character

Celebrate Diversity Coloring Pages

March 1, 2026 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

These Celebrate Diversity coloring activities with an “I Belong” theme help children feel seen, accepted, and valued. Designed to nurture confidence and a sense of inclusion, this printable set includes three coloring pages (two are editable), and matching bookmarks to color. The printable is available in my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop.

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The self-esteem building printable set offers the chance to decorate with patterns of two, four, or seven colors or designs, adding a math component to the creative coloring activities.

I Belong Coloring Pages

The Celebrate Diversity printable set includes three coloring pages, each with a heart and sunray design. The first has a heart with the words “I Belong” in the center. The other two have different-sized hearts with no text, enabling participants to add their name or a saying of choice.

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There are many ways to decorate the Celebrate Diversity coloring pages. Skin-toned markers or pencil crayons provide a standout result.

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Pastel-colored markers, pencil crayons, or crayons are also great choices. Offering one of the printables in a medium with these soft colors encourages conversations about kindness and self-worth.

I Belong Bookmarks

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The “I Belong’ bookmarks come in a design with 5 color options. Crayons, markers, or pencil crayons in skin tones or pastel kindness colors also work great for decorating the bookmarks.

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Below are the steps to make the bookmarks. Adding yarn or ribbon as a finishing touch offers more choice in personalizing a bookmark.

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How to add yarn or ribbon:

Fold two or three 8 or 9-inch strands of yarn or ribbon in half.
Insert the loop at the top through the punched hole.
Pull both ends through the loop and gently tighten.

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Celebrate Diversity Printable Set Uses

This Celebrate Diversity printable set is perfect for:

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities
Inclusive classroom themes
Back-to-school community building
Anti-bullying discussions
School counselors and therapists
Morning work or quiet time
Library and literacy centers
Homeschool affirmation activities

Grab the easy-to-use Celebrate Diversity printable set in my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop today!

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Celebrate Diversity Paper Craft

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

Black History Month Positive Affirmations Art

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Black History Month Positive Affirmations Art

January 29, 2026 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

These Positive Affirmation coloring pages reflect character qualities that black people possess and employ to achieve goals and major accomplishments. As such, they are perfect for art activities that celebrate Black History Month. The positive qualities surrounded by beaming sunrays build self-esteem and are key to Black excellence and resilience.

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The positive affirmations in the coloring pages were inspired by picture books that highlight Black history and culture.

Decorating the Black History Month Positive Affirmations Printable

There are a variety of ways to decorate the sunshine-themed printables, allowing for many design possibilities. 28 sunrays have room for creative patterns with 2, 4, or 7 colors and/or styles.

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The patterns below are inspired by the splendid suns in the storybook “Seven Spools of Thread” by Angela Shelf Medearis. Although written for Kwanzaa, the book is wonderfully suited for a Black History Month theme.

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The seven bright colors in the decorated printable below were inspired by those of the spools of thread in the same book.

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In the next art sample, the pastel colors represent kindness.

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Traditional Black History Month hues (red, green, yellow-gold, and black), are showcased in this last arty project.

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Aside from including these Positive Affirmations coloring pages in an art project during Black History Month, they are a fantastic addition to an “I Am Special” or a “Celebrate Diversity” theme. It is an empowering, easy-to-do creative activity with striking results.

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Black History Month Positive Affirmations Bulletin Board

The finished artwork and the words “I AM” (Brilliant), (Irreplaceable), “I AM A” (Traveller), “YOU ARE” (Brave) (Strong), or “YOU ARE A” (Leader) make a stunning bulletin board display. It is a gorgeous addition to classroom decor.

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Where to Get the Black History Month Positive Affirmations Printables

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The BHM Positive Affirmations coloring pages are available for an everyday low price in my Etsy Skills N Smiles shop. There are 18 pages, each with a different word of affirmation. In addition, there are four editable pages to add words of affirmation to by hand or using a program such as Canva. Lastly, the captions “I AM”. “I AM A”, “YOU ARE”, and “YOU ARE A” are included in the set. The instant download printables are available in 8 ½ x 11-inch and A4 sizes. Download your set today.

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More Black History Month Activities

Three Black History Month Crafts

Black History Month Hair Decorating Art

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

Black History Month Mixed Media Art

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December Kindness Activities

November 30, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

December is an exciting but super busy time of year. The sights and sounds, extra holiday activities, and many tasks to be completed can make people self-absorbed and overwhelmed. There is also much focus on gift-giving and gift-getting.

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These two child-friendly kindness activities encourage children and their family members or classmates to show empathy and goodwill to others, and take the focus off themselves. They also show that there are many ways to show kindness to others besides gift-giving.

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December Kindness Calendar

A Kindness Calendar gives children simple, achievable task suggestions to help brighten someone else’s world.

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To create and use a kindness calendar, fill in a unique, easy-to-do kindness challenge for each day of the month of December.

Then every morning, read the challenge of the day and encourage participants to do it.

Later on in the day, discuss the impact the thoughtful task had on everyone involved.

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December Kindness Jar

A Kindness Jar is another way to encourage children and adults to take time to do caring acts for others.

To create this activity, first choose a mason jar, food container, or large cup. Decorate it and write the words “Kindness Jar” on it. Add a tied ribbon and more embellishments if you wish.

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Next, write various acts of kindness on small slips of paper and place them in the “jar”. Invite family members or classmates to give suggestions if there is time.

Then, each day, one person draws a slip, and everyone who is participating performs the task. Getting to pick a random challenge adds fun to the activity.

