Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

sensory

Watermelon Playdough Tray

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Put together this scented watermelon playdough tray today! It's easy to do and is perfect for summer or any time of the year.

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What better time to set out a watermelon playdough tray than on a hot summer day like today? The tray features an easy-to-make scented playdough recipe using Kool-Aid. So if you are experiencing a heat wave like we are, you can use some of the Kool-Aid in a cold, refreshing drink, and save the rest for the playdough recipe.

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Scented Playdough Recipe

A deliciously watermelon scented playdough recipe you will want to try. It's perfect for a summer day or any day!

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This playdough recipe is soft, pliable, and lasts a long time. Gather the following ingredients:

  • 500 ml / 2 cups flour
  • 250 ml / 1 cup salt
  • 20 ml / 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 450 ml water (almost 2 cups)
  • 45 ml / 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 48 ml bottle of watermelon-flavored concentrated liquid Kool-Aid

To make the scented dough, follow the steps below:

Measure the first three ingredients into a sturdy pot and mix them together.

Add two tablespoons vegetable oil and a 48 ml bottle of liquid watermelon Kool-Aid concentrate into a 500 ml / 2 cup measuring container.

Add enough water to make 500 ml / 2 cups of liquid and stir.

Pour the mixed liquids into the pot of dry ingredients and combine.

Heat the mixture on the stove on medium heat.

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

Place the dough on a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding one more tablespoon of oil.

Store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag until ready to use.

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Put together this watermelon playdough loose parts tray in minutes. It includes homemade playdough recipes you'll want to try.

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To inspire watermelon-themed designs in a play invitation, you can add:

Note: If you are making playdough for one or two children, this recipe can be halved. Then you will have enough Kool-Aid left to make a watermelon-flavored drink.

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The Watermelon Playdough Tray

Put together this watermelon theme playdough tray today! It's easy to do and is perfect for summer or any time of the year.

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Red, white, pink, black, and green loose parts work well with watermelon playdough. In the tray are pop poms, pebble and diamond-shaped gems, and buttons. Green and red spotted rubber frogs are included because they fit the color scheme! Watermelon slice cookie cutters complete the tray.

When setting up this playdough invitation, you could add black beans to represent watermelon seeds.

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A deliciously watermelon scented playdough recipe you will want to try. It's perfect for a summer day or any day!

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More Watermelon Activities

Paint Chip Watermelon Art

Create beautiful watermelon art with paint chip samples. The colorful watermelon slices can be used in many different activities.

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Fun Ways To Serve Watermelon

Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

Watermelon-themed picnic tableware and loose parts add a welcome burst of color to a dramatic play center.

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Watermelon-inspired Banner Craft

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More Themed Playdough Recipes

Scented Moon Playdough

Pet-Themed Playdough Tray

White Lilacs and Black Playdough

Set up this unexpected white lilac and black playdough tray. Striking creations will surely be the result.

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Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Apple Playdough Tray

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[Read more…] about Watermelon Playdough Tray

Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin

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A refreshing, taste-safe strawberry lemonade sensory bin featured three different ways. A perfect sensory activity any time of the year.

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This taste-safe strawberry lemonade sensory bin is refreshing in the heat of the summer and would brighten up a cool fall or icy winter day. Any time of the year, it is bound to be a huge hit with your little learners. They’ll especially love the lemonade ice cubes in the bin!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following for this colorful and tasty sensory bin:

  • tray or tub
  • lemons
  • strawberries
  • can of frozen lemonade
  • ice cube trays
  • red and yellow food coloring
  • plastic glass and bowl
  • large spoon
  • kitchen tongs
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • plastic tablecloth

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Preparing The Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin

Steps to easily put together a colorful, refreshing strawberry lemonade sensory bin.

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To prepare this oh-so-easy lemonade sensory bin, do the following:

First, mix a container of frozen lemonade with water according to the package directions.

Next, pour lemonade into a variety of ice cube trays and freeze overnight.

Just before playtime, wash the lemons and strawberries. Cut strawberries into halves and slices, and lemons into halves, quarters, and slices.

Then cover the table the sensory bin will be set on with a plastic tablecloth.

Pour a layer of cool water into a container the size of a food service tub. A smaller tub or tray will work fine for one child to play in.

Note: If more than one child is participating in the activity, offer an individual lemonade sensory bin to each child.

Next, set in a non-breakable cup and bowl, kitchen tongs, and a large spoon.

A refreshing, taste-safe strawberry lemonade sensory bin featured three different ways. A perfect sensory activity any time of the year.

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Afterward, sprinkle in cut lemons and strawberries.

Lastly, add lemonade ice cubes in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Note: Smaller ice cubes are easier and safer for little learners to taste. Larger ones are easier to see in the bin.

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Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin Exploration

You may wish to offer this bin with just lemon slices and lemonade ice cubes first.

Lemons and lemonade ice cubes are the highlight of this easy-to-put-together taste-safe sensory tray.

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Strawberries can be sprinkled into the bin at the start, or put in a little later to add interest and sensory exploration possibilities.

