art

Q-tip Skeleton Craft

October 28, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Out shopping this fall, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful skull art in craft and home décor stores. Pastel skull heads were one of my favorite finds, and this colorful dyed Q-Tip skeleton craft is inspired by them. It is super fun to do, so why not give it a try.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

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For this cute skeleton craft, gather the following supplies:

Q-tips
liquid food coloring
paint pots or small jars
paint brushes
black fadeless construction paper
white paper
paper in pastel shades
thin marker
scissors
paper towel roll
white glue
glue stick
glue paddle

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How To Dye Q-Tips

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Before setting out supplies for this craft, dye a package of Q-tips in various pastel shades.

To dye Q-tips, pour liquid food colors of choice into small paint pots or jars, and mix in a little water. My chosen colors were turquoise, orange, violet, and neon green.

Next, quickly dip each soft Q-tip end into a jar of liquid color and lay the Q-tips out to dry onto paper towel strips.

When dry, gather the Q-tips and sort them by color into a compartment tray.

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The Q-tip Skeleton Craft

The first thing to do when making a Q-tip skeleton is to select or craft a skull to use. Here are three options:

Draw a skull on white or pastel paper using a marker, and fill in the eye socket and teeth details. Then cut it out.
Select a sticker or crafted skull.
Use a skull rubber stamp/ink pad to print the skull.

On a last-minute shopping trip, I was happy to find a package of skull-themed paper doilies, from which I cut a few skull heads. They work perfectly for the craft as they can be painted.

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After picking out a skull design and painting it with a pastel shade if desired, use white glue or a glue stick to tack it near the top of a black piece of fadeless construction paper.

Next, lay out Q-tips in the shape of a skeleton below the skull. Whole Q-tips work fine for the rib cage and backbone, and Q-tips cut into various lengths with a pair of scissors are best for the arms and legs. Q-tip ends are perfect for the little fingers.

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When you have a design that you are happy with, use a glue paddle to add white glue to the Q-tip ends, and carefully affix them one by one to your skeleton design.

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A group of crafted Q-Tip skeletons would be eye-catching if displayed together, as each pose is bound to look different.

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Q-tip Skeleton Arm

Instead of making a whole skeleton out of Q-tips, trace an arm from black construction paper, cut it out, and glue Q-tip pieces to it. This Q-tip craft version draws attention to the many bones in the hands, and the two bones in the lower arm.

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Q-tip Skeleton Transient Craft

If you are short on time but would still like to offer a Q-tip skeleton-building experience, this craft project could be set up as a transient craft invitation.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton and Eyeball Waterplay

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Floral Decorated Skeleton

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

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[Read more…]

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

October 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This eye dropper pumpkin art project is super easy to set up and loads of fun to do. Participants will want to make a few watercolor-painted pumpkins, so you will end up with a bunch of pumpkin art to display at home or in the classroom.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this no-fuss pumpkin art project:

liquid watercolors
eye droppers or pipettes
paint pots
non-permanent black marker
permanent black marker
paper towel roll
pumpkin template
scissors and pencil
newspaper or waterproof tablecloth

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Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art Preparation

Preparation for this eye dropper pumpkin art project is super quick. Start by tracing pumpkins onto one or two sheets of paper towel. Choosing a thick paper towel brand is recommended.

Next, mix liquid food colors and water into paint pots, and add an eye dropper or pipette to each one. In this project, my colors of choice are orange, yellow, and magenta, as they go nicely together.

Afterward, cover an art table with newspaper or a waterproof tablecloth.

Then set up art stations with liquid watercolor pots, eye droppers or pipettes, and paper towel pumpkins.

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The Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

To create the gorgeous eye dropper art, invite your little learners to draw a mouth, nose, and eyes on a paper towel pumpkin using a black permanent marker.

Then direct your little charges to use the eye droppers or pipettes to squirt all three colors on their pumpkins. In no time the large fruits will be covered in brilliant hues.

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Let the arty pumpkins dry in the spot they were created or move them to a new place to do so. The painted pumpkins will likely be very wet, but by the end of the day, they will be totally dry.

