autumn

Tree Art Bulletin Board

July 13, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This bright tree art bulletin board is inspired by the stunning storybook called “The Wind and the Trees” by Todd Stewart. I discovered the book at a local library and instantly fell in love with the tender story and vibrant illustrations. The picture book provided just the inspiration I was looking for to redo a bulletin board begging for a change.

In the storybook, an old pine tree teaches a young sapling about the benefits and dangers of wind. Over the course of the story, the old pine weakens and deteriorates and the young sapling slowly grows bigger. By the end of the story, a storm wind has knocked the old tree down, and a seedling soon takes its place.

The vivid silkscreen illustrations in this heartwarming children’s book show the same scene on each page in different weather, seasons, and times of the day. Tree trunks, needles, and skies are designed in beautiful, varying color schemes. Woodland animals are included subtly in silhouette form on many of the pages.

A pink and red-leafed woodland tree design that fits in with a spring blossom theme.

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As I am accustomed to doing an art-themed bulletin board using the same tree in different seasons or times of day, I soon realized that drawing inspiration from the color combinations in the book would work nicely for a new tree art bulletin board. The tree art design is easy to replicate in a space you have available.

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Supplies To Collect

Colored tree trunks prepared for a picture book-inspired tree art bulletin board project. An easy-to do, all ages art activity.

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A selection of quality sturdy paper and a few other supplies are needed for this woodland papercraft project. Gather the following:

tree template
9-inch x 12-inch fade-resistant construction paper in a variety of colors
cardstock in an array of colors
glitter cardstock
glue stick
paper punches
woodland animal stickers
pencil and scissors

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Preparing The Tree Art Craft

To plan out this tree art bulletin board, decide on a few different color schemes. I chose eight, but you can easily go with four. View the picture book “The Wind and the Trees” by Todd Stewart for color palette ideas.

Select a background color, tree trunk hue, and leaf colors for each tree art design. Use the paper choices you have available to pick color combinations.

Tip: Acid-free or fade-resistant paper is worth investing in for papercraft projects. The colors stay bright much longer.

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Then use a template to cut out paper tree trunks. Feel free to download the template below to make your craft preparation easier.

Download this free, user-friendly tree template for art and craft activities. The template is perfect for bulletin board art.

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Tree Craft PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Use two different-sized heart paper punches to create leaves. A few metallic paper leaves add a little glitz and are often children’s favorite collage pieces to use.

Note: The tree in the picture book is a pine. I chose a deciduous tree for my designs because its leaves work well for collage projects.

Next, glue a tree trunk to each background piece of paper.

Afterward, invite children to affix heart leaves to their trees using a glue stick.

Sunset-themed woodland tree art inspired by a picture book.

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Finally, participants can add paper punched and/or sticker woodland animals to their tree scenes. I used paper-punched birds and butterflies, and sticker deer, foxes, rabbits, raccoons, bears, squirrels, and porcupines.

Night-time woodland tree art inspired by a picture book.

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The Tree Art Bulleting Board Display

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Displaying the tree art is easy when using a rectangular bulletin board. Arrange the art in a sequence of color designs, and repeat the pattern for the whole display. An alternative is to display the art randomly or in another pattern of your choice.

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More About “The Wind and the Trees” Picture Book

In addition to being an inspiration for art projects, this gorgeous picture book by Todd Stewart is perfect for a tree or nature theme. Through colorful pictures and wisdom-filled print, it communicates the life cycle of trees. It also shares the following details about how wind benefits and hurts trees:

How The Wind Benefits Trees

tree roots grow deeper
tree bark becomes stronger
messages and signals are carried from one tree to another
seeds are scattered so new trees can grow

The Dangers Of Wind To Trees

roots are stretched
tree trunks and branches dry
older trees get knocked down

Lastly, the pictures also depict a variety of woodland animals for children to spot and name, such as bats, owls, squirrels, bees, eagles, a raccoon, and a porcupine.

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A blue and green-leafed woodland tree art design with the colors of a cloudy everning.

