Annette Kaminsky

Spin Painting Butterflies

May 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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There are few art projects that are more exciting and fun than spin painting. And using a salad spinner is an easy and low mess way to create spin art. I’ve featured this painting technique in a few projects on my blog. In this post, I feature spin painting butterflies.

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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 art x science painting activity:

salad spinner
butterfly template
cardstock paper
pipe cleaners
tempera paint
paint pots
spoons
tape
white glue or glue gun

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Creating Spin Painting Butterflies

To create the spin art butterflies, design a butterfly template and trace it onto cardstock paper in the color of your choice. It is optimal for the butterflies to be the size of the bottom of the salad spinner. To help figure out the correct size, trace the bottom of the salad spinner basket onto a piece of paper. Lay the butterfly template on the circle and adjust its size if needed.

Then add a little piece of rolled-up tape to the bottom of one paper butterfly, and position it securely in the salad spinner basket.

Next, pour tempera paint colors of choice into paint pots. Add a little white or yellow paint to brighten up the colors if desired.

Afterward, spoon blobs of paint in a variety of colors onto the butterfly.

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Then spin the salad spinner at a moderate rate. It is ideal for the butterfly to remain on the bottom of the spinner. Spinning it super fast may loosen the butterfly resulting in it sticking to the side of the basket. This will smudge up the paint.

Next, open the spinner and carefully lift out the butterfly. Remove the tape and let it dry.

Finally, cut out a one-piece butterfly head, thorax, and abdomen from a complementary piece of sturdy paper, and bend a pipe cleaner length into antennae. Glue both to the center of the butterfly using white glue or a glue gun.

Oh-so-fun salad spinner butterfly art activity. An easy-to-do, all-ages art activity.

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Invite each person participating in this activity to create one or two spin art butterflies.

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Spin Painting Butterfly Variations

After spinning the salad spinner the first time, you can choose to drop in more paint and spin again.

Create this spin painting butterfly in a few easy steps. This is a process art activity everyone in the family will love.

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After the first spin cycle, the butterfly in the above picture turned out mostly yellow. With a little more paint added and another round or two of spinning, the butterfly is more colorful.

If the butterfly does stick to the side and the paint is smudged, make a print with it on a new piece of paper. Cut the butterfly out and use doubled sided tape to secure it onto a new piece of paper for a 3D effect. Add a cardstock frame for a finishing touch.

Butterfly paint prints look stunning when displayed on a cardstock background.

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And gluing a painted butterfly, ribbon, and bead garland to a dowel makes an awesome butterfly wand.

Beautiful spin painitng butterfly wand craft your little learners will love. An all-ages process art project.

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The Science Behind Salad Spinner Art

Centrifugal force is used in creating salad spinner art. When the salad spinner is spun around, centrifugal force pushes the paint away from the center to the edges of the butterfly.

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How to create beautiful spin painting butterflies with a salad spinner. This is a super fun process art activity everyone will enjoy.

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Related:

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Salad Spinner Heart Art

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[Read more…]

Tea Party Sensory Play

May 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Easy-to-set-up tea party sensory trays for water or rice bin play. Miniature tea sets are the highlights of the sensory play.

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These tea party sensory play ideas provide possibilities for easy, affordable, and fun learning through play. Only a few low-cost supplies are needed for the activities.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Tea Party Sensory Play Supplies

Here are the supplies for easy-to-set-up, engaging tea party sensory play:

toy tea sets
measuring cup
container for water
low edged trays
toy fruit counters
fruit-themed reusable ice cubes
play food cookies, cupcakes, and squares
rice
waterproof apron
spill proof tablecloth
water supply

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A black, red, and white theme sets the tone for a super inviting tea party water play sensory invitation.

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Preparing For Tea Party Sensory Play

To prepare this sensory activity, first, cover a table with a spill-proof tablecloth.

Next, select a toy tea set, a container for water, and a few play food fruits or desserts and set them on a tray on the table.

Then fill the container and teapot with water.

Now this tea party play invitation is ready to explore. Setting up for a sensory activity couldn’t be any easier!

