Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Annette Kaminsky

Christmas Light Table Activity

by Leave a Comment

Invitation to scoop and sort Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes in this magical light exploration play activity for little learners.

________

This Christmas light table activity is oh so simple to set up! And the festive light play invitation will add ambiance to your Christmas theme offerings.

A light table is a table illuminated by light and comes in a variety of sizes. Some smaller ones have removable legs for versatility. Portable light boxes and light panels are other excellent alternatives for light exploration activities.

_______

For more activities with light, follow my Pinterest board Light Play.

_______

Light Table Supplies

Clear containers and accessories, and reusable ice cubes are the key items to collect for this magical center. Gather:

  • clear salad bowl
  • plastic see-through gift boxes
  • plastic egg holders
  • clear serving spoons
  • Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes

_________

The Christmas Light Table Activity

Counting, sorting, and scooping opportunities at the light table with Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes and clear containers.

_______

Fill the salad bowl with reusable ice cubes and set it on a light table along with a serving spoon.

Spread the plastic gift boxes, egg holders, and extra spoons around the bowl.

Invite little learners to scoop ice cubes from the bowl into the gift boxes and sort ice cubes in the egg holders.

Color and shape sorting, counting, and practice with eye-hand coordination are a few benefits of this play invitation, aside from just being a lot of fun!

Invitation for little learners to count and sort reusable Christmas-themed ice cubes at the light table.

________

If you do not have a light table or lightbox in your classroom or home, you can make a simple and economical DIY version. Just add Christmas lights to a clear plastic tub with a lid. I’ve tried this and it works just fine!

Reusable ice cubes can be picked up at dollar stores, or in the picnic supply section of other stores.  I’m always checking for ones that complement the themes we do in the classroom.

The clear gift boxes were an awesome dollar store find, and I snapped up ones trimmed in red, green, silver, and gold.  Little learners would enjoy scooping and transferring ice cubes into all sizes and shapes of containers, so use what you have available.

Clear gift boxes are the perfect containers for scooping reusable Christmas-themed ice cubes at the light table.

________

A light table can be used for science, discovery, math, art, drawing, literacy, music, and more. What’s your favorite way to use one? Share below.

________

[Read more…] about Christmas Light Table Activity

Christmas Treasure Blocks

by Leave a Comment

These festive Christmas treasure blocks will add a seasonal touch to any play area. Set them out on their own or add other toys in play invitations.

________

These Christmas treasure blocks are a festive addition to any play space. They are filled with seasonal loose parts and are fun to use in play by themselves or in addition to other toys.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

The following supplies work well in these see-through treasure blocks:

  • buttons
  • jingle bells
  • Christmas tree garland
  • pom poms
  • pony beads
  • craft stars
  • gem snowflakes
  • metallic snowflakes
  • rubber candy pieces
Seasonal loose parts are perfect to use with these see-through Christmas treasure blocks.

________

Assembling The Christmas Treasure Blocks

One wood panel on each of these treasure blocks is easily removed by loosening the screws. After the blocks are filled, the panels can be screwed back on so no festive pieces fall out.

Seasonal loose parts are perfect to use with these see-through Christmas treasure blocks.

_______

My Christmas treasure blocks feature a red, green, white, and gold color scheme, but feel free to choose another one.

_______

Other Christmas-themed loose parts that would work well in these blocks are:

  • sequins
  • cut straws
  • gem Christmas lights
  • foam pieces
  • erasers
  • paper shred
  • bows

Christmas erasers, figurines and vehicles, other blocks, and seasonal décor can be included in a Christmas treasure block play invitation for added interest.

Christmas erasers and foil trees add interest to a Christmas treasure block play invitation.

_______

Treasure blocks are a recent addition to my educational toy supply, and I am definitely in love with them. I look forward to using them in more themes for little learners.

These festive Christmas treasure blocks will add a seasonal touch to any play area. Set them out on their own or add other toys in play invitations.

________

[Read more…] about Christmas Treasure Blocks

Lemon -scented Christmas Playdough

by Leave a Comment

Christmas playdough infused with cut lemon cypress sprigs and cut silk poinsettia leaves and bracts.