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Related:

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Book-Inspired Tree Art

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

Neon Fingerpaint Tree Art

Maple Leaf Activities

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Christmas Tree Art

Christmas Tree Decorating Center

Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

Candy Cane Tree Experiment

Chinese Money Tree Activities

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[Read more…]

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

November 23, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Here’s an easy Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup your little learners will love. It incorporates fall-colored loose parts with a few turkey and pilgrim-themed accessories.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Supplies In The Thanksgiving Tablescape

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving play tablescape setup.

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The following supplies make this Thanksgiving tablescape a fun place to play:

harvest disposable plates and plaque
clear plastic glasses, dessert plates, and jars
baking pan
orange, yellow, and green cutlery
gold flowers in a vase
green, yellow, red, and orange felt balls and wooden beads
turkey centerpieces
miniature artificial pumpkins
Thanksgiving cookie cutters
Pilgrim sticker “cookies”
turkey game pieces and wooden beads
“Be Thankful” tea towel
white tablecloth

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Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Arrange supplies for this tablescape in a play kitchen on a shelf, or place them in the play stove, fridge, and cupboards. Your little learners will enjoy incorporating them into festive play.

Loose parts are always a highlight of pretend play setups. Green, yellow, orange, and red-themed felt balls and round wooden beads easily transfer from a fall play tablescape to this Thanksgiving one.

Loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving-themed dramatic play tablescape.

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The turkey centerpieces were a delightful find at a party store and add color and style.

Pilgrim-themed stickers make great “cookies” when placed on a baking pan.

Turkey game pieces and wooden beads help make the play set up super special.

Themed cookie cutters are easy-to-find items that add flair.

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup.

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Disposable plates befitting the Thanksgiving theme are included in the décor, as are artificial miniature pumpkins showcased in clear plastic glasses.

Early learners will enjoy role-playing Thanksgiving dinner events with this festive pretend play setup.

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A “Be Thankful” tea towel and harvest plaque are the finishing touches to this seasonal dramatic play center.

This Thanksgiving tablescape dramatic play setup incorporates loose parts in a big way. It's an easy center to include in harvest celebrations.

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Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Play Tablescape

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[Read more…]

Corn Syrup Paint Sunflowers

November 18, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you can probably tell that I like both sunflowers and corn syrup paint a lot. I regularly post sunflower activity ideas and frequently feature corn syrup paint art. These corn syrup paint sunflowers perfectly showcase the beauty and appeal of this shiny, glossy paint. Prepare to be wowed!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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This shiny, corn syrup paint sunflower art project is easy-to-do and looks gorgeous displayed. A free sunflower template is available to download.

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Supplies To Collect

For this easy-to-do, pretty painting activity, gather the following supplies:

white corn syrup
blue, red, and yellow food coloring
sunflower seeds
baby food jars
paintbrushes
teaspoons
8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock paper
green construction paper
scissors
glue stick
glue gun
pencil
sunflower template
plastic tablecloth

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Making The Corn Syrup Paint Sunflowers

There is always white corn syrup in my art supply collection, as I love using it in painting activities. But you can substitute light corn syrup instead.

Steps to make glorious, corn syrup paint sunflowers using a taste-safe, homemade, two-ingredient recipe. Download and use the free template for this art project.

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First, pour the corn syrup into three baby food jars, or paint containers you have handy. Add a few drops of red, yellow, and blue food coloring to one jar and mix it with a teaspoon to make a shade of brown. Add a few drops of yellow to another and stir. Mix red and yellow colors into a third container to make orange.

Note: The more food coloring drops you add, the darker each hue will be.

Next, trace and cut leaves and stems from green construction paper.

Afterward, cut cardstock sunflowers from a template. Feel free to download and use the sunflower template included in this post.

Download this sunflower template to make gorgeous corn syrup art.

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Sunflower PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Then set out the paper sunflowers, brown paint, and seeds on a table covered with a plastic tablecloth. Invite participants to paint the circular middle of their sunflower brown, and press in seeds.

Next, set out the yellow and orange paints and brushes. Ask everyone to paint the petals of their sunflower. They’ll love using this bright, slick, translucent paint.

Gorgeous, glossy sunflower art made with a taste-safe, two-ingredient homemade paint recipe. This art project looks stunning when displayed.

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As soon as the artists are finished, move each decorated sunflower onto an 8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock background, or a cardstock color of choice. Adhere it with a glue gun. Then with a gluestick or glue gun, add a green paper stem and leaf.