The Kindness Jar activities can be completed in one or two weeks, or during the entire month of December.

As with the Kindness Calendar, take time later to discuss how the tasks went.

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December Kindness Activities Printable Set

Instead of making up your own kindness tasks, this gorgeous pastel holiday printable set in my Skills N Smiles Etsy Shop is available to purchase for a low-low price. Download it, and you’ll have the December Kindness Activities ready in minutes!

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These December kindness activities are great for building social-emotional skills, encouraging a feeling of community, and teaching children that small actions can have a big impact.

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More December Activities

Gnome Christmas Stocking Craft

Grinch Christmas Oobleck Bin

Paint Chip Christmas Card

Octopus Christmas Craft

Paper Airplane Christmas Craft

Christmas Small World on the Light Table

Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin

Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

CD Case Christmas Craft

Plaid-themed Christmas Rice Bin

Christmas Sheep Craft

Christmas Village Tuff Tray

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Origami Heart Wreath

February 28, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This origami heart wreath features skin-toned paper-folded hearts with a 3D effect. Make this exquisite wreath craft during Black History Month or save it for a Celebrate Diversity theme. Changing the color scheme makes it a standout Valentine’s Day craft.

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Origami Heart Wreath Supplies

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Gather the following supplies for this meaningful easy-to-make paper craft:

6-inch x 6-inch origami paper in skin tones
9-inch thin paper plate
1 ½ inch wide wired craft ribbon
scissors
glue gun

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Making the Origami Heart Wreath

To create this heart wreath craft cut the middle out of a thin cardboard paper plate. This leaves a rim of about 1 ¾ inch wide.

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Next, gather 8 sheets of 6-inch x 6-inch origami paper in various skin-toned hues and fold the paper into origami hearts. An easy-to-follow YouTube video by EZOrigami shows how to make paper hearts.

Origami Heart (Folding Instructions)

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Afterward, adhere the hearts on the paper plate rim with a glue gun, leaving a little room on the bottom for a bow.

Finally, fold the wired craft ribbon into a bow and hot glue it on the wreath. 1 ½ inch wide craft ribbon with an animal print is showy and works nicely with the skin-toned hearts.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Related: Origami Heart Valentines

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Black History Month Positive Affirmations

This Black History Month printable set has coloring pages with 18 positive affirmations and 4 editable pages. Many creative patterns inspired by African art are possible, all with basic art supplies. Two bulletin board headers make displaying the stunning finished artwork super easy. Download this easy-to-use printable set at my Etsy Skills N Smiles shop for an everyday low price.

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See the blog post Black History Month Positive Affirmations Art for more infomation.

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Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft

February 20, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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While paging through a small book with elephant facts, I realized that elephants are a glowing symbol of kindness. And since kindness is a theme of Pink Shirt Day, this Pink Shirt Day necklace craft was one of my activities for last year’s annual anti-bullying day.

Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day is held on the last Wednesday in February every year in many countries. It originated in Canada in 2007 when a boy was teased in school for wearing a pink shirt. In response, two other boys bought a host of pink shirts and gave them to classmates. The rosy t-shirts symbolized anti-bullying, and since then many people have worn pink shirts on Pink Shirt Day. Last year more than 110 countries celebrated the anti-bullying themed day.

Elephants Are Kind

Elephants are a symbol of kindness. They are super smart creatures and seem to have feelings similar to ours. They exchange hugs with their heads and trunks. They spread their ears wide when walking with their young, making sure they shield them from danger. They help other elephants who are sad, sick, or hurt.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies to Collect

Along with pink shirts, a pink elephant necklace craft to symbolize kindness makes a great addition to Pink Shirt Day activities. To assemble the simple elephant necklace, collect the following:

pink craft foam sheet or cardstock
elephant template
adhesive gem stickers
necklace cord
scissors and pencil
hole punch

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Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft Directions

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To make this kindness craft, start by tracing and cutting an elephant from pink cardstock or a sheet of pink craft foam.

Next, cut off a 26-inch strip (or longer) from the elastic necklace cord.

Then punch a hole in the upper middle of the elephant.

Loop the cord through the hole.

Then decorate the elephant with adhesive sticker gems.

Finally, securely tie the ends of the necklace cord, adjusting the length of the cord if necessary.

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Elephant Facts Printable

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To complement the kindness elephant necklace craft, here is a free printable to download. At preschool, I sent the handout home with the jewelry craft.

Elephant Facts PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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My preschoolers loved this necklace craft and were eager to wear it. One little boy wore his necklace many days during the remainder of the school year. Will you give this craft a try?

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Sweet Pink Bakery Cafe Dramatic Play Set

A digital download Sweet Pink Bakery Café printable set, is available in my Skills N Smiles Etsy Shop!

The Pink Bakery Café dramatic play center fits in beautifully with a Pink Shirt Day, Valentine’s Day, or pink color theme. The instant download is also a great activity any day of the year for anyone who loves pink!

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This engaging pretend play resource is designed for:

Preschool dramatic play centers
Kindergarten classroom centers
Early elementary role play
Child care settings
Homeschool learning spaces
At-home pretend play setups
Play dates with friends
Rainy day imaginative play
Travel activities

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Learning Benefits:

Develops scissor skills (cutting out play food)
Builds communication and vocabulary
Encourages simple math skills (counting, money concepts)
Develops social and cooperative play
Offers opportunities for role play
Inspires creativity and storytelling

Create a sweet and inviting learning through play space in your classroom or home today with this Sweet Pink Café play center!

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Related: Pink Shirt Day Dramatic Play

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