Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

sensory

Ladybug Sensory Tray

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This ladybug sensory tray is filled with flowers. It is a great example of how an easy-to-set-up activity can provide so much enjoyment to children, and also have educational outcomes.

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Make this eye-pleasing ladybug sensory tray for your little learners today! Facts about ladybugs and flowers included.

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Ladybugs And Flowers

Did you know that ladybugs (also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles) and flowers go hand in hand? This is because the spotted, well-loved bugs are attracted to the nectar (a source of protein,) and pollen (a carbohydrate energy source) in flowers.

And as they travel from flower to flower, ladybugs transport pollen, fertilizing blooms as they go.

Some flower varieties ladybugs especially love are:

  • marigolds
  • nasturtium
  • cosmos
  • yarrow
  • sunflowers
  • zinnias
  • sweet alyssum
  • scented geraniums

Ladybugs are also helpful in a flower patch because their main food source is tiny, green, pesky aphids. These pests suck nutrient-rich juices from plant parts and multiply quickly.

An adult ladybug can munch on up to fifty aphids a day. They eat other bugs as well as flower pollen and nectar to supplement their diet.

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The Ladybug Sensory Tray

A color-filled ladybug and flower sensory tray. Facts about ladybugs and blooms included.

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This tray is effortless to set up, and your little learners will be eager to explore it.

For the base, I feature a large, square serving tray. It’s easy for little ones to reach in and reorganize the pieces.

Craft punched paper flowers are arranged in the tray, along with artificial plant leaves and a few smooth rocks.

As my ladybug figurines are buried in a large bin, I use craft foam ladybugs in two different sizes. The light, oversized bugs add interest to the tray.

Make this eye-pleasing ladybug sensory tray for your little learners today! Facts about ladybugs and flowers included.

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If flowers are plentiful in your area, you can add real ones to your bin. The tray below features a few kinds of sunflowers.

For an alternative to ladybug figurines, painted rock bugs are an inexpensive choice.

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Do you love ladybugs or need some around to combat aphids? Why not plant flowers that they are attracted to in your flower patch or container garden.

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Related: Ladybug Wand Craft

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Jelly Bean Theme

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A few weeks ago, I set out to make an Easter display that would work for a wall art tree. I thought of incorporating the “Jelly Bean Prayer,” and wondered if there was such a thing as a jelly bean tree. To my delight, an online search revealed a variety of references to “jelly bean tree,” and provided inspiration for other activities. So in addition to changing up the display, I came up with this fun and tasty Jelly Bean Theme. The post includes free printables and a few facts about the colorful candy.

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10 Jelly Bean Facts

  • Jelly beans are bite-sized candies with hard, crunchy shells and soft, chewy centers.
  • These sweet candies are associated with Easter in Canada and the United States.
  • Part of the appeal is their egg shape and tiny size. This makes them terrific Easter egg fillers.
  • There are eight basic colors and flavors, which often have a fruity taste.
  • Over time, jelly beans were created in many different color schemes, often matching seasonal celebrations.
  • Jelly beans became popular in the 1960s.
  • The most common order for eating the candies is: red, purple, green, yellow, and black.
  • Jelly beans are used as an art medium, and there are mosaic art pieces made with them.
  • President Ronald Reagan liked them a lot, so artist Peter Rocha made a jelly bean portrait of the president.
  • There is a National Jelly Bean Day (in the US) on April 22.

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Jelly Bean Theme Activities

There are a number of easy, educational jellybean activities to do at home or school.

Tasting Jelly Beans

Give participants jelly beans in the colors red, purple, green, yellow, and black. Chart the order each child eats the jellybeans.

What order would you eat these jelly beans in? Try this candy tasting activity and record the results.

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Incorporate language and math sequencing by describing color and taste, and using words such as first, next, and last.

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Jelly Bean Sorting

Invite children to sort jelly beans by color. This flower-shaped paint palette is perfect for individual color sorting.

A flower-shaped paint palette makes the perfect tray to sort jelly beans by color.

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Candies On Display

Jelly beans look attractive stored in mason jars. The filled jars could be part of a tablescape display or food table.