The corn syrup paint is thick and sticky, and completed sunflower art projects should be left to dry for a few days.

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Displaying The Corn Syrup Sunflower Art

These syrupy sunflowers have a shiny, firm finish when dry, and look beautiful displayed. The art is somewhat transient, as the paint will melt and drip in hot, humid conditions. But I have had a piece on display for over a year and it is still looking fabulous.

This shiny, corn syrup paint art project is easy to do and looks gorgeous displayed. It's an all-ages art activity everyone will love to try.

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More Corn Syrup Paint Art

As mentioned earlier, I feature lots of corn syrup paint activities on this blog. You may be interested in:

Textured Octopus Craft

Sea Star Art

Sea Turtle Hatchling Art

Painted Turtle And Lizard

Spooky Hands Craft

Sunflower Heart Craft

All these art projects yield gorgeous results.

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[Read more…]

Gadget Printmaking Poppy Art

November 10, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It started with a large dot print made with a pie pan, tempera paint, and a paintbrush. The intent was to make a simple red poppy print with a black round center. But afterward, I decided to add paint markings with gadgets to add more color and definition. The result is super striking gadget printmaking poppy art that’s easy and fun to do.

This poppy art is perfect for a Remembrance Day project. Red poppies are a symbol of lives lost to war since World War I. They especially serve as reminders of this each year on November 11, the Remembrance Day holiday in our country.

How to make stunning gadget printmaking poppy art.

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Poppy Art Supplies

Gadgets used as painting tools make interesting prints, and you can find them all over your home. Here are the gadgets I use for this large-scale art activity:

9-inch round cake or pie pan
Jumbo circular bubble wand and tray
ground meat chopper
spools
bottle sponge brush
round sponge brush

A few simple supplies complete the list of items needed to make poppy art:

tempera paint colors in bright red, yellow, green, pink, and orange
12-inch x 16-inch sturdy white paper
green construction paper
green marker
ruler
scissors
glue stick
flat plate or tray

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Gadget Printmaking Poppy Art Steps

Simple steps to create beautiful poppy art with a gadget printmaking technique. The art project introduces participants to a new and unusual way to paint.

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First, lay out a large sheet of sturdy paper on a table.

Next, pour red paint on a tray or flat plate. Dip the bottom of a round cake or pie pan in the paint, and press it down on the paper background to make the flower head.

Then dip a bubble wand into orange paint and press it in the middle of the dot. The bubble wand tray holds the paint perfectly for this step.

Afterward, press a sponge bottle brush into the green paint, and make a print in the center.

Then dip a spool into black paint, and press it into the very center of the flower.

Bubble wand, sponge bottle brush, and spool paint prints add color and definition to this gadget printmaking poppy art project.

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Next, draw on a stem with a green marker. If desired, use a ruler to keep the stem line straight.

Finally, cut a simple leaf from green fadeless construction paper, and glue it onto the stem.

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Poppy Art Color Variations

The gadgets and paint colors used for enhancing the red poppies can be varied. In this art project, a bubble wand, bottle brush, and two spools are the gadgets used.

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A ground meat chopper paint print adds detail to the flower center below.

A bubble wand and ground meat chopper paint print add color and definition to this gadget printmaking poppy art project.

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Remembrance Day Poppy Art

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This next project employs the bubble wand tray for the large dot print. The tray is not as big as the cake or pie pan, so can be used with a smaller-sized paper base. And it has a scalloped edge, adding character to the poppy dot. This design is my pick for the official Remembrance Day art project for this year.

For the flower center, dip a round sponge brush or small round sponge into black paint, and press it in the middle of the red dot print. Then press a sponge bottle brush into yellow paint, and make a print on top of the black circle. Finish off with a black spool print in the center of the flower.

Tip: Letting the red and black paint dry for a few hours helps the yellow sponge bottle print stand out and remain bright.

Create this beautiful Remembrance Day poppy art with a gadget printmaking technique. The art project introduces participants to a new and unusual way to paint.

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More Gadget Printmaking Poppy Art Ideas

Instead of using only red for the large flower petal dot, introduce a few more color choices, such as yellow and orange. The colors will blend in nicely to make red-orange hues, adding shading and texture.

