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crafts

Popcorn Spice Mother’s Day Craft

May 13, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A simple and aromatic Mother's Day craft that is super fun to make. Use spices, seasonings, or herbs for this sensory craft activity,
A simple and aromatic Mother's Day craft that is super fun to make. Use spices, sesonings or herbs for this sensory craft activity,

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This simple and aromatic popcorn spice Mother’s Day craft is so fun to make. And it really caters to the sense of smell. Warning: there may be a few sneezes while doing this activity!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Used In The Craft

The following easy-to-find supplies are used in this spicy craft:

  • popcorn seasonings: butter salt, jalapeno cheddar, ketchup, and all dressed
  • small bowls and spoons
  • dessert plates
  • brown cardstock paper
  • cream-colored cardstock paper
  • scissors and pencil
  • glue stick
  • tablecloth

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The Popcorn Spice Mother’s Day Craft

To make this craft, first, cover a table with a washable tablecloth.

Next, trace and cut out four “wooden spoons” from brown cardstock paper. Use the printable below for the spoons or design your own.

A spoon template for crafting.

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Spoon PrintableDownload

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Then spoon popcorn seasonings into small bowls.

Four popcorn seasoning flavors for an aromatic Mother's Day craft project.

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Afterward, use a glue stick to spread a thick layer of glue on the head of a spoon.

Next, hold the paper spoon over a dessert-sized plate and sprinkle a generous amount of popcorn seasoning on it.

Then shake off excess seasoning and let the spoon dry.

An oh-so-easy and fun popcorn seasoning Mother's Day craft to do in one sitting. Explore the sense of smell with this aromatic craft activity.

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Repeat the process with all the spoons and seasonings.

Then use the glue stick to affix the spoons to a paper background.

A simple and aromatic Mother's Day craft that is super fun to make. Use spices, sesonings or herbs for this sensory craft activity,

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Finally, add the words “You Spice Up My Life” and “Happy Mother’s Day.” Feel free to use the template below for this craft.

Mother's Day craft template for an aromatic keepsake project for mom.

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Spiced Mother’s Day Craft PrintableDownload

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This template is perfect for grandma.

Mother's Day craft template for an aromatic keepsake project for grandma.

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Spicy Mother’s Day Craft TemplateDownload

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The bright yellow butter salt and ketchup seasonings add pops of color to the craft. Herbs or other spices could be substituted. What seasonings would you use?

A simple and aromatic Mother's Day craft that is super fun to make. Use spices, sesonings or herbs for this sensory craft activity,

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Related:

Mother’s Day Floral Craft

Mother’s Day Crafts And Gifts

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[Read more…] about Popcorn Spice Mother’s Day Craft

Filed Under: art, crafts, Mother's Day, preschool, sensory Tagged With: Mother's Day craft, paper crafts, printables, sensory play

Paper Plate Easter Basket

April 2, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This bunny-themed paper plate Easter basket is easy to make and makes a great party favor or gift idea for your little learners.
This bunny-themed paper plate Easter basket is easy to make and makes a great party favor or gift idea for your little learners.

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This paper plate Easter basket craft is inspired by an Easter purse spotted on a shopping trip. I wanted to make one for each of my preschoolers as part of their Easter party favors, and here’s what I came up with.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

There are only a few supplies to collect for this bunny and carrot-themed craft. Gather the following items:

  • paper plates
  • green dot markers
  • orange and green construction paper
  • stuffed bunnies
  • scissors, ruler, and pencil
  • glue stick and glue gun
Stuffed bunnies cut from garland and paper carrots are highlights of a paper plate Easter basket craft that is sure to please.

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Making The Paper Plate Easter Basket Craft

The first thing to do in making a few of these paper plate Easter baskets is to cut out sections of paper plates to create half-circle openings and handles. There are different kinds of paper plates, and I recommend choosing a sturdy version.

This bunny-themed paper plate Easter basket is easy to make and makes a great party favor or gift idea for your little learners.

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Next, give two of the plates to each child who will get a basket, and ask the little charges to decorate the bottom half of their plates with a green dot marker.

Note: Instead of using dot markers, participants can decorate the basket sides with crayons, paint, and/or Easter stickers.

Afterward, cut carrots from orange construction paper, and carrot tops from green construction paper. With a glue gun or glue stick, adhere the carrot tops to the carrots.

