preschool

Painting Ice And Snow Activity

January 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky 1 Comment

Ice cakes are the highlights of this painting ice and snow sensory table activity little learners are bound to love.

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A painting ice and snow center is one of the easiest activities you can set up, and little learners love to participate in it. Stacking the frozen ice into triple-layer cakes will level up the fun factor and visual appeal.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this frozen-themed snow and ice sensory table activity, gather the following:

activity tray
round plastic food containers in different sizes
ice cube trays
small metal bowls
large pail
snow
food coloring or liquid watercolors
paint containers
paintbrushes
sturdy tablecloth

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Setting Up The Painting Ice And Snow Activity

How to set up a painting snow and ice sensory table activity for early learners.

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Freeze water in food containers for several days. Empty yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, and margarine containers work well for the molds.

Set up a large activity tray on a round table covered with a tablecloth.

Scoop up snow in a pail and dump it into the tray.

Take out the ice shapes from their molds and drop them on top of the snow. Stack smaller ice chunks on larger ones to make triple-layer cakes.

Set out ice cubes in small metal bowls.

Add liquid food colors to paint containers, or mix a little food coloring into water to make the hues. Featured are paints in primary colors.

Include brushes and invite little learners to paint the ice cakes and snow.

An easy to put together painting ice and snow sensory table activity the whole family can enjoy.

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The watercolors in the containers stay quite pure in this activity, without having to ask anyone to rinse their brushes between hues used. And there will be lots of excitement when new colors such as green and purple pop up in the snow.

Little learners will love to participate in this snow and ice sculpture painting activity.

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If you are short on preparation time, offer snow, ice cubes, and paints with a variety of kitchen accessories. Think muffin tins, bowls, spoons, pans, and frozen dessert sticks. Your little charges will enjoy painting the snow and ice cubes, and will excitedly use the accessories in snow kitchen activities.

Kitchen accessories add to the play experience in this snow painting sensory table activity.

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If snow is not available where you live, the activity will work fine with ice shapes alone. Little learners will be thrilled to focus on painting the ice cakes and can add ice cube embellishments.

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Decorating an ice cake is the highlight of this painting ice and snow sensory table activity for little learners.

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Winter Playdough Recipe

Winter-themed Treasure Blocks

Winter Wreath Craft

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

Frozen-Inspired Shadow Box

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Play Tablescape

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Winter Wonderland Pretend Play

January 25, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland tablescape with snowman, snowflake, and snowball accessories for little learners to explore.

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Catching fluttery snowflakes on mittens, building a humungous snowman, and having a splattering snowball fight are all activities little learners gleefully participate in outside. This inviting kids’ winter wonderland pretend play tablescape takes snowflake, snowmen, and snowball activities indoors for further snow-themed exploration.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Kids’ Winter Wonderland Pretend Play Supplies

Let your little learners explore a sparkly Winter Wonderland tablescape with snowmen, snowflake, and snowball accessories.

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For this cozy pretend play setup, I feature snowmen, snowball, and snowflake accessories from the supplies I have available. Craft bits and other loose parts feature prominently in the resulting collection.

Items in the winter tablescape:

snowman-themed tablecloth, dinner plates, cups, baking dish, oven mitts, cookie tin, and bottle
snowflake erasers
foam snowflakes
snowflakes cut from garland
blue and clear gem snowflakes
snowflake serving utensils, cupcake liners, and tin
large and small styrofoam balls
round winter-themed gems
cookie sheet
muffin tin
plastic forks and spoons
play food buns
Winter Wonderland sign

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Setting Up The Winter Tablescape

Changing up the decor in our play kitchen is one of my favorite things to do. And little learners always eagerly dive into each new setup.

When it's cold and chilly outside little learners can explore snowmen, snowflakes, and snowballs indoors in a Winter Wonderland play tablescape.

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For this kids’ winter wonderland tablescape, a fabric snowman-themed tablecloth is a base.

The buns are the only real play food on the table.