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Eye Dropper Scary Pumpkin

If children use a non-permanent black marker to draw a face on their pumpkin before wetting it with liquid watercolors, the marker color will bleed during the art process. The pumpkins will have an ominous, scary look.

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Rainbow Pumpkin Art

You can choose to skip having your little artists draw a face on the paper towel pumpkin and get them right to work squirting liquid food colors on it. Adding a few more watercolor hues makes creating a rainbow pumpkin possible.

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Paper Towel Rainbow Art

If you run out of paper towel pumpkins for your eager art session participants, allow them to spread watercolors directly on rectangular or square sections of a disposable towel roll. They’ll be happy to use these as a canvas to continue exploring this watercolor painting technique.

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More Pumpkin Activities

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Pumpkin Color Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

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[Read more…]

Painting With Corn

October 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This painting with corn process art activity is quick and easy to do and offers young children an unexpected way to paint. It can be completed in a few different ways, adding variety and sensory options to the art experience.

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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 painting with corn:

corn ear and husk
box or serving tray
large sheets of sturdy art paper
8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper
tempera paint
paint pots
paint tray
teaspoons
sharp knife

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Painting With Corn Techniques

Corn Painting In a Tray

The first way to paint with corn is to set a piece of sturdy paper into a low-edged box or serving tray.

Next, spoon globs of paint in the colors of your choice onto the paper.

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Then shuck an ear of corn and drop it in the box or tray. Or use an ear of corn that is already shucked for the art activity.

Tip the box or tray carefully from side to side to move the corn ear around, and you’ll soon have a completed piece of art.

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For a little more control, paint the ear of corn instead of spooning paint onto the art paper. When the corn cob is covered in paint, drop it into the box or tray. Then tip the box from side to side as in the process above.

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Painting By Hand Rolling Corn

A second way to paint with corn is to forgo using a box or tray for the art process. Simply set a large piece of sturdy paper on a table covered with newsprint or a washable tablecloth.

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Then drop globs of paint onto the paper and roll the corn over them with your hands as if you were using a rolling pin.

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Or paint the corn ear first and then roll it in different directions over the paper.

This rolling corn technique just might go over best with little learners, as they love to mingle with the paint.

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Corn Half Paint Prints

The third method of painting is to start by cutting an ear of corn in half with a sharp knife, aiming to get a smooth sliced end on each half.

Next, spoon tempera paint colors into pie tins, disposable plates, or paint trays.

Dip the sliced end of one corn ear half into a paint color and press it onto the paper.

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When switching colors, wipe the paint-filled edge of the corn with a paper towel sheet before dipping it in a new hue.

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Corn Cob Paint Print

In the last method of painting with corn, the goal is to make a realistic corn cob by using a printmaking technique. In this art activity, a corn cob and a husk are used to make paint prints.

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For the art project, set out an ear of shucked corn. Save one of the green husks to use.

With a paintbrush, first thoroughly paint a corn ear with yellow tempera paint.

Next, press the corn cob on a piece of 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper, slightly rolling it back and forth with your fingers.

Remove the corn cob from the paper.

Then paint one side of a husk and press it down on the paper next to the corn print. Make a second husk print on the other side of the cob. Afterward, add a couple more husk prints around the corn.

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You may wish to try all of the above painting with corn methods as each adds an interesting twist to the art activity. Which corn process art painting technique is your favorite? Share in a comment below.

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Related: Corn Theme Activities

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[Read more…]

Watercolor Apples With Markers

October 7, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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If you are looking for an easy art activity with a WOW factor, this watercolor apples with markers art project is for you. Just a few supplies are needed for this gorgeous art activity.

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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 super simple art activity:

paper towel sheets
watercolor markers
spray bottles with water
trays or small utility tubs
waterproof tablecloth
apple template

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Creating Watercolor Apples With Markers

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To offer this effortless art activity, first cut out apple shapes from sheets of paper towel. Choosing a thick paper towel brand is recommended, but any kind will do. Feel free to download this apple template for the art project.

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Apple PrintableDownload

This template is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Next, set up stations with a paper towel apple, and washable markers. Select hues such as red, pink, yellow, orange, and green to represent apple colors.

Invite participants to carefully color their apples.

