• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Winter
  • Chinese New Year
  • Blog
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Contact Me
  • Easter Activities

autumn

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

October 21, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

_______

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

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

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

_______

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

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

_______

Setting Up The Pumpkin Tablescape

Set up this colorful pumpkin-themed pretend play center your early learners will love. Loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play activity.

_______

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finally, add serving spoons to the play tablescape.

Set up this colorful pumpkin-themed pretend play center your early learners will love. Loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play activity.

_______

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

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

_______

View this Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play Center as a video.

_______

More Pumpkin Activities

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Pumpkin Color Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Collage Art

_______

[Read more…] about Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Filed Under: autumn, dramatic play, fall, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: dramatic play, play kitchen, pretend play, pumpkins, tablescapes

Neon Finger Paint Tree Art

October 19, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

_______

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

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

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

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

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

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

_______

The Neon Finger Paint Tree Process

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

_______

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

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

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

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

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

_______

Tree Printable

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

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

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

_______

Finger Paint Tree Art Benefits

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

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

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

_______

Related: Book-inspired Tree Art

_______

[Read more…] about Neon Finger Paint Tree Art

Filed Under: art, autumn, fall, preschool, sensory, trees Tagged With: finger painting, neon colors, painting, picture books

Color Magic Milk Experiment

October 8, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

_______

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

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

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

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

_______

The Color Magic Milk Experiment

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

_______

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_______

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

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

_______

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

_______

The Science Behind This Color Experiment

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

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

_______

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

_______

Related: Color Explosion Science Experiment

_______

More Leaf Activities

Five Leaf Art Activities

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Maple Leaf Activities

_______

[Read more…] about Color Magic Milk Experiment

Filed Under: autumn, fall, preschool, science, sensory, trees Tagged With: color, leaves, science experiment

DIY Portable Mud Kitchen

October 7, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

_______

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

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Portable Mud Kitchen Supplies

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

_______

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

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

_______

The DIY Portable Mud Kitchen

_______

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

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

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

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

Add small wire shelves (available at dollar stores).

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

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

It’s that simple!

_______

More Mud Kitchen Play

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

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

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

_______

Related: Fall Sensory Play

_______

[Read more…] about DIY Portable Mud Kitchen

Filed Under: autumn, dramatic play, fall, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: DIY mud kitchen, fall, leaves, mud kitchen, sensory play, sensory tray

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

June 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Try this gorgeous spin painting maple leaf process art project today! It's a simple and satisfying activity the whole family will love to do!
Try this gorgeous spin painting maple leaf process art project today! It's a simple and satisfying activity the whole family will love to do!

_______

This spin painting maple leaf art activity is perfect for Canada Day, fall, or any time of the year. Early learners will LOVE using a salad spinner to make it! You will not find a simpler or more satisfying process art project.

Salad spinner art brings back memories of going to our local fair in the summer when I was young. There would always be a station with spin art, and it was my favorite activity to try.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

For this easy and stunning spin painting art project, gather the following supplies:

  • salad spinner
  • white cardstock paper
  • tempera paint
  • paint pots
  • teaspoons
  • maple leaf tracer
  • pencil
  • scissors

_______

Salad spinner process art maple leaf! It features colors seen in Canadian landscapes and decor.

_______

Creating Spin Painting Maple Leaves

Steps to make gorgeous maple leaf spin art. A simple and satisfying activity the whole family will love to do!

_______

To offer this process art project, trace and cut maple leaves from cardstock. Make them just big enough to fit in the bottom of the salad spinner you are using. Feel free to download this template to use as a tracer.

Download this free maple leaf template for art and craft activities.

_______

Maple Leaf PrintableDownload

_______

Set a cut leaf in the bottom of the salad spinner. I purchased an economical one just for art. But a salad spinner you have handy in your kitchen works just fine. The paint washes out surprisingly easily.

Next, place the cut maple leaf inside the spinner and cover it with the lid.

Using tempera paints in paint pots, invite your early learner to generously drip paint in colors of choice onto the leaf. I feature paint colors commonly found in our Canadian landscape and home décor. Red and white paints would work well for Canada Day. And of course, tempera paints in fall colors would look beautiful.

