science

Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft

February 20, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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While paging through a small book with elephant facts, I realized that elephants are a glowing symbol of kindness. And since kindness is a theme of Pink Shirt Day, this Pink Shirt Day necklace craft was one of my activities for last year’s annual anti-bullying day.

Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day is held on the last Wednesday in February every year in many countries. It originated in Canada in 2007 when a boy was teased in school for wearing a pink shirt. In response, two other boys bought a host of pink shirts and gave them to classmates. The rosy t-shirts symbolized anti-bullying, and since then many people have worn pink shirts on Pink Shirt Day. Last year more than 110 countries celebrated the anti-bullying themed day.

Elephants Are Kind

Elephants are a symbol of kindness. They are super smart creatures and seem to have feelings similar to ours. They exchange hugs with their heads and trunks. They spread their ears wide when walking with their young, making sure they shield them from danger. They help other elephants who are sad, sick, or hurt.

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Supplies to Collect

Along with pink shirts, a pink elephant necklace craft to symbolize kindness makes a great addition to Pink Shirt Day activities. To assemble the simple elephant necklace, collect the following:

pink craft foam sheet or cardstock
elephant template
adhesive gem stickers
necklace cord
scissors and pencil
hole punch

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Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft Directions

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To make this kindness craft, start by tracing and cutting an elephant from pink cardstock or a sheet of pink craft foam.

Next, cut off a 26-inch strip (or longer) from the elastic necklace cord.

Then punch a hole in the upper middle of the elephant.

Loop the cord through the hole.

Then decorate the elephant with adhesive sticker gems.

Finally, securely tie the ends of the necklace cord, adjusting the length of the cord if necessary.

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Elephant Facts Printable

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To complement the kindness elephant necklace craft, here is a free printable to download. At preschool, I sent the handout home with the jewelry craft.

Elephant Facts PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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My preschoolers loved this necklace craft and were eager to wear it. One little boy wore his necklace many days during the remainder of the school year. Will you give this craft a try?

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Sweet Pink Bakery Cafe Dramatic Play Set

A digital download Sweet Pink Bakery Café printable set, is available in my Skills N Smiles Etsy Shop!

The Pink Bakery Café dramatic play center fits in beautifully with a Pink Shirt Day, Valentine’s Day, or pink color theme. The instant download is also a great activity any day of the year for anyone who loves pink!

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This engaging pretend play resource is designed for:

Preschool dramatic play centers
Kindergarten classroom centers
Early elementary role play
Child care settings
Homeschool learning spaces
At-home pretend play setups
Play dates with friends
Rainy day imaginative play
Travel activities

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Learning Benefits:

Develops scissor skills (cutting out play food)
Builds communication and vocabulary
Encourages simple math skills (counting, money concepts)
Develops social and cooperative play
Offers opportunities for role play
Inspires creativity and storytelling

Create a sweet and inviting learning through play space in your classroom or home today with this Sweet Pink Café play center!

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Related: Pink Shirt Day Dramatic Play

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Reptile Pet Store Center

February 7, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A reptile pet store is an engaging dramatic play center young children heartedly embrace. It gently introduces children to scaly, cold-blooded wild animals like snakes, lizards, and turtles. The animal-themed center offers many educational benefits.

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Reptile Pet Store Center Supplies

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The following supplies are included in this simple reptile dramatic play center:

snake figurines
turtle figurines
lizard figurines
crocodile figurines
animal carrying cases
storage trays
cash register
gold coin play money
grocery stand play set
storage shelf

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The Reptile Pet Store Center

This super fun reptile pet store dramatic play center is quick and easy to set up.

A grocery stand play set is the feature piece of furniture. It holds the cash register, a tray of gold coins, and bins with snakes and lizards.

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A see-through shelf holds storage trays with snakes, turtles, lizards, and crocodiles.

Animal carrying cases and a tray with frogs and insects (reptile pet food) are also on the shelf.

Signs on the wall show animals featured in the pet store and a price list.

