surprisingly effortless to do, and little learners can easily join in.

Use flowers and foliage found in the wild to create beautiful transient window art on contact paper. An all-ages nature art activity.

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Creating Contact Paper Flower Art

To create this transient nature art project, start by gathering flowers and greenery to use. A natural wildflower patch at a local dog park provided all I needed for this design.

Create oh-so-pretty contact paper flower art using flowers and foliage found in the wild. A beautiful, transient nature art project.

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Note: It is a good idea to check if the plants you find are toxic to humans before you decide to include them. If so, do not offer them to little learners to use in the project.

Next, cut a shape from contact paper. You can simply snip off a rectangular strip, or create a special shape such as a heart or star.

Then slowly and carefully peel off the backing so it comes off smoothly without wrinkling the sticky contact paper.

Steps to create oh-so-pretty contact paper flower art using flowers and foliage found in the wild. A beautiful, transient nature art project.

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If you have a specific design in mind, use the peeled-off paper as a dummy to plan the arrangement of the flowers.

Afterward, transfer the flowers and foliage to the contact paper, and gently press them down. It works well to start with greenery and then add flowers.

In my design, the daisies are plump in the middle but tolerate a good finger press and adhere well. And the four-petalled purple flowers work perfectly as butterflies.

Create oh-so-pretty contact paper flower art using flowers and foliage found in the wild. A beautiful, transient nature art project.

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This contact paper art project with wildflowers looks beautiful displayed in a window. Just use a glue stick to add adhesive to the window of choice, and gently press the flower art over it. The glue washes off easily without leaving any marks after the project is taken down.

How to create oh-so-pretty contact paper flower art using flowers and foliage found in the wild. A beautiful, transient nature art project.

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More Contact Paper Flower Art Ideas

Here are more ways to create or display contact paper flower art:

Instead of setting this art project on a table, tack the contact paper to a window first and offer the art activity there. Besides providing a novel way to create art, it improves little learners’ core body strength and eye-hand coordination.

How to create oh-so-pretty contact paper flower art using flowers and foliage found in the wild. A beautiful, transient nature art project.

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To provide a unique invitation to create, set the contact paper on a table and place a frame around it. Add a tray of flowers and foliage for little learners to use to decorate the sticky surface.

An Invitation to create oh-so-pretty contact paper flower art using flowers and foliage found in the wild. A beautiful, transient nature art project.

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To make this tacky art project more durable, add a cardboard frame.

Another way to display the art is to use a glue gun to adhere a strip of yarn to the top of the completed project and hang it on a tree.

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Shiny Paint Cactus Art

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Four easy to make shiny cactus art projects that look beautifully displayed. Kitchen supplies gleam in this all-ages art activity.

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This all-ages shiny paint cactus art can be made in a few different ways. Try one of the versions or try them all, and share a few cactus facts along the way. Saguaro and prickly pear cactus trees are featured in the activities, and two free cactus templates are available to download to make your art activity preparation easier.

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Supplies To Collect

Make this shiny saguaro cactus tree art project using only a few supplies. An all-ages easy-to-do desert art activity.

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Gather the following basic supplies for the cactus art projects in this post:

  • white corn syrup
  • neon purple and green food coloring
  • green food coloring
  • paint pots
  • paintbrushes
  • glue paddle
  • small bowls
  • spoons
  • white glue
  • scissors
  • large circle punch
  • 8 ½ inch x 11-inch white cardstock paper
  • 12 x 12-inch colored cardstock
  • flower confetti
  • cactus templates
  • newsprint or tablecloth

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Cactus Art Paint

Three of the four projects featured employ a shiny paint made by adding a food coloring hue to white corn syrup. Little learners find this paint soooo satisfying to use. It is super sticky and can work as an adhesive. It dries with a glossy, smooth finish.

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Coconut Embellished Saguaro Cactus

Saguaro cactus trees grow naturally in southern Arizona and in the Mexican state of Sonora. The desert dwellers are covered in prickly spines.

Saguaros often bloom in late May to late June, but the blooms can be spotted earlier or later in the year. The stunning white flowers with yellow centers mature into edible ruby red fruits.

Steps to make a shiny saguaro cactus art project using only a few supplies. An all-ages easy-to-do art project.

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For this first saguaro cactus art project, start by squeezing a little white corn syrup into a paint pot. A baby food jar works well as a paint holder.

