Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

pretend play

Space Loose Parts Play

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Loose parts are a highlight in any play center, and they certainly shine in a space theme. Sorted in a tray, they are ready for all kinds of outer space loose parts play. The outer space-themed supplies can be added to a rice bin, water play bin, or playdough invitation. The out-of-this-world loose parts have other great uses as well.

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Space Loose Parts Supplies

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The following economical and easy-to-find supplies are in the space loose parts tray:

  • space-ship shaped bubble blowing containers
  • star-shaped buttons
  • thin bracelets
  • orange and white ping pong balls
  • glow in the dark stars, stones, and pebbles
  • space-themed erasers
  • marbles
  • rubber balls
  • sun and star-shaped acrylic gems
  • yellow pickleball balls
  • astronaut and spaceship toys

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The Space Loose Parts Tray

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Repurposed spaceship-shaped bubble blowing containers with screw-top lids work well in sensory bin activities and are super fun to use.

Glow-in-the-dark stars and star-shaped buttons help create vivid night skies. The stones and pebbles serve as space rocks.

Yellow pickleball balls represent a lighted, crater-filled moon.

Various kinds and colors of small balls and marbles can be reimagined as planets or moons, and the bracelets make great planetary rings.

Iridescent sun and star-shaped acrylic gems add beauty to outer space play activities.

Mini astronaut and spaceship toys and erasers extend imaginative play.

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Space Loose Parts Play

The colorful rubber balls in the space loose parts play tray can be used in large motor activities.

The space-themed buttons, glow-in-the-dark stars, rocks, bracelets, erasers, and acrylic gems make great loose parts in outer space pretend play.

The supplies in the tray are perfect for a space-themed transient art invitation.

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The outer space supplies shine in a rice sensory bin or water play setup.

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And the supplies are tantalizing in a playdough invitation.

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Barbie Inspired Dramatic Play

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Barbie dolls were a favorite toy to play with in my childhood days, and my daughter loved them equally as much. I especially enjoyed dressing the dolls up in all kinds of gorgeous clothing, and styling their hair different ways. When the recent Barbie: The Movie came out I was into the pink hues just as much as the set designers were. And after stumbling across a beautiful Barbie-themed display room at our local Ikea store, I was totally down for creating a Barbie-inspired dramatic play set up for my little learners. As you might expect, it has lots of pink.

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Supplies In The Dramatic Play Set Up

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The following supplies are in the Barbie-inspired dramatic play set up:

  • pink plates, cups, trays, and dessert bowls
  • pink tea set
  • sliced pink pool noodles
  • painted pink egg flat, egg flat lid, and cup holder
  • pink curlers and heart-shaped cookie cutters
  • pink felt hearts and reusable ice cubes
  • gold tree decorations
  • gold buttons and bead strands
  • black and white box
  • black and white scrabble pieces
  • gold, pink, black, and white pom poms
  • white plush snowballs, play eggs, and cotton balls
  • pink tablecloth
  • vase of flowers

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The Barbie Inspired Dramatic Play Tablescape

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The overall color scheme for this Barbie-inspired dramatic play center is pink, with loose parts in black, white, and gold. The supplies are set up as a play tablescape but could be spread out on shelves and/or play kitchen appliances.

It is easy to find pink-themed tableware suitable for little learners to play with, and there is plenty of it in this center.

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Although I wondered if I needed any more pink hues, I decided to follow up my idea of having a few little learners paint a four-slot disposable cup holder and an egg carton flat and lid in a bright pink hue. I was glad I did because the results were stunning.

Note: White tempera paint mixed with a little red makes a pretty pink color.

The egg flat works for holding large black pom poms and play eggs.

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The egg flat lid makes a perfect tray for loose parts reimagined as play food.

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The four-compartment cup holder contains drink cups or white plush imaginary muffins or snow cones nicely.

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Little learners love using loose parts, and I enjoy seeing their creativity in playing with them. The black, white, pink, and gold loose parts in this table set up help create the unique color scheme.

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Adding Barbie dolls and Barbie-themed décor would be the perfect addition in this pink-infused dramatic play tablescape.

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Related:

Pink Shirt Day Dramatic Play

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Pink Shirt Day Dramatic Play

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This Pink Shirt Day dramatic play theme is all about the pink. It was inspired by the glorious pink-infused Barbieland set in the recent Barbie film. I am debuting it for Pink Shirt Day, commonly observed in February or May each year.

