space

Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

Space Theme Light Table

August 26, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This space theme light table is a perfect fit for a unit on space. There are many sparkly, glowing objects in space, so offering activities with light in the theme is fitting.

_______

Supplies To Collect

The light table is one of my favorite centers, and I love collecting supplies for it.

There are many awesome toys on the market designed just for this center. Interesting light table accessories can also be found in unexpected places, and I’ve included quite a few in this play invitation.

The following supplies, many of which are transparent, are on the light table:

toy spaceships
glow in the dark moon
circles, stars, and squares
miniature spinning tops
star-shaped reusable ice cubes
story stones
star-shaped ice cube mold
clear serving dish

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Space Theme Light Table

In this outer space-themed center the story stones are the only supply designed to be a learning resource. They serve as space rocks.

_______

In the play invitation the accessories below originally had other purposes:

The spaceships were bubble bottles…such a great find!
The circles, stars, and squares were cut from hanging decorations.
The miniature spinning tops were party favors.
The star-shaped reusable ice cubes were meant to help keep drinks cold.
The yellow ice cube tray was designed to freeze ice cubes into star shapes.

_______

Benefits of the Space Theme Light Table

Besides being a whole lot of fun, this space-themed light table offers the following opportunities:

shape recognition
matching shapes
counting and sorting by size and color
discussing large and small
development of eye-hand coordination
small muscle development

What would you add to this play invitation? Share in a comment below.

_______

More Light Table Activities

Light Table Leaf Exploration

Christmas Light Table Activity

Valentine’s Day Light Table Play

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

Rainbow Sensory Tray

Easter Bunny Light Table Activity

_______

More Space-themed Activities

White Lilacs and Black Playdough

Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

Space Theme Loose Parts Play

Moon Colors Art Project

_______

Paper Plate Sun Craft

May 3, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

A few weeks ago, I was looking for tableware for a space kitchen dramatic play center and found speckled and silver supplies that fit the bill. These metallic rainbow plates gleamed next to the iridescent silver ones I chose, and caught my attention. It was a no-brainer to use them in an easy and cute paper plate sun craft.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Just the following few supplies are needed for this simple sun craft:

9-inch metallic rainbow party plates
bright yellow cardstock paper
marker
glue stick
scissors and pencil

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Preparing The Paper Plate Sun Craft

_______

Craft preparation is easy for this paper plate sun craft. First, use a marker to draw lines along the ribs on the edge of 9-inch rainbow plate backs. The lines will be about two inches long.

Next, cut circles from bright yellow cardstock, about 6 inches in diameter.

Then choose a marker in a matching color to use for creating sun faces.

Set out a paper plate front side down and a pair of scissors for each child participating.

_______

The Paper Plate Sun Craft

For this craft, invite children to cut along the lines on the back side of their plate. This is great scissor skill practice.

_______

Next, have each participant draw a face on their yellow circle using a color that matches one of the metallic plate hues.

_______

After turning their paper plate right side up, give each child a glue stick to affix their yellow paper face to the center of their sun.

Finally, encourage participants to bend up every other fringed section on the edge of their plate to enhance the sun’s rays and create a 3D effect.

_______

The shiny, adorable paper pate suns beg to be displayed and will look cute together tacked to a bulletin board or wall.

_______

Variation of the Paper Plate Sun Craft

As an alternative to using metallic plates for this craft, offer plain white paper plates. Invite children to paint or color their plate yellow or orange, snip sun rays around the edge, and then glue on a round yellow paper face.

_______

_______

Moon Colors Art Project

April 20, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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

_______

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

_______

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!

_______

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.”

_______

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.

_______

_______

Pink Moon

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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?

_______

Starry Sky Sensory Bin

Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

Watercolor Planets With Markers

Earth Day Heart Art

Earth Day Craft

Space Loose Parts Play

Space Theme Light Table

_______

Space Loose Parts Play

April 17, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Space Loose Parts Supplies

_______

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

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Space Loose Parts Tray

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

The outer space supplies shine in a rice sensory bin or water play setup.

_______

And the supplies are tantalizing in a playdough invitation.

_______

_______

Starry Sky Sensory Bin

September 22, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Just as vegetables that come in a variety of colors are always a happy find, so are interestingly colored flowers. These award-winning, starry sky petunias are a new discovery for me, and they caught my attention at a hardware store! Their varying color patterns and space-themed name make them perfect for a starry sky sensory bin.