Next, add a few drops of neon green food coloring into the corn syrup and stir it in.

Then cut a saguaro cactus tree from white cardstock paper. Feel free to download this template for the project.

A free saguaro cactus template to use for art and craft projects. Paint, glue, and create with using unique cactus design.

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Saguaro Cactus PrintableDownload

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Afterward, set the cactus cutout on an art table along with the sticky green paint, a paintbrush, a small bowl with shredded coconut, and a spoon.

Cover the cactus with shiny paint, and then sprinkle on coconut bits to represent pokey spines. Press in confetti flowers to depict a cactus in the blooming season.

To complete the cactus art project, add a strip of golden or yellow ochre sturdy paper to the bottom of a 12-inch x 12-inch piece of cardstock that is a pastel shade. Using white glue or a glue gun, carefully adhere the painted cactus to the cardstock background. Punch or cut out a large cardstock circle and glue it on to represent a sun in the picture.

Make this shiny saguaro cactus tree art project using only a few supplies. An all-ages easy-to-do desert art activity.

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Note: This paint takes a generous amount of time to dry. After at least a few days of drying time, the art is ready to be displayed.

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Chive Embellished Saguaro Cactus

This easy to create saguarro cactus tree art uses chives as one of the supplies. An all-ages art project that is rewarding to do.

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This second cactus tree art project uses green glue instead of corn syrup paint. For this art activity:

  • Mix a little neon green food coloring into white glue to make a light green hue. Use a glue paddle to apply the glue all over a cactus template. A light coat of glue works best, as it helps prevent the paper cactus from curling as it dries.
  • Sprinkle on freeze-dried chives to look like cactus spines, and add pink confetti blooms.
  • Finish the project the same way the first one was done.

Note: Corn syrup paint works beautifully for this cactus art design just as well.

This easy to create saguarro cactus tree art uses chives as one of the supplies. An all-ages art project that is rewarding to do.

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Purple Prickly Pear Cactus Art

Make this shiny purple prickly pear cactus art project using only a few supplies. An all-ages easy-to-do desert art activity.

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As I am always drawn to unique colors in nature, I was excited to find out that there is such a thing as purple cacti. Some prickly pear cacti are purple, so this next project celebrates this pretty, vibrant hue and highlights the unique prickly pear cactus shape. Feel free to download the template below for the art activity.

A free prickly pear cactus template to use for art and craft projects. Paint, glue, and create using this unique cactus design.

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Prickly Pear Cactus PrintableDownload

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To complete this art project:

  • Mix a little neon purple food coloring in a pot of white corn syrup.
  • Paint the prickly pear cactus with the purple sticky paint.  
  • Sprinkle on uncooked rice grains to represent spines.
  • Press in purple confetti flowers. Or use yellow confetti flowers…the natural color of purple prickly pear blooms.
  • Finish the project the same way the first two cactus versions were done.
This prickly pear cactus art project requires simple supplies you can find in your kitchen. It's an easy-to-do all-ages art activity.

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Cactus Christmas Tree Art

This last cactus project is elevated by using cake sprinkles for the spines. The balls in the sprinkle mix inspired me to turn the cactus into a decorated Christmas tree.

Use supplies you have in your kitchen to decorate a saguaro cactus as a Christmas tree. An all-ages art activity everyone will love.

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To make this art project:

  • Mix a hue of green corn syrup paint and brush it onto a saguaro cactus.
  • Drop on cake sprinkles with your fingers or a spoon, and press them in gently. Space out the sprinkle balls to look like ornaments on the tree.
  • Glue a cut or punched metallic paper star at the top for a tree topper.
  • Complete the art project the same way as all the others.

Note: The corn syrup paint and glue paint have adhesive qualities. If any of the embellishments do not adhere, use white glue or a glue gun to affix the shapes.

Use supplies you have in your kitchen to decorate a saguaro cactus as a Christmas tree. An all-ages art activity everyone will love.

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These shiny paint cactus art activities are suitable for people of every age. Each project can be a cooperative one for little learners, with an older child or adult helping a little one with the cactus art.

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Related:

Octopus Art

Sea Turtle Art

Sea Star Art

Lizard And Turtle Art

Corn Syrup Paint Sunflowers

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Circus Pretend Play Tablescape

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This circus pretend play tablescape adds a whole lotta color to and fun a circus theme. Many interesting loose inspire imaginative play.