_______

This lemon-scented Christmas playdough activity incorporates lemon cypress branches and cuttings from silk poinsettias. The plant-themed playdough experience evolved from not being able to go on a well-loved field trip this Christmas season.

Most December months our preschool visits a local greenhouse. The children view a vast poinsettia display, smell a lemon cypress tree, participate in a scavenger hunt among cut Christmas trees, and go on a hayride. Then they plant a paperwhite bulb. The trip is always a highlight for preschool families.

This year the field trip wasn’t possible, so I decided to bring a small, feathery needled lemon cypress tree to preschool for the children to view, smell, and use in playdough activities. I wanted to include other seasonal plants as well but realized that most popular Christmas plants are somewhat toxic or poisonous to humans.

Chartreuse green lemon cypress trees for sale during the Christmas season.

_______

My preschoolers loved this playdough invitation and your children will enjoy it too.

_______

Playdough Recipes

To offer this lemon-scented Christmas playdough invitation, start by making a favorite playdough recipe. Or use my go-to basic recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons oil

_______

Add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix them together.

Stir two tablespoons of oil into two cups of water.

Add the water and oil to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat on the stove on medium heat.

Stirring frequently, cook until the mixture is no longer glossy and the dough forms a ball.

Place the dough on a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding in one more tablespoon of oil.

Store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag.

_______

A lemon jello playdough works beautifully too. Substitute lemon jello for cherry jello in the recipe.

_______

The Lemon-scented Christmas Playdough Invitation

For this scented playdough invitation, start by showing little learners a potted dwarf lemon cypress tree. This small, fine-textured evergreen is hand-trimmed to have a Christmas tree shape and is sold in pots at Christmas time.

Next, have your little charges rub a branch and experience the resulting lemon fragrance.

Give each child a lump of playdough, a few lemon cypress branches, and a pair of scissors.

Offer lemon cypress sprigs with scissors, cookie cutters, and erasers in a fragrant Christmas playdough activity.

_______

Have them cut the bright yellow-green sprigs into pieces and add them to their playdough. Using the scissors to cut the playdough is fine for them to do too, as it strengthens their little fingers.

Then give little ones a few silk poinsettia leaves and bracts to cut and blend in.

Scissor Invitation with playdough and silk poinsettia leaves and bracts.

_______

Offer additional supplies such as rolling pins, plastic pie cutters, wooden sticks, and Christmas-themed cookie cutters and erasers.

Lemon cypress scented holiday playdough invitation with cut silk poinsettia leaves and bracts.

_______

When blended, the plant parts add pops of seasonal color to the playdough and give it a Christmassy look.

Offer this lemon cypress scented playdough invitation with cut silk poinsettia leaves and bracts.

_______

Tip: A coleus plant can be substituted for silk poinsettia leaves and bracts, as it isn’t poisonous. I plan to take one indoors to save for this activity next fall.

_______

Other Ways To Experience Lemon Cypress Plants

Let your little learners use a mortar and pestle to grind and crush lemon cypress branches. A pleasant, citrus aroma will soon fill the air.

Using a mortar and pestle with lemon cypress sprigs brings out the lemon fragrance.

_______

Or invite little ones to add Christmas decorations to the tiny tree.

Decorate a potted lemon cypress tree with Christmas decorations.

_______

_______

More Playdough Recipes and Activities

Apple Playdough Tray

Edible Playdough Turkey

Scented Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Fall-themed playdough tray with pumpkin playdough.

_______

Gingerbread Playdough

Orange-scented Playdough Invitation

Chocolate Mint Playdough

Christmas Playdough

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

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.

_______

Easter Playdough Tray

_______

[Read more…] about Lemon -scented Christmas Playdough

Washi Tape Christmas Pots

by Leave a Comment

Make these washi tape Christmas pots filled with festive pine cone Christmas trees.

_______

A few years ago, I purchased Christmas-themed washi tape, not yet knowing how I would use it. Craft ideas came and went, but the tape remained unused due to my busy schedule. After seeing a decorative pot in a home décor shop this past summer, I knew exactly how I would use the festive tape…in crafting washi tape Christmas pots!

