• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

  • About Me
  • Sensory Play
  • Holidays
  • Places
  • Picture Book Themes
  • Growing Things
  • Ocean
  • Contact Me

spring

Jelly Bean Theme

April 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_____

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

Jelly Bean PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

[Read more…] about Jelly Bean Theme

Filed Under: art, crafts, display, Easter, literacy, Math, party, preschool, sensory, spring, themes, trees Tagged With: art, crafts, jelly beans, sensory tray

Spring Bunny Wreath Craft

April 14, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Make this adorable spring bunny wreath craft with easy-to-find supplies. A jelly bean necklace is a finishing touch.
Make this adorable spring bunny paper plate craft with easy-to-find supplies. A jelly bean necklace is a finishing touch.

_______

Here’s a simple spring bunny wreath craft that’s perfect for the Easter season, but also celebrates spring. Along with a bunny, flowers, and butterflies, it incorporates jelly beans, fitting for National Jelly Bean Day!

_______

Supplies To Collect

Easy to gather supplies to make an adorable spring bunny wreath craft.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

_______

For this sweet, floral craft project, gather the following:

  • white paper plate
  • cardstock in spring colors
  • flower, butterfly, and circle paper punches
  • white or tan cardstock
  • pink pompom
  • wiggly eyes
  • needle and thread
  • jelly beans
  • glue stick
  • white glue or glue gun
  • scissors
  • thin black felt pen

_______

Making The Spring Bunny Wreath Craft

Craft this adorable spring bunny wreath with easy-to-find supplies.

_______

First, cut the center from a paper plate.

Next, punch flowers, butterflies, and circles from spring-colored cardstock. Using a glue stick, adhere contrasting circle centers to some of the flowers.

Then glue butterflies and flowers around the paper plate rim.

Trace and cut a bunny head from white or tan cardstock. (A white bunny is perfect for Easter, but a grey or brown one will take the craft into spring.) Download this free template if desired.

Download this bunny head template to make a spring bunny wreath craft.

_______

Bunny Head PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Then draw two curved lines for the bunny mouth, and add whiskers.

Afterward, glue on the wiggly eyes and a pink pompom nose.

Lastly, adhere the paper bunny to the bottom back of the wreath using white glue or a glue gun.

Make this adorable spring bunny paper plate craft with easy-to-find supplies. A jelly bean necklace is a finishing touch.

_______

Adding The Jelly Bean Necklace

For a unique crafting experience, make a colorful and tasty jelly bean necklace for the bunny:

  • Pull a long piece of thread through a sturdy sewing needle.
  • Thread on jelly beans in a pattern of choice, or add them randomly.
  • Tie off the ends of the thread when the necklace is the desired length.
  • String the necklace around the bunny’s neck.
String a jelly bean necklace to wear or use in a craft. A super fun activity with pattern-making possibilities.

_______

Tip: For young children, the necklace could be prepared in advance. Or little learners could dictate which color jellybeans to thread on a necklace as you make one for them.

_______

Making this jelly bean necklace was easier than I thought it would be. I was sure that I would poke my fingers more than once. But thankfully I didn’t!

_______

This paper plate bunny wreath will brighten up any space, The jelly bean necklace is the highlight of the craft.

_______

This paper plate bunny wreath will brighten up any space, The jelly bean necklace is the highlight of the craft.

_______

Craft this adorable spring bunny wreath with easy-to-find supplies. A jelly bean necklace is a finishing touch.

_______

Related: Jelly Bean Theme

_______

The spring colors in the wreath are so welcome at a time of year when some days are bright and sunny, but others are grey and overcast. And I’m so ready for flowers and butterflies since we’ve had more than our share of snow this year!

_______

[Read more…] about Spring Bunny Wreath Craft

Filed Under: art, crafts, Easter, preschool, spring Tagged With: bunnies, Easter, flowers, paper crafts, paper plate crafts, spring

Easter Playdough Tray

April 12, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Easter Playdough Tray

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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

_______

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

_______

Related: Edible Playdough Pumpkins

              Winter Playdough Recipe

_______

[Read more…] about Easter Playdough Tray

Filed Under: Easter, party, playdough, preschool, sensory, spring Tagged With: bunnies, playdough, spring

Unicorn Playdough Tray

April 5, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Set up this magical unicorn playdough tray early learners will love. The best homemade playdough recipes are featured.
Set up this magical unicorn playdough tray early learners will love. The best homemade playdough recipes are featured.

