preschool

Lentil Easter Bunny Sensory Bin

April 15, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Bright pastel pink, turquoise, yellow, green, and purple colors are common in Easter activities and décor, but Easter eggs come in many themes and color combinations. A set of natural, fillable, camouflage eggs inspired this lentil Easter bunny sensory bin.

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Supplies in the Easter Bin

Just the following few supplies were collected for this simple spring sensory bin:

storage tub
red lentils
bunny and carrot treat holders
pom pom bunnies
fillable camouflage eggs
foam Easter beads
green bunny-shaped erasers
small wooden bunnies
spoons

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The Lentil Easter Bunny Sensory Bin

A small, clear storage tub holds the supplies in this bunny-themed bin. This sized tub is ideal for on-the-go sensory activities as it is easy to pack up and transport.

Tiny disc-shaped red lentils (which are actually orange) provide the sensory base. They are packed with color, so no dying ingredients are needed. So easy!

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Large green camouflage fillable eggs, a pink bunny, and an orange carrot allow filling and pouring activities. When closed, they make excellent shakers.

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White rubber pom pom bunnies, green foam Easter beads, green bunny erasers, and small wooden bunnies are fun fillers for the treat holders.

Spoons are always a welcome addition to sensory bins.

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What do you think about this activity?

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Related: Easter Art Activities

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Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center

March 25, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Unicorns are majestic imaginary creatures who have inspired many gorgeous artworks. They add beauty to clothing and are captivating subjects in children’s picture books. They “have a moment” in this Unicorn Store dramatic play center. It’s a fitting center for International Unicorn Day, noted on April 9 each year, and would be a huge hit any time.

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Supplies in the Unicorn Store

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The following supplies are in this fun-filled Unicorn Store dramatic play center:

unicorn figurines, toys, and finger puppets
unicorn head reusable ice cubes
disposable unicorn tray and plates
unicorn cups
unicorn stickers and sensory bag
play cupcakes
erasers
reusable ice cube diamonds and stars
play money
unicorn-themed gift bags

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The Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center

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Most of the items in this Unicorn Store display purple, pink, turquoise, and white colors. These hues are popular in unicorn supplies.

Unicorn figurines, finger puppets, and other toys are showcased in the center. Dollar stores feature these types of accessories for economical prices.

The unicorn-themed plates, cups, and tray were beautiful finds at a party supply store.

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Unicorn artwork commonly includes stars, diamonds, rainbows, flowers, butterflies, and cupcakes. These items are included in the center in arty erasers, reusable ice cubes, and play food.

Unicorn-themed gift bags are beauties to behold and several gorgeous designs are in the center.

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The play money is adorned with unicorn-themed stickers. This is inspired by a 15th-century Scottish king who had gold coins with unicorn images made.

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Benefits of the Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center

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A primary interest in setting up this store for my little learners was to honor their interest in unicorns and give them a chance to observe and play with beautiful supplies. The center has many other benefits. Children can:

count and sort unicorns.
take turns being a storekeeper and customer.
label and describe store supplies.
count and use play coins.
develop their imagination while using the supplies.

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More Unicorn Activities

Unicorn Watercolor Art
Unicorn Playdough Tray
Unicorn Theme Sensory Play
Unicorn Marble Painting
Unicorn Puppet Craft

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Easter Store Dramatic Play Center

March 23, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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With so many topics to explore for Easter and an endless supply of accessories available to purchase or thrift, it is easy to set up an Easter Store dramatic play center. Your little learners will be excited to explore the spring-themed store.

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Easter Store Supplies

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The following supplies are in the fun-filled store:

fillable eggs
Easter baskets and grass
cookie cutters
egg cups and egg platter
bendable bunnies
bunny bowling pins
chick and bunny finger puppets
fillable bunnies
bunny ornaments
bunny-themed glasses
disposable Easter plates
tic tac toe game
erasers
wall plaques
gift bags
cash register and play money
posters with Easter greetings
Easter Store sign

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The Easter Store Dramatic Play Center

An Easter store play center is the perfect opportunity to display a variety of Easter eggs. Metallic, pastel, transparent, painted, camouflage, patterned, and glitter eggs are featured in the store.

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Along with the eggs, Easter baskets and grass in various hues add plentiful color to the center. Little shoppers can fill their baskets with eggs, grass, and other items in the store.