With the addition of pine cone Christmas trees, the embellished pots display well on a shelf or fireplace mantle during the holiday season. And the craft is suitable for all ages, so why not get the whole family to make one!

_______

Christmas Pot Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this craft:

  • Christmas-themed washi tape
  • three-inch terracotta clay pots
  • scissors
  • large pine cone picks
  • glitter pom poms
  • small round beads
  • playdough
  • brown shredded paper
  • wire cutters
  • white glue or hot glue gun
  • glue paddles

_______

Creating the Washi Tape Christmas Pots

Steps to making washi tape Christmas-themed pots.

_______

Cut washi tape into small pieces. Stick the tape around each pot horizontally in rows. Or layer the washi tape vertically in a pattern.

Then decorated pine cone “Christmas trees” can be added to the pots:

Use wire cutters to snip the wire on each pine cone to a length that fits into the pot size of choice.

Add a ball of playdough to each pot, and stick in a pine cone pick. Then fill the pots with brown shredded paper.

Next, adhere the beads and pom poms to the pine cone trees with white glue or a hot glue gun.

Easy to make Christmas-themed washi tape pots.

_______

I feature two super-sized metallic gold pine cone picks, and a natural one. One of the gold pine cones is decorated with tiny red, green, and white beads, and the other is left as is. The natural pine cone is decorated with small glitter pom poms.

Little learners will enjoy getting in on decorating the pine cones and Christmas pots. They will especially love the chance to use tape in a craft project.

Craft these festive washi tape pots with a Christmas theme.

_______

[Read more…] about Washi Tape Christmas Pots

Turtle Christmas Craft

by Leave a Comment

Adorable turtle Christmas paper craft inspired by the delightful picture book "Mossy" by author Jan Brett.

_______

This cheeky turtle Christmas craft is inspired by Jan Brett’s beautiful picture book titled “Mossy.” The colorful papercraft is easy to make, especially if you download the free printables below.

In the story, an eastern box turtle named Mossy is scooped up from a pond area and taken to a museum by biologist Dr. Carolina. Mossy is unique…she has a lush garden of moss and flowers growing on her shell due to the moist home she grew up in. At the museum, Mossy is given an impressive glass-encased place to live, and her carapace garden continues to grow. Many visitors come to view Mossy, and she makes the museum famous. But over time, Mossy grows very sad. She misses her pond home, and especially her new friend Scoot, who she had just met before being captured. Dr. Carolina’s niece Tory notices how sad Mossy gets. Eventually, a portrait of Mossy in her pond environment is made for the museum, and the garden-decorated turtle is released back to the same place where she was found.

Jan Brett’s artwork in the picture book is as exquisite as usual. And the illustrated borders on pages feature creatures and artifacts commonly found in museums, such as flowers, insects, butterflies, fossils, tree parts, algae, geodes, and feathers.

_______

Craft Supplies To Collect

Supplies to make a festive turtle Christmas paper craft inspired by the delightful picture book "Mossy" by author Jan Brett.

_______

Gather the following supplies for this festive turtle craft:

  • green, red, and pink cardstock paper in different shades
  • cream cardstock
  • mini self-adhesive gold pearls
  • glue stick
  • wiggly eye
  • felt pen
  • scissors

_______

Making The Turtle Christmas Craft

Festive turtle Christmas paper craft inspired by the delightful picture book "Mossy" by author Jan Brett.

_______

Cut Christmas-themed flowers and leaves from sturdy paper. Fade-resistant cardstock or construction paper is preferable, but any paper will work fine.

Cut a turtle from cream-colored cardstock.

Invite your little learner to paste flowers and leaves to the shell of the turtle using a glue stick. Mini adhesive gold pearls can be added to some of the flowers.

Download these patterns to use for the craft.

Turtle template for art and craft activities.
Turtle Template

_______

Turtle Craft PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Use this Christmas flower template for paper crafting.
Christmas Flower Template

_______

Christmas Flower PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Make this festive turtle Christmas paper craft inspired by the delightful picture book "Mossy" by author Jan Brett.