Store jelly beans in jars for a tablescape or food table display. Have a "Guess The Number Of Jelly Beans In The Jar" contest.

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How Many Jelly Beans Are In The Jar?

Fill a jar with jelly beans, and have participants guess the number of candies in the jar. Then count the jellybeans together. For early learners, a baby food jar or small bottle would be a good size to use.

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Cupcake Liner Easter Party Favors

Add pipe cleaner handles to sturdy Easter-themed cupcake liners. Fill the liners with Easter-colored jelly beans and hand them out as Easter basket party favors. Or fill plastic Easter eggs with jelly beans.

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Jelly Bean Prayer Wall Display

Over-sized paper jelly beans for a "Jelly Bean Prayer" tree display. Download the free printable for art, book-making, and display opportunities.

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Download this free template for a Jelly Bean Prayer tree display. I used it to cut out large jelly beans from different colors of cardstock paper. Then I wrote a line of the prayer on each one and added them to a tree theme wall display.

Download this oversized jelly bean template for art, book-making, and display use.

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Jelly Bean PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Jelly Bean Art

Use this same printable for children to paint or color and cut out gigantic paper jelly beans.

Or have children dictate or write a page for a jelly bean storybook, and then decorate the background.

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J Is For Jelly Bean Craft

Invite children to glue jelly beans onto a paper letter J. How fun!

"J Is For Jelly Beans" in this tasty craft. Reinforce the letter J sound with this fun and easy activity.

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Jelly Bean Tree Craft

Print copies of this tree template on white cardstock paper. Set them on an art table along with white glue and jelly beans. Invite children to glue jelly beans on the tree.

This could also be a transient art activity offered in a tray.

How fun! Decorate a tree template with jelly beans. Glue the tasty candies on for a finished project. Free tree printable available.

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Jelly Bean Artists

There are artists who work with jelly beans as a medium, or as a subject in their art. Who knew?

Peter Rocha and Kristen Cummings are two notable jelly bean artists. Their creations can be viewed on the Jelly Belly Company’s “The Jelly Belly Bean Art Gallery” web page. Their candy art can also be viewed on my Pinterest Board Jelly Bean Kids Activities/Jelly Bean Artists.

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Storybooks Incorporating Jelly Beans

The flavorful candies make an entertaining subject for storybooks. Here are a few books incorporating jelly beans:

Arthur’s Jelly Beans by Marc Brown 

Arthur and his friends participate in a “Spring Fling” party, which includes a jelly bean hunt of course!

Jellybean Mouse by Philip Roy

Happy the mouse isn’t excited to go on a laundromat errand but discovers a jellybean machine once there. The day’s adventure becomes just the excitement the spunky mouse is seeking.

The Jellybeans And The Big Dance by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans

A group of girls with different interests meet at a dance studio, and slowly become friends. They eventually discover that just as jellybeans come in different flavors but go well together, they get along great. They decide to call themselves “The Jellybeans.”

There are three more books in this friendship and team-building series:

  • The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza
  • The Jellybeans and the Big Camp Kickoff
  • The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure

Jelly Bean Tree by Toni Yuli

This story isn’t about jelly beans, but the main character, a giraffe, is called Jelly Bean. It’s reason enough to include the colorfully illustrated, endearing story in the theme.

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Easter Playdough Tray

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A colorful Easter playdough tray filled with spring-themed loose parts your little learners will love to explore.

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After a long winter season, the pastel colors of the Easter/spring season are so welcome. And there’s plenty of them in this inviting Easter playdough tray.

For seasonal celebrations, I usually resort to making homemade playdough. I’ve got plenty of favorite recipes, and the doughs can be made in big batches. This makes it easy for a group of children to play with playdough at the same time.

But the ready-made playdough available in stores around Easter comes in so many beautiful pastel shades. The packages I found have six vibrant colors! Aside from being attractive, they offer a huge savings in preparation time. And so it’s totally worth it to purchase a few sets to accommodate a class of students or party gathering.