_______

Starry Sky Petunias were introduced about eight years ago, and their spectacular speckled white and purple flowers are a reminder of the cosmos. Each individual flower varies in shade of color and placement of white dots and splotches. The super pretty petunia plant is also named Night Sky Petunia and Galaxy Petunia.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

_______

This flower-inspired starry sky sensory bin contains the following loose part supplies:

starry sky petunia flowers
astronaut figurines
toy planets
glow in the dark moon and stars
toy spaceships in varying designs
pink and purple buttons
large and small marbles
purple and pink tumbled stones
turquoise, pink, and purple acrylic gems
silver spray painted rocks
agate slices

_______

The Starry Sky Sensory Bin

The supplies in the starry sky sensory bin are offered in two different containers.

This first bin for the sensory play loose parts is a food bus tub. It is super user-friendly and can be set up anywhere. Two or three little learners can play in the tub at the same time.

_______

Water with a little fluorescent purple food coloring added is the base for the bin. Breathtaking, other-worldly Starry Sky Petunias are the “stars” of the sensory play invitation.

Space-themed toys such as astronaut figurines, spaceships in varying sizes, glow-in-the-dark moon and stars, and toy planets complement the petunias.

Marbles in varying sizes are space rocks or pretend planets.

_______

Loose parts such as silver spray-painted rocks, agate slices, pink and purple tumbled stones, and acrylic gems add beauty to the bin.

Complementary-colored buttons are a welcome addition to any sensory bin.

This next water-based bin is a round, edged serving tray. It can also be offered anywhere and is suitable for one or two little ones to use at a time. The water level is a little lower, allowing for a large toy spaceship to stand upright in the bin.

_______

Petunia flowers in any color provide beautiful, cascading blooms all growing season long. Solid pink, purple, or white petunia flowers would also work wonderfully in this starry sky sensory bin.

_______

Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

July 18, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

A space restaurant dramatic play center is one of the most fun pretend play activities you can offer your little learners. Loose parts shine in this center, offering a plethora of opportunities for creativity and imagining.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Break out all the metallic silver and gold loose parts you have for this shiny, inviting dramatic play center. The following are ideas for supplies to gather:

Gather a variety of metallic silver and gold loose parts to set up a space restaurant dramatic play center.

_______

aluminum foil pie pans, tart pans, and storage containers
silver muffin pans
metal pitcher, tongs, bowls, and trays
disposable clear stemware, forks, and spoons
reusable star-shaped ice cubes
gold and silver bead necklaces and garland
clear discs
gold star-shaped stickers
round silver and gold gem stickers
metallic silver pipe cleaners
juice lids
styrofoam balls
large silver or gold bells
foil alphabet letters and spray centerpiece
silver tablecloth
glue gun, scissors, and painter’s tape

_______

The Space Restaurant Dramatic Play Center

In this out-of-this-world pretend play center, the words “Space Restaurant” are tacked on a wall with painter’s tape, and aluminum foil pans and storage containers are displayed beneath it for decoration and ambiance.

SIlver foil letters and aluminum foil containers and pans taped on a wall add ambiance to a space restaurant dramatic play center.

_______

A space-themed dining table is set up by adding a metallic silver tablecloth and a foil spray centerpiece.

Table settings include aluminum pie pan plates and transparent cutlery. Clear, disposable stemware glasses are decorated with gold star stickers to fancy them up.

Gold star stickers positioned on clear stemware add flare to a space restaurant dramatic play center.

_______

Dainty teacups are created by gluing metallic silver pipe cleaner handles to aluminum foil tart pans, and then affixing them to metal juice lids.

DIY aluminum foil teacups for a space restaurant dramatic play center.

_______

Shiny, metal serving trays and star-shaped dessert cups add elegance.

Large silver or gold bells make great pretend muffins and add a musical element.

Large silver ingle bells are repurposed as muffins in a space restaurant dramatic play center.

_______

Clear discs are repurposed as space pancakes.

Clear discs are repurposed as pancakes in a space restaurant dramatic play center.

_______

Pretend play chocolate chip cookies are created by adding round silver and gold gem stickers to juice lids.

Round adhesive gem stickers added to juice lids make great chocolate chip cookies in a space restaurant pretend play center.

_______

Styrofoam balls are muffins or snowball-themed desserts. They can be painted with silver or gold acrylic paint to add glitz.

Gold and silver bead necklaces cut into strips are spaghetti noodles, and larger bead balls cut from bead garland are the meatballs. The play spaghetti can be stored in a big silver bowl and served with metal tongs.

Metallic silver and gold loose parts make great play food for a space restaurtant dramatic play center.

_______

More Space-Themed Play

For additional space-themed ambiance, a colored light can be positioned to illuminate the restaurant table.

A professional stage light adds flare in outer space pretend play tablescape set up.

_______

Early learners may be inspired to add loose parts from other activity centers to the space restaurant. Below, participants included crater-filled yellow “moons” and large diamond crystal gems to the spaghetti play food.

Bead necklace and garland spaghetti with added loose parts make great space restaurant play food.

_______

The supplies in this post can also be included in a space-themed play kitchen setup.