Just insert Easter grass and a few chocolate eggs into this paper plate Easter basket. It is sure to be a big hit as a party favor.

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Cutting and putting together the paper carrots take a little time. When this task is done, the basket sides will be dry and ready to be assembled. Use a glue gun to carefully adhere the decorated half of each pair of cut plates together so that the openings and basket handles match. Leave the handles unglued.

Then glue two carrots on each side of every basket. Make sure the carrots on one side of the baskets align with the carrots on the other side.

Then add a small stuffed bunny to each basket. My bunnies are from a disassembled Easter garland snapped up at a party store. Fortunately, it was easy to remove each bunny from the garland, and the yellow, pink, and blue stuffies are safe to use in the paper plate Easter baskets.

Before handing out the baskets to your little charges, add Easter grass and wrapped chocolate eggs to them. The children will be delighted with the craft and treats!

Just insert Easter grass and a few chocolate eggs into this paper plate Easter basket. It is sure to be a big hit as a party favor.

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Related: 

Spring Basket Cupcakes

Bunny Candy Art

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[Read more…] about Paper Plate Easter Basket

Filed Under: art, crafts, Easter, party, preschool, spring Tagged With: bunnies, Easter, paper crafts, party

Easter Peeps Houses

April 1, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky 2 Comments

Make two different Easter peeps houses with graham crackers and chick and bunny peeps. Create one with your little learner today!
Make two different Easter peeps houses with graham crackers and chick and bunny peeps. Create one with your little learner today!

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These cute Easter peeps houses take gingerbread house-making into the Easter season. And the chick peep coop and bunny peep hutch are easy-peasy to make together with little learners.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies to make these sweet graham cracker houses:

  • bunny and chick peeps
  • Easter bunny rabbit jubes
  • graham crackers
  • powdered sugar icing
  • cornstarch
  • water
  • assortment of candies
  • green candy sprinkles
  • green gel icing color
  • mixer or whisk
  • plates, spoons, and disposable knives

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Making The Easter Peeps Houses

An oh-so-tasty graham cracker Easter bunny hutch everyone will enjoy making. A sure-to-please Easter activity.

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For this activity, I use powdered sugar icing, a little cornstarch, and water to make the icing.  It’s ideal to have powdered gingerbread house icing available, but I couldn’t find any on short notice.

Start by mixing a few scoops of powdered sugar icing, a teaspoon of cornstarch, and a little water in a bowl. Blend ingredients with a mixer or whisk for a couple of minutes. The icing mixture should be thick and tacky. Add a little more icing sugar if the mixture is too thin, or add a tad more water if it is too thick.

Then set aside some of the icing in a bowl and stir in a tiny bit of green gel icing color.

Next, spread plain icing on the edges of graham crackers and gently assemble them together to make five sides of a cube, leaving one side open. Disposable knives are a good size for little learners to work with.

An oh-so-tasty graham cracker Easter chick coop craft everyone will enjoy making. A sure-to-please Easter activity.

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Note: Name-brand graham crackers are best to use because they are sturdier, don’t break as easily, and come in bigger pieces. Featured here is a no-name brand.

Afterward, select candies to decorate the Easter peeps house with. I feature miniature M&M’s and jelly bellies.

Easter peeps and an assortment of candy to make graham cracker Easter peeps houses.

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Then spread icing on the sides and tops of the graham cracker house and decorate with candies of choice.

If little learners are participating, allow some snacking while working. There will be interesting discussions about candy types, colors, and tastes!

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A Peep Bunny Hutch Or Chick Coop

Create this cute Easter bunny hutch with graham crackers, a peeps bunny, and candy treats. It's an all-ages craft sure to be enjoyed.

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To make an edible bunny hutch scene, spoon a layer of green icing on a plate. Make sure the plate is disposable if participants are taking their tasty creation home.

Then set in the graham cracker “hutch.” Add a few candy sprinkles around it.

Spread a generous amount of icing on the floor of the house and set in two Easter bunny rabbit jubes. These can be bunny babies.

Finally, drop candy sprinkles on the green icing to look like grass, and add an Easter bunny peep and a few gummy eggs.

Create this cute Easter chick coop with graham crackers, a peeps chick, and candy treats. It's an all-ages craft sure to be enjoyed.

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For the chick peep coop scene, set the coop on a plate with green icing, and add candy sprinkles and gummy eggs. Then place the Easter chick peep in the coop.

