• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Putting the Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

  • About Me
  • Sensory Play
  • Holidays
  • Places
  • Picture Book Themes
  • Growing Things
  • Ocean
  • Contact Me

preschool

Christmas Dove Art

December 13, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Squish painting and collage Christmas dove art projects suitable for all ages Free dove template included.. ages.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Squish painting and collage Christmas dove art projects suitable for all ages Free dove template included.. ages.

Angels are often my “go-to” theme for a Christmas craft keepsake, but this holiday season I have doves on my brain. Doves are symbolic of peace and love, welcome inspiration at Christmas, or any time of the year. So here are two Christmas dove art projects that make touching keepsakes… and display beautifully. Bonus: I’ve included a free downloadable printable to use for the crafts.


Squish Painted Dove

Create a symmetrical dove pattern or download the printable in this post to use as a template. Cut out one bird from white 8 ½ inch x 11-inch cardstock paper for each child completing the project.

Dove printable to download for a craft project.

Dove TemplateDownload

This printable is for individual and one classroom use only.


Set the doves out onto a table along with red and green paint and spoons.

Invitation to spatter paint paper doves with red and green paint.

Invite your little learners to spatter paint their dove.

Spatter painted dove using green and red Christmas colors.

Then help them fold the dove, and smooth their hand over it. Placing newspaper underneath and overtop the folded birds helps absorb excess paint.

Ask your little ones to unfold their birds. They are bound to be excited to see the art they have created.

Squish painted dove art project in red and green colors.

After the doves dry, hot glue a sprig from a Christmas stem underneath each beak.

A sprig from a Christmas stem is the finishing touch for this squish painted red and green dove.

[Read more…] about Christmas Dove Art
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: art, Christmas, preschool Tagged With: Christmas craft, doves, painting, papercraft

Frozen 2 Inspired Sensory Bin

November 26, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin with pumpkins, apples, leaves, rocks, and craft supplies. A reindeer, snowman, and people characters complete the bin.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin with pumpkins, apples, leaves, rocks, and craft supplies. A reindeer, snowman, and people characters complete the bin.

When I came across the Frozen II based storybook “We’ll Always Have Each Other” earlier this year, I immediately fell in love with the fall color scheme. The rich red and orange forest colors, peppered with gold, green, and purple got me super excited about putting together a Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin.

This endearing story written by John Edwards touches on pumpkins, the changing seasons, and the close friendship between Olaf and Anna. The line “life may get harder sometimes, but we’ll stay strong for each other” seems even more relevant today than when it was written more than a year ago.


Sensory Bin Color Guide

These papers were my color guide for choosing craft supplies and loose parts for the vibrant sensory bin. I used leaf punches in two different sizes to turn cardstock into tiny leaves to sprinkle in the bin.

The color guide for a Frozen 2 inspired sensory bin.

[Read more…] about Frozen 2 Inspired Sensory Bin
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: apples, autumn, fall, friends, literacy, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: apples, Frozen inspired, looseparts, pumpkins

Pumpkin Color Activities

November 23, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Pumpkin facts and color activities. Anatomy, color matching, and art activities.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Pumpkin facts and color activities. Anatomy, color matching, and art activities.

Although orange pumpkins are traditional, and most grocery stores focus on selling them, these dramatic fruits come in many other hues. Diversely colored pumpkins can be scouted out at farmer’s markets and garden centers in autumn. They are intriguing in pumpkin color activities for little learners.


Pumpkin Display

First, set out pumpkins on a shelf for little ones to view. The contrasting colors make a striking display. Discuss pumpkin color, size, shape, and texture.

Pumpkins in mint, cream, black, yellow, and green colors.

Color Matching

Move the pumpkins to a table and invite early learners to add color words.

Color matching with mint, orange, green, cream, and black pumpkins.

[Read more…] about Pumpkin Color Activities
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: art, autumn, display, fall, literacy, preschool, science, sensory, Thanksgiving Day Tagged With: colors, painting, pumpkins, Thanksgiving Day

Beet Science And Sensory Activities

November 22, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Beet science and sensory activities. Beet washing station, ordering beets by size, and growing new greens and roots. Links to two festive recipes.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Beet science and sensory activities. Beet washing station, ordering beets by size, and growing new greens and roots. Links to two festive recipes.

