art

Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

March 16, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A fun rolling pin art project with three different looks. A process art painting activity on shamrocks the whole family can enjoy.

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This shamrock rolling pin art project is bound to get a little messy, and that means your little learner is sure to looove it! Shamrocks make an eye-pleasing subject for this process art activity.

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Supplies to Collect

green, yellow, and white tempera paint
rolling pins or paper towel rolls
large sheets of sturdy paper
paint containers and spoons
shamrock template

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Click here to download a shamrock template.

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Shamrock Rolling Pin Art Fun

Set out tempera paints in yellow, white, and shades of green. Invite your little learner to spoon dabs of paint over a paper shamrock.

Invitation to use a rolling pin as a painting tool.

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Then ask your little one to roll a rolling pin over the paint.

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A paper towel roll works well to move paint around too. On the shamrock below, a pattern of paint was spread vertically. Then a paper towel roll was rolled up and down to give the striped effect. There are diagonal lines left from the paper roll on the shamrock…I kind of like them!

Paper towel roll painting on a shamrock.

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The paint can also be splattered on diagonally, with the rolling pin to squish the paint around positioned the same way.

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Which shamrock art project do you like best? Leave a comment below.

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Rolling pin art with a diagonal stripe design.

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Related:

Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

St. Patrick’s Day Sheep Craft

St. Patrick’s Day Painted Shamrock

Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

Scissor Skill Shamrock Collage

St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tub

Leprechaun Sensory Jar

St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Sensory Bin

St. Patrick’s Day Jewelry Bin

Leprechaun Sensory Play

St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

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[Read more…]

Scissor Skill Shamrock Collage

March 13, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky 4 Comments

An invitation to cut textured craft supplies to decorate a shamrock.

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Ireland is called “The Emerald Isle”, after emerald gems. This is because the landscape has many shades of green. Inspired by the luscious land, this shamrock collage craft is full of green textures and shades. There are tidbits of yellow and orange sprinkled in too.

A shamrock is a young sprig of clover. Each leaf has three heart-shaped leaflets. The shamrock is an emblem of Ireland and is a huge part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It is also incorporated into everyday Irish life, seen on buildings, monuments, dishware, jewelry, fabric, stamps, and logos.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this activity, collect craft supplies in orange, yellow, gold, and many shades of green. Feathers, pompoms, pipe cleaners, crepe paper, tissue paper, bead garland strips, straws, and yarn are good choices. Shamrock confetti and foam shamrocks could be added to the mix.

You will also need:

green construction paper
tray
scissors
white glue
glue paddle
shamrock template (downloadable below)

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Shamrock template for a collage or painting activity.

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Shamrock PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Making The Shamrock Collage Craft

Set out a tray of craft supplies, and let your little learner cut them smaller.

Invite your little one to glue the cut shapes to the paper shamrock.

Invitation to cut and paste textured craft supplies to decorate a shamrock.

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Let the craft dry.

Shamrock collage with rust, green, and yellow textured craft supplies.

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Cutting textured collage supplies gives your early learner next-level scissor skill practice. And the resulting collage pieces make the craft project waaaaay more interesting than if all the supplies were precut.

Shamrock collage with rust, yellow, and green textured craft supplies.

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Click here for scissor skill tips.

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More St. Patrick’s Day Activities

Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

St. Patrick’s Day Sheep Craft

St. Patrick’s Day Painted Shamrock

Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tub

Leprechaun Sensory Jar

St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Sensory Bin

St. Patrick’s Day Jewelry Bin

Leprechaun Sensory Play

St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

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St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

[Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Day Painted Shamrock

March 11, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A painted shamrock sprinkled with green glitter and shamrock confetti. An all-ages art activity.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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This painted shamrock art activity has a whole lotta green and plenty of glitter and shine. It is a paint mixing exercise with a finished product that looks lovely displayed. As is the shamrock collage craft, it is inspired by the lush greens of the Irish countryside.