Turning the water into a shade of coral by squirting in a few drops of red and yellow food coloring further adds to the learning through play experience.

Coral water brightens up this cheery, taste-safe strawberry lemonade sensory tray.

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Benefits Of The Lemonade Sensory Play

Your little learners have the opportunity to use all of their senses in this taste-safe bin. They can…

  • taste sweet and sour foods
  • feel cold, sticky, and smooth food parts
  • smell the refreshing scent of strawberries and lemons
  • hear the foods splash into cups and be stirred into bowls
  • see the colorful lemons and strawberries, and subtle ice cubes

Lots of interesting conversation naturally occurs while children explore their lemonade sensory bin, enhancing language.

Developing eye-hand coordination while scooping and pouring and exercising fine motor control by squeezing lemons and using kitchen tongs are also benefits. And when the color of the water is changed, little learners experience science!

Coral water brightens up this cheery, taste-safe strawberry lemonade sensory tray.

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Lemonade Recipes

Interested in trying some new lemonade recipes, or discovering more additives for a lemonade sensory bin? Check out this excellent post “The Twelve Best Lemonade Recipes” by gypsyplate.com.

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Related: Strawberry Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin

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Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray

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This beautiful teacup and peony sensory tray allows for practice with scissors skills and eye-hand coordination. Peony facts are included.

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This teacup and peony sensory tray is bound to wow the little charges in your care. The chance to cut gigantic flowers and use teacups in waterplay are sure to be tactile activities they want to try.

The flower-themed sensory tray is an afterthought of a project I originally wanted to do. A few years back I shopped for low, wide teacups to set peonies in as a gift for Mother’s Day or year-end. But I couldn’t find teacups in the shape I wanted. I decided to table the idea for the future, determined to pair peonies and teacups in some way.

We have a peony plant in our yard, so that makes an activity with the spotlight-grabbing flowers economical to do. This year peonies were late bloomers due to our extremely looooong winter! Mine didn’t bloom in time for Mother’s Day or our last day of preschool in June, so I decided on plan B: to feature peonies and teacups in a summer sensory tray!

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An easy-to-set-up flower-themed sensory tray that features teacups and show-stopping peony flowers.

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Ten Peony Facts

  • Peonies are large, layered flowers that look like many-petalled roses.
  • The stunning flowers can measure up to 10 inches wide.
  • The blooms come in many colors, such as white, pink, red, coral, maroon, or yellow.
  • Many kinds of peonies are fragrant. Their smell varies from sweet, citrusy, or slightly spicy.
  • There are early, midseason, and late blooming varieties.
  • Peony plants are hardy to zone 3 and embrace cold winters.
  • The striking plants can live up to 100 years.
  • Ants are attracted to peonies, eating the sugary sucrose the buds secrete before they open.
  • Peonies make an excellent cut flower.
  • Popular throughout history, peonies symbolize romance and love. In China and Japan, peonies represent bravery, honor, respect, good fortune, and prosperity.

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Sensory Tray Supplies To Collect

An easy-to-set-up flower-themed sensory tray that features show-stopping peony flowers.

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For this easy-to-set-up sensory tray, gather the following:

  • large tray or bin
  • tea cups and saucers
  • cut peony flowers and leaf stems
  • peony bud sprays
  • bowls
  • cake stand
  • small plant pots and watering cans
  • ant and fly figurines
  • large tablespoons
  • scissors

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The Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray

In a large sensory bin or active world tray, set up stations with a teacup and saucer, large spoon, and pair of scissors.

Note: My featured tray includes china teacups and saucers.  Use unbreakable ones as an alternative if you are more comfortable with that. No matter which kind of cups and saucers you choose, this sensory activity should be supervised closely.

Set plant pots, bowls, and water-filled spray bottles, and watering cans around the teacup stations.

Cut peonies leaving two inches of stem, and set one in each teacup.

Position three large peonies cut right to the flower base on a cake stand in the middle of the play tray for an eye-catching centerpiece.

Three flowers on a cake stand make a stunning centerpiece in a peony and teacup sensory tray play invitation.

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Spread peony leaf stems and bud sprays around the bin, and top them with ant and fly figurines.

Invite your little learners to explore the dainty sensory tray.

Set up this peony flower sensory play invitation your little learners will absolutely love in just minutes!

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Note: Before going ahead with the activity, I researched whether peonies are safe to use with children. Some websites say they are toxic if consumed in large quantities but not harmful to the skin if touched.

Since my students do not have a habit of putting things in their mouths, I decided these flowers were a go for a sensory tray. Aside from the tactile experience, I felt it would be a good opportunity to discuss plant-tasting and possible toxins/poisons.

If the children in your care like to explore by putting things in their mouths, choose an edible flower for this activity

Tip: To stave off ants, it’s best to snip buds before the flowers bloom, and use them once they open. But since we only have one peony plant in our yard, I decided to wait until bloom time so my family could enjoy the flowers first!

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Benefits Of The Teacup And Peony Play Tray

Developing eye-hand coordination, practicing using scissors, exploring fluffy peony flowers, and getting the opportunity to use teacups are just some of the benefits of this gorgeous sensory invitation.