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Tea Party Sensory Play Variations

Larger and smaller tea sets and fruit and dessert play food are options to add variety to tea party sensory play.

This black and white diagonally striped placemat enhances the visual appeal.

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A silver-edged, gilded mirror tray exudes elegance.

This silver-edged, gilded mirror tray is paired with a dainty miniature tea set for super inviting tea party water play.

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A shiny aluminum foil pizza pan is an inviting alternative and the larger tea cups have more room to hold fruit.

Toy fruit counters add interest to this easy-to-set-up tea party water play sensory invitation for early learners.

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The dainty miniature dollar store tea set below is super affordable and little learners love to handle the tiny pieces.

Tea party water play is extra inviting with a miniature tea set on this silveredged gilded mirror tray.

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For more variety, offer a tea set and accessories in a rice bin or tray.

Dessert playfood and a toy tea set are inviting to play with when set in a rice-based sensory bin.

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Dessert playfood and a miniature toy tea set are inviting to play with when set in a rice-based sensory bin.

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Eye-hand coordination, practice with self-help skills, exploring capacity, language development, and just plain fun are goals for these sensory activities.

Tea party sensory play is perfect for Mother’s Day or any time of the year. And it works fabulously for outdoor playtime.

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Strawberry Hot Chocolate Bin

Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin

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[Read more…]

Popcorn Spice Mother’s Day Craft

May 13, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A simple and aromatic Mother's Day craft that is super fun to make. Use spices, sesonings or herbs for this sensory craft activity,

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This simple and aromatic popcorn spice Mother’s Day craft is so fun to make. And it really caters to the sense of smell. Warning: there may be a few sneezes while doing this activity!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Used In The Craft

The following easy-to-find supplies are used in this spicy craft:

popcorn seasonings: butter salt, jalapeno cheddar, ketchup, and all dressed
small bowls and spoons
dessert plates
brown cardstock paper
cream-colored cardstock paper
scissors and pencil
glue stick
tablecloth

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The Popcorn Spice Mother’s Day Craft

To make this craft, first, cover a table with a washable tablecloth.

Next, trace and cut out four “wooden spoons” from brown cardstock paper. Use the printable below for the spoons or design your own.

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Spoon PrintableDownload

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Then spoon popcorn seasonings into small bowls.

Four popcorn seasoning flavors for an aromatic Mother's Day craft project.

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Afterward, use a glue stick to spread a thick layer of glue on the head of a spoon.

Next, hold the paper spoon over a dessert-sized plate and sprinkle a generous amount of popcorn seasoning on it.

Then shake off excess seasoning and let the spoon dry.

An oh-so-easy and fun popcorn seasoning Mother's Day craft to do in one sitting. Explore the sense of smell with this aromatic craft activity.

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Repeat the process with all the spoons and seasonings.

Then use the glue stick to affix the spoons to a paper background.

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Finally, add the words “You Spice Up My Life” and “Happy Mother’s Day.” Feel free to use the template below for this craft.

Mother's Day craft template for an aromatic keepsake project for mom.

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Spiced Mother’s Day Craft PrintableDownload

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This template is perfect for grandma.

Mother's Day craft template for an aromatic keepsake project for grandma.

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Spicy Mother’s Day Craft TemplateDownload

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The bright yellow butter salt and ketchup seasonings add pops of color to the craft. Herbs or other spices could be substituted. What seasonings would you use?

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Mother’s Day Floral Craft

Mother’s Day Crafts And Gifts

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[Read more…]

Dot Marker Easter Bunnies

April 8, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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These dot marker Easter bunnies are easy and fun to create. This project is the third in a series of silhouette bunny canvas art activities on my blog, all completed with dot markers. Long-eared fluffy-tailed bunnies make the perfect subject for the art technique.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Try making these dot marker silhouette bunnies in a few different colors. This easy-to-do bunny art project displays well.

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Using dot markers on a canvas board is a satisfying way to create art. Gather the following supplies to do it:

6-inch x 8-inch canvas board
non-toxic dot markers
bunny silhouette template
pipe cleaners
wiggly eyes
buttons
scissors and pencil
glue gun or white glue

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Making the Dot Marker Canvas Art Project

Steps to create bunny silhouette art with dot markers, a template, and canvas board. Give this art project a try today.

