sensory

Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

August 28, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Today is Lemonade Stand Day in and around our city. Children are invited to set up a lemonade stand to raise money for a local children’s hospital. All supplies are included, so it is easy for them to do. A lemonade stand dramatic play center is a fun way to extend this lemony theme at home or in the classroom.

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Supplies To Collect

Spring and summer are the best seasons to find lemony tableware and home décor items. And collecting fruity, yellow play pieces to stock the stand is so refreshing!

It's refreshing and fun to gather props for a lemonade stand dramatic play center.

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Included in my lemonade stand are:

artificial lemons in different sizes
rubber lemon counters
lemon branches in vases
plastic beverage dispenser
yellow plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, and ice cube tray
lemon-themed spatula, tableware, placemat, potholder, and tea towel
green and yellow rainbow erasers and apple sauce screw-top lids
transparent pebble gem “ice cubes”
citrus juicer
menu
signs with lemon quotes
play money

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The Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

The supplies for this lemonade stand can be spread around shelves and tables. A wooden food stand makes a great centerpiece for the play center.

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The menu includes lemonade and lemon pie, and loose part treats such as lemon cookies, candies, and donuts. And there are lemons in a variety of sizes available for purchase.

Home décor pieces such as lemon branches in vases, a tea towel, an ice cube tray, and lemon-themed tableware are also for sale. Lemonade quotes add ambiance to the center.

A lemonade stand dramatic play center with much more than lemonade for sale! Loose parts complement the center offerings.

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A table and chairs set up near the lemonade stand offer early learners a chance to hang around and pretend to sip lemonade and eat play food.

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Click here to view a video of the Lemonade Stand.

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A lemonade stand and dramatic play center with much more than lemonade for sale! Loose parts complement the center offerings.

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This lemonade stand dramatic play center goes hand and hand with the lemon-inspired play kitchen featured in an earlier post. The supplies used here easily transfer over to a play kitchen.

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National Lemonade Day

National Lemonade Day is celebrated in early May and/or late August in many areas of North America. Children and teens are encouraged to participate in setting up a lemonade stand as an entrepreneurial venture. In doing this, they get practice in goal-setting, working as a team, handling money, and engaging with the community. Next time you see a pop-up lemonade stand, be sure to stop by and purchase a glass of the refreshing citrus drink!

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Related:

Apple Stand Dramatic Play Center

Dessert Bar Play Center

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Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

August 27, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Watermelon is a sweet, juicy fruit chock-full of vitamins and health benefits. All parts of watermelon contain nutrients. Filled with 92% water, the large, low-calorie melon is an effective thirst quencher on hot days. And it just happens to make a colorful, cheery, theme for a watermelon dramatic play center!

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Supplies To Collect

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

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Summer is the best time to collect supplies for a watermelon dramatic play center. The watermelon theme is easy to find in picnic and outdoor living tableware and décor.

Loose parts in complementary colors add interest and extend play possibilities.

Here’s what I included in the play center:

watermelon cups, plates, and bowls
red cutlery
green and red serving spoons
red flowers in a vase
pink, red, green, black, and white pompoms, buttons, and gems
pictures of watermelon slices
fans with a watermelon theme
checkered red and white placemat
watermelon-themed tea towel
red and green rubber frogs

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The Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

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The watermelon-themed supplies are arranged in a tablescape here but can be placed on appliances, furniture, and shelves in your play kitchen. They will instantly transform the area into a vibrant role-playing space, bound to be inviting to your little charges.

Reusable shopping bags have lots of learning potential and can be incorporated into centers. Here, watermelon slices cut from a bag make economical and eye-appealing play food. They add artistic flare.

Watermelon slices cut from a reusable bag make excellent play food for a dramatic play center.

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Loose parts can be transferred from jars to tableware, and little learners will think of many ways to incorporate them into their play.

Keeping an eye out for themed accessories when shopping helps you find items that add interest to a pretend play center. Watermelon fans fit the bill!

A themed fan and button loose parts add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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These rubber frogs are included because they are red and green! My little learners had fun reimagining them as cupcakes and candy.

Rubber fogs and gem loose parts add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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Pompoms in red, pink, green, white, and black set in an almond-shaped watermelon bowl add a soft touch.

Pompoms in red, pink, green, white, and black add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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Watermelon accessories add a burst of color to the play kitchen, welcome any time of the year. Try this fruity dramatic play theme in late winter or early Spring. When outdoor colors are drab, the bold palette is sure to be a mood booster.

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A juicy, watermelon theme pretend play center your little learners will love. Loose parts are a highlight of the center.

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Watermelon Playdough Tray

August 12, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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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

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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:

a white basic playdough recipe.
a basic playdough recipe colored with green food coloring.

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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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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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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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

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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…]

Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin

July 19, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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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.

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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!

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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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[Read more…]

Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray

July 7, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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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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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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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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Warning: All parts of the peony plant contain a toxin and should not be ingested. Please supervise this activity closely. If your participants tend to put things other than food in their mouths, you may wish to choose another flower for this sensory invitation.

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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:

“The Magic Of Peonies” by salisburygreenhouse.com.
“How To Grow Peonies” by thespruce.com.

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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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