_______

Elegant, majestic unicorns provide endless inspiration for clothing, art, cooking, and early learning activities. The single-horned mythical creatures make an appealing subject for a unicorn playdough tray. This pastel and gold-infused tray will surely add a dose of magic to your child’s day!

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this fantasy playdough tray:

  • unicorn figurines
  • star and unicorn cookie cutters
  • unicorn table confetti
  • miniature wood forest and princess shapes
  • pastel round gems
  • gold rocks
  • white compartment tray
  • neutral and pastel playdough

_______

Unicorn Playdough Play Tray

Set up this unicorn theme playdough tray in minutes. The best playdough recipes are featured.

_______

Make a fresh batch of playdough, or use the dough you have on hand. I feature two shades I previously used in a Valentine’s Day playdough tray, and my basic, go-to recipe. These recipes are also included in this post.

Place the unicorn-themed loose parts in a compartment tray, positioning the playdough in the center.

Set the playdough invitation on a table along with rolling pins and other modeling tools for children to enjoy. Watch the magical play unfold.

The best playdough recipes are featured in this fun fantasy unicorn playdough invitation.

_______

Note: Other loose parts that could be added to this unicorn playdough tray are glitter, a star wand, unicorn hair, flowers, cupcake decorations, pom poms, pipe cleaners, bead garland strips, rainbows, and Easter grass.

Set up this unicorn theme playdough tray in minutes. The best playdough recipes are featured.

_______

Basic Playdough Recipe

My go-to basic playdough recipe has the following ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons oil

Add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix together.

Stir two tablespoons of oil into two cups of water.

Add the water and oil to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat the pot on the stove on medium heat.

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

Scoop the dough onto a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding one tablespoon more oil.

Store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag.

The best playdough recipes are featured in this magical unicorn playdough invitation.

_______

Jello Playdough

To make deep, pinkish-red strawberry playdough, boil the water and stir in two 85 gram packages of strawberry jello powder. Next, mix in two tablespoons of oil. Add the hot-colored water mixture to the dry ingredients in a pot as above, and finish making the recipe the same way.

To make the pastel blue playdough, use one 85 gram package of blueberry jello.

_______

Set up this magical unicorn playdough tray early learners will love. The best homemade playdough recipes are featured.

_______

Have something special you would add to this unicorn playdough tray? Share in a comment below.

_______

Related: Unicorn Theme Sensory Play

_______

[Read more…] about Unicorn Playdough Tray

Filed Under: playdough, preschool, pretend play, spring, unicorns Tagged With: playdough, scented playdough, sensory tray, unicorns

Spring Basket Cupcakes

April 4, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Adorable chocolate animal-topped spring basket cupcakes. Festive and fun party cupcakes that are easy to create and sure to please.
Adorable chocolate animal-topped spring basket cupcakes. Festive and fun party cupcakes that are easy to create and sure to please.

_______

These spring basket cupcakes are a fancier version of treats served at my preschool Easter parties at the end of March.

This Easter I was short on time to fit in all the activities, which needed to be completed before schools were off for spring break. Putting together ready-made treats to make our Easter party snack feel a little more festive and fun felt like a good choice.

The children loved the fancied-up cupcake snacks, and I know these will go over well in any group.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Supplies to gather in order to make festive and fun spring basket cupcakes.

_______

  • cupcakes with icing and sprinkles
  • chocolate bunnies and other animal characters
  • candy eggs
  • jelly beans
  • festive candies

_______

Making The Spring Basket Cupcakes

Delicious chocolate animal-topped Easter basket cupcakes.

_______

The featured cupcakes are store-bought. If you have time to bake your own, you could use them for this snack idea.

When you’ve bought or made the cupcakes, just add chocolate bunnies or other spring animal figurines as decorations. We ate all our bunny-topped treats at our parties, so I went looking for more decorative sweets for this post. I lucked out to find bunnies and a set of confectioneries with hens, ducks, and lambs.

Add a pipe cleaner basket handle to each cupcake.

Set the cupcakes on a plate with a few candies and other sweets sprinkled around. Featured are candy-covered chocolate eggs, colorful licorice candies, and spring-colored jellybeans.