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Egg cups and an egg serving platter offer opportunities for eye-hand coordination.

Bunny-themed ornaments and bunnies that are fillable or bendable add to the fun in the center.

Easter-themed hacky sack balls, a tic tac toe game, and bunny bowling pins allow for games to be played.

Easter-themed cookie cutters, erasers, disposable plates, and plaques are more accessory choices to purchase.

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Easter animal finger puppets and play glasses offer opportunities for additional dramatic play.

Egg-shaped storage boxes and Easter gift bags hold the children’s purchases.

Easter posters, an Easter Store sign, a cash register and play money round out the supplies in the store.

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Benefits of the Easter Store Dramatic Play Center

This Easter Store play center offers young children many benefits. Little learners have the opportunity to:

practice taking turns roleplaying a storekeeper and customer.
make decisions about what to purchase.
strengthen hand muscles and eye-hand coordination by placing objects in baskets and bags.
count and use play money.
recognize and label colors of eggs, baskets, and Easter grass.
play games, try on Easter glasses, and use finger puppets.

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What are your thoughts? Share in a comment below.

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More Easter Activities

Easter Playdough Tray

Easter Bunny Sensory Bins

Easter Transient Art

Easter Bunny Light Table

Spring Basket Cupcakes

Bunny Candy Art

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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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Related: Origami Heart Valentines

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Black History Month Mixed Media Art

February 26, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Black History Month is observed in February in the United States and Canada. It is a time to celebrate the creativity and achievements of Black people and their communities by participating in activities and discussions. This Black History Month mixed media art project draws attention to the beauty of black women’s hair. The craft features a unique technique for creating curly hair.

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Supplies To Collect

For this mixed media art project that pays homage to Black History Month, gather the following:

black yarn
brown, orange, and green construction paper
14-inch x 16-inch sheet of white construction paper
1 ½ inch wide wired craft ribbon
white glue
black fine point marker
parchment paper
scissors and pencil
glue stick and glue gun
disposable plate
measuring cup
spoon
tray

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Starting the Mixed Media Art Project

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To begin this art project, draw a side view of a woman’s head on brown construction paper and cut it out.

Next, draw and cut out one ear from the same sheet of paper, and the top of a t-shirt from orange construction paper.

Then draw a few lines on the ear with a black fine-point marker to add detail.

After this step, cut two small triangles from green and orange sturdy paper to fit together as an earring.

Then cut two strips of wired craft ribbon, one measuring 12 inches long, and the other measuring 9 inches long.

Next comes the part that may be the most fun: creating the curly yarn hair. To fashion the hair, complete the following steps:

1) Draw a silhouette outline of the hair in the middle of a large sheet of parchment paper. Then place the parchment paper on a tray.

2) Mix one-half cup of white glue with one-half cup of water on a disposable plate.

3) Using a spoon, press down a long piece of black yarn in the gooey white mixture to completely cover it in glue.

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4) Slowly lift the yarn out of the thinned glue and spread it around the hair outline in swirls. Add a second layer of swirled yarn and gently press it down on the first layer so the yarn sticks to itself when dry. Add a few straight lines at the hairline.

5) Let the sculptured yarn hair dry for one or two days. When dry it lifts off the parchment paper easily.
Note: The glue-soaked yarn hair may look grey at first, but will appear black again as it dries.

This swirled yarn art process was a must-try for me after viewing an informative September 4. 2024 Instagram post by mykidsartbox.

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Assembling the Black History Month Art

Now it is time to assemble the gorgeous art activity. Complete the following steps:

1) Select a large piece of sturdy paper to glue all the arty shapes onto. I feature paper cut to a 14-inch x 16-inch size.

2) Position the crafted pieces on the background paper and note where they look best. Drawing light pencil lines to mark the perfect spot for each shape makes this easier and the lines can be erased at the end.

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3) Use a glue stick to adhere the head, ear, triangular earring, and shirt portion to the paper.

4) Carefully affix the curly hair over and above the face with a glue gun.

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5) Fashion two strips of wired craft ribbon into a knotted headband. Cut the ribbon ends to the correct size and fold in the outer edges to fit around the yarn hair above the hairline.

6) Use the glue gun to adhere the headband over and above the bottom edge of the curly hair.

7) Add a caption for Black History Month if desired.

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When making the Black History Month mixed media art project, feel free to work with a color scheme of your choice. What do you think of this activity?

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