Create this cute Easter bunny hutch with graham crackers, a peeps bunny, and candy treats. It's an all-ages craft sure to be enjoyed.

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These Easter peeps houses are sure to delight little learners and their families. Do you have any suggestions for how to make them? Leave a comment below.

An oh-so-tasty graham cracker Easter chick coop craft everyone will enjoy making. A sure-to-please Easter activity.

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Related:

Bunny Candy Art

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies

Easy S’Mores Bars

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[Read more…] about Easter Peeps Houses

Filed Under: crafts, desserts, Easter, Food Art, preschool, sensory, spring Tagged With: Easter, food art, spring

Five Black History Month Crafts

January 28, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Five gorgeous Black History Month crafts that celebrate diversity. Easy-to-make crafts the whole family can do.
Five gorgeous Black History Month crafts that celebrate diversity. Easy-to-make crafts the whole family can do.

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Black History Month, a time set aside to remember notable black people and their achievements, is just around the corner. It is celebrated in the United States and Canada during the month of February. Here are five Black History Month crafts to help children engage in the celebration.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Celebrate Diversity Butterflies

To make these striking butterflies that represent celebrating diversity, gather the following supplies:

  • metallic gold and bronze tempera paint
  • pink, black, and white paint
  • light pink, black, bronze, and gold glitter
  • black pipe cleaners and pony beads
  • white cardstock paper
  • black cardstock paper
  • pie tins or disposable plates
  • white glue
  • glue gun

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Steps to make a handprint butterfly craft to recognize and celebrate Black History Month.

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Making The Handprint Butterflies

To start off, pour skin-toned tempera paints into pie tins or disposable plates. You may want to add a little white to the black paint to soften its hue.

Have participants dip a hand in a paint color and press it onto white cardstock paper. I use metallic gold and bronze for two of the skin tone shades. Regular tempera paints in these hues would work fine too.

If you have the shades available, sprinkle a similar color glitter onto each handprint.

After the handprints dry and extra glitter is shaken off, cut around the edges.

Next, cut long narrow ovals from black cardstock paper to represent butterfly abdomens.

Bend black pipe cleaners in half and have participants string black beads onto them, leaving a little section open for the butterfly antennae. Twist the pipe cleaners just above the beads to make sure they stay on.

Assembling The Butterflies

Make this gorgeous handprint butterfly craft to recognize Black History Month and celebrate diversity.

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Using white glue or a hot glue gun, add black or pink pompoms to the antennae.

Then use white glue or a hot glue gun to affix four handprint “wings” onto each abdomen. The butterflies can be designed in different kinds of color combinations.

Next, glue the beaded pipe cleaners to the butterfly abdomens. Now the “celebrate diversity” butterflies are ready to be displayed!

Make these gorgeous handprint butterfly crafts to recognize Black History Month and celebrate diversity.

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Celebrate Diversity Yarn Heart

Different shades of skin-toned yarn represent diversity in this textured yarn heart craft.

Make this gorgeous skin-toned yarn heart craft to recognize Black History Month and celebrate diversity.

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Supplies to Collect

  • yarn in a variety of thicknesses and skin tones
  • 8 ½ x 11-inch golden-brown cardstock paper
  • white glue or hot glue gun
  • double-sided tape
  • ruler
  • scissors
  • heart template

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Steps to make a gorgeous skin-toned yarn heart craft to recognize Black History Month and celebrate diversity.

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To make this gorgeous yarn heart craft, start by cutting skin-toned yarn into 7 ½ inch strips. Using different thicknesses of yarn adds variety to the craft.

Next, glue the strips of yarn in rows onto a sheet of 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock using white glue or a glue gun. Leave a small border around the edge of the paper.

Then add pieces of double-sided tape around the edges of the paper.

Afterward, cut a large heart in the center of a second piece of cardstock.

Finally, gently position the cardstock paper with the heart cut out on top of the yarn-covered piece, making sure the double-sided tape adheres to it.

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Kindness Heart Wreath

This kindness heart wreath with cardstock skin-toned hearts and a geometric bow communicates that all lives matter and that everyone should be treated with kindness.

Black History Month ribbon and skin-toned hearts are the highlights of this easy-to-make "kindness" wreath craft.

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Black History Month Heart Banner

In this craft, skin-toned hearts are used to decorate an attractive, geometric ribbon-edged banner honoring Black History Month.