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Then have the little artists place their arty apple in a tray or small utility tub and spray it with water. Afterward, carefully lift off each apple and set it to dry on a table covered with a waterproof tablecloth.

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Your little learners will likely wish to create a few watercolor apples using this technique. In this case, you may decide to offer the activity with apple-hued markers one or two times, and then all the markers (except black) another time.

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Coloring and spraying rectangular, uncut paper towel sheets is fun too.

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When the fruity art has dried, use a glue stick or mini glue gun to mount each project on a cardstock or construction paper background.

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Tip: Paper towel sheets are usually double-layered. If the paper apple layers come apart, use a glue stick to dab a little glue between them. Then gently press the layers together

Watercolor Apple Prints

When a paper towel apple is colored in with markers and thoroughly sprayed with water, it takes a while to dry. To speed up the drying process, lay a rectangular sheet of paper towel over the sprayed apple and press down gently. This will remove excess water and reveal a lovely print of the apple design.

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Interested in another watercolor activity with markers? Check out the blog post “Watercolor Planets With Markers.”

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More Apple Activities

Apple Theme Activities

Apple Print Activities

Apple Playdough Tray

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[Read more…]

Green Bean Theme Activities

September 20, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Visiting a farmer’s market or garden center is the best way to find varieties of fruits and vegetables we may not see in our local food stores. On a street market stroll last week, I was thrilled to discover a vegetable stall with beans that were not just green. They also came in dark purple, yellow, and streaked varieties. Here are some easy bean theme activities to introduce these novel bean colors to little learners.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Color Recognition With Beans

Showcase a few different types of beans in order to introduce color words to young children. For instance, label them green, light yellow, dark purple, or yellow streaked with purple.

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Sorting Beans

Beans in different colors are perfect for math sorting activities. After collecting a few varieties, invite little learners to sort them by color, size, or shape. A suggestion is to leave things open-ended by asking “Which beans are alike?”

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Making Patterns With Beans

For more garden math, invite children to make patterns with beans in different colors.

An invitation to make a pattern with beans. A hands-on math and language arts activity perfect for a nutrition or vegetable theme.

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Beans and The Letter C

Some beans are shaped like the letter C. If your supply of beans includes them, ask little learners to find the beans that look like a C. If the beans are different sizes, invite children to sort them from smaller to bigger, or vice versa.

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Drawing Beans

Beans have a simple shape, so are perfect for a beginner directed drawing activity. Young children may start off by tracing beans, and then coloring them in. Select crayons or pencil crayons as the medium for the art project.

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During the drawing process, discuss words to describe beans. For instance, the whole bean is called a bean pod. It is long and thin and has skin on the outside. There is a seam running down one side of the bean. There is a stem on top and a bean tip at the bottom.

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A second activity is to open beans to view the inside of the pods. Check if the inside of a pod is the same color as the outside. Count the seeds in a pod, and have the children draw a split bean with bean seeds.

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Snacking On Beans

Beans are a super healthy food to eat, as they are low calorie and have lots of fiber. They are a good source of vitamin C, K, folate, and potassium. Invite your little learners to eat them raw or offer them in a cooked side dish for little ones to try.

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Bean Science

The dark purple beans actually lose their color after cooking. View purple beans before and after they are cooked for an interesting and easy color-changing science experiment.

The example below shows a handful of steamed deep purple beans. Some have transitioned to all green, while others are purple and green and will turn all green with more cooking.

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Uniquely-colored bean varieties are a fun find at a market stall or greenhouse. These hands-on bean theme activities help bring the garden to the table for little learners.

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[Read more…]

Cauliflower Theme Activities

September 17, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Beans in a variety of colors weren’t the only thing I discovered on a recent street market stroll. I also stumbled upon a delightful vegetable stall with three different colors of cauliflower. The uniquely hued vegetables are the inspiration for cauliflower theme activities to try, including super easy raw and cooked cauliflower snacks, cauliflower science, and arts and crafts activities.

The easiest cauliflower to find is white, but did you know that this popular vegetable also comes in green, orange, and purple colors? These additional hues have recently popped up at vegetable stands. They add variety to food offerings and would certainly be a conversation piece at any gathering.