A variety of loose parts add a dose of glam, and little learners can imagine them to be any number of foods. For instance, the foam snowflakes make good cookies to bake in the play oven. The large foam craft balls can be reimagined as snowball cookies.

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland play tablescape with snowman, snowflake, and snowball decor for little learners to explore.

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And the smaller loose parts displayed in the snowman baking tin and scattered around the table could be candy.

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland pretend play setup with snowman, snowflake, and snowball play kitchen decor for little learners to explore.

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A polar animal theme would work fabulously for winter wonderland pretend play too. Here’s a super fun penguin-themed tablescape by birdsparty.com.

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Winter Playdough Recipe

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Winter-themed Treasure Blocks

Painting Ice and Snow

Winter Wreath Paper Plate Craft

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Hockey Game Small World

January 25, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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If you say the word “hockey”, you may think of Canada, and when you say “Canada” you may think of hockey. That’s because in the late 1800s the game of hockey was developed in Canada, and has been a popular game for Canadians to play ever since. Because I live in Canada, I’ve been dying to touch on the sport in a blog post. And this hockey game small world is a fun way to introduce the outdoor winter game to little learners.

Hockey is a lightning-fast team sport played on ice. Players wear skates and helmets, and use sticks and a small rubber disc called a puck in the game. There are usually six players on each team. One of them is the goalie, who guards their net. The other players try to shoot the puck into the opposing team’s net. If they do, their team gets one point.

Although now there are many indoor hockey rinks to play the game on, the sport was traditionally played outdoors. An outdoor backyard or pond rink is featured in this post.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies to make a backyard ice skating rink small world.

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Here are the supplies in the hockey game small world set up:

rectangular or square tray
snow
hockey player figurines
four toy pylons
small black disc-shaped bead
evergreen sprigs
fence sections
pail, shovel, and broom accessories

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Assembling The Hockey Game Small World

A sensory opportunity-filled hockey game small world with real ice and snow.

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Freeze a layer of water in a square or rectangular tray. This will be the skating rink.

Pack snow around the edges of the tray to make snowbanks.

Add fence sections and accessories such as a pail, shovel, and broom to the snowy areas.

Stick in evergreen sprigs to serve as trees. My “trees’ are lemon cypress sprigs taken from the plant I used for Christmas Playdough.

Lay two pylons on each end of the ice to be the goalposts. If you have toy goalie nets, such as the ones that come with Playmobil hockey sets, use them instead.

Set the goalies in front of their nets. These players have wider sticks and more protective gear than their teammates, and that’s how you can distinguish them.

Arrange the rest of the players on the ice and add the bead puck. I feature a goalie and three players. If your sensory tray is large enough, add five players to each team in addition to the netminder.

An outdoor hockey game small world play invitiation with real snow and ice.

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Invite little learners to investigate the hockey team small world tray.

The ice and snow in the tray offer sensory play opportunities. And little learners get to practice fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination when they give each hockey player a stick.

This hockey game sensory tray features real ice and snow. A link to a blog post with instant snow recipes is included.

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Instant Snow Options

Where I live in Alberta, there is plenty of snow for at least four months of the year. So there is little need to try any instant snow options. If you do not have snow where you reside, a blog post by Playing With Rain features six homemade snow recipes to try.

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Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

January 23, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky 1 Comment

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This blue candy cane science experiment is an offshoot of an earlier candy cane science post. I purposely saved blue striped candy canes to use in a few winter-themed variations of the easy-to-perform experiment. And yes…I am permanently hooked on candy cane science!

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Supplies To Collect

This blue candy cane snowflake experiment will wow little learners. It is easy to set up and shows immediate results.

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First up is a blue candy cane snowflake version of the experiment. To perform it gather the following three supplies:

six blue and white striped candy canes
large clear, white, or cream-colored plate with a rim
measuring cup (or cup) of warm water

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The Candy Cane Snowflake Experiment

Set the candy canes on a large plate in a six-sided snowflake design.