Pink Shirt Day is a global movement celebrated by more than 100 countries worldwide. The initiative draws attention to the issue of bullying. It is a reminder to be kind and respectful to other people, whether you are at home, at school, at a workplace, or online.

In addition to inviting children and adults to wear a pink shirt, the dramatic play setup further emphasizes the meaning of the color pink on Pink Shirt Day.

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Pink-themed Dramatic Play Supplies

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The following supplies are in this pretend play set up with a whole lotta pink accessories and loose parts:

  • “Be Kind” place card and stand
  • fish, flower, and cube-shaped reusable ice cubes
  • pom poms in various shades of pink
  • pool noodle slices
  • miniature tea set
  • ice cube tray
  • art caddy
  • fillable eggs
  • curlers
  • buttons
  • heart-shaped game pieces, erasers, and cookie cutters
  • disposable plates, cups, and cutlery
  • food serving containers and tongs
  • dessert cups and spoons
  • disposable cup holder and egg carton top
  • tablecloth
  • vase with artificial flowers

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The Pink Shirt Day Dramatic Play Invitation

In this rosy dramatic play center, a variety of loose parts complement pink-themed plates, cutlery, serving containers, and a miniature tea set. The supplies come in shades such as pastel pink, hot pink, magenta, and fuchsia.

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A place card with the words “Be Kind” describes the dramatic play theme and provides a literacy opportunity.

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A four-compartment disposable cup holder painted in a glorious pink hue holds cups or larger loose parts.

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An inverted square egg carton lid also painted pink makes a nice-sized serving tray for cookie cutters and cut bun-shaped pool noodle pretend play food.

Note: A little red tempera paint mixed in with white produces a gorgeous pink hue. Painting the cardboard recyclable pieces is a fun activity for children to participate in either individually or as a small group.

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Cutlery and disposable ice cubes are contained nicely in a small art caddy.

Heart-shaped game pieces, cookie cutters, and erasers add to the kindness theme.

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Buttons, curlers, thinly sliced pool noodles, and an ice cube holder round out the supplies in the dramatic play center.

The accessories and loose parts in this super fun pink-themed play invitation offer opportunities for fine motor development, sorting, labeling shades of color, and imaginative play.

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Variation of the Pink-themed Dramatic Play Set Up

With a few pink pieces exchanged for black, gold, and white-themed loose parts, the Pink Shirt Day dramatic play set up easily transitions to an eye-catching Barbie-inspired play kitchen theme. Since it is awards season for Barbie: The Movie, the tweaked play invitation fits perfectly.

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Related: Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft

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Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

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The giving and receiving of jewelry around Valentine’s Day is a common tradition. Who doesn’t feel special receiving a new sparkling, jewel-toned necklace, bracelet, or ring? Trying on Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table gives little learners a chance to feel that specialness and explore the glittering accessories in a new way.

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Light Table Valentine’s Day Supplies

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The following supplies were gathered for this charming light table play invitation:

  • clear acrylic jewelry chest
  • clear acrylic compartment trays
  • mirror and stand
  • transparent purple, pink, and red necklaces, bracelets, and rings
  • heart-themed play sunglasses
  • transparent tic tac toe game
  • reusable heart-shaped ice cubes
  • acrylic heart gems

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The Valentine’s Day Jewelry Play Invitation

Play jewelry is a welcome addition to any dress-up center, but has a moment to shine extra brightly in a light table play invitation.

The clear acrylic jewelry chest was a recent happy find and is super fun to use. Jewelry displayed in clear compartment trays works just as well.

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A large mirror set on a stand reflects the supplies beautifully and invites children to view themselves all jeweled up. Choosing a non-breakable mirror is recommended.

Play sunglasses add to the possible looks.

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Heart-themed loose parts provide additional items to explore and encourage children to think in creative ways. Early learners can practice labeling, counting, and sorting them.

Having a variety of materials on the light table allows children to play side by side, offering opportunities for socialization. Two to four children can play in the center at one time.