And since poppies come in a variety of colors, you could choose an entirely new color scheme for this project.

Bubble wand, sponge, meat chopper, bottle brush, and spool prints add highlights and detail to the poppy flower art. And the gadget painting technique introduces participants to a new and unusual way to do painting and printmaking.

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More Remembrance Day Art Projects

Remembrance Day Butterfly Craft

Remembrance Day Poppy Art

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[Read more…]

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

October 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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For the longest while I stayed away from featuring skeletons in activities for little learners. But you wouldn’t know it by all the posts about them on this blog. That’s because in recent years I’ve seen so many glam skeletons in home décor, inspiring a host of ways to showcase them in fun, non-threatening ways. This glam skeleton playdough tray is my latest bone-filled play invitation. It is an extension of a post I did last week about an elegant skeleton sensory bin.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Gather

Silver and gold loose parts complement the neutral palette in this glam skeleton-themed playdough invitation.

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The same loose parts used in the skeleton-themed sensory bin work wonderfully in a playdough party tray:

skeletons
skulls
bones
spider figurines
pearl beads
gem leaves
bead jewelry strands
crown hair combs
mini pumpkins
bells

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The Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

This playdough tray can be offered with a basic playdough recipe or one that is colored. Black and white playdough contrast each other in the tray below. There are links to the dough recipes further on in the post.

A skeleton sits atop black and white playdough in this inviting party tray. Other loose parts include pumpkins, spiders, skulls, and bones.

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This next tray features white playdough made with my go-to basic playdough recipe.

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Although there’s a whole lotta glam in the sensory tray, an ornate mirror adds just a little more.

A mirror adds elegance to this glam skeleton playdough invitation early learners will be excited to explore.

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The loose parts spark the imagination and children can use them to make unique designs. They make interesting prints in the dough.

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Playdough Recipes

Find the recipes for the playdough here:

Black Playdough Recipe (from the blog “Left Brain Craft Brain.”)

This black playdough was featured in my “White Lilacs And Black Playdough” blog post a few months ago. Believe it or not, the playdough is still pliable.

Basic Playdough Recipe

The basic playdough recipe can be made in a big batch to use with a group of children.

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Four different ways to feature skeleton-themed loose parts in sensory play. Black and white playdough recipes are included.

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Related:

Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Q-tip Skeleton Craft

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More Themed Playdough Trays

Circus Playdough Tray

Watermelon Playdough Tray

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

Pet-Themed Playdough Tray

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[Read more…]

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

October 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Living in Alberta, Canada, it seems a little late to feature a fall activity post. The leaves have almost completely blown off the trees, by fierce winds that seem determined to knock every last one to the ground. But although fall has nearly left us, we are not ready to leave it behind. So here’s one last colorful autumn post…an inviting fall tablescape pretend play center.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

Pretend play is super fun and imaginative in this fall tablescape pretend play set up early learners are bound to love.

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Fall colors, leaves, and animals feature prominently in this list of gathered supplies:

leaf-themed paper plates
green, yellow, and orange forks and spoons
fall cupcake liners
orange ice cube tray
bowl with owl, leaf, acorn, and apple game pieces
jar with yellow, orange and red felt balls
container with leaf, acorn, pumpkin, and diamond gems
felt animal decorations
orange artificial flower sprig
artificial sunflower heads
large felt maple leaf
muffin pan
cookie sheet
potholder and spatula

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The Fall Tablescape Pretend Play Setup

The list of supplies seems long, but this play tablescape is quick and easy to set up. I started out by setting out the red maple leaf and vase with flowers. Next, I added the plates and cutlery. Then I added the rest of the supplies.

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Loose parts such as gems, felt balls, and game pieces allow children to use their imagination. Little learners love incorporating them in pretend play. For instance, wouldn’t the felt animal decorations make super fancy cookies?

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Seasonal loose parts add a host of imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

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Loose parts such as game pieces and felt balls add imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

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Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten to set out on the table? It’s fall-themed cups! I didn’t realize they were missing until after I had taken all the pictures.

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Little learners relish playing with seasonal accessories. And it’s especially fun to see their excited response the first day they notice a new play kitchen theme.