Let the science experiment begin with this blue candy cane snowflake!

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Slowly pour in warm water to partially cover the candy canes.

Invite participants to watch what happens.

An easy-to-do candy cane snowflake science experiment. All you need is water, candy canes, and a plate.

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While little learners watch the colors in the water spread during the experiment, slip in a few snowflake facts from the list below.

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Ten Fast Facts About Snowflakes

Snowflakes are made of many snow crystals that are stuck together.
The six-sided flakes come in symmetrical, hexagonal shapes.
About 200 ice crystals make up one snowflake.
There are six basic types of snowflakes.
Combinations of these types make 35 recognizable snowflake designs.
A snowflake’s shape is determined by the temperature and amount of moisture in the air when it was formed.
Snowflakes range in size, from teeny tiny to penny-sized.
Because they reflect light, snowflakes appear white. But they are actually translucent.
Every second, billions of snowflakes float down to earth.
Snowflakes fall at 3- 4 miles per hour or about 5 – 6.5 km per hour.

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Try this easy-to-do candy cane snowflake experiment today. It uses simple supplies and has immediate results. Snowflake facts are included.

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Early learners may wish to have a little taste of the resulting blue liquid. Unlike the strong mint taste of the Christmas candies, the blue water has a pleasant berry flavor.

Tip: If you have other candy cane colors available rather than blue striped ones, use them in the experiment instead. Snowflakes look beautiful in all colors!

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Blue Candy Cane Heart Experiment

For a simpler but equally striking version, form two candy canes into a heart shape on the plate. When water is slowly added, little learners will notice a different color pattern developing.

This blue candy cane heart science experiment fits into winter and transitions nicely into Valentine's Day.

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A pretty blue candy cane science experiment that will wow little learners.

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The Science Behind The Color Movement

The candy canes are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water away from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar. When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

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Blue Candy Cane Sensory Tube

If you have broken candy canes saved that weren’t suitable to display or hand out over the holidays, use them in a sensory tube.

Candy cane winter sensory tube with ice cubes and snowflakes.

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To make the winter-themed tube above, freeze ice cubes and add them to a clear tube with a wide mouth.

Next, sprinkle in blue and white foam and gem snowflakes.

Gently drop in blue-striped candy cane pieces.

Then fill the sensory tube with cool water and tightly screw on the lid.

Invite little learners to play with the tube.

An icy blue candy cane winter sensory tube doubling as a float and sink experiment.

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Because the water in the tube is cool, it changes color at a slower pace than in the snowflake and heart versions of the experiment.

Float and sink experimentation happens naturally with this candy cane tube. The snowflake gems and candy cane pieces sink to the bottom and hang out there, while the foam shapes congregate at the top.

This eye-appealing blue candy cane sensory tube doubles as a float and sink experiment.

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Chinese New Year Money Tree Activities

Chinese New Year Pretend Play

January 20, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Little learners will love to explore this Chinese New Year tablescape set up filled with Asian artifacts and red and gold loose parts.

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This Chinese New Year pretend play invitation features Asian artifacts and decorations. Little learners will love exploring the unique items and will learn about Asian culture.

Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is an important celebration held in late January or early February in China. Many other East Asian countries, as well as Chinese people around the world, celebrate the holiday too.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Chinese New Year Pretend Play Supplies

A Chinese New Year tablescape filled with Asian artifacts and red and gold loose parts for little learners to explore.

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The following red and gold Asian-themed supplies are featured in the pretend play tablescape:

wicker decorations and hat
gold serving bowl
chopsticks
red bowls
gold glitter cups
tiny cups with calligraphy
candy decorations
fish ornament
play food fish
gold garland “noodles”
game chip “play food”
tin ornament candies
coin purse
money envelopes
small tins
vase with artificial cherry blossom branch
gold coins
lion string puppet
fabric ornaments with tassels
plaque with Chinese calligraphy
red tablecloth

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Chinese New Year Pretend Play

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In setting up the dinner table play invitation, I used artifacts collected long ago, supplies available in stores around Chinese New Year, and red and gold loose parts.