This fall at a greenhouse a display of golden beets caught my attention. They weren’t on my list to buy, but I couldn’t stop thinking about them after I got home. So on my next visit to the garden center, I purchased golden beets and a red bunch too. The showy vegetable inspired beet science and sensory activities that can be introduced on the fly.


Beet Washing Station

Set one or both kinds of beets in a tray with water and a vegetable brush. Invite your early learner to scrub the beets to make their color shine.

Beet washing station with red beets.

Red and golden beets in a beet washing station.

[Read more…] about Beet Science And Sensory Activities
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: autumn, fall, gardening, preschool, science, sensory, Thanksgiving Day Tagged With: beets, Christmas, measurement, Thanksgiving Day

Sunflower Seed Sensory Bin Activities

November 21, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Three sunflower seed sensory bins. Dinosaurs, sunflowers, pumpkins, sand toys, and loose parts are highlights of the bins.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Three sunflower seed sensory bins. Dinosaurs, sunflowers, pumpkins, sand toys, and loose parts are highlights of the bins.

A sunflower seed sensory bin is a fantastic way for early learners to explore these edible seeds, and use them in play. The seed base is a natural fit for fall and pumpkin-themed accessories. Here are three sensory bin suggestions brimming with these dramatic seeds.


Sunflower And Sand Toy Bin

Sand toys, sunflowers, and fall-themed gems in a sunflower seed sensory bin.

Add shovels. pails, sieves, watering cans, leaf gems, round fall-themed gems, and craft sunflowers in different sizes and colors to a sunflower seed base. This bin works well as a spring gardening center. Or extend summer into fall by offering the bin to your little learners in September.


[Read more…] about Sunflower Seed Sensory Bin Activities
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: art, autumn, dinosaurs, fall, gardening, preschool, sensory Tagged With: dinsosuars, playdough, pumpkins, sensory bin, sunflower seeds, sunflowers

Butterfly Sunflower Papercraft

November 15, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A butterfly sunflower papercraft that is sure to wow. The sunflower head has a scrunched tissue center surrounded by paper butterflies.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
A butterfly sunflower papercraft that is sure to wow. The sunflower head has a scrunched tissue center surrounded by paper butterflies.

This butterfly sunflower papercraft is easy to make and is sure to be a parent pleaser. It’s an all-around showy harvest craft. I did it with my preschoolers this fall and sent it home around Canadian Thanksgiving Day. I’ve included a downloadable pattern for the craft in the post.


Supplies To Collect

Paper supplies needed to make a butterfly-themed sunflower craft.

8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper in various shades of yellow

9 x 12-inch green and yellow fade-resistant construction paper

12 x 18-inch fade-resistant construction paper in shades of blue

brown construction paper

brown tissue paper

butterfly paper punches

white glue

glue stick

scissors


[Read more…] about Butterfly Sunflower Papercraft
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: art, autumn, display, fall, preschool, Thanksgiving Day Tagged With: harvest, papercraft, sunflowers, Thanksgiving Day

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

November 13, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Pumpkin playdough recipe and activities. Pumpkin, squirrel, and dinosaur themed playdough activities.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Pumpkin playdough recipe and activities. Pumpkin, squirrel, and dinosaur themed playdough activities.

Pumpkin playdough will send an oh, so pleasing pumpkin spice aroma around the room while your early learners have loads of fun playing with it. It is soft and rubbery, and won’t easily crumble. Here is the recipe, and a few engaging pumpkin playdough activities.


Playdough Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1/2 cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

red food coloring (a little)

yellow food coloring (lots) 

a few drops of oil


[Read more…] about Pumpkin Playdough Activities
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: dinosaurs, fall, playdough, preschool Tagged With: playdough, pumpkins

Fall Scissor Skills Activities

November 12, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fall scissor skills activities with invitations to cut textured craft supplies for a pumpkin collage or a forest sensory tray.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Fall scissor skills activities with invitations to cut textured craft supplies for a pumpkin collage or a forest sensory tray.