Pretty spring-themed playdough colors early learners will love.

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Easter Playdough Tray

Colorful bunnies in all shapes and sizes are the highlight of this super fun Easter/Spring playdough tray.

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A large circular party tray makes a great base for this playdough invitation, as it looks festive and can hold plenty of loose parts. On this tray are:

  • playdough in spring colors
  • plastic Easter eggs
  • bendable bunnies
  • hanging bunnies (think “Barrel Of Monkeys” game)
  • egg-shaped gems
  • bunny, lamb, chick, carrot, and egg cookie cutters
  • rubber Easter egg and bunny rings
  • mini duck and bunny erasers
  • spring stir sticks
Colorful bunnies in all shapes and sizes are the highlight of this super fun Easter playdough tray.

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A compartment tray also makes a handy container for the playdough and accessories.

This compartment tray is perfect for holding Easter-themed playdough and loose parts.

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Extending The Play Experience

After participants have had a chance to explore the playdough and loose parts, invite them to add spring sprinkles to their creations. This is an easy way to extend the sensory experience and add an additional seasonal touch.

Spring-themed candy sprinkles add the perfect finishing touch to this cheery playdough invitation.

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Note: If your little charges want to taste a few sprinkles, make sure the playdough offered is taste-safe.

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Do you have a favorite spring playdough recipe? Share in a comment below.

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A colorful Easter playdough tray filled with spring-themed loose parts your little learners will love to explore.

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More Playdough Recipes and Activities

Apple Playdough Tray

Edible Playdough Turkey Craft

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Scented Playdough Activities

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Gingerbread Playdough

There are many opportunities to be creative with the festive loose parts in this spicy gingerbread playdough invitation your children will love.

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Orange-scented Playdough Invitation

Chocolate Mint Playdough

Christmas Playdough

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

Winter Playdough Recipe

A fun winter playdough recipe little learners will love to play with.

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Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

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Ocean Sensory Activities

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Three fun ocean-themed sensory activities to captivate your little learner. An aquatic rice bin, water tub, and playdough tray are featured.

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Ocean sensory activities are among the most attractive and calming play invitations one could offer. The serene blue water, neutral sand, crisp shells, and fish that add pops of color are eye-appealing and offer many tactile opportunities.

The inspiration for the sensory activities featured in this post is aquatic Easter eggs, repurposed for three learning through play invitations. I was excited to spot the eggs at a local dollar store.

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Ocean Sensory Activity Supplies

The following supplies will work well in all three sensory activities.

  • rocks in various sizes
  • shells
  • marbles
  • set of miniature ocean creature figures
  • set of aquatic plastic Easter eggs

If it is difficult to find ocean creatures or aquatic plastic eggs, using just one of these ocean sets is fine too. An economical alternative to offer is creatures from toy fishing or dive toy sets. Paper fish could also be substituted.

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Ocean Rice Bin

Set up this easy and fun rice-based ocean sensory bin. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

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The base for this ocean bin is white glutinous rice. Its light neutral color is a good contrast for loose parts, so it’s often my go-to choice for a rice bin. The bin for this activity is a round serving tray.

Spread the rice in the bin, and set in the rocks, shells, marbles, ocean creatures, and aquatic eggs.

Little learners will enjoy scooping up and pouring the rice, and putting marble “eggs” and mini ocean creatures inside the eggs. They may discover that the fillable eggs become shakers that make soft sounds when rice is added, or loud sounds when marbles or small rocks are inserted.

Take the opportunity to discuss the names of the ocean creatures, and model them in speech.

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Set up this easy and fun rice-based ocean sensory bin. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

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Ocean Water Tub

Set up this easy and fun water-based ocean sensory tub. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

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The bin for this activity is a kitchen tub, commonly used in the foodservice industry. I keep a stack of them around for organizing my current theme supplies, and for sensory activities. When offering a sensory invitation for two or three children to explore at the same time, a bin this size works well.

Water with blue food coloring added is the base. But little learners would be more than happy to explore the supplies in clear water.

Add the same supplies to the tub as used in the rice bin. I added marbles here, but also could have included them in the rice.