_______

Turtle Craft Extensions

Jenn Brett’s website is filled with activities and coloring sheets to go along with her picture books. A turtle pond coloring page goes with the book “Mossy,” and can be downloaded at janbrett.com.

_______

Related: Painted Turtle Art Activity

_______

[Read more…] about Turtle Christmas Craft

Easy S’Mores Bars

by Leave a Comment

Easy s'mores bars to make indoors year-round for family and friends. Just three ingredients are needed for this gooey, melty dessert

_______

This easy s’mores bars recipe comes from having forgotten to add wrapped round chocolates to October treat bags. Orange and purple don’t naturally transition into November activities, so I decided to use the chocolates in this melty dessert.

To add versatility to the recipe, I also feature chocolate coins and chocolates wrapped in Christmas style.

S’mores bars were originally classic campfire treats. Made indoors they can be enjoyed year-round. And little learners love to help make them!

_______

S’mores Bars Supplies To Collect

Just three ingredients are needed for this melty, tasty, indoor s'mores bars recipe.

_______

Gather the following ingredients and baking supplies:

  • toasted coconut marshmallows
  • coin-shaped chocolates
  • graham wafers or gluten-free crackers
  • parchment or wax paper
  • 2 cookie sheet pans

_______

Making These Easy S’Mores Bars

Steps to make an easy sheet pan s'mores dessert recipe.

_______

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.

Spread the graham wafers onto two sheet pans lined with parchment or wax paper.

Place a toasted coconut marshmallow on top of each wafer on one pan. Set unwrapped chocolates on the wafers on the other pan.

Heat both pans in the oven for three to five minutes. Watch carefully as the square halves can easily be overbaked.

Sandwich wafers with chocolate together with marshmallow wafers and place on a dessert plate. Serve when slightly cooled.

Delicious s'mores bars recipe using just three ingredients.

_______

Stacked s'mores bars made with an easy, three-ingredient recipe.

_______

Variations Of This S’Mores Bars Recipe

My recipe features gluten-free graham crackers. Graham wafers are a traditional choice.

Regular or mini marshmallows can be substituted for toasted coconut ones.

Creamy Hershey’s chocolate bar squares can be used instead of wrapped chocolates. And why not experiment with one of Hershey’s festive flavors, such as “Strawberries ‘n’ Cream, “Birthday Cake”, or “Cookies ‘n’ Mint.”

_______

Seasonal Recipes

If you wish to go seasonal and are up for a bit more challenge, try one of these ingenious s’mores bars recipes:

Fall S’mores (Recipe at southernfatty.com)

Christmas S’mores (Recipe at darcyandbrian.com)

Snowman S’mores (Recipe at kitchenfunwithmythreesons.com)

Valentine’s Day S’mores (Recipe at prettyinpistachio.com)

Easter Peeps S’mores (Recipe at domesticsuperhero.com)

_______

Or surround this gooey, three-ingredient s’mores bars dessert with seasonal décor.

Make this easy, three-ingredient s'mores bars recipe that takes a classic campfire treat indoors. Serve surrounded by festive decor at Christmas time.

_______

[Read more…] about Easy S’Mores Bars

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

by Leave a Comment

Oh, so fun to make edible playdough pumpkins with a no-cook recipe. Chocolate chips are included to add warty ornamentation.

_______

These easy to create edible playdough pumpkins depict the lumpy, bumpy, warty pumpkins that add contrast and edginess in fall decorating projects.

Warty pumpkins can be caused by any of the following:

  • a mosaic virus
  • growing conditions that are too cold and wet
  • insects feeding on young pumpkins

The result is warts that appear to be under the shell.

But some pumpkin varieties are grown especially for their bumpy look. They are genetically engineered and have been cross-pollinated many times. In these pumpkins, the ornamental bumps appear on top of the surface.

Warty pumpkins are trending in fall decorating projects. They add ornamentation, contrast, and edginess in displays.