One of the things preschoolers are most excited about when starting school in the fall is using scissors. It’s an activity many early learners have not yet had exposure to, so they are delighted to have permission to cut. Offering beautiful materials with unique textures enhances fall scissor skills activities.


Fall Scissor Skills Supplies

Collect art supplies in yellow, orange, red, and brown hues, and sort them into a tray with compartments.

Fall scissor skills tray with red, yellow, orange, and brown craft supplies. Invitation to cut materials for collage or a sensory base.

[Read more…] about Fall Scissor Skills Activities
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: art, fall, preschool, science, sensory Tagged With: fine motor activity, forest, pumpkins, recycled craft

Remembrance Day Butterfly Craft

November 11, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Remembrance Day butterfly craft. Squish painted butterfly accented with beadwork, glitter, and a poppy.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Remembrance Day butterfly craft. Squish painted butterfly accented with beadwork, glitter, and a poppy.

This Remembrance Day butterfly craft combines squish painting and beadwork and is accented with a poppy. It’s easy and satisfying for little learners to do.

Remembrance Day is celebrated in Canada on November 11 each year. On this day, people remember the many soldiers who died to give us freedom. The efforts of present-day soldiers are acknowledged and supported.

Red poppies are a symbol of Remembrance Day: people wear them and/or display poppy themed arts and crafts on this notable day.


Poppy butterfly Remembrance Day craft.

[Read more…] about Remembrance Day Butterfly Craft
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: art, display, preschool, Remembrance Day Tagged With: butterflies, poppies, Remembrance Day

Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

November 10, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Oh, so fun skeleton and eyeball water play activities with eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons. .
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Oh, so fun skeleton and eyeball water play activities with eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons. .

Your early learners will be oh, so excited to explore skeleton and eyeball waterplay activities with skulls, eyeballs, and bones. The supplies to collect are low cost: skeleton parts can be found at dollar stores and local party stores, especially in autumn.


Skeleton And Eyeball Soup

Collect:

plastic eye balls

squishy eye balls

plastic skulls

ice cube skulls

bones

extra large wiggly eyes

skeleton models

clear plastic cups

red and blue food coloring

water pitcher

spray shaving foam

ladles

clear cups

tulip shaped punch bowl

Skeleton and eyeball loose parts ready for sensory play.

A tulip-shaped punch bowl makes a handy container to fit 3-4 children around. But use whatever you have available…a container of any size or shape will have play possibilities.

[Read more…] about Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: loose parts, my body, skeletons, water play

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you find inspiration and leave some for me! Feel free to stay awhile!

Instagram

puttingtheprettyin.preschool

Chickpea based Chinese New Year sensory tub. The c Chickpea based Chinese New Year sensory tub. The chickpeas are dyed with varying amounts of red acrylic paint, and some are left undyed. Read my latest blogpost  to find out more about the chickpea dying process. Link in profile.

#ChineseNewYear #yearoftheox #ChineseNewYearsensorybin #sensoryplay #colourful #redandgold #earlylearning #playtolearn #playing #handsonlearning #teachersfollowteachers #teaching #playsetup #iteachprek #tots #multicultural #Chineseholiday
Penguin sensory tray with a snowflake confetti bas Penguin sensory tray with a snowflake confetti base. See the confetti base used for three different winter sensory trays in my latest blogpost. Link in profile.

The confetti base is inspired by @places_spaces_wonder_delight . Check out that beautiful account!

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

#sensorytray #trayfortheday #playtray #confetti #snowflakes #penguins #polaranimals #animalplay #Antarctica #Canadianteacher #Canadianblogger #kindergarten #preschool #homeschool #Reggioinspired #winteractivities #prek #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas
How I spent my afternoon.

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

#chickpeas #coloryourworld #rainbowcolors #teacherlife #funafternoon #thursdayvibes #teachersfollowteachers #canadianteacher #teacherblogger #teacherbloggers #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas #kindergarten #preschool #homeschool
Glitzy, easy to make New Year’s craft. Link in p Glitzy, easy to make New Year’s craft. Link in profile leads to art and math New Year’s activities and resources for home or the classroom. 

