Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Annette Kaminsky

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

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Pumpkins in all shapes and forms are the highlights in this easy-to-set-up pumpkin tablescape pretend play center that little learners will love.

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This bright and cheery pumpkin tablescape pretend play setup has a host of loose parts that make it super fun to explore.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Pumpkin-themed loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play center your early learners will be eager to explore.

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Pumpkins are a huge part of fall décor, so it is easy to find accessories for this inviting, seasonal dramatic play activity. Here’s a list of items gathered:

  • white tablecloth
  • vase with artificial flowers
  • a string of pumpkin lights
  • pumpkin-themed disposable plates and serving trays
  • non-breakable cutlery and drinking glasses
  • acrylic gem pumpkins
  • artificial mini pumpkins
  • wooden pumpkin beads
  • pumpkin cookie cutters
  • pumpkin seeds
  • reusable pumpkin ice cubes
  • pumpkin-themed ice cube tray
  • felt pumpkins
  • fall-themed mini spatula
  • wooden harvest/pumpkin plaque
  • plastic jars and serving bowls
  • cookie tray
  • serving utensils

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Setting Up The Pumpkin Tablescape

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.

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It’s so quick and easy to set up this play tablescape. I keep a large storage container with pumpkin-themed accessories and take out the tableware and loose parts that work for the center.

To get this activity ready, first cover a child-sized table with a white tablecloth. Then, set an unbreakable vase with pumpkin-themed artificial flowers in the center. Add a string of pumpkin lights around the vase.

Next, arrange place settings with fall-themed disposable plates and cutlery on the table.

Then, drop artificial mini pumpkins into clear drinking glasses and include them in the place settings.

After this, set out the rest of the supplies in the open spaces:

  • tray of felt pumpkin “cookies”  
  • jar of artificial mini pumpkins
  • bowl of pumpkin/turkey bead “candies”
  • ice cube tray with reusable pumpkin-themed ice cubes
  • bowl of pumpkin seeds
  • jar of acrylic pumpkin gems
  • fall-themed spatula

Finally, add serving spoons to the play tablescape.

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.

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Your little learners will be excited to discover this pumpkin tablescape pretend play center, and I’m sure a lot of imaginative, quality play will take place.

Pumpkins in all shapes and forms are the highlights in this easy-to-set-up pumpkin tablescape dramatic play center little learners will love.

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View this Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play Center as a video.

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More Pumpkin Activities

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Pumpkin Color Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Collage Art

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Neon Finger Paint Tree Art

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Gorgeous neon finger paint tree art inspired by the picture book "The Tree In Me" by Corinna Luyken. An all-ages, easy-to-do art activity. A free tree template is included.

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After reading the poetic book “The Tree In Me” by Corinna Luyken, I especially fell in love with the exquisite, gorgeous illustrations. The beautiful artwork is the inspiration for this neon finger paint tree art activity.

Neon colors, especially pink, balanced by soft yellow hues and touches of grey, are used often in the story. Author/illustrator Luyken states that she picked these radiant colors because she has a soft spot for neon, and wanted to give the story a more universal feel. I know that little learners will love using neon colors in tree art too.

A beautiful, picture-book-inspired neon fingerpaint tree art project the whole family can do. A free tree template is available to download.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this cheery tree art activity, only a few supplies need to be gathered:

  • neon pink, red, orange, and purple finger paint or tempera paint
  • yellow finger paint or tempera paint
  • paint tray
  • white or cream 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock
  • tree template

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The Neon Finger Paint Tree Process

Steps to create beautiful neon finger paint tree art. A picture-book-inspired art project that is easy to do. A free template is included.

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This painting activity is easy to set up and do, and early learners will get excited about having the chance to finger paint.

Before starting the art project, read the storybook “The Tree In Me,” or view a video version of the story. Discuss the colors used for the illustrations, along with the many tree-related activities the children in the story participate in.

Next, set out a paint tray with neon finger paints or tempera paints. I feature neon pink, red, and orange tempera paints in this art project. I didn’t have neon yellow paint, but bright yellow paint works fine with neon colors.

Afterward, select a tree template to use for the art. Feel free to download this template for the painting activity.

A free tree template to download for art and craft activities.

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Tree Printable

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Invite early learners to dip a fingertip into the paint colors and finger paint their tree template. While they are working, talk about the colors of paint available and the ones they choose to use.

A beautiful, picture-book-inspired neon fingerpaint tree art project the whole family can do. A free tree template is available to download.

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Finger Paint Tree Art Benefits

Aside from facilitating language development, this finger paint tree art improves eye-hand coordination and develops fine motor skills. And it offers children a chance to create with unique, dynamic paint colors.