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The color scheme for this Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table play invitation is purple, pink, and red. Any color combination would work wonderfully for the illuminating, accessory-filled center.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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More Valentine’s Day Activities

Valentine’s Day Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day Process Art

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Water Play

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies

Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments

Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

Llama-inspired Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin

Valentine’s Day Sensory Tubes

Eye Dropper Heart Art

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Snowflake Cafe Dramatic Play

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The weather is super snowy and cold in my part of the world right now, and this Snowflake Café dramatic play center fits right in. The center incorporates many loose parts, which little learners love to use in imaginative ways.

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Snowflake Restaurant Supplies

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The following supplies are in the snowflake café set up:

  • acrylic snowflakes and gems
  • white styrofoam balls
  • felt, foam, and wooden snowflakes
  • ice cream play food
  • iridescent bead necklaces
  • snowflake-themed bells
  • metal trays, cookie pans, and muffin tray
  • frosted disposable goblets
  • disposable plates
  • clear spoons and forks
  • play coffee machine and cups
  • play money
  • restaurant signs and menu items
  • table and chairs with a vase of flowers

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The Snowflake Cafe

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The color scheme for the winter-themed Snowflake Café dramatic play center is blue, white, silver, and gold.

Snowflakes in various sizes and materials make up a large part of the play food. In checking my supplies and scouring stores in our area I found them in felt, foam, acrylic, and wood.

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The wooden snowflakes are painted with gold, silver, or shades of blue acrylic craft paint to match the color scheme.

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Including play spaghetti in my dramatic play centers is so fun. In the café iridescent necklaces cut into strips are the noodles, and small snowflake-themed bells are the meatballs.

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Styrofoam balls are snow cupcakes or muffins.

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Disposable frosted goblets and silver trays add elegance to the center.

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Little learners love to mix and match supplies in the snowflake café and use their imagination to decide what play food the loose parts will be. They relish in preparing food, serving it to customers, and handling play money.

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Variation Of The Snowflake Cafe

Below, the loose parts and clear tableware in the Snowflake Cafe along with a few additional supplies set the tone for an inviting dining experience on the light table.

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Related:

Winter Pretend Play Tablescape

Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play

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Snowy Owl Sensory Bin

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This snowy owl sensory bin is a fun way to teach about predators and prey and can be set up in minutes. There are plenty of mice in the hide-and-seek bin, but there’s nothing to be afraid of in this winter play invitation.

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Snowy Owls and Mice

Snowy owls live in polar regions, but some make their way further south. The majestic birds have excellent vision and exceptional hearing ability and can detect mice and other rodents traveling through tunnels beneath snow in winter. Hunting by day or night, they can dive through the snow, grab a mouse with their talons, and then swallow it whole.

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Snowy Owl Sensory Bin Supplies

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Just a few supplies are in this cheeky snowy owl sensory bin:

  • cotton balls
  • paper towel rolls
  • toy mice
  • owl figurine
  • rocks
  • small logs

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The Snowy Owl Sensory Bin

A round saucer sled works well as a bin for this winter white sensory activity. It is big enough to hold a variety of supplies, but small enough to be easy to fill.

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A large snowy owl figurine is the main character in the bin. A stuffed animal owl would be an awesome alternative.

Cotton balls spread out in the bin represent snow.

Paper towel rolls cut to shorter lengths or left whole serve as tunnels. The paper rolls signify how mice dig tunnels in the snow and travel through them to find food on the ground to eat during the snowy months. The scurrying mice also use them to get to their underground burrows.

Mice come in a variety of colors, such as white, brown, or grey. In this sensory setup, steel grey rubber mice are the snowy owl prey.

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Many snowy owls live far north above the tree line and never see a tree during their lifetime. Some snowy owls venture further south, still choosing open areas to live in. Perched on a high vantage post such as a tree or fencepost, they scan the surrounding area for prey such as mice to eat. Thus a few rocks and logs are added to this second sensory bin.

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Snowy Owl Sensory Bin Learning Opportunities

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This snowy owl sensory bin play invitation is perfect for learning facts about snowy owls and mice, and learning about predators and prey. Discussing hard and soft, long and short, and heavy and light items facilitates language. Practice in counting mice and developing eye-hand coordination when taking mice in and out of their tunnels are other educational benefits.