_______

Peach Edible Playdough Recipe

This easy-to-make, no-cook playdough recipe is perfect for fashioning these trending pumpkins. I previously featured it (minus the orange color) in a chocolate chip sea star sculpting activity.

Creating warty pumpkins is easy and fun with white chocolate chips and an edible, no-cook playdough recipe.

_______

Ingredients To Collect:

  • 1 cup store-bought vanilla frosting
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup icing sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon peach icing color

Mix and knead the frosting, cornstarch, and icing sugar in a bowl. Then knead in the food coloring until it is completely blended. If the playdough is a little sticky, knead in a bit more cornstarch. If the dough is dry, add a spoon or two of frosting. You can also increase the amount of icing color for a darker peach shade.

_______

Making The Edible Playdough Pumpkins

A warty pumpkin-themed playdough tray with taste-safe, edible dough.

_______

Set out white chocolate chips, playdough, and pumpkin cookie cutters on a tray. A pumpkin ice cube tray and gem pumpkins could be included for more play opportunities.

Give each little learner a rolling pin.

Invite your little charges to create lumpy, bumpy pumpkins with the soft, silky dough, adding the chocolate chips for ornamentation. You might want to wait till they are almost finished using the playdough before you let on that it is edible. It is super sweet!

Creating pumpkins with warts is easy and fun with white chocolate chips and an edible playdough recipe.

_______

Tip: Using peach icing color works super well for this recipe, as the color comes out nice and bright.

Sculpt a trendy, warty pumpkin with edible peach playdough.

_______

For more food coloring tips, check out chefmaster.com.

A warty pumpkin-themed playdough tray with taste-safe, edible dough.

_______

If this post inspires you to consider adding warty pumpkins to your garden next spring, the appropriately named Gargoyle, Knucklehead, and Goosebumps are some popular varieties to grow.

_______

_______

More Pumpkin-themed Activities

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Set up this colorful pumpkin-themed pretend play center your early learners will love. Loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play activity.

_______

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Color Activities

Crayon rubbings of spider webs on colored pumpkins. An all-ages art activity.

_______

[Read more…] about Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Pet-Themed Playdough Tray

by 1 Comment

An inviting pet-themed playdough tray featuring dogs and cats. Three long-lasting playdough recipes are included.

_______

This fun-filled pet-themed playdough tray is bound to engage your little learners for a nice chunk of time. It will inspire meaningful conversations and imaginative play, and strengthen little fingers.

_______

Pet-Themed Playdough Tray Supplies

An inviting supply of cat and dog-themed playdough accessories. Links to three easy-to-make playdough recipes are included.

_______

Supplies in this playdough added, pet-themed loose parts tray:

  • cat and dog cookie cutters
  • cookie cutter bones
  • dog erasers
  • eraser bones
  • dog-themed buttons
  • miniature pet dish
  • lattice with bell cat toys

The supplies were gathered from a variety of places. The exquisite cookie cutters were purchased from a store with a generous baking supply section, and the jingly lattice balls and teeny tiny dog-themed buttons from dollar stores. The round dog erasers were salvaged from a book club promotion, and the miniature eraser bones came with a set of Valentine cards.

Super popular with my preschoolers, the dog and cat figurines were gathered from pet sets and a pet adoption game.

_______

Playdough Recipes

Three long-lasting and easy-to-make playdough recipes with cat and dog accessories.

_______

Warm, earth-toned playdough colors work well with this pet-themed playdough tray.

My preschoolers used the loose parts with a red-orange pumpkin spice playdough, as it was still pretty fresh after our October pumpkin activities. Just to make sure the color was fit for this second topic, I did a quick online search for “orange cats,” and “orange dogs.” Lengthy lists of orange tabby felines and ginger canines came up, so I knew the spicy playdough could have a second life.

View my post “Pumpkin Playdough Activities“ for this aromatic recipe.

You could also offer a batch of my all-time favorite basic playdough or a tangy orange jello dough. And setting out all three hues would provide opportunities for creating patchwork pets, or patterned tabby cats.