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First, cut out a bunny head and shoulders template from sturdy paper in a size that fits the canvas board of choice. A smaller canvas size works well for this project and is easy and economical to purchase at a dollar store.

Next, lay the bunny template on the canvas.

Feel free to download this bunny template to use for the canvas art project.

Download this bunny head template to make a spring bunny wreath craft.

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Bunny Head PrintableDownload

This bunny head template is for individual and one classroom use only,

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Then select a dot marker color of choice and fill in the bunny-shaped cutout. For my first bunny, I used a purple shimmer dot marker. On the canvas, it has a purply-pink hue.

Tip: Lighter-hued dot markers work best for this art project.

Afterward, take off the cardboard cutout and let the silhouette bunny design dry. Dot marker art dries quickly, even on a canvas, so it won’t take long.

Finally, using white glue or a glue gun, affix two wiggly eyes, a button nose, and a curved pipe cleaner mouth to create a bunny face.

Make this easy and fun dot marker Easter bunny art activity today. It's an all-ages bunny-themed spring art project everyone will love.

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This art project is so much fun, you may wish to create bunny art in a few different colors. Displayed together, the bunnies make quite a statement. You can also use two or more dot marker colors to create each silhouette.

Make this easy and fun canvas art bunny today. It's an all-ages bunny-themed spring art project everyone will love.

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Make this easy and fun dot marker spring bunny art activity today. It's an all-ages bunny-themed art project everyone will love.

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More Silhouette Bunny Canvas Art Activities

Spring Bunny Canvas Art

Silhouette Bunny Art

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[Read more…]

Paper Plate Easter Basket

April 2, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This paper plate Easter basket craft is inspired by an Easter purse spotted on a shopping trip. I wanted to make one for each of my preschoolers as part of their Easter party favors, and here’s what I came up with.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

There are only a few supplies to collect for this bunny and carrot-themed craft. Gather the following items:

paper plates
green dot markers
orange and green construction paper
stuffed bunnies
scissors, ruler, and pencil
glue stick and glue gun

Stuffed bunnies cut from garland and paper carrots are highlights of a paper plate Easter basket craft that is sure to please.

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Making The Paper Plate Easter Basket Craft

The first thing to do in making a few of these paper plate Easter baskets is to cut out sections of paper plates to create half-circle openings and handles. There are different kinds of paper plates, and I recommend choosing a sturdy version.

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Next, give two of the plates to each child who will get a basket, and ask the little charges to decorate the bottom half of their plates with a green dot marker.

Note: Instead of using dot markers, participants can decorate the basket sides with crayons, paint, and/or Easter stickers.

Afterward, cut carrots from orange construction paper, and carrot tops from green construction paper. With a glue gun or glue stick, adhere the carrot tops to the carrots.

Just insert Easter grass and a few chocolate eggs into this paper plate Easter basket. It is sure to be a big hit as a party favor.

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Cutting and putting together the paper carrots take a little time. When this task is done, the basket sides will be dry and ready to be assembled. Use a glue gun to carefully adhere the decorated half of each pair of cut plates together so that the openings and basket handles match. Leave the handles unglued.

Then glue two carrots on each side of every basket. Make sure the carrots on one side of the baskets align with the carrots on the other side.

Next add a small stuffed bunny to each basket. My bunnies are from a disassembled Easter garland snapped up at a party store. Fortunately, it was easy to remove each bunny from the garland, and the yellow, pink, and blue stuffies are safe to use in the paper plate Easter baskets.

Before handing out the baskets to your little charges, add Easter grass and wrapped chocolate eggs to them. The children will be delighted with the craft and treats!

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To help make this craft, feel free to download this basket, bunny, and carrot template to use as a guideline. Happy crafting!

A free Easter basket template to make a paper basket with carrot decorations and a bunny inside.

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Bunny and Basket PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Related:

Spring Basket Cupcakes

Bunny Candy Art

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[Read more…]