Three cauliflower colors spotted at a farmer's market to use in a vegetable tray or a roasted dish.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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The cauliflower colors I feature in the snacks below are cream, light green, and medium green.

Note: On another street market stroll I came across an orange variety, shown in a photo below. I am still on the hunt for purple and look forward to being able to find it.

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Cauliflower Snacks

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable and can be used in many different dishes. Two easy ways to introduce cauliflower are in a vegetable tray or as a roasted dish.

Cauliflower Vegetable Tray

An eye-appealing vegetable tray with cream and green cauliflower and orange cherry tomatoes.

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To give them a moment to shine, include different-hued cauliflower florets in a vegetable tray. Add a favorite dip in the middle of the eye-appealing snack. A little shredded cheese sprinkled on top of the dip and a few cherry tomatoes placed around the cauliflower add pops of color to the tray.

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Roasted Cauliflower

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Offer different colored cauliflower varieties in an easy-to-make roasted dish. First, pour a little olive oil in a bowl. Then cut the heads of cauliflower into florets and toss them in the oil. Spread the cut pieces in a baking pan lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Finally, sprinkle a little salt and pepper on the florets and bake them in an oven heated to 400 degrees for about 25 minutes.

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Cauliflower Science

Before cutting a few different colors of cauliflower into florets, set them on a table for participants to view. Discuss cauliflower parts such as the head and stem leaves.

Green and cream cauliflower cut lengthwise into slabs to compare inside and outside colors.

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Next, slice a cauliflower into wedges to see cross sections of the cruciferous vegetable. View the stem and florets. If the cauliflower is green, orange, or purple, note if the insides of the cauliflower slabs are the same color as the outsides.

Discuss that this nutrient-rich vegetable has lots of vitamins and minerals, and is very healthy to eat.

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Cauliflower Arts And Crafts

You may not be able to find purple and orange cauliflower at your local grocery store, but their hues can certainly be included in cauliflower art and craft projects. In addition to green and cream, they are eye-catching colors to introduce in arty activities.

Vegetable Printing With Cauliflower

Create interesting, unexpected designs by using cauliflower florets as printmaking tools.

First, cut cauliflower into different-sized florets.

An invitation to make vegetable prints with cauliflower florets and orange, purple, green, and cream tempera paints.

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Next, paint the flatter sides of the florets with tempera paint. Cauliflower hues are a standout in this painting activity.

Then press down the florets onto a piece of sturdy art paper to make vegetable prints. Black and green fade-resistant construction paper work nicely for this cauliflower printmaking project.

How to make vegetable prints with cauliflower florets and orange, purple, green, and cream tempera paints.

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Paint Mixing Tips:

Add a drop of yellow tempera paint in the white to make a lovely cream color.
Mix a little yellow paint into green to make a lighter and brighter hue.
Drop in a teaspoon or two of white paint into purple and orange to make softer hues.

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Cauliflower Paper Craft

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This cute cauliflower paper craft also includes printmaking.

To do the craft, first cut cauliflower heads from manilla tag or cream construction paper, and humps and stem leaves from one or two shades of green cardstock or construction paper. Choosing fadeless paper for the project is recommended.

Feel free to download this template for the vegetable craft project.

Download this free cauliflower vegetable template to use for arts and crafts activities. Make purple, orange, green, and cream cauliflower paper crafts.

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Cauliflower PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Next, print color onto the paper cauliflower heads in hues of cream, green, orange, and purple using painted florets. Or simply use cotton balls dipped in tempera paint for the printmaking process.

How to make an orange cauliflower paper craft. This craft incorporate a cotton ball painting technique.

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After the painted cauliflower heads are dry, use a glue stick to affix a hump to the back of each one.

Finally, glue two or three paper stem leaves onto each side of the cauliflower heads.

How to make an orange cauliflower paper craft. This craft incorporates a cotton ball painting technique.

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How to make a purple cauliflower paper craft. This craft incorporates a cotton ball painting technique.

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How to make a green cauliflower paper craft. This craft incorporates a cotton ball painting technique.

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How to make a cauliflower vegetable paper craft. This craft incorporates a cotton ball painting technique.

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These cauliflower theme activities celebrate the vegetable’s vibrant colors and are perfect for a fall or garden theme.