The artwork in “The Tree In Me” is joyful and whimsical, and complements the heartwarming text. Neon finger paint tree art is a terrific follow-up activity to reading the story.

Gorgeous neon finger paint tree art inspired by the picture book "The Tree In Me" by Corinna Luyken. An all-ages, easy-to-do art activity. A free template is included.

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Related: Book-inspired Tree Art

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Color Magic Milk Experiment

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Try this mesmerizing color magic milk experiment today! A maple leaf frame adds an artistic twist to the kitchen science experiment.

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Have you ever done the color magic milk experiment? It is quick and easy to do, and participants are always in awe of the results. In this version, I add artistic flair by giving the experiment a leafy twist.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Just a few supplies are needed for this simple but stunning kitchen science experiment. Gather the following:

  • 2 liters milk  
  • red, yellow, and blue food coloring
  • dish detergent
  • large round serving tray
  • maple leaf frame (optional)

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The Color Magic Milk Experiment

Effortlessly perform this color magic milk experiment in four easy steps. A maple leaf frame enhances the kitchen science experiment.

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To do this experiment, start by pouring a layer of milk into a food tray. Using homo milk is recommended, but 1% and 2% will also work.

Note: Outdated milk is a great choice for this experiment.

Next, float a maple leaf frame on the milk. (My frame is a cardboard cutout purchased at a dollar store.)

Note: The leaf-themed frame adds interest to the experiment, but is not necessary for it to work.

Then drip yellow, red, and blue food coloring inside the frame.

This next step is where the magic happens… Squirt a drop of dish detergent onto each pool of colors. Watch the colors instantly race to the edge of the frame, swirling around as they go.

After the initial color burst, check back after ten minutes and you will see a variety of hues slowly starting to fill in the maple leaf shape.

Watch the color magically spread around the maple leaf frame in this kitchen science experiment.

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At this point, you can add a little more food coloring and a tiny bit of dish detergent for more color play.

The colors slowly fill out the maple leaf frame in this color magic milk experiment with an artistic twist.

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View this maple leaf color magic science experiment as a video.

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The Science Behind This Color Experiment

Although milk is made of mostly water, it also contains fat and protein. These are both sensitive to changes in the milk. When dish soap is added to the tray, it breaks up the surface tension of the milk and is attracted to the fat molecules. The fat molecules try to scurry away but end up bonded with the soap molecules. The movement of the food coloring makes this process visible. As more and more soap and fat molecules bond, the color movement slows down and eventually stops.

Since the fat content in milk is super important in this experiment, homo milk works the best. But 2% and 1% milk (which I often have handy) also show stunning results.

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Try this mesmerizing color magic milk experiment today! A maple leaf frame adds an artistic twist to the kitchen science experiment.

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Related: Color Explosion Science Experiment

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More Leaf Activities

Five Leaf Art Activities

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Maple Leaf Activities

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DIY Portable Mud Kitchen

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A DIY portable mud kitchen that can quickly and easily be set up indoors or outside, Fall leaves are the highlight.

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I am a huge fan of mud kitchens but also love a DIY portable mud kitchen option.  A “to go” mud kitchen that can be taken on nature outings or set anywhere in the classroom is economical and easy to set up. And it offers a multitude of imaginative play opportunities.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Portable Mud Kitchen Supplies

Supplies for a portable mud kitchen that can quickly and easily be set up indoors or outside, Fall leaves are the highlight.

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To make a pop-up mud kitchen, simply use supplies you have on hand. Gather the following:

  • milk crate
  • small wire shelves
  • cardboard box square
  • play pots and pans
  • loaf pans and muffin tins
  • soup spoons
  • wood slices
  • pine cones
  • rocks
  • leaves
  • black permanent marker
  • black crayon
  • circle tracers

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The DIY Portable Mud Kitchen

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This portable mud kitchen can be set up anywhere. In the classroom, it allows you to bring in natural materials for early learners to explore in an effortless way.

To put it together, start off by using circle tracers (think food container lids) to draw stove burners on a cardboard box square with a black permanent marker. Color in some of the circles with a black crayon.

Place the stove top drawing on an upside-down milk crate. Or draw stove burners on the bottom of a box.

Set the crate and drawing (or box stove) in a sensory table (sand and water table.)

Add small wire shelves (available at dollar stores).

Collect old pots, pans, muffin tins, and serving bowls and place them in the table. Include serving spoons.

Sprinkle in rocks, wood slices, pine cones, and leaves in a variety of colors. Invite little learners to explore the center.

It’s that simple!

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More Mud Kitchen Play

This setup can be taken outside and arranged on the ground or on a bench. Load all the supplies in the crate for easy transport.