🎷🎻🥁🎸🎹

#preschool #homeschool #kindergarten #iteachprek #iteach #teacherofig #NewYearsTheme #NewYearsDay #NewYearsCountdown #earlylearning #artylearning #kidscrafts101 #artandmath #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #2021
Season’s greetings to all. 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

#SeasonsGreetings #heartdecoration #handprintart #handprint #red #heartart #recyclecraft #recyclecraftsforkids #paperbagcrafts #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #Christmaskeepsake
Christmas tree decorating center with miniature Ch Christmas tree decorating center with miniature Christmas trees.  Keep a lookout for after Christmas sales to purchase little trees for next year. 

🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️

#miniaturetrees #treedecorating #decorations #ohChristmastree #playcenter #earlylearning #prekteacher #funcenter #artyplay #kindergarten #homeschooling #totsschool #kidfriendly
These handprint Christmas crafts are all done usin These handprint Christmas crafts are all done using paper bags as a base. Click the link in my profile for a blogpost featuring the crafts.

🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️

#recycleandplay #handprintcrafts #Christmascrafts #reindeercraft #Christmastreecraft #handprints #handprintart #teachersfollowteachers #kindergarten #prek #earlylearning #artschool #artathome #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #Christmasdecorations #paperbagart
Sending a little angel your way today. #angels # Sending a little angel your way today. 

#angels #angelcraft #Christmascraft #kidscraft #tistheseason #crafting #craftingideas #prek #kindergarten #homeschooling #reggio #montessori #waldorf #teacher #teachersfollowteachers
Squish painted Christmas dove. Click the link in Squish painted Christmas dove.  Click the link in profile for a blogpost on dove Christmas art, and to snag a free dove printable. 

#Christmasart #squishpainting #Christmaspainting #painting #freeprintable #doveprintable #doveart #preschoolart #preschoolartactivity #earlylearning #playtolearn #prek #prekteacher #kindergarten #artidea #artideas #artsy #homeschooling #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Butterfly Christmas decorations. #Christmasdecora Butterfly Christmas decorations.  #Christmasdecorating #Christmasdecorations #butterflydecorations #iteachprek #prekteacher #teacherofig #teachersfollowteachers #preschool #kindergarten #homeschooling
Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all those celebratin Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all those celebrating. This post is inspired by the Frozen II based storybook “We’ll Always Have Each Other.” The line “life may get harder sometimes but we’ll always have each other” seems even more fitting today than when it was written in 2019.

🍁🍂🌻🦃🌽🍁🍂🌻🦃🌽🍁🍂🌻🦃🌽🍁🍂🌻🦃🌽

#Frozen2 #trayfortheday #playtray #sensorybin #fallsensorybin  #sensoryplay #falltray #ThanksgivingDay #prek #prekfun #Frozen2inspired #fallcolors #pumpkins #leaves #apples #playallday #playtolearn #homeschoolingideas #preschool
“Spot The Turkeys” sensory tubes.

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

#sensorytubes #sensoryplay #turkeys #gobble #gobblegobble #playtolearn #Imnotreadyforwinter #fall2020 #handsonlearning #handson #prek #prekteacher #playidea #playideasforkids
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Subscribe Via Email

Recent Posts

  • Chinese New Year Sensory Play January 14, 2021
  • Winter Sensory Trays January 10, 2021
  • Color Explosion Science Experiment January 1, 2021
  • New Year’s Countdown Activities December 30, 2020
  • New Year’s Crafts December 29, 2020
  • Christmas Tree Decorating Center December 23, 2020
  • Christmas Tree Art December 21, 2020
  • Scissor Skill Gingerbread Man Craft December 19, 2020
  • Handprint Christmas Crafts December 18, 2020
  • Handprint Angel Craft December 16, 2020

Categories

Topics

angels apples Arctic block play bunnies Christmas Christmas craft Christmas tree color construction eggs experiment family fine motor activity flowers Frozen inspired gifts Happy New Year holiday keepsake keepsakes leaves loose parts multicultural painting paper crafts playdough printables pumpkins recycled craft rice bin scissor skills sensory bin sensory play skeletons skulls snakes spiders sunflowers tastesafe Thanksgiving Day trees turtles valentines water play

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in