Delicious chocolate animal-topped spring basket cupcakes.

_______

View as a Spring Basket Cupcake Video Tutorial.

_______

The eye-catching cupcake treats are fun to put together. And the exquisite chocolate animal characters take the party snack beyond Easter into the rest of the Spring season.

Sweet chocolate bunny-topped spring basket cupcake.

_______

Adorable chocolate lamb-topped sping basket cupcake.

_______

Tasty chocolate hen-topped spring basket cupcake.

_______

[Read more…] about Spring Basket Cupcakes

Filed Under: Easter, party, preschool, spring Tagged With: cupcakes, snacks

Silhouette Bunny Art

March 27, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Colorful silhouette bunny art made by dabbing dot markers on a canvas. Free template included. An art project for the whole family. This quick and showy art project displays well.
Colorful silhouette bunny art made by dabbing dot markers on a canvas. Free template included. An art project for the whole family. This quick and showy art project displays well.

_______

Easter kind of snuck up on me this year. I didn’t realize until mid-March how early the holiday dates are. I often have time to do Easter activities with my preschoolers in the first part of April, but this year we needed to complete them by March 26 (before Spring Break week.) And so this quick and showy silhouette bunny art project was perfect for our busy time. It is easy to make at home too.

_______

Supplies To Collect

  • 7-inch x 9-inch canvas panel
  • dot markers in bright spring colors
  • cardstock paper
  • bunny template
  • white pompom
  • white glue

_______

Making The Silhouette Bunny Art

_______

Select a canvas or use sturdy art paper for this project. (I purchased canvases at a dollar store for an economical price.) Then cut a bunny shape out of same-sized cardstock.

Feel free to download this bunny template for the art project.

Template for silhouette bunny art or another spring craft project.

_______

Bunny PrintableDownload

This bunny template is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Carefully center the cardstock with the bunny shape removed on the canvas.

Have your little learner pick a dot marker in a favorite color and dab dots all over the bunny shape, holding the template steady. You may want to help do this, as the cardstock design has a tendency to slip around. And this way you both can practice teamwork and co-operation.

Your early learner can glue on a pompom tail with a dab of white glue when the bunny is dry.

Pink silhouette bunny art made by dabbing dot markers on a canvas. This quick and showy art project displays well.

_______

You may wish to invite your little learner to create this art project in a few different spring colors or have family members each make one. The colorful bunnies display well together.

_______

Or you can ask your little learner to do the silhouette bunny art in two different ways. Then mount the canvasses side by side.

Silhouette bunny art made in two ways by dabbing spring-colored dot markers on a canvas. Free template included.

_______

Tag me on Instagram if you make this art project. I will share your bunny art in my stories!

_________

Adorable silhouette bunny art made by dabbing spring-colored dot markers on a canvas. Free template included. An art project for the whole family.

_______

[Read more…] about Silhouette Bunny Art

Filed Under: art, display, Easter, preschool, spring Tagged With: bunnies, dot markers

Bunny Candy Art

March 20, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Fun bunny candy art activity with assorted sweets. A happy hoppy food collage project the whole family will enjoy participating in.
Fun bunny candy art activity with assorted sweets. A happy hoppy food collage project the whole family will enjoy participating in.

_______

Along with Christmas and Valentine’s Day, Easter is a prime time for sweet treats. Chocolaty treats are popular, as are fruity and sugary ones. And bunnies in all shapes and sizes (and bunny ears) are frequent subjects.

Bunnies can also be created from a candy mix. Your little learners would enjoy this challenge, so why not make happy hoppy bunny candy art with them?

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

An assortment of candies for a colorful candy art project or a candy tasting activity.

_______

  • licorice in assorted shapes and sizes
  • Easter jelly beans
  • candy or chocolate sprinkle covered bunny ears
  • candy sprinkles
  • 12-inch x 12-inch cardstock paper
  • white glue

_______

Making The Bunny Candy Art

Happy hoppy bunny candy art collage project. An activity the whole family can participate in.

_______

Set out a sheet of 12-inch x 12-inch cardstock paper for each person participating. Give participants a plate of candy to create a bunny-themed collage with. In addition to incorporating the bunny ear treats, candy pieces can be bunny heads, bodies, arms, legs, eyes, and mouths. Jelly beans and sprinkles add color and additional shapes to the pictures.