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More Polar Animal Activities

Winter-themed Treasure Blocks

Igloo Camping Pretend Play

Polar Bear Small World

Winter Sensory Trays

Winter Wreath Paper Plate Craft

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

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Paper Airplane Christmas Craft

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Children tend to get more and more energetic during the countdown to Christmas, and this paper airplane Christmas craft is bound to put some of that boundless energy to productive use. With the holiday airplane, children can transport paper passengers to the North Pole and back…so fun!

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this Christmas air transportation craft:

  • red and green copy paper
  • recycled Christmas or gift cards
  • number stickers
  • scissors
  • glue stick or glue gun
  • black marker

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The Paper Airplane Christmas Craft

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To make the craft, fold 8 ½ x 11- inch pieces of red and green copy paper into airplanes. I picked a basic model for the craft. HGTV has a great blog post titled “How To Make A Paper Airplane” detailing how to design it and craft a few other unique airplane styles.

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Then, select recycled Christmas or gift cards with animal or snowman characters and cut around them. A cardstock Santa would be fun to include too.

Next, use a glue stick or glue gun to affix the cutouts in the middle of Christmas planes. Then add more glue in spots that keep the airplanes folded together. As an alternative, use tape to secure the folded paper into airplane shapes.

Afterward, using a black marker, write the name of a North Pole airline on one side of the airplanes, and add number stickers to the other side. Or use the marker for the numbers too.

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Now the Christmas airplanes are ready to be tested in a flight. Little aviators can see how high, far, and fast their airplane can fly.

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Variations of the Paper Airplane Christmas Craft

Here are two variations of this festive airliner craft:

  • Use thin Christmas-themed double-sided scrapbook paper for the airplanes. This is an easy way to add color and pattern to the craft.
  • Use photo cutouts of your child and his friends to insert into the plane instead of animals, snowmen, and Santas.               

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More Christmas Crafts:

Spin Painting Poinsettia Craft

Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

CD Case Christmas Craft

Christmas Sheep Craft

Washi Tape Christmas Pots

Handprint Angel Craft

Turtle Christmas Craft

Christmas Tree Art

Christmas Dove Art

Handprint Angel Christmas Keepsake

Woodland Fox Treat Holder

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Christmas Small World on the Light Table

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Transparent Christmas trees are the inspiration for this whimsical Christmas small world on the light table. They illuminate beautifully and pair with a variety of loose parts for creative and imaginative seasonal play.

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Light Table Small World Supplies

The following supplies are included in the Christmas small world setup:

  • transparent Christmas trees in green, red, pink, and clear colors
  • clear acrylic deer figurines
  • clear acrylic snowman figurine
  • acrylic clear nativity decoration
  • pink transparent pebbles
  • small wooden shelters
  • wooden peg dolls painted red, green, pink, and white

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The Christmas Small World

In this Christmas small world, transparent trees in red, green, pink, and clear hues set the color scheme.

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Wooden peg dolls painted with acrylic paints in red, pink, green, and white colors complement the trees.

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Clear acrylic deer and a snowman are beautiful ornaments to explore.

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Transparent pink pebbles are a soft touch.

A simple nativity decoration enhances the Christmas small world theme.

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Making Your Own Transparent Trees

An alternative to purchasing transparent trees is to create your own.

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The trees above are made from transparent page dividers and paper rolls. To make them, cut paper rolls into two-inch cylinders. Next, cut a one-inch slit into opposite sides of each paper roll section. Then cut triangular trees from transparent page dividers.

Feel free to download this template to create the trees.

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Paper Roll Tree PatternDownload

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Slide the bottom of the trees into the paper roll trunks and set them on your light table or another tabletop. These DIY trees also illuminate nicely.

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More Christmas Activities

Christmas Peppermint Sensory Bin

Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

CD Case Christmas Craft

Plaid-themed Christmas Rice Bin

Christmas Sheep Craft

Christmas Treasure Blocks

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Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

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On a recent trip to a Dollar store, I picked up a pair of skeleton arms to add to my growing supply of bony resources. In the checkout line, a man turned around, smiled, and announced “Grandma’s spaghetti scoops.” I took the comment in humor, and immediately thought it would be fun to use the skeleton props in a spaghetti and eyeball sensory bin. The sensory invitation was a hit with my little learners, and I highly recommend trying it.