This water-based activity offers the same learning through play opportunities as the rice bin does, and little learners can experiment with floating and sinking objects.

Set up this easy and fun water-based ocean sensory tub. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

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Ocean Playdough Tray

Your little learners will love this inviting ocean-themed playdough tray. Good playdough recipes are included in the post.

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For another sensory opportunity, the ocean-themed loose parts can be offered in a playdough tray. Set them out in a large party tray, along with turquoise, marbled or plain dough. Add a few ocean-themed cookie cutters and the playdough invitation is ready to go.

Your little learners will love this inviting ocean-themed playdough tray. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the tray.

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Playdough Recipes

The marbled playdough was repurposed from a winter playdough recipe,

A scented jello playdough recipe makes lovely turquoise dough.

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Your little learners will love this inviting ocean-themed playdough tray. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the tray.

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The aquatic Easter eggs are the latest addition to my plastic egg collection. If you spot them, you may want to purchase two sets – one for ocean sensory activities, and another to fill with Easter treats.

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Unicorn Theme Sensory Play

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Set up attractive unicorn theme sensory play trays using dyed chickpeas as a base. Use acrylic craft paint for an easy dye process.

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Dyed chickpeas in pastel shades and gold tones provide the perfect base for these unicorn theme sensory play ideas. Add unicorn figurines and loose parts and you’ll have the perfect setup for fun and engaging sensory play. Read on for instructions on how to easily dye chickpeas in a variety of dreamy colors, and use them as a base for sensory trays.

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How To Dye Chickpeas

A quick and easy way to dye chickpeas is with acrylic craft paint. Acrylic paint comes in every color under the sun and is economical to purchase at Dollar stores. This paint also dries quickly.

How to easily dye chickpeas with acrylic paint for colorful sensory play.

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Gather the following supplies:

  • large bag of dried chickpeas
  • acrylic craft paint in white, gold, turquoise, hot pink, and light pink hues
  • measuring cup
  • tablespoons
  • large sandwich bags
  • disposable plates or trays

Scoop one cup of chickpeas into a large sandwich bag. Add a tablespoon of craft paint. Seal the bag well and knead the chickpeas for a few minutes until they are covered in paint.

Open the bag and set it on a table. After five to ten minutes, pour the chickpeas onto a tray or disposable plate. They will be completely dry in about fifteen more minutes.

How to easily dye chickpeas with acrylic paint for colorful sensory play.

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Repeat the same process for all the colors. In the activities below, I feature hot pink, white, turquoise, gold, and ice pink hues. Other popular choices are pastel shades of yellow, blue, and purple. You can pick colors to complement the unicorn figures and accessories you have available.

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Unicorn Theme Sensory Play Ideas

Dyed chickpeas work beautifully as a base for sensory trays. Spread the chickpeas in rows in a rectangular or square kitchen tray or a white plastic bin.

How to easily dye chickpeas with acrylic paint for colorful unicorn theme sensory play.

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Then add any of the following accessories to the tray:

  • unicorn figurines
  • rainbow and unicorn erasers
  • miniature flower toys
  • metallic gold rocks
  • princess figurine
  • paper unicorn head cutouts
  • tiny unicorn head storage containers

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The tray below features unicorn erasers and rainbows.

How to easily dye chickpeas to use as a base for an eye-appealing unicorn-themed sensory tray.

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In this next tray the erasers are swapped out for toy flowers and princess and unicorn figurines.

Dreamy unicorn-themed dyed chickpeas provide an eye-appealing base for a unicorn sensory tray.

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Your early learners will likely mix the chickpeas together as they sort and sift through the tray.

For renewed interest and extended play, you could change or add sensory supplies.

Set up this attractive unicorn theme sensory play tray using dyed chickpeas as a base. Use acrylic craft paint for an easy dye process.

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What other accessories would work well in a unicorn theme sensory play tray? Share in a comment below.

Dreamy unicorn-themed dyed chickpeas provide an eye-appealing base for a unicorn sensory tray.

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Related: Chinese New Year Sensory Play

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