_______

Pet-themed Playdough Play

Invite your early learners to make cookies, bury bones, and create textures and imprints with playdough and pet-themed loose parts.

Cat and dog playdough supplies that encourage creativity and imaginitive play.

_______

You could swap out or add additional supplies for pet-themed creation. Buttons for animal spots, cut pipe cleaners for whiskers, rope for collars, and wiggle eyes are some suggestions.

Can you think of other accessories to include in this tray? Leave a comment below.

This pet-themed playdough tray is filled with cat and dog supplies little learners will love to imagine and create with.

_______

_______

More Playdough Recipes and Activities

Coffee Playdough Turkey

Circus Playdough Tray

Unicorn Playdough Tray

Set up this unicorn theme playdough tray in minutes. The best playdough recipes are featured.

_______

Gingerbread Playdough

Chocolate Mint Playdough

Orange-Scented Playdough Invitation

Christmas Playdough

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

Winter Playdough Recipe

A soft, easy-to-make winter-themed playdough.

_______

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

Easter Playdough Tray

Scented Moon Playdough

White Lilacs And Black Playdough

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

_______

[Read more…] about Pet-Themed Playdough Tray

Coffee Filter Poppy Art

by Leave a Comment

Stunning coffee filter poppy art using easy-to-collect supplies. An all-ages art activity to recognize Remembrance Day.

_______

Red poppies are available everywhere at the moment. That is because on November 11 our country (and many others), observe Remembrance Day. Ceremonies are held on this day at 11:00 a.m. in order to remember the soldiers who died in war or while performing military tasks. And the poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day.

Art activities with poppies also help us remember. In this post, I feature a stunning coffee filter poppy art project in recognition of this day. But first, some poppy facts.

_______

Remembrance Day Poppy Facts

  • Since 1921, after World War I, the poppy flower is a reminder of the soldiers who died and those who serve courageously today.
  • People began wearing poppies inspired by the poem “In Flanders Field,” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. McCrae wrote the poem after seeing red poppies grow around the grave of a soldier friend.
  • This poppy is native to the eastern Mediterranean and grows easily in western Europe. The poppy’s seeds germinate in spring and only grow in recently disturbed land, such as places devastated by war.
  • In recognition of the soldiers, people wore real poppies at first. But eventually, they began to wear crafted ones.
  • Craft poppies have been sold for many years in order to raise money to support army veterans and their families.
  • Today, millions of poppies are sold throughout the world.
  • In Canada, poppies are worn from the last Friday in October up until Remembrance Day.
  • This year (2021) is the 100th anniversary of the poppy.

___________

Coffee Filter Poppy Supplies To Collect

Like most of my craft ideas, supplies to collect for this project are simple. Gather together:

  • coffee filters
  • red, green, black, and orange non-permanent felt pens
  • water spray bottle
  • green and black fade-resistant cardstock or construction paper
  • 12-inch x 16-inch white art or construction paper
  • glue stick
  • plastic tub

_______

Easy to create, stunning coffee filter poppy art.

_______

Creating The Coffee Filter Poppy Art

Cut coffee filters into poppy shapes. If helpful, download the pattern further in the post.

Have early learners color a coffee filter with felt pens, starting with a black or green round shape in the middle. The rest can be decorated in red and orange, or only red.

Supplies to make coffee filter poppy art.

_______

Add water to the spray bottle. Have children take turns squirting water on their paper filters in a plastic tub. Just a few squirts of water will blend colors nicely…easy does it for this project!

Dry the vibrant designs on a flat surface.

Note: The blended colors look quite dark at first, but will lighten as they dry.

Cut black or green stems and leaves from construction paper. Help little ones glue a stem, leaf, and poppy flower to a white art paper background. Add a favorite Remembrance Day saying if desired.

Easy and fun coffee filter Remembrance Day art activity.

________

To insert a bud into the craft, little learners can decorate and spray an additional untrimmed coffee filter. After it dries, it can be folded twice, and glued on the picture as a poppy bud.

This showy poppy and bud art activity is easy and fun to create.

_______

Free, downloadable coffee filter poppy pattern for flower art and crafts.