Black History Month ribbon and skin-toned paper hearts are the highlights of this easy-to-make banner craft.

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Black History Month Ribbon Heart

This heart craft takes full advantage of vibrant, geometrically patterned ribbon, and looks striking on display.

Make this stunning Black History Month heart craft to honor this important annual celebration.

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Which one of these five Black History Month crafts will you try? Let me know in a comment below.

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[Read more…] about Five Black History Month Crafts

Filed Under: art, Black History Month, crafts, preschool Tagged With: Black History Month, butterflies, hearts, papercrafts, wreaths

Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

December 22, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

How to make six different brown paper bag Christmas ornaments. An all-ages, beautiful recycled craft. Free templates are included.
How to make six different brown paper bag Christmas ornaments. An all-ages, beautiful recycled craft. Free templates are included.

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For so long I have admired art projects that involve brown paper bags or doilies. This Christmas I was determined to use both of these supplies to make paper bag Christmas ornaments. The resulting ornaments are simple but beautiful… a perfect combination.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies to make vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments. Download the free templates for these six different designs.

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To craft these vintage-themed ornaments, gather the following easy-to-find supplies:

  • large brown paper grocery bag
  • white paper doilies
  • thin white ribbon
  • white pearl bead garland
  • adhesive white pearl beads
  • white pencil crayon
  • pencil
  • scissors
  • glue stick
  • glue gun

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Make these beautiful vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments with lace paper doily accents. Free templates are available to use.

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Making The Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

First, cut out a star, gingerbread girl, angel, heart, and each tree ornament from a large brown paper bag. Feel free to download the templates below to help with the designs.

Note: The three printables in this post are for individual and one-classroom use only.

Download this gingerbread girl and ornament template to make beautiful vintage-inspired brown paper bag Christmas ornaments.

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Gingerbread Girl And Ornament PrintableDownload

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Download this angel and ornament template to make beautiful vintage-inspired brown paper bag Christmas ornaments.

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Angel And Ornament PrintableDownload

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Download this star and heart template to make beautiful vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments.

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Star And Heart PrintableDownload

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With a white pencil crayon, outline the border of each paper bag shape.

Make these vintage-inspired brown paper bag Christmas ornaments. Download the free templates to make six different designs.

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Next, cut out shapes from white paper doilies to accent the paper ornaments. Snipping around the designs in the doilies will give you pretty lace pieces to work with.

Afterward, use a glue stick to affix them to the brown paper backgrounds.

Then cut thin white ribbon into 15 cm strips. Tie them in bows, and trim the ends to your desired length. Glue one bow to each ornament.

Next, cut white pearl bead garland into 8 cm strips. Use a glue gun to affix one strip to the back of each ornament in a loop shape.

Make these beautiful vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments with lace paper doily accents. Free templates are available to use.

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As a finishing touch, accent the ornaments with a few adhesive white pearl beads.

Make these six different brown paper bag Christmas ornaments with lace paper doily accents. Free templates are included.

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Now the ornaments are ready to be displayed on a Christmas tree. Aren’t they gorgeous?

How to make six different paper bag Christmas ornaments. An all-ages, beautiful recycled craft. Free templates are included.

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Paper Bag Gift Wrap

Another easy, festive craft activity with paper bags is to make decorated gift wrap. A blog post by “A Pretty Fix” titled “Four Simple Brown Paper Bag Gift Wrap Ideas” will give you lots of ideas to try.

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Related: Handprint Christmas Crafts

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[Read more…] about Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

Filed Under: art, Christmas, crafts, preschool Tagged With: Christmas craft, ornaments, paper bag crafts

Pumpkin Painting Process Art

October 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A super fun pumpkin painting process art activity tailor-made for early learners. Gold glitter glams up the pumpkins big time.

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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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Related: Pumpkin Collage Art

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[Read more…] about Pumpkin Painting Process Art

Filed Under: art, autumn, crafts, Food Art, preschool, sensory Tagged With: painting, process art, pumpkins

Watermelon-Inspired Banner Craft

July 31, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Make this easy watermelon-inspired banner craft today! A perfect summer craft for a day you are short on preparation time.

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Summers are short in our part of the world! And so at this time of the year, we savor every moment of the season. This watermelon-inspired banner craft loaded with stripes expresses an appreciation of warm summer days perfectly. It is easy for little learners to create, and requires very little preparation time.