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It’s all about the food in this circus pretend play tablescape that is sure to be popular with your little learners. And there is plenty of colorful loose parts to spark the imagination.

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Circus-Themed Tablescape Supplies

Bright and cheery loose parts add plenty of color to a super fun circus pretend play tablescape your little learners will absolutely love.

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Bright, colorful décor is a good fit for a circus play tablescape. Here are the featured supplies:

  • popcorn play food set
  • play food hot dog set
  • play food chips
  • cookie pan
  • metal bowl
  • clear storage containers
  • clown-themed cookie tin
  • heart-shaped mini storage containers
  • circus-themed party plates
  • play cutlery, cups, and serving utensils
  • flowers in a vase
  • container with blue, red, and yellow pompoms
  • nesting cookie cutters
  • magnetic toy spinners
  • gold bead garland
  • painted wooden beads
  • yellow tablecloth

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The Circus Pretend Play Tablescape

In any theme, having coordinating accessories in a dramatic play center facilitates interest in the topics introduced, and allows for many learning through play opportunities.

Circus party plates guide the color scheme for this tablescape. The hues of the other supplies chosen coordinate with the plates.

This circus pretend play tablescape adds a whole lotta color and fun to a circus theme. Many interesting loose inspire imaginative play.

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Note: Animals are not used in many circus shows anymore, something I highly support. These plates had been in my circus theme box for many years, so I decided to use them for this reason.

Hot dog and popcorn play sets, as well as chips are some of the play food choices on the table. Bead garland cut into strips makes good pretend spaghetti and red pompoms serve as the meatballs.

Magnetic toy spinners bring a whole lotta color and make great pretend cookies or pancakes.

Other multicolored loose parts are nesting cookie cutters, heart-shaped storage containers, painted wooden beads, and pompoms.

A clown-themed cookie tin, another prop I had saved for a long time, adds an element of fun to the table décor.

A sprig of orange artificial flowers set in a vase rounds out the cheery supplies on the tablescape.

Bright and cheery loose parts add plenty of color to this super fun circus pretend play tablescape your little learners will absolutely love.

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Variations Of This Circus Pretend Play Tablescape

Many of the supplies in this tablescape can be used in a circus food stand, another dramatic play center little learners would absolutely love.

The supplies can be set in appliances and on shelves in a pretend play kitchen center instead of being arranged in a tablescape display.

And … even adding just a few of the circus dramatic play supplies listed would add interest to an activity center and spark new play ideas.

What would you add to this circus pretend play tablescape? Share in a comment below.

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Related:

Circus Playdough Tray

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

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“Go Fishing” Sensory Tray

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Use toy fishing rods and accessories for a super fun "Go Fishing" active world tray. Add ocean-themed loose parts to extend play.

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This easy-to-set-up “Go Fishing” sensory tray allows your little learners to have a blast catching and transferring fish, and exploring related ocean-themed loose parts. And there are plenty of opportunities for learning in this hands-on, play-based activity.

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Supplies To Collect

An ocean-themed loose part collection for a super fun "Go Fishing" active world tray. your early learners will love.

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To give your little charges a super fun, ocean-themed sensory experience, gather the following:

  • water table or active world tray
  • toy fishing sets
  • sea jelly dive toys
  • miniature ocean creatures
  • fish-themed fillable eggs
  • bowl with marbles
  • four hot dog baskets
  • strainer
  • shells
  • punch bowl

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The “Go Fishing” Sensory Tray

Fishing sets and ocean-themed loose parts are featured in this super fun "Go Fishing" active world tray your early learners will love.

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To set up this inviting, sea creature-filled sensory tray, start out by setting a non-breakable punch bowl in the center of an active world tray. Fill the bowl with water.

Then set fish from a few inexpensive toy fishing sets in a basket, and spread a few others around the punch bowl.

Tip: Dollar stores are a great place to find many of the supplies in this post.

Next, fill the other baskets with sea jelly dive toys, miniature ocean creatures, and sea creature-themed fillable eggs.

Note: Hot dog baskets are a perfect size for the activity.

Lastly, add toy fishing rods along with a bowl with marbles and a strainer with shells.

Setting up a sensory tray couldn’t be any easier. And I’m sure your little learners will dive right in.

Use toy fishing rods and accessories for a super fun "Go Fishing" active world tray. Add ocean-themed loose parts to extend play.

