Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

crafts

Celebrate Diversity Coloring Pages

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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:

  1. Fold two or three 8 or 9-inch strands of yarn or ribbon in half.
  2. Insert the loop at the top through the punched hole.
  3. 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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Related:

Celebrate Diversity Paper Craft

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

Black History Month Positive Affirmations Art

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[Read more…] about Celebrate Diversity Coloring Pages
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Lunar New Year Lantern Craft

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This Lunar New Year lantern craft is easy to make and looks stunning on display. The gorgeous craft comes in two sizes and five themes, and adds flair to Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year celebrations at home or in the classroom. The hanging lanterns are simple for both children and adults to make.

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At the start of many New Year celebrations in South and Southeast Asia, paper lanterns are displayed indoors in homes and businesses. Outdoors, they are strung along streets and hung on trees. They are most prominently displayed on the 15th day of the New Year, the Lantern Festival.

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Making the Lunar New Year Lantern Craft

To make one or more of these classic hanging lanterns, first download the paper lantern printable set. It is available in my Skills N Smiles shop on Etsy for an everyday low price, and comes in both 8.5 x 11-inch and A4 sizes.

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Next, print a design you would like to craft. Cardstock paper is recommended for printing, but regular copy paper will also work.

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Fold the printed paper in half, with the parallel lines going upwards from the folded edge to the open edge.

Then cut along the lines from the folded paper edge to the open edge. Stop cutting where the lines end.

Next, unfold the paper and roll it into a tube.

Tape or staple the top and bottom edges.

Lastly, attach a paper or ribbon handle, about 8 to 10 inches long, with tape, a glue stick, or a glue gun.

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Skill Level

This paper craft is beginner-friendly and low-prep. Younger children may need help with each step, but will love the chance to use scissors, tape, and glue. Older kids and adults can easily assemble it independently.

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Lanterns in Two Sizes

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These paper lantern designs come in two sizes for versatile decorating. Both look beautiful on display. The smaller size is perfect for children to carry in a Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year parade, or at a Lantern Festival.

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Variation of the Lunar New Year Paper Craft

In addition to white, these striking lantern designs also look nice printed on pastel cardstock or copy paper. Light yellow, blue, green, cream, and pink paper work well.

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Add a festive, cultural touch to your Lunar New Year celebration or Chinese New Year classroom theme in minutes with this beautiful Lunar New Year Lantern craft!

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“Year of the Horse” Wall Art

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This “Year of the Horse” wall art is perfect for an entryway, classroom, or office. Download it at Skills N Smiles on Etsy for Lunar New Year or Zodiac-themed decor, or a cultural celebration display.

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The “Year of the Horse” art print will elevate your Lunar New Year decor, and is available as an instant download on Etsy. It comes in four print sizes, and PDF and PNG formats.

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Get this “Year of the Horse” Chinese Zodiac-themed wall art today!

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Related:

Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

Chinese New Year Sensory Bins

Chinese New Year Chickpea Bin

Chinese New Year Pretend Play

Chinese Money Tree Activities

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[Read more…] about Lunar New Year Lantern Craft
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DIY Turkey Bowling Game

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Looking for a fun, low-prep activity for kids to do during a Thanksgiving get-together or an active play time? This simple and fun DIY turkey bowling game will get everyone moving. The crafted turkey-themed bowling pins blend recycling, creativity, and energetic play – a fantastic combination. Download the free printable in the post to make creating the festive bowling pins a breeze.

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Supplies To Collect

Just a few simple supplies are needed for this Thanksgiving-themed bowling game. Gather the following to make the pins and play the game:

  • large, clear juice or water bottles
  • craft foam sheets
  • markers
  • scissors
  • white glue or glue gun
  • small rubber or plastic balls

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Making the Turkey Bowling Pins

Children will enjoy helping create the colorful bowling pins for the DIY turkey bowling game, as they are simple to make.

To start off, select clean bottles to use for the body of the turkey pins. Large, clear bottles with solid bases work well. I feature juice bottles that hold approximately 1 ½ litres (6 cups) of liquid.

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Next, cut a round face and three or more tail feathers from craft foam colors of your choice. Feel free to use this printable as a pattern for the foam pieces.

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Bottle Turkey Pattern PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

Then draw a turkey face on the round foam cutouts. Include eyes, a beak, and a teardrop-shaped snood.

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To finish off, use white glue or a glue gun to adhere the round face to the lower front of the bottle, and the tail feathers to the lower back.

The pins are now ready to be set up in a “bowling alley” in your home, yard, or classroom. Children can work as a team or individually to knock the pins down with small rubber or plastic balls.

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Benefits of the DIY Turkey Bowling Game

This handcrafted turkey bowling game offers the following benefits:

  • hand-eye coordination exercise
  • practice in turn-taking and working as a team
  • opportunity to participate in an active, fun activity

Questions about this mini bowling game? Leave a comment below.