Stripes always make a statement, whether in art, fashion, or home décor. Early learners get practice drawing horizontal ones in this fruit-inspired craft.

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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 the watermelon-inspired banner:

  • broad line markers in shades of green, red, pink, and black
  • 8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock paper
  • black adhesive gems
  • green yarn
  • wiggly eyes
  • scissors
  • ruler
  • single hole punch
  • white glue
  • glue paddle

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Making The Watermelon-Inspired Banner Craft

Celebrate the summer season with a low prep, easy-to-make watermelon-inspired banner craft. This is an all-ages papercraft.

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This watermelon-inspired banner requires minimal preparation. The craft is great to introduce on a day you are short on time.

Just give each child participating a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11-inch white cardstock paper and broad line markers in shades of green, red, and pink.

Then, demonstrate how to draw horizontal stripes in green hues on the top of the paper, and red and pink ones on the rest. The lines do not need to be perfectly straight.

Celebrate the summer season with a low prep, easy-to-make watermelon-inspired banner craft. This is an all-ages papercraft.

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After everyone has added stripes to their paper base, write a word or saying on each piece of art using a black felt pen. Word choices on the featured art projects are:

  • Hello Summer
  • Sweet Summer
  • Happy Summer
  • Aloha

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Choose one of the following three ways to finish the bottom of the hanging banner craft:

  • Have children cut a triangle shape from the bottom edge to make a pennant design.
  • Have children cut a fringe on the bottom using scissors.
  • Help children punch holes on the bottom and thread through a green yarn fringe.

As a finishing touch, invite little learners to add adhesive gem “watermelon seeds” to their craft.

Embrace the summer season with this low prep, easy-to-make watermelon-inspired banner craft. This is an all-ages papercraft.

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Happy Summer Banner Craft

For the “Happy Summer” banner theme, invite early learners to add two wiggly eyes with white craft glue after drawing the stripes. Then have them draw on a smile with a black broad line marker. A few black adhesive gems can be added afterward.

Embrace the summer season with this low prep, easy-to-make watermelon-inspired banner craft. This is an all-ages papercraft.

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This striped watermelon-inspired banner craft adds color and style to any area when displayed, and makes a celebratory summer decoration.

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Make this easy watermelon-inspired banner craft today! A perfect summer craft for a day you are short on preparation time.

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Related:  Three Black History Month Crafts

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[Read more…] about Watermelon-Inspired Banner Craft

Filed Under: art, crafts, preschool, summer Tagged With: papercrafts, watermelon

DIY Grey Wolf Softie

July 14, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky 1 Comment

Make this adorable grey wolf softie today! A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.
Make this adorable grey wolf softie today! A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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This charming DIY grey wolf softie is ready to be included in storytime or play. It is an entry for #sewasoftie on Instagram, and part of a tutorial hop organized by Trixie Symonds on her amazing “Sew A Softie” website. The theme for the July 2022 softie sewing projects is “magic.”

It seems like a poor fit for a wolf softie to be part of a magic theme. After all, wolves are depicted as anything but magical in many storybooks. They are usually hungry villains that are devising a plan to eat one or more of the other characters for dinner!  

Although super entertaining, these books give wolves a negative reputation. But there is a trend wherein authors write stories that portray wolves as more sympathetic. The tales “pull out the magic rather than the madness” in their wolf characters. And that’s how wolves, including my softie, fit into the 2022 “magic” theme for the current “Sew A Softie” topic.

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Supplies To Collect

To craft the wolf softie, gather together the following supplies:

  • 9 x 12 inch felt sheet of white glitter felt, and a same-sized sheet of black glitter felt
  • three 9 x 12-inch sheets of grey felt
  • white and black embroidery thread
  • embroidery needle
  • sewing pins
  • polyester fiber fill
  • two small black buttons
  • scissors
  • white glue
  • glue paddle
  • wolf softie pattern

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Making The Grey Wolf Softie

Download this pattern to make the wolf. You may wish to make yours slightly bigger. If so, enlarge the pattern using a photocopier.

Free wolf softie pattern to download for an easy sewing project.

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Wolf-Softie-PatternDownload

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Cut two heads, two bodies. and a tail out of grey felt. Snip a chest, two ears, and two tail tips from white. Cut a heart nose from the sheet of black.