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Supplies To Collect

green, yellow, and white tempera paint
large sheet of sturdy paper
egg carton or paint palette
paintbrush
paper towel square
shamrock confetti
green glitter
green ribbon
scissors
glue gun
shamrock template

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Painted Shamrock Art

Cut a shamrock from a large sheet of sturdy paper. Shown below is manila paper.

Pour dark green, medium green, yellow, and white tempera paint into an artist palette or used egg carton. This color scheme works well whether your little learner keeps the colors separate or does a lot of blending.

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Invite your early learner to paint the shamrock, using green, yellow, and white hues. A paper towel works well to dab excess paint from the brush before switching to a new color. This is a helpful tip from Patty Palmer’s book “Draw, Paint, Sparkle.”

Color mixing painting exercise with green, yellow, and white paint.

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Next, have your little one sprinkle on metallic shamrocks and green glitter while the paint is still wet.

When the shamrock art is dry, spray on unscented hairspray from an aerosol can to help the glitter and shamrock confetti stay on.

Fashion a bow from ribbon and use a glue gun to attach it to the shamrock.

Painted shamrock art activity. An all-ages color mixing invitation.

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Discussing shamrock shapes, using beautiful finishing touches, seeing how white added to darker green makes different shades, and noticing how yellow lightens and brightens green are some learning possibilities for this craft.

If done just before St. Patrick’s Day, this painted shamrock art project can be displayed for the festivities.

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[Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Day Sheep Craft

March 10, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky 1 Comment

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St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Ireland and around the world each year on March 17. It is a special day to remember St. Patrick, a missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5^th century and to celebrate Irish culture.

So how does this St. Patrick’s Day sheep craft fit into the celebration?

Patrick was born in the British Isles. His father had a key position in the Roman government. Patrick’s life was comfortable until age 16 when he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland. There he was forced to live a rugged life working as a sheepherder until he escaped six years later.

As for Irish culture, there are tons of sheep who roam the countryside in oh-so-green Ireland. Hardy breeds are raised. The sheep need to be able to handle the hilly land and tolerate cold, rainy, windy water.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Sweet doily and pompom sheep craft perfect for St. Patrick's Day or spring.

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Craft Supplies To Collect

sheep printable (downloadable below)
six-inch white paper doily
yellow and green pompoms
green craft foam
green ribbon
foil shamrock
mini rainbow erasers
white craft glue
glue paddle
8 1/2 inch x 11-inch cardstock paper in white and green

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Making The St. Patrick’s Day Sheep

Craft steps to make pompom and doily St. Patrick's Day sheep.

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Cut out one of the sheep from the printable and set it on a table along with pompoms, white glue, and a glue paddle.

Sheep template for a farm or St. Patrick's Day craft.

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Sheep Craft PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Invite your early learner to spread glue on the area above the eyes, and add pompoms.

Next, have your little one paste the decorated head on a paper doily.

Then ask your little learner to add two craft foam legs. A ribbon bow, foil shamrock, or mini rainbow erasers can be the finishing touch.

Mount the sheep onto a complimentary colored piece of cardstock. Add a St. Patrick’s Day saying if desired.

A pompom sheep craft perfect for St. Patrick's Day or spring.

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A cute sheep craft perfect for St. Patrick's Day or spring.

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Sweet sheep craft perfect for St. Patrick's Day or spring.

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[Read more…]

Paper Plate Ocean Drum

March 6, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Ocean drums are versatile musical instruments that imitate the soothing sound of gentle waves hitting the shore. Your early learner can help create a paper plate ocean drum to make water sounds and will be able to use it in many other ways. The drum can be personalized and will look awesome displayed.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

two 9-inch paper plates
9 x 12-inch white cardstock
transparency film or clear file folder
photo of a child, family, or a pet
small beads
cinnamon candy hearts
alphabet letter beads
adhesive gems
scissors
glue gun
glue stick or glue tape

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Making The Paper Plate Ocean Drum

Steps to create a personalized paper plate ocean drum.

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Cut out the middle part of one paper plate.

