science

Bat Theme Pretend Play

August 29, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This bat theme pretend play setup is fun for little learners to explore, and it is bound to ignite their interest in these nocturnal flying animals.

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Bat Theme Pretend Play Center Supplies

A well-known saying is “There is a season for everything” and it’s as true for collecting educational supplies for little learners as in anything else. Late summer/early fall is the best time to gather supplies for a bat theme, and that’s when I picked up the ones featured in this post.

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In the batty pretend play setup are the following:

orange, green, purple, and black bead necklaces and rings
purple, orange, green, and black pom poms
bat-shaped silicone mold
bat-shaped cookie cutters
bat-themed glasses
reusable bat-shaped ice cubes
transparent bat decorations
miniature bat figurines
buffalo plaid decorative balls
bat-themed bowl
cookie pan
paper plates and bowls
cutlery
clear play cups

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The Bat Theme Pretend Play Center

Although this bat theme pretend play center is simpler than many of my play tablescapes, little learners will be eager to explore it. They will happily use the loose parts in creative, imaginative ways.

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The orange, green, purple, and black bead necklaces are cut into strips to make colorful “loose part” spaghetti. A preschooler suggested this idea while exploring a New Year’s pretend play setup. I loved it and have since used “bead necklace spaghetti” to enhance and color-coordinate with many of my pretend play centers.

Similar colored pom poms stored in a bat-shaped silicone mold make great meatballs.

Bat-shaped cookie cutters on a cookie pan suggest home-baked cookies.

Miniature bat-themed toys make small tasty pretend treats.

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Black and white buffalo-plaid decorative balls cut from garland display nicely in a bat-shaped bowl. Along with transparent bat decorations, they offer additional play food choices.

Bat-shaped reusable ice cubes keep pretend drinks cold in clear play cups or can be used as additional play food.

Bat-themed play glasses and toy rings add dress-up opportunities to the center.

White plates, bowls, and cutlery coordinate nicely with the bat-themed loose parts.

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Exploring the topic of bats in a pretend play center is a great way to introduce young children to these night-flying, roosting creatures.

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Related: Bat Necklace

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More Themed Pretend Play Tablescapes

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Tablescape

Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Chinese New Year Tablescape

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

Spring Bunny Play Tablescape

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

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[Read more…]

String Painting Snake Art

August 5, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This string painting snake art is perfect for a reptile theme. In addition to enhancing the topic of snakes, it offers children a novel way to paint.

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Supplies To Collect

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Gather the following supplies for this simple string painting activity:

sturdy paper
tempera paint
small disposable plates
yarn
scissors
clothespins
spoons
waterproof table cover

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Preparing The String Painting Snake Art Activity

To set up this novel string art activity, cover a table with a waterproof table cover.

Then spoon tempera paint into small disposable plates.

Next, cut the yarn into lengths about 6 to 8 inches long.

Afterward, attach a clothespin to the end of each strip of yarn.

Set the paint dishes, prepared string, and sturdy pieces of paper onto the art table and the activity is ready to go.

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The String Painting Snake Art Project

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To create snake-like painted shapes, lay a string on a paint-filled plate, draping the clothespin attached end over the edge.

Use a spoon to press down on the string to ensure it is covered in paint.

Next, carefully lift off the string and lay it on the paper in a snake-like, serpentine pattern.

Then gently put the string back in the same color of paint.

Repeat the process with more paint colors to create snakes in additional hues.

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Variations of the String Art Project

After participants have completed a snake art project, invite them to explore more string painting techniques:

Dragging the string across the paper covers it more quickly, and allows for paint mixing.
Using fingers to manipulate the string instead of clothespins adds a tactile experience.
Experimenting with thick and thin string, and longer and shorter pieces creates different effects.
Spooning paint on the paper first, and dragging the string through it is another way to paint.

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Northern Lights Squish Painting

Balloon Painting Flower Art

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Apple Print Activities

Corn Syrup Paint Sunflowers

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

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Painting with Corn

Cauliflower Paint Prints

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More Reptile-themed Activities

Reptile Theme Activities

Black Playdough Snakes

Reptile Egg Science

Paper Chain Snake Craft

Reptile Active World Tray

Reptile Pet Store Center

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[Read more…]

Bee and Sunflower Sensory Bin

May 26, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It is common to see bees hovering around sunflowers, as bees love the generous supply of nectar and pollen that sunflowers produce. Bees pollinate sunflowers so are helpful to these giant-headed flowers in return. Their relationship is the inspiration for this bee and sunflower sensory bin.