A metal bowl “sink”, a pitcher of water, tea cups, whisks, potato mashers, and ladles would add interest and sensory opportunities to this center.

An active world tray positioned on the ground works well as a base instead of a sensory table. Or set up the supplies on a tarp.

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Related: Fall Sensory Play

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Fun Ways To Serve Watermelon

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Four ways to serve watermelon that make snack time more fun. Orange, yellow, and traditional red watermelon varieties are featured.

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Have you ever heard of orange or yellow watermelon, or white? I decided to locate and taste some of these lesser-known varieties this fall. And with a few different colors at my fingertips, I put together four fun ways to serve watermelon.

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Ten Watermelon Facts

  • Watermelon is a sweet and juicy fruit.
  • Africa is the country it is believed to have been discovered.
  • Pink or red-fleshed watermelon is commonly found in stores.
  • Some watermelons have orange, yellow, or white flesh.
  • Containing 92% water, this cheery fruit helps people stay hydrated.
  • The large fruit is high in vitamins A, B, and C, and contains antioxidants.
  • The seeds of this thirst-quencher are nutritious too.
  • Watermelon is fat-free and low in calories.
  • A long growing season and lots of sunshine are needed to garden this fruit.
  • Watermelon is a popular snack for hot days and picnics.

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Four Fun Ways To Serve Watermelon

Four ways to serve watermelon that make snack time more fun. Orange, yellow, and traditional red watermelon varieties are featured.

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Without any fancy recipes, you can serve watermelon in ways that add creativity and fun to snack and meal times. Including a variety of melon flesh hues will add interest and sensory opportunities, and the different colors are bound to be a conversation piece.

Note: Seedless watermelon varieties are used in this post. Orange, yellow, and red kinds are featured.

Below are four ways to serve watermelon that make snack time more fun.

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Watermelon Skewers

Fruity watermelon skewers using orange, yellow, and red watermelon add fun and sensory opportunities to snack time.

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For an easy way to add novelty to a snack, cut different colors of watermelon into bite-sized pieces and thread them onto wooden skewers. The small chunks don’t have to be perfectly cubed to work. And although the yellow and orange pieces look like pineapple and cantaloupe, they are actually chunks of orange and yellow watermelon.

While snackers eat the fruit, discuss the color and taste of each kind. I found that my purchased yellow and orange watermelon tasted quite similar to red. And my taste-testers were fine with each color.

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Watermelon Popsicles

Juicy watermelon popsicles using orange, yellow, and red watermelon add fun and sensory opportunities to snack time.

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Watermelon is often served in triangular shapes, which works well for popsicles. After cutting the triangles, use a knife to make a slit in the rind of each piece. Next, push in stick handles.

Then freeze the watermelon triangles overnight in a single layer to turn them into popsicles. Or skip the freezing part and serve them immediately.

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Watermelon Suns

Three colors of watermelon are featured in these juicy suns. Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries fill in the centers.

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For this eye-appealing watermelon snack version, berries are added to the mix.

To make the juicy suns, first cut the watermelons into triangle shapes.

Next, lay slices of each watermelon color on a dinner plate in a circular design, leaving room in the middle for berries.

Then add blueberries or raspberries to the center of each plate.

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Watermelon Sunflowers

Large square serving trays work well for creating watermelon sunflowers.

To create them, start off with the same design as the watermelon suns.

Then add a different colored watermelon leaf, and a stem made with skin-covered rind pieces.

Make this sunflower-shaped snack with yellow and orange watermelon and raspberries. Add strawberries and blueberries for garnish.

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On the tray above, yellow watermelon serves as the sunflower petals. The leaf is a slice of orange watermelon, and raspberries are the “seeds.” Blueberries and strawberries complete the tray.

Make this sunflower-shaped snack with orange and yellow watermelon and raspberries. Add strawberries and blueberries for garnish.

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On this second tray, the sunflower has orange petals and a yellow watermelon leaf.

Create a juicy sunflower with red watermelon petals, a yellow watermelon leaf, and a blueberry seed center.

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Traditional red watermelon is featured in this third design. The leaf is yellow watermelon. Blueberries are the “seeds.”

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Purchasing Watermelon Varieties

Red watermelon is easy to spot in grocery stores. Orange, yellow, and white varieties are harder to locate, and will likely be more expensive. I was able to find the yellow watermelon in a tray of precut slices and purchased the orange one whole. Tasting a white watermelon is on my list to do next summer!

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Watermelon Recipes

Ready to add more flavor and variety to your watermelon snacks? Check out the recipes in the blog post “45+ Watermelon Recipes” by Country Living.

And how about some watermelon pizza, featured on Mom On Time Out?

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Related: Watermelon Playdough Tray

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