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Benefits of the Reptile Pet Store Play Center

This reptile pet store center gives young children opportunities to:

sort reptiles by type, size, or color
count animals and play coins
name colors of the reptiles
learn about foods snakes, turtles, and lizards eat
take turns being a shop worker and a customer

Books with information about reptile characteristics, habitats, and life cycles would complement this exotic pet-filled dramatic play center nicely.

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Paper Bag Grinch Craft

December 22, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This cute and colorful paper bag Grinch craft doubles up as an aromatic Christmas present to give to someone special over the holiday season.

It’s tradition for me to visit a nearby greenhouse during the holiday season to view the beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The trees all have gorgeous, coordinated decorations that complement each other in color and theme. The decorations are the inspiration for crafts to make. At the end of my visit, I pick out a lemon cypress plant to take home and often select other items to purchase.
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Lemon cypress plants look like miniature Christmas trees and are often decorated with tiny ornaments as a space-saving holiday sensory activity. They have light green feathery foliage that grows in a cone shape. When the leaves are rubbed or crushed, they smell like lemon. The tip of the lemon grass plant reminds me of the tuft of hair on Dr. Seuss’s storybook character “The Grinch.” That’s why they are paired in this paper bag craft and gift.

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Supplies To Collect

Collect the following supplies for this Grinchy green and yellow craft:

lemon cypress plant
paper lunch bags
green and yellow tempera paint
paint pot and brush
yellow and black construction paper
red and black markers
scissors and pencil
glue stick and tape
yarn and single hole punch
waterproof tablecloth

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The Paper Bag Grinch Craft

To make this paper bag Grinch craft, start by pouring light green or neon green tempera paint into a paint pot.

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Next, set out the paint, paintbrush, and a paper bag on a table covered with a waterproof tablecloth.
Paint one side of the bag and let it dry. Paint the other three sides, allowing the paint to dry on each side before continuing. The drying process may take a few hours.

Note: An alternative is to stand the bag on the art table and place a few sheets of crumpled scrap paper inside. Paint a thin layer of tempera all over the bag and let it dry. Then remove the inserted paper.

When the painted lunch bag is dry, fold it into its original shape.

Then cut two large almond-shaped eyes from yellow construction paper and line the outside edges with a black marker.

Cut small circles from black sturdy paper and glue them to the yellow eyes.

Afterward, thoroughly add glue to the back of the crafted eyes with a glue stick, and affix the peepers to the bag in a slanted position.

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Next, use the black marker to draw a small nose and a deep curved mouth on the bag.

Then draw eyelashes around the eyes and give the paper bag face slanted eyebrows.

Cut a small rectangle from yellow construction paper and write the words “Merry Grinchmas” on it with a red marker.

Next, punch a hole in the edge of the paper greeting and tie on a section of yarn.

Finally, tape the yarn inside the tip of the bag and carefully set in a small potted lemon cypress plant.

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Variation of the Paper Bag Grinch Craft

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To simplify this festive craft, use a bright green crayon to color the bag instead of painting it. The green hue will not be as bright as the painted version but the craft will be just as delightful.

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This lemon cypress plant-filled paper bag Grinch craft would make a cute gift from a child to a parent or grandparent. Who will you give your Grinch craft to?

Merry Grinchmas!!!

More Christmas Art and Crafts

Click on the pictures below for more Christmas art and craft projects.

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Grinch Christmas Oobleck Bin

December 21, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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In this Grinch Christmas Oobleck bin, a well-known Christmas storybook theme and a favorite sensory activity are paired together.

The goopy sensory bin is inspired by the storybook “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss. The popular picture book features a tall, long-fingered grumpy beast called “The Grinch’ who lives by himself up on a hill above the town of Whoville. Old Grinch absolutely hates Christmas. On Christmas Eve he disguises himself as “Santy Claus” by wearing a makeshift red and white costume. He ties one “reindeer” antler to his faithful dog Max’s head and has him pull a sled down to Whoville. The grouchy Grinch steals all the Whos Christmas decorations, presents, and festive food. He even scoops up the log for the fireplace from each home.

While ready to push the sled full of festive items over the tip of Mt. Crumpit early Christmas morning, the Grinch is surprised by the sound he hates the most…the singing of the Whos standing together holding hands. He realizes he hasn’t stopped Christmas at all. After thinking for a few hours, his heart softens and he decides to return all the Christmas items he took. He joins in the Christmas festivities in Whoville and even carves the “the roast beast”, a food he dislikes a lot.