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View this Fall Play Tablescape as a video.

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[Read more…]

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

October 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This pumpkin painting process art activity is easy and effortless to do. It looks a little messy but really isn’t at all. Your little learners will be very eager to participate in this unique art project.

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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 creative painting activity:

tempera paints
paint brushes
napkins
small pumpkins
paint palettes
gold glitter
spray adhesive
large disposable tablecloth

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Pumpkin Painting Process Art Set Up

To offer this painting activity, first cover a table with a disposable tablecloth or one that can easily be wiped down afterward.

Then set out a small pumpkin for each child participating.

Next, add tempera paints to paint palettes. Place a paintbrush, filled palette, and napkin next to each pumpkin.

A no-fuss painting invitation with real pumpkins and tempera paint. A process art activity everyone will love.

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Invite children to choose a pumpkin and paint it any way they like.

A super fun way to decorate pumpkins with tempera paint. An all-ages art project everyone will love.

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Encourage little artists to wipe their brushes on the napkin provided when switching hues.

As a finishing touch, have them generously sprinkle gold glitter on top of their pumpkin. This glams up each one big time.

Gold glitter glams up painted pumpkins big time, and is a welcome addition to this showy process art activity.

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After leaving the pumpkins to dry overnight, spray them generously with a craft adhesive to help the glitter stay on.

Now the pumpkins are ready to be displayed or taken home.

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Choosing Paint Colors

In this post, I feature primary tempera paint colors. A little yellow and/or white is added to each hue to lighten and brighten it up, as the paint colors are quite intense coming straight out of the jug. There are lots of brown hues on the decorated pumpkins, as little learners never tire of large-scale color mixing. Feel free to choose an entirely different color scheme for your pumpkin art project.

Note: I briefly touch on this pumpkin painting process art activity in a post titled “Pumpkin Color Activities.”

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Clean Up

A little handwashing and spot cleaning on the floor take care of cleanup quickly. Most of the glitter and paint are usually contained by the tablecloth. And if there are traces of glitter around the room, I say: “A little glitter never hurt anyone.” The added sparkle is welcome!

An easy and fun pumpkin painting process art activity everyone will be eager to try. Gold glitter adds glamour to the pumpkins.

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Collaborative Pumpkin Process Art Project

Another way to do this fabulous art activity is to set out one large pumpkin. Give all children a chance to paint it, working in groups of two or three. Each day the pumpkin can be redecorated, giving it an entirely new look. Just remember to add the glitter at the last painting session.

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More Pumpkin Activities

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Pumpkin Color Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Collage Art

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[Read more…]

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

October 28, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Fall is such a great time to spot seasonal home décor in stores, as it is very plentiful. And one of my favorite things to do is to translate a seasonal trend into an “of the moment” sensory bin. This fall I’m particularly drawn to the beautifully adorned skeletons in wall art, decorations, and tableware. And this theme works well in a glam skeleton sensory bin guaranteed to catch the attention of little learners.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Skeleton-themed loose parts tray for early learners to explore. Gold and silver accessories add glamour to the tray.

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The color scheme for this elegant sensory bin is silver, gold, cream, and white. Loose parts gathered for the bin are:

skeletons
skulls
bones
spider figurines
pearl beads
gem leaves
bead jewelry strands
crown hair combs
mini pumpkins
bells

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The Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

A large square metal serving tray is a good fit for this sensory activity. Brown, white, or gold rice provides a good base. My bin features glutinous rice… I love its super white hue.

To prepare this glamorous sensory invitation, pour a layer of rice into a tub or tray. Then spread gem diamonds and leaves, bead strands and pearl beads, bells, bones, and pumpkins over the rice. Add skeletons. spiders and crown-adorned skulls as a finishing touch.

An oh-so-glam skeleton-themed rice bin featuring gold and silver loose parts. A non-threatening way for little learners to explore the skeleton.

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Setting the loose parts in a smaller metal tray without adding rice is a no-fuss alternate way to offer this sensory activity.

An easy-to-set-up glamourous sensory tub for early learners featuring skulls and skeletons, and gold and silver loose parts.

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And placing a mirror on a stand at the back of the bin adds a double dose of glam.

An ornate mirror adds a double dose of glam to a skeleton-themed rice sensory bin your little learners are sure to love.