Try this gorgeous spin painting maple leaf process art project today. Using colors featured in Canadian landscapes and decor, it is perfect for Canada Day or any time of the year.

_______

Invite your little learner to spin the salad spinner for at least ten seconds.

Take off the lid and admire the beautiful result together.

After the first project, your little learner will want to make a few more. And the whole family may wish to get in on this gorgeous spin painting maple leaf art activity!

_______

Try this gorgeous salad spinner maple leaf art project today. Using colors seen in Canadian landscapes and decor, it is perfect for Canada Day or any time of the year.

_______

Related:  Valentine’s Day Process Art

_______

[Read more…] about Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Filed Under: art, autumn, Canada Day, fall, preschool, trees Tagged With: leaves, maple leaves, painting, spin art

Easy S’Mores Bars

November 28, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Easy s'mores bars to make indoors year-round for family and friends. Just three ingredients are needed for this gooey, melty dessert
Easy s'mores bars to make indoors year-round for family and friends. Just three ingredients are needed for this gooey, melty dessert

_______

This easy s’mores bars recipe comes from having forgotten to add wrapped round chocolates to October treat bags. Orange and purple don’t naturally transition into November activities, so I decided to use the chocolates in this melty dessert.

To add versatility to the recipe, I also feature chocolate coins and chocolates wrapped in Christmas style.

S’mores bars were originally classic campfire treats. Made indoors they can be enjoyed year-round. And little learners love to help make them!

_______

S’mores Bars Supplies To Collect

Just three ingredients are needed for this melty, tasty, indoor s'mores bars recipe.

_______

Gather the following ingredients and baking supplies:

  • toasted coconut marshmallows
  • coin-shaped chocolates
  • graham wafers or gluten-free crackers
  • parchment or wax paper
  • 2 cookie sheet pans

_______

Making These Easy S’Mores Bars

Steps to make an easy sheet pan s'mores dessert recipe.

_______

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.

Spread the graham wafers onto two sheet pans lined with parchment or wax paper.

Place a toasted coconut marshmallow on top of each wafer on one pan. Set unwrapped chocolates on the wafers on the other pan.

Heat both pans in the oven for three to five minutes. Watch carefully as the square halves can easily be overbaked.

Sandwich wafers with chocolate together with marshmallow wafers and place on a dessert plate. Serve when slightly cooled.

Delicious s'mores bars recipe using just three ingredients.

_______

Stacked s'mores bars made with an easy, three-ingredient recipe.

_______

Variations Of This S’Mores Bars Recipe

My recipe features gluten-free graham crackers. Graham wafers are a traditional choice.

Regular or mini marshmallows can be substituted for toasted coconut ones.

Creamy Hershey’s chocolate bar squares can be used instead of wrapped chocolates. And why not experiment with one of Hershey’s festive flavors, such as “Strawberries ‘n’ Cream, “Birthday Cake”, or “Cookies ‘n’ Mint.”

_______

Seasonal Recipes

If you wish to go seasonal and are up for a bit more challenge, try one of these ingenious s’mores bars recipes:

Fall S’mores (Recipe at southernfatty.com)

Christmas S’mores (Recipe at darcyandbrian.com)

Snowman S’mores (Recipe at kitchenfunwithmythreesons.com)

Valentine’s Day S’mores (Recipe at prettyinpistachio.com)

Easter Peeps S’mores (Recipe at domesticsuperhero.com)

_______

Or surround this gooey, three-ingredient s’mores bars dessert with seasonal décor.

Make this easy, three-ingredient s'mores bars recipe that takes a classic campfire treat indoors. Serve surrounded by festive decor at Christmas time.

_______

[Read more…] about Easy S’Mores Bars

Filed Under: autumn, camping, Christmas, desserts, party, preschool Tagged With: baking, camping, Christmas, desserts, s'mores

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

November 21, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Oh, so fun to make edible playdough pumpkins with a no-cook recipe. Chocolate chips are included to add warty ornamentation.
Oh, so fun to make edible playdough pumpkins with a no-cook recipe. Chocolate chips are included to add warty ornamentation.

_______

These easy to create edible playdough pumpkins depict the lumpy, bumpy, warty pumpkins that add contrast and edginess in fall decorating projects.