Note: You’ll have most of the black felt left over, but it will be useful for other projects, such as this lovely star wand by @life.with.moon.and.co.

Steps to make an adorable grey wolf softie. A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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Using white glue and a glue paddle, adhere the ears and nose to the front piece of the head, and the white chest to the front section of the body. Then glue a white tip to both sides of the tail.

Using black embroidery thread, stitch on the button eyes. With a back stitch, add on a mouth. Then stitch on eyebrows to give the wolf a little more character. You can lightly pencil in dots and lines on the felt first to mark where the facial features should go.

Note: You can change the formation of the mouth and eyebrows to give your wolf a unique expression.

Then, attach the tail to the back of the body with a running stitch. Stitch the white chest on the front.

Afterward, pin the front and back head pieces together and stitch around the sides and top. Leave an opening at the neck.

Next, pin the heads to the bodies, and the front to the back. Make sure all pieces match and are ready for sewing.

With a running stitch, fasten the head and body parts together.

Using the same stitch, go around the body of the wolf, leaving an opening for the fiber fill.

Note: The thread color for most of this wolf is white. Black or grey thread works well too.

Stuff the wolf with polyester fiber fill.

Finally, sew closed the opening in the wolf.

Make this adorable grey wolf softie today! A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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Good Books Featuring Wolves

This wolf softie could make its first appearance just before or after reading a few storybooks to children featuring wolves. It would be a handy accessory for retelling stories. Below is a list of delightful storybooks to share. In each one, the supporting characters succeed in “pulling out the magic rather than the madness” out of the wolf.

  • The Wolf, The Duck, And The Mouse by Mac Barnett
  • Brenda Is A Sheep by Morag Hood
  • Sheepish by Helen Yoon
  • When A Wolf Is Hungry by Christine Naumann-Villemin
  • The Wolf’s Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza
  • Little Wise Wolf by Gijs van der Hammen
  • The Girl And The Wolf by Katherena Vermette

Two notable books about little wolves are:

  • The Way Home For Wolf by Rachel Bright
  • Little Wolf’s First Howling by Laura McGee Kvasnosky and Kate Harvey McGee

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An adorable grey wolf softie sewing project that is easy to do. A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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Ten Wolf Facts

Sharing positive characteristics about wolves helps in understanding their magic. Here are ten fascinating wolf facts:

  • Wolves are the largest member of the dog family.
  • Grey is the most common wolf color.
  • Living in packs, wolves are social creatures who mate for life.
  • Female wolves have four to six pups at a time.
  • Recognized as a “keystone species,” wolves play an instrumental role in keeping nature in balance.
  • Wolves help control deer and elk populations, and this benefits many plant and animal species.
  • They are good at working as a team when hunting.
  • Their leftovers are prime food for many scavengers such as birds, bears, and beetles.
  • When the animal carcasses decompose, they add valuable nutrients to the soil.
  • Wolves are afraid of people and are not known to attack them. Killing livestock isn’t common.

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Sewing a softie is a rewarding experience. Learning new skills, using unique materials, creating a design or following a pattern, practicing eye-hand coordination, and having a cuddly finished project to cherish are all benefits. Include this grey wolf softie on your list of crafts to try!

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An adorable grey wolf softie sewing project that is easy to do. A free pattern and tutorial, wolf facts, and book suggestions are included.

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To learn more about sewing softies, check out the book Sewing Simple Softies by Trixi Symonds and Deborah Fisher.

[Read more…] about DIY Grey Wolf Softie

Filed Under: book theme, crafts, dramatic play, literacy, preschool, pretend play Tagged With: felt crafts, picture books, sewing, wolves

Space Father’s Day Craft

June 18, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Make this colorful space Father's Day craft for a special person in your life today! Pompom planets are the highlight of the craft.
Make this colorful space Father's Day craft for a special person in your life today! Pompom planets are the highlight of the craft.

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If you need a last-minute Father’s Day craft that brings a WOW factor, this Space Father’s Day craft is for you! Your child will love using pompoms in the craft.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

This whole craft can be made in construction paper and/or painted paper, but will look extra special with the following supplies:

  • 12-inch x 12-inch dark blue or black construction paper
  • pompoms in various colors
  • cardstock in white and shades of yellow
  • white glitter cardstock
  • gold glitter cardstock
  • star paper punch
  • scissors
  • white glue
  • glue stick
  • double-sided tape
  • black felt pen
An easy-to-make Father's Day craft. A glittery spaceship and pompom planets are the highlights of the craft.