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Corn Theme Activities

Beet Science And Sensory Activities

Carrot Theme Activities

Pumpkin Color Activities

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[Read more…]

Zucchini Leaf Paint Prints

September 2, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Fall is a popular time to do art activities with leaves. Aside from picking tree leaves to work with, don’t overlook garden plants as interesting subjects for leaf art projects. For instance, the zucchini plant is one with large, curvy leaves that beg to be used in painting or drawing projects. In this post, the garden plant is featured in a stunning zucchini leaf paint prints art activity.

Zucchini ready to be harvested in mid summer.

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Zucchini is a green summer squash with large yellow star-shaped flowers and silver-speckled leaves. All parts of the zucchini plant can be eaten, and it is a common food in many cultures.

A gorgeous star-shaped flower on a zucchini plant.

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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 zucchini leaf print art:

zucchini leaves
tempera paint in fall colors
paintbrush
paper towel sheets
garden or disposable gloves
11 x 14-inch sturdy art paper
waterproof tablecloth or large sheet of manilla paper

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Making The Zucchini Leaf Paint Prints

As this is a painting activity, first lay down a waterproof tablecloth. A large sheet of manilla paper also works fine.

Next, fill paint pots with red, green, yellow, and orange tempera paint.

A large, silver-speckled zucchini leaf ready to paint for a leaf printmaking activity.

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Then set up a station with a zucchini leaf, a paintbrush, and a paper towel sheet. Add pots filled with red, yellow, green, and orange paint.

Put on gloves and paint the leaf, dabbing excess paint onto a paper towel sheet between colors.

A zucchini leaf is a good subject for a printmaking activity. The painted leaf makes a beautiful paint print.

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When the leaf is covered in paint, carefully flip it over on a large sheet of all-purpose art paper, gently pressing all parts of the leaf down.

A leaf print in fall colors made with a large zucchini leaf and tempera paint. An all-ages art activity everyone will enjoy.

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If the leaf is covered with a lot of paint, a second print can be made with it. The print has a little less paint but looks equally beautiful.

How to make a leaf print in fall colors with a large zucchini leaf and tempera paint. An all-ages art activity everyone will enjoy.

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Note: The stem and back of the zucchini leaf are a little prickly, so wearing a pair of garden or disposable gloves is advisable.

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Zucchini Leaf Tracing

Zucchini leaves have interesting curves and edges and also make good subjects for tracing. Before painting the zucchini leaf, trace around it and then color it in with crayons or pencil crayons. Or use the zucchini leaf template below to paint or color.

A free zucchini leaf template for art and craft activities.

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Zucchini Leaf PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Zucchini Leaf Transient Art

Once the printmaking activity is done, the painted leaf can be displayed for a few days or even a couple of weeks. Although the leaf isn’t flat at the start, it becomes very flat afterward, making it easy to work with in a wall display.

Or you can just paint the leaf as a transient art project without using it for printmaking

A painted zucchini leaf used in printmaking can be displayed for a few days or weeks as transient art.

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Pumpkin Leaf Transient Art

A pumpkin leaf also makes a great canvas, as it is large and uniquely shaped. As a transient art activity, set out a pumpkin leaf for a painting activity. You may want to tape the back of the leaf down to make it a little flatter before using it as a canvas.

A large pumpkin leaf on a vine can be picked and used in a transient art painting activity.

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Paint a large pumpkin leaf canvas with fall-colored tempera paints for a beautiful transient art project.

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Maple Leaf Activities

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

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[Read more…]

Jellyfish Theme Activities

August 29, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Jellyfish theme with art, math, scissor skill, water play, and light table activities. Interestng jellyfish facts and free printables included.

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It was clear jellyfish that got me interested in this unique sea creature, and are the inspiration behind this jellyfish theme post. Three transparent jellyfish crafts are included in the theme, along with scissor skills, math, and water play ideas.