Warty pumpkins can be caused by any of the following:

  • a mosaic virus
  • growing conditions that are too cold and wet
  • insects feeding on young pumpkins

The result is warts that appear to be under the shell.

But some pumpkin varieties are grown especially for their bumpy look. They are genetically engineered and have been cross-pollinated many times. In these pumpkins, the ornamental bumps appear on top of the surface.

Warty pumpkins are trending in fall decorating projects. They add ornamentation, contrast, and edginess in displays.

_______

Peach Edible Playdough Recipe

This easy-to-make, no-cook playdough recipe is perfect for fashioning these trending pumpkins. I previously featured it (minus the orange color) in a chocolate chip sea star sculpting activity.

Creating warty pumpkins is easy and fun with white chocolate chips and an edible, no-cook playdough recipe.

_______

Ingredients To Collect:

  • 1 cup store-bought vanilla frosting
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup icing sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon peach icing color

Mix and knead the frosting, cornstarch, and icing sugar in a bowl. Then knead in the food coloring until it is completely blended. If the playdough is a little sticky, knead in a bit more cornstarch. If the dough is dry, add a spoon or two of frosting. You can also increase the amount of icing color for a darker peach shade.

_______

Making The Edible Playdough Pumpkins

A warty pumpkin-themed playdough tray with taste-safe, edible dough.

_______

Set out white chocolate chips, playdough, and pumpkin cookie cutters on a tray. A pumpkin ice cube tray and gem pumpkins could be included for more play opportunities.

Give each little learner a rolling pin.

Invite your little charges to create lumpy, bumpy pumpkins with the soft, silky dough, adding the chocolate chips for ornamentation. You might want to wait till they are almost finished using the playdough before you let on that it is edible. It is super sweet!

Creating pumpkins with warts is easy and fun with white chocolate chips and an edible playdough recipe.

_______

Tip: Using peach icing color works super well for this recipe, as the color comes out nice and bright.

Sculpt a trendy, warty pumpkin with edible peach playdough.

_______

For more food coloring tips, check out chefmaster.com.

A warty pumpkin-themed playdough tray with taste-safe, edible dough.

_______

If this post inspires you to consider adding warty pumpkins to your garden next spring, the appropriately named Gargoyle, Knucklehead, and Goosebumps are some popular varieties to grow.

_______

_______

More Pumpkin-themed Activities

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Set up this colorful pumpkin-themed pretend play center your early learners will love. Loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play activity.

_______

Glow In The Dark Pumpkin Art

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Color Activities

Crayon rubbings of spider webs on colored pumpkins. An all-ages art activity.

_______

[Read more…] about Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Filed Under: autumn, fall, playdough, preschool, sensory Tagged With: playdough, pumpkins, taste safe

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

November 7, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Stunning eye dropper leaf art that is quick and easy to create. An all- ages activity using supplies commonly found in the home.
Stunning eye dropper leaf art that is quick and easy to create. An all- ages activity using supplies commonly found in the home.

_______

Young children love variety in painting tools, so they will welcome this eye dropper leaf art activity. Using liquid watercolors ensures that the art will be bright and cheerful. And who wouldn’t want to squeeze in just a little more splashy color before the winter season sets in!

The large leaves for this project are inspired by the many leaf paintings by American artist Georgia O’Keefe.  Georgia loved the colors and shapes in fall leaves and painted them to completely fill her canvasses.

_______

Supplies To Collect

For this easy-to-do art activity, collect the following:

  • liquid watercolors
  • paper towel roll
  • eye droppers or pipettes
  • paint containers
  • leaf templates

_______

Creating The Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Steps to creating beautiful eye dropper leaf art on paper towel designs.

_______

Draw or trace large leaves onto a paper towel roll. You may need two attached sections for each leaf if you go big, as Georgia O’Keefe did. I used oversized wall art leaves as templates and cut out a few different types.

Mix liquid watercolors of choice with a little water, and pour into paint trays. Featured are magenta, orange, and green hues.

Invite children to use eye droppers or pipettes to drip paint on their paper towel leaves.

A paper towel pattern accents the design in this eye dropper-painted maple leaf.