Early learners get plenty of practice with scissor skills and eye-hand coordination in this peony flower sensory play invitation.

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Blogposts About Peony Flowers

Interested in learning more about peony plants? Here are two great blog posts about them:

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This beautiful peony and teacup sensory tray allows for practice with scissors skills and eye-hand coordination. Peony facts are included.

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Related: Lilac Flower Sensory Trays

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Canada Day Sensory Play

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This Canada Day sensory play invitation for a light table or light box is party-ready. Transparent maple leaves and light-u accessories are the highlights!

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This Canada Day sensory play activity is a must to include in a celebration of this annual holiday. It offers early learners the chance to explore Canadian flag-themed loose parts in an unexpected way on a light table or light box. Party supplies are a natural fit, and add pizzaz to the sensory invitation.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Set out Canada Day-themed loose parts on a light table or light box for magical sensory play.

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Gathered for this red and white Canada Day sensory play activity are:

  • clear compartment tray
  • clear plastic egg carton
  • maple leaf frame
  • small Canadian flag
  • reusable maple leaf ice cubes
  • transparent maple leaves
  • red and clear gems
  • large red diamond-shaped gems
  • light-up necklace and glasses

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The Canada Day Sensory Play Invitation

This patriotic sensory play activity shines on a light table or light box. You can also use an economical DIY lightbox as a base. It will work just fine!

A clear compartment tray showcases red and white loose parts collected for exploration.

A maple leaf cut out taken from a hanging decoration makes a nice frame to decorate with loose parts. A rectangular frame can be used too.

A clear egg carton invites sorting activities.

Transparent maple leaves and reusable ice cubes, red diamond-shaped gems, and red and clear gems provide gleaming loose parts for little learners to explore.

Transparent maple leaves and gems are gleaming loose parts in this Canada Day sensory invitation for the light table.

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A small Canadian flag is another great accessory to arrange loose parts on.

Not all the items offered need to be transparent or light-themed. Rubber ducks and story stones add variety and interest.

This Canada Day sensory play invitation for a light table or light box is party-ready. Transparent maple leaves and light-up accessories are the highlights!

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A light-up necklace and pair of glasses add a party vibe to the sensory activity and offer additional ways to investigate light.

Maple leaf and Canadian flag finger projectors would be a fun accessory to include!

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This Canada Day sensory play activity is designed for a light table or light box. But early learners would love to explore the loose parts anywhere in your home or classroom.

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Set out Canada Day-themed loose parts on a light table or light box for magical sensory play.

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Related:

Canada Day Sensory Bin

Maple Leaf Activities

Butterfly Canada Day Craft

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Space Father’s Day Craft

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Make this colorful space Father's Day craft for a special person in your life today! Pompom planets are the highlight of the craft.

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If you need a last-minute Father’s Day craft that brings a WOW factor, this Space Father’s Day craft is for you! Your child will love using pompoms in the craft.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

This whole craft can be made in construction paper and/or painted paper, but will look extra special with the following supplies:

  • 12-inch x 12-inch dark blue or black construction paper
  • pompoms in various colors
  • cardstock in white and shades of yellow
  • white glitter cardstock
  • gold glitter cardstock
  • star paper punch
  • scissors
  • white glue
  • glue stick
  • double-sided tape
  • black felt pen
An easy-to-make Father's Day craft. A glittery spaceship and pompom planets are the highlights of the craft.

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Preparing The Craft

First, cut a spaceship from white iridescent cardstock, and “steam” from gold glitter cardstock. Glue together.

Next, with a star paper punch, punch stars from white and yellow cardstock.

Then gather a selection of pompoms in various colors and sizes to represent planets in our solar system.

Add double-sided tape to the back of the spaceship. This will give it a raised look on the craft, helping it stand out.

Finally, write a Father’s Day greeting and the words “You help me soar” with a black felt pen on strips of white cardstock, or use computer-printed messages.

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Making The Space Father’s Day Craft

Make this colorful space Father's Day craft for a special person in your life today! Pompom planets are the highlight of the craft.

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Invite your child to adhere the spaceship to a sheet of dark blue or black 12-inch square cardstock. This size paper gives a nice large canvas to work on.

Add glue to a small food container lid or paper plate. Have your child dip their pompom planets in glue and stick them around the spacecraft on the paper. Your child will love the chance to use soft, fluffy pompoms.

Ask your child to adhere punched stars in the sky with a glue stick.

Glue the Father’s Day greetings to the picture where there is space to do so.

An easy-to-make Father's Day craft. A glittery spaceship and pompom planets are the highlights of the craft.

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This colorful, easy craft can be made for a father or a father figure for Father’s Day. Or it can be adapted to give to a special person any time of the year.

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Related:

Earth Day Heart Art

Scented Moon Playdough

Salt and Glue Moon Art

Outer Space Pretend Play

Space Theme Loose Parts Play

Starry Sky Sensory Bin

Moon Colors Art Project

Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

Moon Colors Art Activity

Earth Day Bead Craft

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