Print a favorite photo onto cardstock paper. Or use a picture from a vintage calendar or magazine. Trace a 15.5 cm / 6 1/8 inch circle around the part of the picture chosen for the drum. Cut the circle out and use glue tape or a glue stick to paste it on the center of the second plate.

Cut the same sized circle from a clear file folder or sheet of transparency film.

Use a glue gun to attach the clear circle to the cut plate.

Sprinkle cinnamon candy hearts, letter beads, and small round beads onto the photo-enhanced plate. Alphabet letter beads that spell love or the name of a child or pet would work well.

Glue the edges of the two plates together with a glue gun.

If desired, decorate the paper frame of the drum with adhesive gems.

This paper plate ocean drum can be personalized with a picture of a family member and/or pet.

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Playing The Ocean Drum

The crafted drum can be played many different ways, creating a variety of sounds:

Tilt the drum in all directions by rolling your wrist slowly while holding the instrument by its frame. The encased beads and candies will roll over the bottom and mimic the relaxing sound of waves lapping the shore.

Stop and start playing the instrument suddenly to make the sound of crashing waves.

Hold the drum over your head and tilt it.

Move the drum around your body.

Tap the drum gently with a drumstick.

Scrape the drum.

Use the percussion instrument as a shaker.

Make loud, soft, fast, and slow sounds.

Tap or shake a pattern of sounds.

This paper plate ocean drum can be personalized with a picture of a favorite pet.

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[Read more…]

Dinosaur Valentine Craft

February 13, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It was just a couple of days before Valentine’s Day when one of my preschoolers said “Remember, Mrs. Kaminsky…you promised to make a dinosaur valentine craft for us to do.” And yes, I had!

We were just finishing up a polar dinosaur theme when I had come across super cute dinosaur Valentine’s Day window clings. They served as perfect transition décor from that winter-wrapped dinosaur theme to a Valentine’s Day topic. And they provided lots of craft inspiration, which led me to tell my preschoolers we would do a dinosaur valentine craft.

So this is a very last-minute dinosaur-themed Valentine’s Day craft project!

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Supplies To Collect

dinosaur printable
12-inch x 12-inch cardstock
8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock
pompoms
wiggly eyes
thin felt pen
paper or foam hearts
thin ribbon strip
white glue
glue paddle
glue stick

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Making The Dinosaur Valentine

Download one of these two dinosaur templates and print it on 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper in the color of your choice.

Dinosaur template to use for a dinosaur-themed craft.

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Dinosaur PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Rawr-y dinosaur template to use for a valentine craft.

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Rawr-y Dinosaur PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Fashion a bow from a small strip of thin ribbon.

Cut out the dinosaur, and invite your early learner to use a glue stick to paste it on a 12-inch x 12-inch piece of complementary cardstock.

Then have your little one use white glue to add pompoms to the dinosaur back, wiggly eyes to the head, and a bow to the neck.

Next, have your little learner use the glue stick to add paper or foam hearts to the body, and use a thin felt pen to draw a smile on the head.

Cut out the “I Rawr-y Love You” greeting to add to the craft if desired.

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[Read more…]

Scissor Skill Heart Collage

February 10, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A simple but effective activity to plan is a scissor skill heart collage invitation. Early learners will be able to explore luxurious craft supplies with unique properties and textures and complete a display-worthy project.

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Craft Supplies To Collect

Gather craft supplies that can be cut and glued in the color scheme of your choice. I feature traditional Valentine’s Day hues, but any color scheme would work beautifully. Cut the materials a little smaller if desired, but keep them large enough for little ones to trim some more.

Luxurious craft supply tray for heart collage crafts.

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Included in this first compartment tray are:

pipe cleaners
crepe paper
tin foil
metallic purple paper
foam strips
heart patterned ribbon strips
thin and thick ribbon strips
lace
paper doily pieces
white and red bead garland
heart garland
scissors

Red, pink, and white craft supply tray for heart collage projects.