_______

When filled with color, dry the leaves on a flat surface.

Tip: Maple leaf designs work especially well for this activity. Little learners enjoy accenting their many curves and pointy edges.

Eye-catching leaf painting activity using an eye dropper technique.

_______

The colorful leaves can be displayed as-is, or mounted on cardstock.

Note: Because paper towel is so absorbent and the colors spread quickly, large shapes are perfect for this craft. And a paper towel canvas adds a unique texture to the art.

Eye dropper painting technique on paper towel leaves.

_______

Variations Of This Eye Dropper Leaf Art Project

Invite your little charges to drop paint onto leaves cut from sturdy art paper. I used 11-inch x 14-inch, 98 lb, mixed media paper for the leaves.

Steps to create eye dropper and blow dryer painted leaves.

_______

The paint will pool and start to blend slowly. As the art dries, invite little learners to check back periodically to observe the color changes.

In the completed project, I used a blow dryer set on low to hurry the drying process. It was fun and created a uniquely blended earthy-hued color combination.

A blow dryer painting technique yields beautiful results on a maple leaf cut out.

_______

Tip: For young children, I recommend inviting them to blow the paint around with straws instead of a blow dryer.

Copy paper also works for this drippy art activity. Below, the maple leaf is cut from 11-inch x 17-inch paper and decorated in two colors. This version dries the quickest.

Eye dropper painting on a maple leaf with magenta and orange liquid watercolors.

_______

Little learners can get overwhelmed with having to decorate a large canvas. But with this activity, bigger is better!

_______

[Read more…] about Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Filed Under: art, autumn, fall, preschool, trees Tagged With: fall crafts, leaves, maple leaves, painting

Spider Theme Activities

October 31, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Spider theme activities little learners will love. Art, Math, dramatic play, and gymnasium play ideas are featured.
Spider theme activities little learners will love. Art, Math, dramatic play, and gymnasium play ideas are featured.

_______

For years I have been collecting supplies for spider theme activities. And fall is the best time to add to the theme, as spider décor and toys are everywhere in stores.

But I’ve been hesitant to do a whole theme about these little crawlers. That might involve just too many spiders for some children’s comfort!

This fall I decided to introduce just a few spidery things in the classroom, and touch on the theme a little more than usual. I added spider activities sequentially over a two-week period. It didn’t hurt that a family on the route to preschool positioned a humungous spider on top of their home, with a web that extended from rooftop to ground. I’m sure this helped break the topic in!

An oversized spider decoration.

_______

Here are some spider theme activities we completed. They would work well for the children in your life too.

_______

Spider Mask

Easily transform into a spider with this easy papercraft mask.

_______

First, we decorated a spider mask. I used a wooden puppet as a template and traced it on pieces of black cardstock. I cut out enough spider masks for each child to have one and then glued on little orange hats. Each preschooler glammed up a mask with sticker gems. Afterward, I punched holes on each side of the masks and attached 18-inch pieces of thin elastic cord. The activity went over well, and children were happy to pose for pictures wearing their masks.

_______

Spidery Dramatic Play

Oh so fun spider-themed accessories for the play kitchen.

_______

Next, I added a few spider décor pieces to a pumpkin store and play kitchen. The items were a hit with everyone, and both centers were popular play areas for the children.

_______

Spiders and Spouts Sensory Tray

An Itsy Bitsy Spider inspired construction and sensory tray little learners will love.

_______

The following week I added a “Spiders And Spouts” sensory tray, inspired by the Itsy Bitsy Spider sensory tub blog post by Rubber Boots And Elf Shoes.

For the tray, I selected tubes from a sports net, a musical instrument set, a marble run toy, and a construction set. I added paper webs, spiders in many sizes, and bug viewers.

We followed up the sensory play with Itsy Bitsy Spider nursery rhyme picture books. Some favorites were:

  • The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Joe Rhatigan
  • Pete The Cat And The Itsy Bitsy Spider by James Dean
  • The Eensy-Weensy Spider by Mary Ann Hoberman

_______

Other Good Spider Books

We also squeezed in the storybooks “Aranea: A Story About A Spider” by Jenny Wagner, and “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle.