Sea jelly is the proper name for jellyfish since these creatures are not fish. Fish have a face, brains, tails, fins, and backbone, which sea jellies don’t have. But since most people still use the term jellyfish and find activities by searching this name, I’m using both words in my facts and activities.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Fascinating Jellyfish Facts

Here are ten interesting facts about jellyfish:

Sea jellies are found in waters all over the world: cold or warm, shallow or deep, near shore or deep in the ocean.
These graceful creatures have a bell-shaped body, with oral arms and tentacles that look like streamers.
Jellyfish come in many colors and are often luminescent.
The tiny stinging cells on their tentacles capture prey. The tentacles can also sting people.
Inside the bell, sea jellies have a mouth to eat food with.

Make this sparkly iridescent jellyfish craft that doubles as an ocean drum and movement prop, It displays beautifully indoors or outdoors.

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These floaty creatures eat fish, crabs, shrimp, tiny plants, and zooplankton.
Their predators are large fish, sea turtles, and sometimes other jellyfish.
Sea Jellies are slow swimmers, pulsing along. They often get overpowered by strong currents that carry them along.
From small to humungous, sea jellies come in many different sizes and shapes.
The Portuguese Man Of War is the biggest sea jelly. Nomeus fish live in their deadly tentacles and do not get eaten. The tiny fish help attract large prey that this massive sea jelly ends up eating.
Jellyfish live for just under two days to under a year.

For more facts about sea jellies, view the blog post “Jellies” on montereybayaquarium.org.

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Iridescent Jellyfish Crafts

These three jellyfish crafts are inspired by the moon jelly, which has a transparent, umbrella-shaped bell. Iridescent craft supplies shine in the stringy crafts.

Supplies To Collect

Simple supplies to create three different transparent jellyfish crafts. Iridescent craft supplies take center stage in the projects.

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Gather the following supplies for the transparent sea jelly crafts:

two clear disposable dinner plates
opaque or clear transparent disposable drinking cup
clear dessert bowl
iridescent beads
two kinds of sparkly, textured, thin yarn
iridescent curly ribbon
iridescent metallic shreds
glue gun
wiggly eyes

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Clear Plate Jellyfish

Create this stunning iridescent jellyfish craft using clear disposable plates and iridescent craft supplies. Great for music, movement, and language arts activities.

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To make this large jellyfish, start by positioning one clear dinner plate right side up, and laying metallic shreds and a small handful of iridescent beads on it.

Next, cut strips of sparkly and /or iridescent yarn and curly ribbon and glue them in a row at the bottom of the plate using the glue gun.

Then glue the second dinner plate upside down on top of the first one by applying hot glue to the edge of one or both plates.

Lastly, glue two large wiggly eyes to one of the plates, and affix a yarn strip to hang the jellyfish on the other side.

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This jellyfish looks beautiful displayed in the classroom in a sunny spot, or outside on a tree. The crafted jellyfish also makes an ocean drum musical instrument and can be a unique accessory for language arts. music, and movement activities.

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Dessert Bowl Jellyfish

Design this simple hanging jellyfish craft using gorgeous, iridescent supplies. Display it is a sunny location for maximum shine.

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This second jellyfish craft most replicates the moon jelly shape and is so easy to make. Just glue one end of the yarn and curly ribbon strips to the inside of the bowl so that they hang down like jellyfish arms and tentacles. Affix a loop to hang on the bottom of the bowl, and this sea jelly is ready to be displayed.

Hanging outside at night, it looks like a sea jelly floating deep in the ocean.

Design this hanging jellyfish craft using gorgeous, iridescent supplies. Displayed at night, it looks like a sea jelly floating in deep ocean waters.

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Disposable Cup Jellyfish

Design this cute jellyfish cup craft using iridescent supplies. Display it indoors or outdoors to add ambiance to an ocean creature theme.

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Make this craft just like the one above using a clear or opaque disposable cup instead of the dessert bowl. Add wiggly eyes for the finishing touch.

Design this simple jellyfish cup craft using gorgeous, iridescent supplies. Display it is a sunny location for maximum shine.

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More Jellyfish Activities

Scissor Skill Jellyfish

Here’s an easy jellyfish scissor skills project to download for your little learners. Invite participants to cut out along the lines to create sea jelly tentacles, and then cut out the bell-shaped body.

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Free Jellyfish PrintableDownload

(This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.)