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Preparing The Craft

First, cut a spaceship from white iridescent cardstock, and “steam” from gold glitter cardstock. Glue together.

Next, with a star paper punch, punch stars from white and yellow cardstock.

Then gather a selection of pompoms in various colors and sizes to represent planets in our solar system.

Add double-sided tape to the back of the spaceship. This will give it a raised look on the craft, helping it stand out.

Finally, write a Father’s Day greeting and the words “You help me soar” with a black felt pen on strips of white cardstock, or use computer-printed messages.

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Making The Space Father’s Day Craft

Make this colorful space Father's Day craft for a special person in your life today! Pompom planets are the highlight of the craft.

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Invite your child to adhere the spaceship to a sheet of dark blue or black 12-inch square cardstock. This size paper gives a nice large canvas to work on.

Add glue to a small food container lid or paper plate. Have your child dip their pompom planets in glue and stick them around the spacecraft on the paper. Your child will love the chance to use soft, fluffy pompoms.

Ask your child to adhere punched stars in the sky with a glue stick.

Glue the Father’s Day greetings to the picture where there is space to do so.

An easy-to-make Father's Day craft. A glittery spaceship and pompom planets are the highlights of the craft.

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This colorful, easy craft can be made for a father or a father figure for Father’s Day. Or it can be adapted to give to a special person any time of the year.

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Related: Super Hero Activities

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[Read more…] about Space Father’s Day Craft

Filed Under: crafts, Father's Day, preschool, sensory, space Tagged With: Father's Day, paper crafts, space

Easter Transient Art

April 17, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Set out these adorable, party-ready Easter transient art activities using easy-to-find supplies. The activities also work for a spring theme.

Here are three easy Easter transient art activities using egg, chick, and bunny designs as a base. They’ll add color and style to any Easter or spring theme.

Set out these adorable, party-ready Easter transient art activities using easy-to-find supplies. The activities also work for a spring theme.

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What Is Transient Art?

Transient art is non-permanent art using craft materials and/or loose parts. It is open-ended and process-oriented. The art can be designed and redesigned by the same child, or by different children. It allows children to be creative in a non-threatening environment.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following for these Easter transient art activities:

  • wood canvas boards
  • wall art frames
  • undecorated wood bunny, chick, and egg plaques
  • circle, flower, and butterfly paper punches
  • turquoise, green, yellow, orange, pink, and purple cardstock paper
  • 12-inch x 18-inch yellow, pink, and blue construction paper
  • glue stick
  • scissors
  • pencil

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The Easter Transient Art Process

Adorable, party-ready bunny and egg transient art activities using easy-to-find supplies. The activities also work for a spring theme.

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First, select inexpensive unfinished wood plaques with an Easter or spring theme. The bunny, egg, and chick plaques featured here were purchased at a Dollar store. I was originally looking for just a bunny, but was excited to happen upon all three designs!

Next, pick wooden canvas boards and/or wall art frames that are slightly bigger than the plaques.

Then cut 12-inch x 18-inch construction paper in colors of choice to fit inside the frames or canvas board backs.

Punch out flowers and butterflies from spring-colored cardstock. Punch circles and glue contrasting colored ones to the flower centers.

Lastly, set the plaques on a table in frames or canvases, and add the paper punched shapes.

Set up this Easter egg transient art invitation for your child today! An easy, non-threatening spring activity.

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Invite children to pick an egg, chick, or bunny design to decorate with paper shapes.

Oh, so pretty spring chick transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Oh, so pretty Easter bunny transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Oh, so pretty Easter egg transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Tips:

  • For an economical alternative, a homemade cardstock frame can be used instead of the canvas board or art frames.
  • And die cut, foam, and felt craft supply butterflies and flowers can be substituted for paper punched ones.

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Permanent Art Projects

After children have had a chance to create transient art projects, they may wish to complete a finished work. White glue could be used to adhere the flowers and butterflies to the plaques. Or you could offer cardstock bunnies, chicks, and eggs as templates.

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Oh, so pretty Easter chick transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Oh, so pretty spring bunny transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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[Read more…] about Easter Transient Art

Filed Under: art, crafts, Easter, preschool, spring Tagged With: bunnies, chicks, Easter, eggs, flowers, spring, transient art

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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!

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