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To get familiar with or revisit this story, view Book In Bed’s delightful, colorful animated read aloud version: How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

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Supplies Collected

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For the super fun, educational holiday sensory bin, the following supplies were gathered:

cornstarch
water
neon green food coloring
measuring cup
tablespoons
Grinch disposable snack cups
Christmas tree shape container
present shape container
ornament-shaped bells
candy cane ornaments
large tweezers
sensory bin

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Making The Grinch Christmas Oobleck

For this tactile sensory activity, first choose a bin. I use a saucer sled. It’s bright color matches the season, and it is large enough to easily hold the Oobleck and the supplies.

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Next, make the grinchy green Oobleck. Use a tablespoon or your hands to mix two cups of cornstarch with one cup of water. Add a little more water if needed. Then blend in a few drops of neon green food coloring. The goopy mixture is the right consistency if it becomes a ball when you close your hand around it but transforms to a liquid that slowly drops off when you open up your hand.

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The Grinch Christmas Oobleck Bin

This festive sensory bin is well-loved by children and adults.

Start of by inviting particpants to help mix the Oobleck and investigate its properties. They will eagerly accept your invitation!

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Once everyone has had a chance to explore the green goop, add picture book-themed items inspired by the book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” to the bin. I include:

a Christmas tree shape container, a clear present shape container, and Grinch disposable snack cups to drop Oobleck into.
festive accessories such as candy cane and ornament-shaped bells.
tablespoons and children’s play tweezers to help explore the Oobleck and pick up supplies in the bin.

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How Oobleck Got Its Name

Way back when I was training to be an early childhood worker, this sensory recipe was introduced as goop. More recently, I’ve discovered that it has been given the name Oobleck. Interestingly, the name is inspired by another Dr. Seuss children’s book titled “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.” The Oobleck in the story is green too!

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The Science Behind Oobleck

Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, so it does not follow Newton’s law of viscosity. This is because depending on the force applied, it changes from a liquid to a solid, or from a solid to a liquid.

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In the mixture, cornstarch is suspended in water and does not dissolve. When you apply force such as closing your hand and squeezing a blob of it, it acts like a solid. The cornstarch bits align and interlock under pressure. But when you stop the force by opening your hand, the goop becomes a liquid. The cornstarch bits flow freely off your hand along with the water.

Oobleck is a fascinating sensory material. Making and exploring its properties is a popular science activity, and it’s one of my favorites. Have you tried making Oobleck?

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More Science Activities

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Color Explosion Science Experiment

Reptile Egg Science

Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment

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December Kindness Activities Printable Set

A December Kindness Calendar and Kindness Jar are two activities to teach empathy and kindness at home or in the classroom. Download this gorgeous pastel holiday printable set of kindness activities in my Skills N Smiles Etsy Shop for a low-low price. You’ll have the December kindness activities ready in minutes!

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Fall Drip Ice Cake

November 9, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This fall drip ice cake sensory bin combines fall colors with ice and dinosaurs. It is suitable for a winter theme about ice or could be incorporated into a fall or dinosaur theme. It would be an inviting activity outside on a hot summer day.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following easy-to-find, inexpensive supplies for this super fun sensory bin:

ice cube molds
empty round food storage containers
small bottles
tempera paints
stir sticks
sensory tray
dinosaur figurines

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Preparing the Fall Drip Ice Cake Sensory Bin

To prepare this autumn drip ice cake sensory play experience first freeze water into ice shapes. Use molds such as Ice cube trays, margarine and yogurt containers, and an ice cream pail. Allow one or two days for the freezing to be complete.

Next, pick a sensory bin to use. A large active world tray is up to the task and provides ample room to explore accessories. A round saucer sled is smaller but also works well as a sensory bin.

Then add tempera paints in fall colors to small bottles. Leave a little room in the bottles to stir in water. This slightly thins the paints and makes them easier to pour.

When the ice shapes are thoroughly frozen stack the large ones on top of each other to create a three or four-tier cake.