Bowls and chopsticks are important pieces, as they are commonly found in Asian tableware.

Fish is a traditional New Year’s dish and is equated with an increase in prosperity.

The gold bead garland strips represent longevity noodles: long, uncut noodles that symbolize a long life.

A coin purse and money envelopes are ready for coins to be added.

And a lion string puppet is poised for the lion dance.

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More Chinese New Year Play Inspiration

This pretend play invitation is bound to engage little learners. For more Chinese New Year play ideas or to host a vibrant party, view the blog post “How To Throw A Stellar Lunar New Year Party” by So Fort Worth It. The post showcases a host of decorating and activity ideas that can be adapted for little learners.

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Chinese New Year (Year Of The Rabbit) Rice Bin

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Chinese New Year Chickpea Bin

January 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Chinese New Year begins is on February 1, 2022, and it will be the Year Of The Tiger. And so the feature creature in this year’s Chinese New Year chickpea bin is a tiger! The no-fuss bin is easy to put together and has a pop of blue in addition to the traditional red and gold hues.

The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac, and the 2022 big cat is a water tiger. Qualities associated with the water tiger are being sociable, easy-going, goal-oriented, hardworking, brave, smart, musical, artistic, and low maintenance.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Chinese New Year Chickpea Bin Supplies

This Chinese New Year chickpea-based sensory bin represents the year of the tiger.

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The chosen bin is a round white metal tray with a blue rim.

The base ingredient is dyed dried chickpeas. Aside from chickpeas, the items in the bin are:

tiger figurine
red bowl and chopsticks
tiny red cups
metal tin
gold garland strands
acrylic diamond gems
gold buttons and metal stars
calligraphy game pieces
gold play coins

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Year Of The Tiger Chickpea Bin

This chickpea-based sensory bin has a "Year Of The Tiger" Chinese New Year theme.

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The majority of chickpeas are dyed in varying amounts of red acrylic craft paint. Some are transformed into turquoise and blue. Instructions to easily dye these chunky legumes are in my post “Chinese New Year Sensory Play.”

The blue chickpeas are formed into a winding river running through the center of the bin, and the red-infused chickpeas are generously sprinkled around it.

The tiger is positioned on the river.

The rest of the loose parts are spread around the bin.

Little learners are bound to enjoy playing with the tiger. The flashy cat will stand out on the river but be camouflaged in the red-toned chickpeas.

The tiger is center stage in this "Year Of The Tiger" Chinese New sensory bin.

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To further their interest in this stunning animal, here are some facts to share with your little charges.

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Ten Tiger Facts

Tigers are big cats. Siberian tigers are the largest big cats in the world.
These solitary animals have red-orange or brown-orange coats with black stripes. Their underbellies are white or cream-colored.
Tigers are semiaquatic. Unlike domestic cats, they like water and can swim well. In hot, dry seasons they soak in water to cool off.
The long hind legs of tigers help them jump high and long.
These powerful animals have sharp claws and teeth, great smell, and excellent night vision.
Tigers are carnivorous and can travel hundreds of miles in search of food.
These nocturnal animals are top predators and keep the populations of prey under control.
Tigers are considered endangered. Globally, there are about 4000 tigers left in the wild, and a greater number in zoos.
In China, the Amur tiger, also called the Siberian tiger, lives in a few spots in the northeast.
The South China tiger is now extinct in the wild.

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Related:

Year Of The Pig Sensory Bin (Chinese New Year 2019)

Year Of The Rat Noodle Bin (Chinese New Year 2020)

Year Of The Ox Sensory Tray (Chinese New Year 2021)

Year Of The Rabbit Sensory Bin (Chinese New Year 2023)

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Winter-Themed Treasure Blocks

January 15, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Winter-themed treasure blocks add interest and beauty to any block play activity. Pick a winter color palette, scrounge around for loose parts in your chosen hues, and add them to the blocks. It’s that easy!