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Offering skulls, skeletons, and bones in a sensory bin filled with pretty loose parts is a non-threatening and inviting way for little learners to explore the human skeleton.

Glam up a skeleton-themed rice bin with gold and silver loose parts. Miniature pumpkins and pearl beads complete the bin.

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Black Light Skeleton Sensory Bin

Since there are many white or cream-colored pieces in this bin, it’s fun to extend sensory learning by observing if any of them light up under a black light. Surprisingly, a few gem leaves glow the most when the bin is placed in a dark room under a black light.

Find out what loose parts glow under a black light with this fun glam skeleton rice bin.

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Note: To find out more about what glows under a black light, view my blog post “Glow Art Words Of Affirmation.“

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[Read more…]

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

October 27, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Fall is well underway in our area of the world, and the leaves on the trees have turned bright shades of red, orange, and yellow in the past few weeks. The colorful leaves provide wonderful inspiration for art projects, and this fall leaf salad spinner art activity is one of my favorites.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies to Collect

For this fun and easy art project, gather the following supplies:

salad spinner
white cardstock paper
red, yellow, green, and orange tempera paint
paint pots
teaspoons
leaf tracer
pencil
scissors

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A beautiful painted leaf made with a salad spinner painting technique. This process art project is bound to be a hit with your little learners.

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The Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art Project

To do this art project, pick a leaf to trace and cut from white cardstock. I feature a maple leaf, as it fits nicely in a salad spinner and has an interesting shape. Cut out a few paper leaves for each child participating.

Next, pour red, yellow, orange, and green paint into small containers, and add a teaspoon to each paint pot.

Then have participants take turns placing a paper leaf in the spinner, dripping paint colors on top, and spinning the salad spinner as fast as they can.

How to make beautiful fall leaves with a salad spinner painting technique. An easy and fun all-ages art project.

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The resulting paint patterns are always a delightful surprise, and the arty leaves are display-worthy. And they make a great addition to year-end school memory albums.

A beautiful way to create painted fall leaves using a salad spinner technique. And it's so easy and fun.

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Note: I previously featured maple leaf salad spinner art in a Canada Day post. You can download a leaf template (available in that post) to use for this art activity if you wish.

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Beautiful fall leaves created with a salad spinner painting technique. The arty leaves are display-worthy and would be a great additions to year-end school memory albums.

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The salad spinner cleans up surprisingly well with soap and water at the end of the art session.

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Related: Maple Leaf Theme Activities

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[Read more…]

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

October 26, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This glow-in-the-dark pumpkin art is easy and fun to do. It’s an all-ages art activity the whole family can participate in, and looks stunning displayed in a dark room with a black light. Mounted on a neon-colored paper background, the pumpkin art project displays nicely in daylight too.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies for making neon pumpkin art to use with a black light and take home afterward.

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Just a few supplies make this arty activity come to life. To get it ready, gather the following:

highlighter markers in a variety of colors
white cardstock paper
pumpkin template
pencil
scissors
neon green pipe cleaners
masking tape
small table
black light

Glow-in-the-dark pumpkin art with white cardstock paper, highlighter markers, and neon pipe cleaners. A stunning art project the whole family can do.

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The Glow in the Dark Pumpkin Art Activity

To prepare this activity, cut out pumpkins and leaves from white cardstock. Feel free to download the template below.

A free pumpkin template to download for glow-in-the-dark art activities.

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Pumpkin PatternDownload

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Then, set out a container with highlighter markers along with a paper pumpkin and leaf for each participant.

Next, invite everyone to color their pumpkin and leaf. Leaving some parts white is fine because it glows in the dark too.

Afterward, wrap neon green pipe cleaners around a pencil, and fasten one around the stem of each pumpkin.

Then set a small table against a wall in a room that can be made totally dark and place a black light on it.

Next, tape the pumpkins and leaves to the wall above the table.

This highlighter marker pumpkin art enhanced with a black light looks stunning in daylight too.

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Finally, invite artists into the room to admire their displayed art in daylight with the black light turned on. Then turn off the room lights. Participants are sure to be wowed by how beautiful their highlighter-decorated pumpkins look under ultraviolet light.