block play

Pool Noodle Building Blocks

July 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Over a year ago, I purchased interlocking foam pool noodles, planning to pull them out one day as a boredom buster. This year they finally made their debut, as pool noodle building blocks!

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

_______

Before introducing the pool noodles, I trimmed them into various lengths with a sharp knife on a cutting board. The cut pieces ranged from thin slices to much longer ones. A few sections were sliced in half lengthwise.

Then I loaded the connectable foam noodle loose parts into large bins and set them out in a block corner. I wasn’t sure how early learners would react to them. Would they find them interesting to build with? Would the novelty of the construction activity wear off after a few days?

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Pool Noodle Block Play

The first day the cut swim noodles were out I demonstrated how to slide them together. Children responded well and began creating structures.

The light, flexible blocks far surpassed my expectations as a building toy. Every day, early learners regularly picked them up and made something new. Here are some things they created with the noodles:

large sculptures
barricades
spaceships
an elevator
a castle

The hollow foam blocks stayed out for a few months. Over time, I added a few other types and colors of noodles to the play area in order to provide more choice. The new pieces were not interlocking but added interest, and early learners used them to enhance the creations they made.

_______

More Play With Pool Noodle Building Blocks

To my delight, children repurposed the different kinds of pool noodles in other play activities. They used individual pieces as:

candles on a table in a play restaurant
a bun for a sausage
food fried up in a pan
a telescope

And at times, other classroom building materials were added to pool noodle structures.

Set out these light, transportable, foam noodle building blocks for your early learners to build with and add to for STEAM fun.

_______

As loose parts, the pool noodles were used innovatively and creatively by early learners. I loved seeing the inventions made, and always responded enthusiastically.

_______

Pool noodles are inexpensive, light, and easy to move around and store. They work fabulously as creative building pieces and loose parts for construction and dramatic play centers.

_______

[Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

February 22, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

To add interest to block play activities, treasure blocks are always a good choice. Their contents can be changed to match the current theme you are doing as well as your child’s interests. Since we are in the month of February, Valentine’s Day treasure blocks blend in perfectly and can be used in a variety of creative ways.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

There’s no shortage of items to gather for valentine treasure blocks. You can go entirely with recycled loose parts or use economical purchased items. Or you can use a few of both.

The supplies I feature are red, pink, purple, and white – traditional Valentine’s Day colors. Gathered and added to the blocks are:

cut straws
beads cut from garland and necklaces
buttons
heart and rainbow erasers
acrylic hearts
gem craft hearts
hair ties

_______

Valentine’s Day Treasure Block Activities

At first, the filled treasure blocks can be set out on their own on a table or in a carpeted area for children to explore.

The blocks can be used as musical shakers, and children can be challenged to order them from quietest to loudest. With my blocks, the one with the hair ties hardly makes a sound, and the ones with bead garland balls and acrylic hearts tie for making the loudest sound.

These Valentine's Day treasure block shakers can be ordered by softest to loudest sounds.

_______

Another day, introduce new items to the treasure block play area. Featured here are little monsters, inspired by the endearingly illustrated storybook “Love Monster” by Rachel Bright, and Valentine’s Day loose parts. The monsters are actually repurposed dog toys, so they stand up superbly to block play! And they are squeaky, adding another element of sound to the play experience. Pairing the blocks, monster figurines, and loose parts together encourages children to think creatively in new ways.

These Valentine's Day treasure blocks offer a host of learning opportunities paired with monsters and loose parts.

_______

Asking the question “What can you build for the monsters?” will foster even more creativity. When I asked my preschoolers this question some of the answers were:

“I’m building a monster lair.”
“I am going to make a monster hiding place.”
“I made a house for the monsters.”

_______

More Block Play Possibilities

Pairing treasure blocks with mirror blocks is always a hit. The blocks are similar in size and shape and combine well for building large structures.

Pair Valentine's Day treasure blocks with mirror blocks and monsters for creative and imaginative play.

_______

And counting monster teeth and eyes, and discussing block shapes are ways to incorporate math into the play.

On their own, or combined with loose parts and other blocks, Valentine’s Day treasure blocks offer many opportunities for learning.

_______

[Read more…]

Winter-Themed Treasure Blocks

January 15, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Winter-themed treasure blocks add interest and beauty to any block play activity. Pick a winter color palette, scrounge around for loose parts in your chosen hues, and add them to the blocks. It’s that easy!

Treasure blocks are a fairly recent addition to my block collection, and I love adding seasonal supplies to them. There are eight see-through blocks in different sizes and shapes in the featured set, allowing various kinds of loose parts to be displayed. I highly recommend getting a set. They are so versatile.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more winter activity ideas.