_______

Download this free printable for the coffee filter poppy art:

Coffee Filter Poppy PatternDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

_______

Variation Of This Remembrance Day Craft

Instead of using coffee filters, have your little charges color a paper plate with felt pens. The plates can be precut in a poppy shape. The downloadable pattern below may be helpful.

Supplies to make a paper plate poppy.

_______

Free, downloadable paper plate poppy pattern for flower art and crafts.

_______

Paper Plate Poppy PatternDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

When coloring, the poppy centers can be drawn with a felt pen or filled in with a grey, black or green crayon.

Have little learners spray their design with water afterward. Or invite them to paint over the felt pen colors with water. This will create a watercolor effect without needing to use paints!

This paper plate version dries fast. The curved edges of the decorated plates add a 3D element to the project.

For a finishing touch, early learners can glue a large button to the middle. Or they can add a paper circle.

A paint-over-felt pen technique adds a watercolor effect to this paper plate poppy.

_______

Use this pattern for leaves and flower centers:

Free, downloadable poppy leaf and center pattern for flower art and crafts.

_______

Poppy Leaf And CenterDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

_______

[Read more…] about Coffee Filter Poppy Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

by Leave a Comment

Stunning eye dropper leaf art that is quick and easy to create. An all- ages activity using supplies commonly found in the home.

_______

Young children love variety in painting tools, so they will welcome this eye dropper leaf art activity. Using liquid watercolors ensures that the art will be bright and cheerful. And who wouldn’t want to squeeze in just a little more splashy color before the winter season sets in!

The large leaves for this project are inspired by the many leaf paintings by American artist Georgia O’Keefe.  Georgia loved the colors and shapes in fall leaves and painted them to completely fill her canvasses.

_______

Supplies To Collect

For this easy-to-do art activity, collect the following:

  • liquid watercolors
  • paper towel roll
  • eye droppers or pipettes
  • paint containers
  • leaf templates

_______

Creating The Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Steps to creating beautiful eye dropper leaf art on paper towel designs.

_______

Draw or trace large leaves onto a paper towel roll. You may need two attached sections for each leaf if you go big, as Georgia O’Keefe did. I used oversized wall art leaves as templates and cut out a few different types.

Mix liquid watercolors of choice with a little water, and pour into paint trays. Featured are magenta, orange, and green hues.

Invite children to use eye droppers or pipettes to drip paint on their paper towel leaves.

A paper towel pattern accents the design in this eye dropper-painted maple leaf.

_______

When filled with color, dry the leaves on a flat surface.

Tip: Maple leaf designs work especially well for this activity. Little learners enjoy accenting their many curves and pointy edges.

Eye-catching leaf painting activity using an eye dropper technique.

_______

The colorful leaves can be displayed as-is, or mounted on cardstock.

Note: Because paper towel is so absorbent and the colors spread quickly, large shapes are perfect for this craft. And a paper towel canvas adds a unique texture to the art.

Eye dropper painting technique on paper towel leaves.

_______

Variations Of This Eye Dropper Leaf Art Project

Invite your little charges to drop paint onto leaves cut from sturdy art paper. I used 11-inch x 14-inch, 98 lb, mixed media paper for the leaves.

Steps to create eye dropper and blow dryer painted leaves.

_______

The paint will pool and start to blend slowly. As the art dries, invite little learners to check back periodically to observe the color changes.

In the completed project, I used a blow dryer set on low to hurry the drying process. It was fun and created a uniquely blended earthy-hued color combination.

A blow dryer painting technique yields beautiful results on a maple leaf cut out.

_______

Tip: For young children, I recommend inviting them to blow the paint around with straws instead of a blow dryer.

Copy paper also works for this drippy art activity. Below, the maple leaf is cut from 11-inch x 17-inch paper and decorated in two colors. This version dries the quickest.

Eye dropper painting on a maple leaf with magenta and orange liquid watercolors.

_______

Little learners can get overwhelmed with having to decorate a large canvas. But with this activity, bigger is better!

_______

[Read more…] about Eye Dropper Leaf Art