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In this next activity, trace and cut out jellyfish bells from colored cardstock paper, and then print and snip apart the numbered tentacles. Invite little learners to glue tentacles to their jellyfish bell in order from one to five. Use this second printable for the project.

Download this free jellyfish math template for little learners to create a paper craft, practice scissor skills, and order numbers form one to five.

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Free Jellyfish Math PrintableDownload

(This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.)

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Invite little learners to practice scissor skills and math concepts by completing a paper craft jellyfish with numbered tentacles.

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Or simply photocopy the jellyfish printable on pastel-colored paper or cardstock to add pops of color to the activity.

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More Jellyfish Math

Use paper jellyfish or jellyfish figurines in counting rhymes and songs.

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Light Table Jellyfish

Invitation to create jellyfish on a light table with transparent stir sticks and page divider cut outs. Wiggly eyes are the finishing touch.

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Invite little learners to create jellyfish on a light table with transparent page divider cutouts and stir sticks.

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Jellyfish Water Play

Include jellyfish dive toys, fishing nets, strainers, and foam numbers in a water table, tuff tray, or bus tub. Little learners can count, sort, and scoop the colored jellyfish in the bin.

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Sea Turtle Theme Activities

Octopus Theme Activities

Sea Star Theme Activities

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[Read more…]

Gorgeous Eye Dropper Art

August 27, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Baeutiful paper towel eye dropper art . Do the process art activity on its own or turn the art into dragonfly, butterfly, and flower designs.

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What do dragonflies, butterflies, and flowers have in common? Aside from appearing during the summer season, they all look spectacular in eye dropper art. This easy-to-do, oh-so-satisfying process art technique is one of children’s favorite ways to paint.

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Supplies To Collect

For this stunning art activity, gather the following:

liquid watercolors or food coloring
roll of absorbent paper towels
pipette eye droppers
paint containers
waterproof tablecloth

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The Eye Dropper Art Process

Create gorgeous eye dropper art with liquid watercolors on paper towle sheets. An all-ages process art activity.

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Things might get very wet with this art technique, so the first thing to do is cover the working surface with a waterproof tablecloth.

Next, tear off sheets from a paper towel roll. If you have a choice, pick a thicker brand, as it will be more absorbent. But any kind of paper towel will work fine.

Then pour water into paint pots, and mix a few drops of liquid watercolors or food coloring in each one.

Set up an art station with a paper towel sheet and paint pots with eyedropper pipettes for each participant.

Invite children to squeeze paint on their paper towel canvas with the droppers.

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When the arty paper towel sheets are thoroughly covered in paint, set them aside to dry.

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Eye Dropper Paint Crafts

Eye dropper painting is a well-loved process art activity, and participating artists will likely want to decorate a few paper towels. In this case, send some of the paper towel art home, and save a few sheets for crafts or other activities. The paper towel art looks beautiful in the following three crafts.

Paper Towel Dragonflies

Create a gorgeous dragonfly with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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The large wings of mosquito-munching dragonflies have a moment with the eye dropper art technique. To craft the dragonflies, cut two pairs of long wings out of painted paper towel sheets, and a one-piece head, thorax, and abdomen from complementary-toned regular or glitter cardstock. Use a glue stick to affix the dragonfly wings to the back of the cardstock shapes. Finally, use a glue gun to add folded pipe cleaner antennae and wiggly eyes to the heads.

Tip: Paper towel rolls are often two-ply. If the layers in your cutouts separate while you are working, dab a little glue in a few spots between them so they stay in place.

Create gorgeous dragonflies with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Download this free dragonfly template to make the craft.

Download this free dragonfly template for art or craft activities.

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Dragonfly PrintableDownload

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This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Paper Towel Butterflies

Create a gorgeous, dainty butterfly with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Butterflies look fantastical in any kind of art technique, and the wings look especially dainty when crafted from painted paper towels. To create the butterflies, snip two pairs of butterfly wings from a colored paper towel. Then cut a one-piece head, thorax, and abdomen from cardstock. As with the dragonflies, affix the wings to the back of the cardstock bodies. With a glue gun, attach a folded pipe cleaner antennae and two small wiggly eyes to the heads.

Create gorgeous, dainty butterflies with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Download this free butterfly template to make the craft.