______

Winter-Themed Supplies To Collect

An online search reveals a variety of beautiful winter color combinations. For this post, I use loose parts in silver, white, cream, and shades of blue.

Winter-themed loose parts to use in treasure blocks or art activities.

_______

Here’s what’s in the blocks:

blue, silver, and white pom poms
turquoise snowflake gems
white and shades of blue round gems
clear and shades of blue ice rock crystals
silver and teal metallic snowflake confetti
white paper punched snowflakes
cream and shades of blue potpourri
snowflake and snowman erasers

_______

Winter-Themed Treasure Block Activities

These winter-themed treasure blocks pair well with polar animals. Offer the blocks on a table along with animal figurines such as polar bears, seals, arctic foxes, narwhals, and walruses.

Pair these winter-themed treasure blocks with polar animals and additional loose parts.

_______

Or go extreme south, and set out the blocks with penguin figurines.

These winter-themed treasure blocks make the perfect backdrop for a pair of penguins.

_______

After using the blocks in setups with polar animals, I look forward to pairing them with “Disney Frozen” sets.

Do you have a favorite way to use treasure blocks? Share below.

Related: Frozen Theme Loose Parts

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

_______

[Read more…]

CD Case Christmas Craft

December 24, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

An empty or used empty CD case can be turned into a beautiful art or craft project. There are many creative ideas to try. For this blog post, I’m choosing to feature a CD case Christmas craft.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more creative ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following for this seasonal craft:

clear CD jewel case
thin unpainted wood holiday decoration
festive cardstock
acrylic craft paint
scissors
ruler
glue stick
white glue or glue gun
craft bits: pony beads, holiday confetti, garland strips, sequins, punched paper snowflakes

_______

Assembling The CD Case Christmas Craft

Steps to making a CD case Christmas craft. An all-ages craft the whole family can do.

_______

Carefully remove the tray from a clear CD case.

Trim the cardstock pattern of choice to the size of the case.

With the case open, use a glue stick to adhere the cut cardstock to the bottom right section.

Paint a thin holiday-themed wood decoration with acrylic paint and let it dry. The paint and decoration can easily be found at dollar stores.

Note: Acrylic paint dries quickly and comes in a large variety of colors. It’s so fun to use!

Glue the painted wood shape to the cardstock.

Add craft bits of choice.

Close the case snugly.

Make this easy and fun holiday-themed CD craft today!

_______

Display on a shelf or wall in the classroom or your home.

Tips: The craft bits can be glued down so they are stationary or left movable.

These holiday-themed CD case crafts are a lot of fun to make. Have the whole family create one!

_______

These charming CD case Christmas crafts are perfect for displaying during the holiday season.

_______

If desired, add a clear seal to keep the CD case closed.

You may wish to make this CD case Christmas craft in a variety of holiday and winter themes. The craft lends itself to being showcased in groups.

Make this cozy CD case Christmas craft in a variety of festive color schemes. An all-ages family craft.

_______

Of course, little learners can get in on making this creative craft. The activity could be a cooperative one for a parent/teacher/caregiver and child.

_______

CD Case Christmas Blocks

Instead of displaying the crafted CD jewel cases, include them on a table with blocks for little learners to use in construction play. This is an idea I look forward to exploring in the future.

_______

Make this winter-themed snowman CD case craft today! It's easy and fun to do.

_______

[Read more…]

Christmas Treasure Blocks

December 21, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

________

These Christmas treasure blocks are a festive addition to any play space. They are filled with seasonal loose parts and are fun to use in play by themselves or in addition to other toys.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

The following supplies work well in these see-through treasure blocks:

buttons
jingle bells
Christmas tree garland
pom poms
pony beads
craft stars
gem snowflakes
metallic snowflakes
rubber candy pieces

Seasonal loose parts are perfect to use with these see-through Christmas treasure blocks.

________

Assembling The Christmas Treasure Blocks

One wood panel on each of these treasure blocks is easily removed by loosening the screws. After the blocks are filled, the panels can be screwed back on so no festive pieces fall out.

_______

My Christmas treasure blocks feature a red, green, white, and gold color scheme, but feel free to choose another one.

_______

Other Christmas-themed loose parts that would work well in these blocks are:

sequins
cut straws
gem Christmas lights
foam pieces
erasers
paper shred
bows

Christmas erasers, figurines and vehicles, other blocks, and seasonal décor can be included in a Christmas treasure block play invitation for added interest.

Christmas erasers and foil trees add interest to a Christmas treasure block play invitation.

_______

Treasure blocks are a recent addition to my educational toy supply, and I am definitely in love with them. I look forward to using them in more themes for little learners.

________

[Read more…]