What would you add to this space restaurant dramatic play center? Share your ideas in a comment below.

_______

White Lilacs and Black Playdough

_______

Outer Space Pretend Play

May 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This outer space pretend play tablescape is one of my absolute favorites. It has lots of shiny, metallic pieces that are perfect for an out-in-space dining experience.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

The following supplies work well in this space-themed pretend play tablescape your little astronauts will love:

small metallic silver star-shaped dessert bowls
juice lids
gold and silver adhesive gems
large silver bells
silver bead garland
gold bead necklaces
star-shaped reusable ice cubes
aluminum foil tart baking cups
silver pipe cleaners
metal serving bowl
silver tongs
clear cutlery
small silver tray
grey muffin tin
styrofoam balls
clear plastic stemware
metallic silver or gold tablecloth
metallic spray centerpiece
aluminum foil pie pans

_______

The Space Tablescape Pretend Play Set Up

A shiny, metallic silver and gold color scheme transforms the play kitchen into an outer space pretend play area.

_______

Aluminum foil tart baking cups glued onto juice lids along with silver pipe cleaner handles make cute space-themed tea cups.

DIY metallic silver tea cups created for an outer space pretend play tablescape for little learners.

_______

The addition of gold star stickers is an easy way to have stemware fit the outer space theme.

Just add star stickers to transform a goblet into an outer space pretend play accessory.

_______

Silver-edged clear plastic stemware glasses add elegance to the table display.

A silver-edged goblet with resusable star ice cubes co-ordinates well with a space-themed pretend play tablescape.

_______

Large silver bells serve as muffins, white styrofoam balls are buns, and aluminum foil pie pans are dinner plates.

Stryfoam balls and large metallic silver bells add interest to an outer space play food table display.

_______

Gold bead necklaces cut into strips make great pretend spaghetti noodles. Silver balls cut from garland are the meatballs.

Cut metallic bead garland and necklaces make the perfect loose parts for an outer space spaghetti pretend play meal.

_______

Silver and gold adhesive gems added to juice lids make tasty chocolate chip cookies.

Just add gold and silver gem stickers to juice lids to create outer space chocolate chip pretend play cookies.

_______

A metallic silver tablecloth, reusable star ice cubes, and a silver bowl, tray, muffin tin, and pair of tongs round out the supplies in this glittery outer space pretend play tablescape.

_______

Lighted Outer Space Pretend Play

For added flare, include a metallic spray centerpiece and shine a professional stage light on the outer space pretend play tablescape.

_______

Related:

White Lilacs and Black Playdough

_______

Watercolor Planets With Markers

August 17, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Creating watercolor planets with markers is an easy and satisfying process art activity with stunning results. Your little learners will absolutely love doing it. And if you need a quick, beautiful bulletin board or wall display, this project checks that box.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this art activity:

8-inch diameter paper basket coffee filters
water-based markers
12-inch x 12-inch black cardstock paper
spray bottle
plastic tub
hot glue gun

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Creating Watercolor Planets With Markers

First, flatten basket-shaped coffee filters, and set them on a table with water-based markers.

Invite little learners to decorate their paper circles any way they wish.

Steps to create stunning watercolor planets with markers. This all-ages process art looks beautiful displayed together.

_______

Tip: Offer analogous colors, which are groups of three colors positioned next to each other on the color wheel. Because these colors complement each other, they work well in process art projects.

Create watercolor earth art with just markers and water. A quick and easy process art project everyone will love. — **Planet Earth With Blue and Green Markers**

_______

Create watercolor planet Jupiter art with just markers and water. A quick and easy process art project everyone will love. — **Planet Jupiter With Red, Orange, and Yellow Markers**

_______

Afterward, have everyone take turns wetting their project with a spray bottle filled with water. When doing this, place the decorated circles in a small tub to be sprayed.

Tip: Your little charges may want to soak their circular canvas with lots of water, but just giving the colorful coffee filters a few squirts results in nice art pieces for display.

Next, dry the paper circles on a flat surface covered with a plastic tablecloth or tarp.

Finally, mount the round planets on a 12-inch x 12-inch square piece of black cardstock, or sturdy paper that is 8 ½ x 11 inches in size. Using a hot glue gun works well.

This process art project looks amazing displayed in a group.

_______

More Watercolor Planet Process Art

Because little learners love the spraying water part of this art activity, invite them to make more colorful planets without restrictions. They may spray the color right out of the circles after decorating them, but they enjoy doing this soooo much. Have them try black or dark green markers. Early learners are sure to be excited about the new colors that will be revealed.

_______

More Space Theme Activities

Earth Day Heart Art

Space Theme Loose Parts Play

Starry Sky Sensory Bin

Moon Colors Art Project

Space Restaurant Dramatic Play

Earth Day Bead Craft

_______