Sensory Bin Supplies

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In searching for supplies, my first stops are always at discount or dollar stores. This is often all that is needed to add specialty items to a sensory setup. The following locally found supplies are in this insect and flower sensory bin:

honeycomb ice cube tray
honey pot and dippers
sunflower-themed spatula
bee figurine
artificial sunflowers
bumblebee stickers
pompoms
pearl beads
spatula
bowl and spoon

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Follow me on Pinterest for more fun early learning ideas.

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The Bee and Sunflower Sensory Bin

White glutinous rice, one of my favorite supplies, is the bee and sunflower sensory bin base. The bin itself is a bus tub, another favorite accessory.

A honeypot and honeycomb ice cube tray are eye-catching feature accessories.

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Artificial sunflower heads and a sunflower-themed spatula represent the sunflower theme.

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In addition to one life-like bee figurine, bumblebee stickers without the white paper-backing removed provide opportunities for counting and sorting.

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Pearl beads and pompoms in various sizes add interest and offer fine motor and eye-hand coordination opportunities.

Preschoolers love sensory play, and setting up a bee and sunflower-themed sensory bin for your little charges will surely have them buzzing with excitement.

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Honeycomb Cereal Necklace Lacing

A fun honeycomb cereal "snowflake" necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice.

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Spider Theme Activities

Green Huntsman Spider Activities

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[Read more…]

Reptile Active World Tray

May 14, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A reptile active world tray is a great way to introduce animals such as snakes, lizards, and turtles to young children. Having a chance to explore these reptiles in a small world helps alleviate fears surrounding these scaly animals.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

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The following supplies are in the reptile active world tray:

snake, lizard, frog, and insect figurines
fillable eggs
artificial palm branches and grass panels
wood logs and slices
recycled toilet paper and paper towel rolls
rocks

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The Reptile Active World Tray

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A large active world tray nicely holds a few artificial grass panels and the other sensory supplies. A bus tub or round saucer are good sensory tray bin alternatives.

Various-sized snake and lizard figurines add variety to the tray.

Frog and insect figurines serve as prey for the snakes and lizards to eat.

Toilet paper and paper towel rolls make perfect hollow logs for snakes to hide in.

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Fillable eggs are just the right size for tiny lizard hatchlings and snakelets to break out of.

Artificial palm branches provide ground cover.

And wood logs, wood slices, and rocks add natural elements to the reptile active world tray.

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Reptile Theme Activities

Reptile Egg Science

Sea Turtle Theme Activities

Turtle Pond Sensory Bin

Turtle Christmas Craft

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[Read more…]

Moon Colors Art Project

April 20, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This “moon colors” art project is inspired by a gorgeous spiral montage of 48 moon hues photographed over the years by Marcella Pace. The stunning image was selected by NASA as the Astronomy Photo of the Day and is available as an art print.

The surface of the moon is a dull grey color due to the combination of minerals present. The moon appears lighted because it reflects light from the sun. It sometimes appears to change colors due to its position in the sky and the atmospheric conditions present. At times it can appear red, pink, yellow, orange, or even blue. The impending arrival of these uniquely hued full moons is regularly announced on social media platforms such as Facebook or X, giving everyone a heads-up about when to search for them in the night sky.

Since I love to feature objects in unexpected colors in creative activities, this art activity features moons in a variety of colors using a simple salt and glue technique. I previously debuted this popular art activity on a grey paper moon base in a post titled Salt and Glue Moon Art.

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Colors of the Moon Art Supplies

Gather the following supplies for this striking moon art project:

8 ½ inch x 11-inch cardstock paper in red, pink, yellow, orange, blue, turquoise, purple, and green hues
9-inch x 12-inch black cardstock
white glue
glue paddle
disposable plate
table salt
small bowls or paint cups
spray adhesive
hot glue gun
table cover

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Colors of the Moon Art Process

To prepare this easy-to-do art activity, cut circles about 7 ½ inches in diameter from gray cardstock.

Next, set up a station for each child participating with a

cardstock paper circle
small bowl of salt and a teaspoon
container of white glue and glue paddle
disposable plate

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Invite little learners to drizzle white glue on their circle-shaped paper in a random manner.

Then have them sprinkle salt from a teaspoon over the glue, and shake excess salt onto their disposable plate.

Let the colorful art projects dry overnight.

To help preserve the moon art, spray each salted circle with adhesive spray. Hairspray works fine for this task too.

When thoroughly dry, adhere each salt and glue moon to a 9-inch x 12-inch sheet of black cardstock or construction paper background using a hot glue gun.

Display the striking moons on a bulletin board or wall. They will look amazing together!