Download this free butterfly template for art or craft activities.

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Butterfly TemplateDownload

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This printable is for individual or one-classroom use only.

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Paper Towel Flowers

Create a beautiful flower with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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A third art project is to create paper towel flowers. Cut the flowers and circular centers from painted paper towel sheets, and add cardstock or construction paper stems and leaves.

Create beautiful flowers with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Download this free flower template to make the craft.

Download this free flower template for art or craft activities.

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Flower PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one-classroom use only.

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Light Table Play

The eye dropper paper towel dragonflies, butterflies, and flowers look especially beautiful displayed on a light table.

Eyedropper art dragonfly, butterfly, and flowers display beautifully on a light table.

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As an alternative, eye dropper-painted geometric shapes cut from paper towel sheets also illuminate wonderfully and offer opportunities to create original designs.

Eye dropper art on geomtric shapes look beautiful on a light table and provide an invitation to create interesting new designs.

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Earth Day Heart Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Spider Theme Activities

Ladybug Wand Craft

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[Read more…]

Paint Chip Watermelon Art

August 17, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Create beautiful watermelon art with paint chip samples. The colorful watermelon slices can be used in many different activities.

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Paint chip color samples with their gorgeous lined-up hues are truly something special. They come in every glorious color scheme you can imagine and make any kind of art activity extra beautiful. In this post, they shine in paint chip watermelon art that lends itself to a variety of fun activities for children.

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Not Just Red

The only color of watermelon I experienced as a child is red, but did you know that there are also yellow, orange, pink, and white watermelon varieties? All these hues are featured in this fruity art activity.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies to make paint chip watermelon art:

paint chip samples in hues of red, pink, orange, yellow, and green
black cardstock
hole punch
glue stick
scissors and pencil

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Paint Chip Watermelon Art Process

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To create this juicy art activity, trace and cut out half-circle shapes from paint chip swatches donated from hardware stores.

Note: Watermelon comes in at least five different hues, so multi-shade paint chip strips in yellow, orange, pink, red, and white all apply.

Next, trace and cut out thin half-circle watermelon rinds from green paint color samples.

Afterward, use a glue stick to affix the green rinds to the curved edge of the half circles to create watermelon slices.

Just add seeds to these fruity slices to create watermelon art. The juicy slices can be used in many differnt activities for litlle learners.

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Then punch dots from black construction paper for watermelon seeds, and glue a few onto each watermelon slice.

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Paint Chip Watermelon Activities

The created paint chip watermelon slices can be used in several ways with little learners:

Watermelon Slice Collage

Invite little learners to glue watermelon slices to a large sheet of paper for a pretty watermelon collage.

Craft watermelon slices with paint chip samples and use them in a pretty watermelon collage. A beautiful. all-ages art activity.

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Counting and Color Recognition Activities

Use the juicy slices as props for counting and color-recognition rhymes, songs, and charting activities.

Paint chip watermelon slices shine in this fruity math chart where little learners can count the seeds and add the corresponding number.

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Paint chip watermelon art used in a fruity color chart where little learners can practice matching color words to watermelon slices.

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Pretend Play Food

The crafted fruit slices make attractive pretend food for a play kitchen.

Paint chip watermelon slices make attractive play food for a pretend play kitchen.

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Watermelon Necklace

With a hot glue gun, affix small paper clips to the back top of three watermelon slices. String pony beads and paper watermelon slices onto a 24-inch piece of thin lacing cord and tie it off.

Supplies to make a beaded necklace with paint chip watermelon slices and green, red, pink, and clear pony beads.

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How to make a beaded necklace with paint chip watermelon slices and green, red, pink, and clear pony beads.

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Color Discussions

After little learners can recognize the basic colors, use the paint chip watermelon slices to discuss lighter and darker shades of color.

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Paint Chip Fruit Drink Art

It is easy to transition this paint chip watermelon art activity into a fruit drink craft. To do this, cut paper glasses from construction paper colors of choice. Then cut half circles from paint chip swatches in fruity hues. Offer each participant a paper glass, glue stick, and six or seven half-circle fruit wedges to create a lemon, lime, or orange paper drink. Add an additional fruit slice to the top of each glass.