Treasure blocks are a fairly recent addition to my block collection, and I love adding seasonal supplies to them. There are eight see-through blocks in different sizes and shapes in the featured set, allowing various kinds of loose parts to be displayed. I highly recommend getting a set. They are so versatile.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more winter activity ideas.

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Winter-Themed Supplies To Collect

An online search reveals a variety of beautiful winter color combinations. For this post, I use loose parts in silver, white, cream, and shades of blue.

Winter-themed loose parts to use in treasure blocks or art activities.

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Here’s what’s in the blocks:

blue, silver, and white pom poms
turquoise snowflake gems
white and shades of blue round gems
clear and shades of blue ice rock crystals
silver and teal metallic snowflake confetti
white paper punched snowflakes
cream and shades of blue potpourri
snowflake and snowman erasers

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Winter-Themed Treasure Block Activities

These winter-themed treasure blocks pair well with polar animals. Offer the blocks on a table along with animal figurines such as polar bears, seals, arctic foxes, narwhals, and walruses.

Pair these winter-themed treasure blocks with polar animals and additional loose parts.

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Or go extreme south, and set out the blocks with penguin figurines.

These winter-themed treasure blocks make the perfect backdrop for a pair of penguins.

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After using the blocks in setups with polar animals, I look forward to pairing them with “Disney Frozen” sets.

Do you have a favorite way to use treasure blocks? Share below.

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More Winter Activities

Winter Playdough Recipe

Snowman Sensory Play

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Painting Ice and Snow

Winter Wreath Paper Plate Craft

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

Frozen-Inspired Shadow Box

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Play Tablescape

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Winter Playdough Recipe

January 10, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A soft, easy-to-make winter-themed playdough recipe perfect for little hands to explore.

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We’ve been enveloped in a deep freeze the last few weeks, so playing “winter” indoors makes much more sense. We’re leaving the real snow outside for now, and engaging with fake snow alternatives. And making and playing with this winter playdough recipe is on our agenda. The recipe is easy to make and is super moldable.

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Winter Playdough Recipe

A winter-themed playdough recipe early learners will love.

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2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons oil
mixed set of edible candy sprinkles

Add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix them together.

Stir one tablespoon oil into two cups of water.

Add the water and oil to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat on the stove on medium heat.

Stirring frequently, cook until the mixture is no longer glossy and the dough forms a ball.

Scoop the dough onto a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding in 1/2 tablespoon more oil.

The edible candy sprinkles can be kneaded in before the playdough is set out for little learners to use. Or children can knead in the sprinkles themselves. They add texture and instant color to the dough.

These sweet decorations come in a variety of shapes. A blog post titled: Sprinkles 101: Know Your Sprinkles by Sarah’s Bake Studio provides helpful information about different types.

A fun winter playdough recipe little learners will love to play with.

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Playdough Activities

Little learners can mold shapes from the dough, and use additional candy sprinkles for ornamentation. For instance, candy pearls make great snowman eyes, noses, and buttons.

Of course, rolling pins, snowflake and snowmen cookie cutters, and loose parts in cool winter hues can be offered with the playdough.

Tips:

Keep a broom and dustpan handy to sweep up escapee sprinkles.
Make sure the candy decorations you choose to use are safe to eat.
Use an edible playdough recipe if your little charges insist on tasting the candy sprinkle playdough.

A soft, easy-to-make winter-themed playdough.

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Next week the weather in our area will be much warmer. My preschoolers will be excited to play in real snow outdoors and explore snow and ice in our active world tray. Stay tuned for activity ideas with snow.

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Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Igloo camping center with fur, sequins, fishing gear, and polar animals. Pretend play winter theme.

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Winter-themed Treasure Blocks

Painting Ice and Snow

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Winter Wreath Paper Plate Craft

Frozen-Inspired Shadow Box

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Play Tablescape

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