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This second craft supply tray holds:

pink and white crepe paper
rose petals
foam pieces
Valentine’s envelopes
white yarn
cream lace
paper strips
red, gold, and white ribbon
white bead garland

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Making The Heart Collage Projects

Cut large hearts from fadeless construction paper.

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Divide up the craft supplies into small trays.

Set up stations with a craft supply tray, pair of scissors, paper heart, white glue, and glue paddle.

Invitation to cut and glue luxurious craft supplies to make a heart collage.

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Invite early learners to cut the supplies and glue them onto their hearts.

After the embellished hearts dry, hot glue a bow onto each one. Add loops of thin ribbon for hanging the crafts.

Scissor skill heart collage made by cutting and glueing luxurious craft supplies.

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This scissor skill heart collage project gives little ones a chance to strengthen their finger muscles while learning how to cut and glue a variety of craft supplies. And the collaged hearts are sure to be treasured by loved ones.

Scissor skill heart collage projects made by cutting and glueing luxurious craft supplies.

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[Read more…]

Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts

February 6, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky 3 Comments

Soft and dreamy woolly sheep Valentine's Day crafts decked with hearts and pompoms. The crafts make heart-tugging keepsakes.

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Here are two, oh-so-cute woolly Valentine’s Day crafts your little learners will be excited to make, and loved ones will be elated to receive.

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Supplies To Collect

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purple, pink, red, and white pompoms
white glue and glue paddle
paper, foam, or sticker hearts
8 ½ x 11-inch white or cream cardstock paper
12-inch x 12-inch cardstock paper
sheep template
glue stick
scissors
hot glue gun

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Making The Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts

Print the sheep template onto 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock.

Cute sheep template for farm or holiday crafts.

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Sheep PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Set the template on a table and invite your early learners to add sticker, paper, or foam hearts to the sheep’s body. Then invite them to glue pompoms to the head. Your little charges will love the chance to use soft and showy pompoms in art.

Cute woolly sheep craft for Valentine's Day. Free printable included.

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Print this version to include the header “I Woolly Think You’re Special.”

Cute woolly sheep template for a Valentine's Day craft.

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Woolly Sheep PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Or cut the sheep out and have your little learners decorate one. Afterward, mount the sheep onto complementary pieces of 12-inch x 12-inch cardstock paper using a glue gun. Add a “woolly” Valentine’s Day saying of choice.

Soft and dreamy woolly sheep Valentine's Day craft.

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Chinese Money Tree Activities

February 2, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Chinese money trees have been part of Chinese New Year celebrations since the 1980s and are a symbol of luck and wealth. People buy money trees for their homes and place them in strategic places. They also purchase and display shiny, metallic tree ornaments laden with gold coins. Here are art and sensory Chinese money tree activities your early learners will enjoy.

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Chinese Money Tree Tray

Set a tree-drawing inside a wooden tray. Add containers with Chinese coins and green and gold gems.

Invitation to decorate a Chinese money tree with gold coins and acrylic gems.

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Feel free to download this template for the project.

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Tree PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Invite your little learners to decorate the tree.

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[Read more…]

Recycled Card Mitten Matching

January 31, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Mitten and snowflake matching math activity using recycled cards.

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Christmas is one of the best times to collect recycled cards for classroom activities. I ask people to save their cards for me and then file them away for future use. Cards are beautiful and add an arty flair to any project. And winter-themed cards are perfect for this recycled card mitten matching challenge.

For this activity, select cards with a snowy, winter theme. Christmas cards frequently have this. Cut mitten shapes from the cards. Use one of these templates if you wish. I made the mittens in two sizes!

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Large Mitten PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Mitten PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Punch shapes from the center of the mittens. I used a snowflake paper punch, but any shape could be punched or cut out. Then set the mittens and punched shapes out on a table. Invite early learners to match the cutouts to the mittens.

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More Paper Mitten Activities

Aside from this recycled card mitten matching challenge, mittens cut from different colors of cardstock paper could be used for matching. Or use the mitten template for a painting, coloring, or scissor skill activity.

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Snowflake and mitten matching challenge.

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Mitten and snowflake matching challenge.

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