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Supplies To Collect

For this ooey-gooey sensory bin, gather the following supplies:

  • saucer sled
  • large package of spaghetti noodles
  • big pot
  • orange tempera paint
  • toy eyeballs
  • pair of skeleton arms
  • two bowls
  • painting aprons

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Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin Preparation

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To prepare this slimy sensory bin, cook a large package of spaghetti noodles in a big pot.

Next, pick a bin or tray to hold the cooked noodles. A saucer sled is a good size for this sensory invitation. It is neither too small nor too large to hold this amount of noodles. A bus bin or similar-sized storage tub would work nicely too.

Then slide the noodles into your bin of choice, and spread them around.

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Afterward, mix three parts of orange tempera paint with one part of water. Pour the thinned paint over the noodles so that it looks like spaghetti sauce.

Next, add toy eyeballs to the bin to represent meatballs.

Finally, place two bowls and a pair of skeleton arms in the slippery, mushy bin. The skeleton arms will serve as spaghetti scoops.

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The Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

In offering this noodle-based sensory bin to little learners, you’ll find out which children love to get covered in paint, and which ones prefer not to. Not everyone will want to explore the bin, but it will likely be a huge hit with most.

A saucer sled sensory bin is perfect for two children to play in at a time.

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Having participants wear a painting apron is encouraged, as well as setting up a hand washing station close by.

Washing hands in a tub after exploring the noodle bin is as fun as playing in it. The orange water and bubbles created by handwashing will delight little learners and add to the sensory experience.

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Taste-Safe Spaghetti Sensory Bin

To make this spaghetti and eyeball sensory bin taste safe, use a mildly spiced spaghetti sauce instead of tempera paint for the noodle-based sensory activity.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton and Eyeball Waterplay

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Floral Decorated Skeleton

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

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Paper Plate Turkey Craft

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Paper plate crafts are always a hit, and this paper plate turkey craft is a super cute one. Fit it during a farm animal theme or letter T mini-theme, or save it for a Thanksgiving Day celebration. Download the free turkey template to prepare this craft with ease.

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Supplies To Collect

For this adorable farm animal craft, gather the following supplies:

  • large paper plate
  • red, yellow, orange, and brown construction paper or cardstock
  • red pipe cleaner
  • wiggly eyes
  • white glue and glue paddle
  • glue stick
  • glue gun

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Paper Plate Turkey Prep

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To prepare this animal craft, first cut a paper plate in half.

Next, cut a large circle from brown construction paper or cardstock, and two sizes of smaller circles from red, orange, and yellow sturdy paper.

Then cut a narrow diamond and two small hearts from orange paper.

The last thing to do is snip a three-inch strip from a red pipe cleaner.

To make things easier, download this free turkey craft template to use for cutting out the shapes.

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Paper Plate Turkey PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Tip: Paper punches are very helpful in preparing this craft.

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Making The Paper Plate Turkey Craft

To make this cute turkey craft, start by using white glue and a glue paddle to adhere red, orange, and yellow circles to the semi-circular plate.

Next, glue the brown circle to the bottom middle of the straight edge of the plate, allowing a little bit of the circle to fall below the edge. This will be the turkey head.

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Then glue two wiggly eyes to the large circle.

Afterward, fold the narrow diamond shape in half to make a beak. Glue the folded bottom half of the beak underneath the eyes.

Then fashion the red pipe cleaner strip into a narrow loop. Glue the loop to the beak so that it hangs down as a snood.

Finally, glue two heart-shaped feet to the bottom of the turkey head.

Let the crafted turkey dry overnight and it will be ready for display.

Note: A glue stick or glue gun will also work to adhere the shapes in this craft.

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This paper plate turkey is made entirely of geometric shapes, so the craft presents a great opportunity to discuss and review them.

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Paper Plate Turkey Headband

For a fun twist to this craft, turn the paper plate turkey into a headband.

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First, make sure to adhere the bottom edge of the turkey head to the straight edge of the semi circle.

Next, glue on the eyes, beak, and snood as in the first craft.

Then cut two 1 ½ x 11 inch strips from a piece of cardstock. Glue the two strips together on one side, and then adhere the paper plate turkey on top, lining it up with the bottom edge.

Measure the headband to fit the wearer, and glue the remaining two ends together.

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More Turkey Activities

Coffee Playdough Turkey

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

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