_______

Spider Math Tray

Once the children thoroughly explored the spiders and spouts tray, it was turned into a Math center where students could roll a dice and put the correct number of spiders on a paper web. They could also add in tiny ants as prey.

Bring on the math with spiders and dice counting game.

_______

Spider Web Printable

Feel free to download this printable for use in a sensory or math center.

Downloadable spider web printable for math, sensory, and art activities.

_______

Spider Web PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

_______

Gross Motor Activities

Finally, we had spoon races with spiders, and used bouncy spider balls in our gymnasium. Playing with the bouncy balls was definitely the favorite activity of the children.

Easy to play spider and spoon game.

_______

Spider balls to get little learners moving.

_______

Throughout the spider theme, I stressed that all the spiders in the classroom were “play spiders” and “spider pets.” I assured the children that we would continue to rescue real spiders and set them outside.

All in all, the preschoolers embraced the spider theme activities and were not intimidated. As the theme wound down, two little girls insisted that some play spiders should be companions for sleeping baby dolls!

More spidery activities are featured in the blog post: World Book Day Theme: Just Itzy

_______

Related:

Green Huntsman Spider Facts and Activities

Ladybug Wand Craft

Spin Painting Butterflies

_______

[Read more…] about Spider Theme Activities

Filed Under: autumn, book theme, crafts, dramatic play, fall, literacy, Math, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: dramatic play, paper crafts, sensory tray, spiders

Floral Decorated Skeleton

October 30, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Flowers soften and brighten this floral decorated skeleton and give children an invitation to create with nature materials.
Flowers soften and brighten this floral decorated skeleton and give children an invitation to create with nature materials.

_______

It’s always a treat to check the latest trends in home décor and craft stores, and this fall the offerings did not disappoint. Design ideas that stood out from the crowd were the floral accents on skeletons in wall art, sculptures, and figurines spotted at Michael’s stores. The pastel flowers totally romanticized and softened skeletons and skulls, and made them super fun.

Little learners can experience and create a floral decorated skeleton with a nature-themed transient art opportunity.

_______

Floral Decorated Skeleton Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this invitation to create:

  • flowers
  • tray
  • large model skeleton
  • large frame

_______

Decorating The Skeleton

Set a skeleton in a frame and add floral accents to soften up the look.

_______

On a table, set a skeleton model inside a 16-inch x 20-inch art frame.

Arrange flower heads in a tray. Mine were picked from begonias and marigolds grown in my yard over the summer: end-of-season plants that were about to freeze over due to frosty fall mornings.

A nature tray filled with flowers ready to be used for crafts, playdough, and sensory play.

_______

Invite early learners to decorate the skeleton with flowers.

Yellow and orange flowers brighten up this skeleton and allow children to become floral designers.

_______

You might enjoy adding floral touches to the skeleton too!

Yellow marigolds brighten up this skeleton and allow children to become floral designers.

_________

Pink begonia flowers soften up this skeleton and give young children a chance to be floral designers.

_______

[Read more…] about Floral Decorated Skeleton

Filed Under: art, autumn, fall, gardening, preschool, science, sensory Tagged With: flowers, skeleton

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

Subscribe Via Email

Recent Posts

  • Salt Painting Planet Art May 3, 2025
  • Spring Bunny Sensory Bin April 19, 2025
  • Tin Foil Egg Printing April 17, 2025
  • Lentil Easter Bunny Sensory Bin April 15, 2025
  • Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center March 25, 2025
  • Easter Store Dramatic Play Center March 23, 2025
  • Origami Heart Wreath February 28, 2025
  • Black History Month Mixed Media Art February 26, 2025
  • Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft February 20, 2025
  • Origami Heart Valentines February 9, 2025

Categories

Topics

block play bunnies butterflies Chinese New Year Christmas Christmas craft color colors dramatic play Easter flowers hearts holiday jewelry leaves leprechauns light table loose parts painting paper crafts playdough pretend play printables printmaking process art pumpkins rice bin scented playdough science experiment scissor skills sensory bin sensory play sensory tray shamrocks skeletons snakes snowflakes spiders spring St. Patrick's Day sunflowers tablescapes trees Valentine's Day water play

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in