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More Thanksgiving Activities

Shop these Thanksgiving printable games in my Etsy shop “Skills N Smiles“:

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Paper Plate Turkey Craft

Turkey Sensory Tubes

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Coffee Playdough Turkey

Turkey Playdough Tray

[Read more…] about DIY Turkey Bowling Game
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Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

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Fall is a beautiful time of year, and in many parts of the world, the leaves on trees turn brilliant red, orange, and yellow colors. If you’re looking for a simple, hands-on way to bring fall hues into your home or classroom, completing one or more of these Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts is the perfect project!

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Not only are the leaf crown crafts easy to make and fun to use in pretend play, but they also give participants a self-esteem boost for completing them and offer valuable scissor skill practice.

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Rather than needing to collect leaves from outdoors or use artificial leaves, the paper leaf crowns require only scissors and glue or tape to assemble. This means the crafts take little time, are low-mess, and are super simple to do.

You can find printables for making these fall leaf paper crown crafts in my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop. There are four designs to choose from for one low price. A BONUS is that the printable set includes a leaf wand paper craft.

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How to Make the Leaf Crown Paper Crafts

To assemble a fall leaf crown, cut out the front and back designs from the printable of choice. I recommend that children use child-safe scissors.

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Next, glue one end of the crown front to one end of the crown back.

Then fit the crown around a child’s head.

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Glue or tape the other ends together after the paper headband is fitted.

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Note: The leaf crown designs are for children aged three to nine. If a crown isn’t as wide as needed, add a small section of headband.

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How to Make the Leaf Wand Paper Craft

To assemble the leaf wand, cut out one of the designs.

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Then, using tape or a glue gun, affix a small chopstick-sized stick and two or more strips of thin ribbon to the paper leaf cut out.

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Wearing the crowns and selecting a wand to use transports children into a world of make-believe where they can become a forest king or queen, a mighty ruler, or a garden fairy. They engage in satisfying, meaningful, imaginative play.

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More Activities With Leaves

Zucchini Leaf Paint Prints

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

Maple Leaf Activities

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[Read more…] about Fall Leaf Crown Paper Crafts
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Salt Painting Planet Art

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This salt painting planet art is super satisfying and oh so simple to do. The salt drip painting technique works well to create Earth or one of the other eight planets.

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Supplies to Collect

Gather the following supplies, which you probably have around your home, for this stunning planet art activity:

  • 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper
  • table salt
  • white glue
  • glue paddle
  • food coloring
  • paint pots
  • eye droppers
  • paintbrush
  • teaspoon
  • disposable plate
  • scissors and pencil
  • glue stick or glue gun
  • washable table cover

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Salt Painting Earth Art

The first planet to create is our Earth as seen from outer space. Complete this salty art activity over two days.

Day One:

Protect an art table with a washable or disposable table cover.

Cut out a circle measuring 18 cm/7 inches from 8 ½ x 11-inch or 9 x 12-inch cardstock paper.

Pour white glue into a small container or paint pot.

Set the sturdy paper circle, pot with white glue, glue paddle, and disposable plate on the prepared art table.

Dip the glue paddle into the white adhesive and spread it on the circle in shapes of land forms.

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Using a teaspoon, generously sprinkle salt over areas of the circle that contain glue.

Tip the circle sideways over a disposable plate and shake off excess salt. (The leftover spice can be used for more salt painting planet art projects.)

Let the gluey circle dry overnight.

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Day Two:

Cover an art table with a washable table cover.

Prepare the watercolor paints: Mix a few drops of blue food coloring into a paint pot containing water and a few drops of green food coloring into a second water-filled pot. Or mix a lighter and darker hue in each color for more variety.

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Set the raised salt circle on the art table with two hues of green food coloring. Add an eye dropper or pipette to each pot.

Using the droppers, carefully drip paint onto the salt-covered areas of the circle.

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Then, with a paintbrush, carefully brush blue watercolor paint around the raised salt land forms to represent water.

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Set the painted art project aside to dry.

The earth art looks stunning adhered with a glue stick or glue gun to a black or dark blue 8 ½ x 11-inch or 9 x 12-inch cardstock or construction paper background. Displayed in a group, this salt painting planet art project looks stunning.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Salt Painting Jupiter Art

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Jupiter also looks amazing in a salt painting planet art activity. To create planet Jupiter with this art technique, spread the glue in a stripy design to show Jupiter’s banded, cloud-covered look. Sprinkle on salt and shake it off next. After the spice-covered glue dries, drip red and yellow food coloring paint onto the raised salt areas. Then, carefully brush orange food coloring paint (or orange liquid watercolor paint diluted with water) between the raised salt areas for contrast.

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As with the salt painting planet Earth project, a group of arty Jupiter planets looks stunning when displayed on dark cardstock paper backgrounds.

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The salt painting art with an Earth theme is a great activity for Earth Day. Both art projects are welcome additions for a space theme.

Is this post helpful? Which planet would you create with this technique?

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[Read more…] about Salt Painting Planet Art
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