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Different Moon Colors Explained

Red Moon

When the sun illuminates the whole moon in a lunar eclipse, it can appear red.

This moon is commonly called a “blood moon.”

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Yellow or Orange Moon

A yellow or orange moon is called a Harvest Moon since it is usually seen in late summer or early fall during harvest time. The moon can appear orange or yellow when it is close to the horizon.

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Pink Moon

The pink moon is the first full moon in April, and it only occasionally looks pink.

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Purple Moon

Although it doesn’t look purple the second full moon in April is called a purple moon. It has been photographed as purple in Marcella Pace.

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Blue Moon

The moon rarely appears blue. When it does look blue, the hue is the result of a huge amount of dust or smoke in the air due to a volcanic eruption or forest fire.

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Green Moon

There have been no sightings of a green moon. But it is fun to reimagine the moon in a green hue using the salt and glue art technique.

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Turquoise Moon

Like a green moon, a turquoise moon won’t be spotted in the night sky. It is also fun to create in art.

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Moon Colors In Art

Depicting different colors of the moon is popular in digital art and photos, and there are many beautiful moon artworks available. Why not join in the fun and create colorful moon art using the salt and glue technique?

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Scented Moon Playdough

Starry Sky Sensory Bin

Space Father’s Day Craft

Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

Watercolor Planets With Markers

Outer Space Pretend Play

Earth Day Heart Art

Earth Day Craft

Space Loose Parts Play

Space Theme Light Table

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[Read more…]

Baby Chick Theme Activities

April 18, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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These baby chick theme activities are inspired by Mo Willem’s picture book titled “That Is Not A Good Idea.” The activities include two storybooks about chicks, a chick headband craft, chick songs and chants, a hen and chick coloring page, discussing the life stages of a chicken, and performing “The Chicken Dance.” A free downloadable chick headband template is included in the post.

Picture Books About Hens and Chicks

Two picture books perfect for a baby chick theme day are:

“The Cow That Laid An Egg” by Andy Cutbill. In the humorous story, chickens hatch a plan to help a cow that thinks she is ordinary feel extraordinary. A little chick hatched from an egg is part of the plan.
“That Is Not A Good Idea” by Mo Willems. The characters in the picture book are a wolf, a hen, and a brood of chickens. The story is suspenseful and fun and has a delightful surprise ending.

Chick Headband Crafts

These simple chick headband crafts look super cute and help get little learners in the mood to act out baby chicks in rhymes, chants, and action songs. Pick one design to create with your little learners. Then invite them to wear it for music time and dramatic play.

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Children welcome the opportunity to use specialized art supplies in a craft. Wiggly eyes and a feather tuft accent this first chick headband.

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To keep the craft simpler, use construction paper for the entire headband. The colorful paper headband looks equally sweet.

To make craft preparation super easy, download this free chick headband template to use for the craft.

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Chick Headband PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Don’t have construction paper in the colors needed? No problem. Download the template and invite participants to use crayons to color the pieces before assembling them into a chick headband.

Songs And Chants About Baby Chicks

Wearing a chick headband sets the mood for language arts and musical activities. The fun baby chick songs and chants featured in a blog post by Teaching Mama are perfect for the theme.

Chick Coloring Page

A simple hen and chick coloring page is a good calming activity. There are many options to choose from online.

Life Cycle of a Chicken Figurines

Hen and chick life cycle figurines by Safari Ltd. are great accessories to use to explain the life cycle of a chicken.

The Chicken Dance Song

A fitting ending for the baby chick theme day is dancing to a version of The Chicken Dance song. It’s bound to send everyone off in good spirits.

These baby chick theme activities are perfect for an Easter, spring, or farm animal theme.

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[Read more…]

Space Loose Parts Play

April 17, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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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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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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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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[Read more…]

Watercolor Rainbows With Markers

April 6, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Making watercolor rainbows with markers is one of the easiest and most fun art activities for early learners to do. Preparation time is minimal, and the art project is stunning every time.

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Supplies To Collect

Only the following few supplies are needed for this gorgeous watercolor art project:

eye droppers or pipettes
paper towel roll
set of 10 water-based markers
paint pot with water
ice cream pail lid
reusable tablecover

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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The Watercolor Rainbows With Markers Art Project

To offer this fun watercolor art project, set out a sample rainbow drawing, a paper towel roll sheet, and a set of water-based markers.

Discuss the colors of the rainbow, and the acronym ROYGBIV. Explain that this acronym stands for the order of colors in a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

Invite participants to draw a rainbow, starting with a red curved line near the edges of their paper towel sheet.