Have everyone glue the candy designs down to make permanent pictures. Or save the sweet treats for a delectable candy tasting party.

_______

[Read more…] about Bunny Candy Art

Filed Under: art, Easter, party, preschool, sensory, spring Tagged With: bunnies, candies, Easter, spring

Jewelry Sensory Tray

February 15, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This heart-themed jewelry sensory tray goes beyond Valentine's Day with its cheery spring colors.
This heart-themed jewelry sensory tray goes beyond Valentine's Day with its cheery spring colors.

_______

If you have washable heart-themed children’s jewelry pieces lying around or found some in a post-Valentine’s Day sale, they can have a go in a jewelry sensory tray. Add a few complimentary colored loose parts, and your early learners will be eager to explore the tray.

_______

Loose Parts For The Tray

Heart-themed jewelry loose parts tray.

_______

  • heart bracelets
  • color block silicone bracelets
  • rainbow heart rings
  • wiggly eye rings
  • rainbow heart erasers
  • foam flowers and hearts
  • gem hearts
  • flower eraser
  • buttons

This tray has loose parts in a variety of cheery colors, taking it beyond Valentine’s Day.

_______

Making The Jewelry Sensory Tray

Heart-themed jewelry sensory tray that takes tactile exploration beyond Valentine's Day.

_______

Pick a tray large enough for a few children to play in.

Add a layer of rice. I feature glutinous rice. I love it because it is super white.

Spread the heart jewelry and complimentary colored loose parts in the tray. Invite your early learners to explore the tactile center.

This sensory tray idea also works for individual play. Just divide the supplies into a portion for each child and add them to smaller trays.

Heart jewelry sensory tray with cheery colors that take tactile exploration beyond Valentine's Day.

_______

[Read more…] about Jewelry Sensory Tray

Filed Under: preschool, sensory, spring, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, jewelry, loose parts, rice bin

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

October 12, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A horse chestnut leaf featured in five easy to do art projects that are suitable for all ages.

_______

Horse chestnut tree leaves are sizable and showy and have that “wow” factor.  They are deep green compound leaves with five to seven leaflets that live on a tree that is beautiful throughout the seasons. The palmate leaves are showcased along with large, spiked flowers in spring. They turn golden yellow in autumn and are accompanied by dramatic, prickly lime green fruits that are coverings for ultra-smooth nut-like seeds called conkers. The leaves are a spectacular subject for art. Featured in this post are five horse chestnut leaf art activities that are easy to do with your early learners.

_______

Horse chestnut tree flowers in spring.
Flowers in spring.

_______

Horse chestnut tree with fruit in autumn.
Leaves and fruit in autumn.

_______

Horse chestnut tree conkers on the left, and broken fruit casings on the right.
Conkers and empty fruit casings.

_______

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

Leaf Print

Set a horse chestnut leaf face down on a table with a paintbrush and tempera paint. Invite your child to paint the leaf, turn it over, and press it down on a sturdy piece of art paper.

Horse chestnut leaf paint print invitation.

_______

Have your little one rub all over the painted leaf carefully, and remove it from the paper.

Horse chestnut leaf paint print in a black and white color scheme.

_______

A blackish paint produces an unexpected, striking black and white color scheme.

Horse chestnut leaf paint print in a black and white color scheme.

_______

Leaf Dot Art

Invite your little learner to place a large horse chestnut leaf on a piece of paper, and decorate the area around it with dot markers.

Dot marker art with a horse chestnut leaf.

_______

Horse chestnut leaves are perfect for dot marker art.

_______

Removing the leaf reveals a white silhouette.

Horse chestnut leaf dot marker art.

_______

Watercolor Resist Leaf

On a large, sturdy piece of paper, help your child trace around a horse chestnut leaf with a black pastel crayon. Carefully remove the leaf, and encourage your little one to add a midrib and veins to the leaflets. Offer a paintbrush and containers of liquid watercolors for painting the drawing. Food coloring hues mixed with small amounts of water can also be used.

Horse chestnut leaf watercolor resist art project set up.

_______

Horse chestnut leaf watercolor resist art project.

_______

View a video tutorial of this watercolor resist leaf art project.

Watercolor resist leaf art video tutorial.