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Variations Of This Sensory Activity

If you have access to a water table, fill it with water and drop in all the supplies. Your little charges can transfer fish to baskets and explore the fillable eggs, sea jelly dive toys, miniature ocean creatures, marbles, and shells.

And adding mini fishing nets would be great for scooping up toy sea jellies. Including more strainers would be nice too.

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Benefits Of The “Go Fishing” Sensory Tray

Aside from being just plain fun, this fishing game sensory tray allows young children to:

  • develop eye-hand coordination
  • practice transferring objects from one place to another
  • sort fish and sea jelly dive toys by color
  • count all the fish they catch
  • label and discuss many different ocean creatures
  • learn that fish hatch from eggs

Can you think of anything to add to this sensory activity? Share in a comment below.

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Related:

Ocean Playdough Tray

Octopus Theme Activities

Sea Star Activities

Saving Green Sea Turtles

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Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

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Metallic silver and gold parts shine in this space restaurant dramatic play center your little learners will love to explore.

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A space restaurant dramatic play center is one of the most fun pretend play activities you can offer your little learners. Loose parts shine in this center, offering a plethora of opportunities for creativity and imagining.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Break out all the metallic silver and gold loose parts you have for this shiny, inviting dramatic play center. The following are ideas for supplies to gather:

Gather a variety of metallic silver and gold loose parts to set up a space restaurant dramatic play center.

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  • aluminum foil pie pans, tart pans, and storage containers
  • silver muffin pans
  • metal pitcher, tongs, bowls, and trays
  • disposable clear stemware, forks, and spoons
  • reusable star-shaped ice cubes
  • gold and silver bead necklaces and garland
  • clear discs
  • gold star-shaped stickers
  • round silver and gold gem stickers
  • metallic silver pipe cleaners
  • juice lids
  • styrofoam balls
  • large silver or gold bells
  • foil alphabet letters and spray centerpiece
  • silver tablecloth
  • glue gun, scissors, and painter’s tape

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The Space Restaurant Dramatic Play Center

In this out-of-this-world pretend play center, the words “Space Restaurant” are tacked on a wall with painter’s tape, and aluminum foil pans and storage containers are displayed beneath it for decoration and ambiance.

SIlver foil letters and aluminum foil containers and pans taped on a wall add ambiance to a space restaurant dramatic play center.

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A space-themed dining table is set up by adding a metallic silver tablecloth and a foil spray centerpiece.

Table settings include aluminum pie pan plates and transparent cutlery. Clear, disposable stemware glasses are decorated with gold star stickers to fancy them up.

Gold star stickers positioned on clear stemware add flare to a space restaurant dramatic play center.

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Dainty teacups are created by gluing metallic silver pipe cleaner handles to aluminum foil tart pans, and then affixing them to metal juice lids.

DIY aluminum foil teacups for a space restaurant dramatic play center.

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Shiny, metal serving trays and star-shaped dessert cups add elegance.

Large silver or gold bells make great pretend muffins and add a musical element.

Large silver ingle bells are repurposed as muffins in a space restaurant dramatic play center.

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Clear discs are repurposed as space pancakes.

Clear discs are repurposed as pancakes in a space restaurant dramatic play center.

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Pretend play chocolate chip cookies are created by adding round silver and gold gem stickers to juice lids.

Round adhesive gem stickers added to juice lids make great chocolate chip cookies in a space restaurant pretend play center.

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Styrofoam balls are muffins or snowball-themed desserts. They can be painted with silver or gold acrylic paint to add glitz.

Gold and silver bead necklaces cut into strips are spaghetti noodles, and larger bead balls cut from bead garland are the meatballs. The play spaghetti can be stored in a big silver bowl and served with metal tongs.

Metallic silver and gold loose parts make great play food for a space restaurtant dramatic play center.

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More Space-Themed Play

For additional space-themed ambiance, a colored light can be positioned to illuminate the restaurant table.

A professional stage light adds flare in outer space pretend play tablescape set up.

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Early learners may be inspired to add loose parts from other activity centers to the space restaurant. Below, participants included crater-filled yellow “moons” and large diamond crystal gems to the spaghetti play food.

Bead necklace and garland spaghetti with added loose parts make great space restaurant play food.

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The supplies in this post can also be included in a space-themed play kitchen setup.

What would you add to this space restaurant dramatic play center? Share your ideas in a comment below.

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Related:

Space Father’s Day Craft

Scented Moon Playdough

Salt and Glue Moon Art

White Lilacs and Black Playdough

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