Tip: To make it easier for young children, draw a large red half circle on each paper towel sheet using an ice cream pail lid as a guide. Then ask participants to draw in the rest of the curved lines of the rainbow.

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After each child has finished their rainbow drawing, direct them to a table with eye droppers or pipettes and paint pots filled with water. Ask participants to drop water on their rainbow with the droppers. They will absolutely love this part of the art activity.

Let the beautiful rainbow art dry overnight and display it.

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Note: Children may draw their rainbows in a unique color pattern. That is just fine…the rainbows will look beautiful in any color order.

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More Eye Dropper Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Gorgeous Eye Dropper Art

Eye Dropper Pumpkin Art

Eye Dropper Heart Art

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More Watercolor Art

Watercolor Apples With Markers

Pump Bottle Watercolor Art

Unicorn Watercolor Art

Watercolor Planets With Markers

Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

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[Read more…]

Polar Scene Snow Painting

February 6, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This polar scene snow painting activity was a last minute set up after a group discussion about igloos and the possibility of making one. We just happened to have a lot of snow in our city that week, so it was a good fit. Save this idea for the next time you have snow…the art and sensory activity is sure to be a hit.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

Supplies to Collect

Just the following few supplies are needed for this polar scene snow painting activity:

sensory tray
bus tub
large bowl
polar animal figurines
ice cubes or acrylic ice cubes
snow
paint pots and paintbrushes
neon food coloring or liquid food colors
stage light (optional)

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Polar Scene Snow Painting

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To set up this snowy sensory set up, the first thing to do is to select a sensory tray. For this activity, I picked a large active world tray. It is gernously-sized, and has room for six to eight children to paint at a time. For three to four children, a smaller tray or bin would work just fine.

Next, fill a bus tub or similar-sized utility box with snow and pour it into the bin.

Afterward, pack a salad bowl-sized metal bowl full of snow and let it sit for a few minutes.

Then tip the bowl over in the center of the snow-filled tray to create an igloo. Pack more snow around the dome if necessary to ensure a rounded shape.

Dig a little hole in one part of the igloo to become an entrance.

Then add ice cubes or acrylic ice cubes around the snow house.

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Next, generously squirt neon food colors such as green, pink, and purple into paint pots half-filled with water. Add a paintbrush to each pot.

Note: The food color choices are inspired by hues displayed in northern lights, which frequently flood the arctic skies and illuminate the land.

Finally, invite your little charges to paint the igloo and snow.

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To extend this transient art invitation and add ambiance, set up a stage light and position it to shine on the igloo and animal figurines while the children are participating in the polar scene snow painting activity.

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Children may wish to paint the animal figurines during the art and sensory experience. The paint washes off easily with a little soap and water.

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More Northern Lights-inspired Activities

Igloo “Glamping” Pretend Play

Polar Bear Small World

Northern Lights Squish Painting

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[Read more…]

Paint Pour Ice Cake Sensory Play

January 31, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Drip cakes are a popular trend at the moment. After seeing a fascinating drip cake-decorating video online, I thought it would be fun to try a similar technique with tempera paint and a three-tier ice cake. It turned out to be a paint pour ice cake sensory play invitation, and the icy activity was a huge success. I highly recommend giving it a try.

It is winter in my part of the world right now, and this paint pour sensory activity fits the season. But it would work any time of the year indoors or outdoors using of-the-moment seasonal colors.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

To set up a paint pour ice cake sensory activity, gather the following supplies:

sensory tub
small square coffee table
waterproof tablecloth
tarp
round food storage containers in various sizes
a variety of ice cube trays
tempera paints in turquoise, pink, light purple, and white hues
small soda or water bottles
shovels
toy dinosaurs

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Setting Up The Paint Pour Ice Cake Activity

This sensory invitation is easy from start to finish. The first thing to do is collect round food storage containers and gather all the ice cube trays you can find. Freeze water in them outdoors on a cold day or in a freezer to make ice. This will take about 24 to 48 hours.

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Next, pour tempera paint in turquoise, pink, light purple, and white hues into clear bottles with narrow spouts. Small milk or soda bottles are perfect for this activity. Mix a little water into the paint colors to make them easy to pour.

Then cover an area of the floor with a tarp or large round waterproof tablecloth and set down a small coffee table.

Cover the table with a waterproof tablecloth and place a sensory tub on it. For the featured activity, I used an inexpensive saucer sled. It is just the right size to fit four to six little learners around it. An active world tray would be a fine alternative.

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When the ice shapes are frozen, stack the large cylindrical ones into a three-tier cake in the middle of the tub. Spread ice cubes in various sizes and shapes around the ice cake.

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