_______

Crayon Relief Leaf

Ask your early learner to place the compound leaf under a piece of thin paper. Offer a selection of peeled crayons.  Have your little one rub over the leaf with crayons held upright or laid flat.

A pastel rainbow color scheme adds softness to this art project.

Horse chestnut leaf rubbing with crayons.

_______

Foil Leaf Rubbing

Place a horse chestnut leaf face down on a table. Lay a slightly larger piece of aluminum foil over it. Help your child gently press the foil over and around the midribs, veins, petiole, and edges of the leaf.

Horse chestnut leaf aluminum foil rubbing set up.

_______

Horse chestnut leaf aluminum foil rubbing.

_______

If you are lucky enough to have a horse chestnut tree close to where you live, it can be fabulous to study and photograph throughout the seasons. And horse chestnut leaf art activities add ambiance to home or classroom decor from spring to autumn.

_______

Do you have a favorite horse chestnut leaf art activity or a preferred leaf for art? I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below.

_______

[Read more…] about Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

Filed Under: art, autumn, preschool, spring Tagged With: horse chestnut trees, leaves, nature art, tree art

Tulip Art Painting Project

April 13, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canada 150 tulip, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

This tulip art painting activity is inspired by the Canadian Tulip Festival, the stunning Canada 150 tulip, and a rustic Kleenex box design! 

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canada 150 tulip, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

_______

Beginnings Of The Canadian Tulip Festival

Renowned photographer Malak Karsh began taking pictures of tulips in spring 1946. In 1952 Malak proposed a Canadian Tulip Festival for Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. It was held the following spring. Since then, it has become an annual event every May, drawing tourists from around the world.

Yellow and pink tulips.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

_______

Keukenhof Gardens

If a visit to a vibrant tulip garden isn’t in your family’s near future, why not take them on a virtual tour of the world-famous tourist site in Holland, the Keukenhof Gardens.

_______

Tulip Art Project Instructions

Red and white painted tulips are featured in this craft. They are a reminder of the tulip chosen for the Canada 150 celebration, held in 2017. The two colors are patriotic, and the flower pattern resembles the maple leaf in the Canadian flag. Click here to view pictures of the Canada 150 tulip.

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canada 150 tulip, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

_______

Supplies To Collect:

  • paintbrush
  • salad fork
  • green, red, and white poster paint
  • rustic wood look craft paper
  • plate or tray

Guide your child in painting green tulip stems and leaves on the wood look craft paper.

Green tulip stems painted on a rustic wood scrapbook paper background.

_______

Add red and white paint to a small plate or tray. Help your child dip the top of the salad fork in the red and white paint. Encourage moving the forkhead from side to side and top to bottom until it is all covered in paint.

Salad fork dipped in red and white paint.

_______

Invite your child to press the painted part of the fork just above the stem of one of the flowers. Suggest tipping it in different directions to make sure each part of the salad fork head makes contact with the paper.

Follow the same process for each of the stems.

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canada 150 tulip, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

_______

Let the picture dry.

The tulips can be cut out and glued to a new background for a three-dimensional effect.

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canada 150 tulip, the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

_______

You can offer other paint colors for this tulip art project. Here’s a painting with yellow flowers. Yellow tulips are a symbol of friendliness, cheerfulness, and charity.

Tulip art painting project inspired by the Canadian Tulip Festival, and a rustic tissue box. An all-ages art activity the whole family can do.

_______

The tissue box that helped inspire the painting project:

Tulip themed tissue box that is an inspiration for the tulip painting project.

_______

Tulip Art Video Tutorial

_______

Tulips are an endearing subject for artwork and an ideal flower for gift giving. And there is nothing more stunning than viewing an expansive tulip field with rows and rows of cup-shaped flowers in rainbow colors.

What is your favorite spring flower?  Share below.

_______

[Read more…] about Tulip Art Painting Project

Filed Under: art, spring Tagged With: flowers, tulips

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

Instagram

puttingtheprettyin.preschool

St.Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray #StPatrick’s D St.Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray
#StPatrick’s Day #HappyStPatricksDay #playdoughtray #sensorydough #playdough #handson #tactileplay #preschoolactivity #homeschoolpreschool #Edmontonblogger #Canadianblogger #Canadianteacher #teacherblogger #celebratetoday #green #yellow #homemadeplaydough #playdoughfun #greenandgold #kindergarten #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape #StPa St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape

#StPatricksDay #shamrocks #pretendplay #dramaticplay #playkitchen #preschoolactivities #kindergartenactivities StPatricksDaydecor #earlylearning #playideas #tablescapes #tablescapestyling #StPatrickstheme #StPatricksDayparty #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Easy Setup Polar Bear Small World Easy Setup Polar Bear Small World
Beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouettes for an Beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouettes for anyone who is having a snowy last week of February like we are. 😊. #snowflakesilhoettes #snowflakes #snowflakeart #spraypaint #spraypaintart #spraypaintartist #foodcoloring #prek #kindergarten #littleartist #outdooractivities #outdoorart #easyart #colorfulart #colofulartwork
Penguin-Themed Pretend Play Tablescape Penguin-Themed Pretend Play Tablescape
A little sunburst heart art activity using skin to A little sunburst heart art activity using skin tone pencil crayons. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #heartart #sunburst #pencilcrayonart #ValentinesDayart #blackhistorymonth #valentines #earlylearning #preschoolart #kindergartenart #artclass #artclassroom #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #pencilcrayons #skintones #skintone #artsupplies
A dessert restaurant dramatic play center perfect A dessert restaurant dramatic play center perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Llama-Inspired Winter Sensory Bin Llama-Inspired Winter Sensory Bin
Chinese Lunar New Year Sensory Tub Chinese Lunar New Year Sensory Tub
Chinese New Year DIY Decorating Chinese New Year DIY Decorating
Chinese New Year Sensory Bin Chinese New Year Sensory Bin
Winter-themed treasure blocks add interest to smal Winter-themed treasure blocks add interest to small world play. ❄️❄️❄️

#treasureblocks #blockplay #wintertheme #penguin #penguins #polarbear #polarbears #northern #northernCanada #Antarctica #looseparts #loosepartsplay #winterplay #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
This craft is popular on my Pinterest account righ This craft is popular on my Pinterest account right now. Link in profile leads to the New Year’s Craft blog post post with ideas for crafts and free printables to download.  #NewYears #NewYearsEve #newyearsactivities #newyearscrafts #2023 #ringinthenewyear #newyearcountdown #handprintcraft #newyear2023 #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #freeprintables #preschoolprintables
Have a few candy canes around? Try this super easy Have a few candy canes around? Try this super easy candy cane science experiment.  #candycanes #scienceexperiment #candyscience #Christmasactivitiesforkids #kidsscience #kidsscienceexperiments #candycanetree #treeart #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #preschoolscienceexperiment
These trees make a simple but showy last minute ar These trees make a simple but showy last minute art project.  #Christmastrees #Christmastreedecorating #treepaintings #treeart #treeartwork #easyart #prettytrees #monochromaticart #monochromaticpainting #kindergartenart #preschoolart #littleartist #littleartists #funwithpaint #pastelcolors #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
A spicy gingerbread playdough lets children experi A spicy gingerbread playdough lets children experience all the smells. This  no cook recipe let’s early learners help from start to finish. Recipe is on the blog. Link in profile leads to the post.  #gingerbread #gingerbreadplaydough #homemadeplaydough #loosepartsplay #Christmasplaydough #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #handsonplay #gingerbreadcookies #gingerbreaddecorating
Five festive Christmas sensory bins perfect for ho Five festive Christmas sensory bins perfect for holiday celebrations! Link in profile leads to the blog posts. 🎄🎁 🎄🎁🎄 #ricebins #Christmassensoryplay #Christmasplay #earlylearning #Christmaspartyideas #December #playislearning #playideas #playideasforkids #holidayvibes #Christmasvibes #Christmastime #prek #kindergarten #kindergartenclassroom #kindergartenactivities #prekclassroom #handsonlearning #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Nine ideas for CD Case Christmas crafts that doubl Nine ideas for CD Case Christmas crafts that double up as blocks for block play. Link in profile leads to the blog post. 🎄⛄️🦌

#CDcaseart #DIYblocks #Christmascrafts #snowmancrafts #Christmastrees #treeart #Christmasbling #creativecrafts #snowmen #reindeer #Christmascrafting #craftsforkids #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #teacherofig #instateacher #prekteacher #eyfsideas #earlylearning
Remembrance Day everyday object printed poppy beca Remembrance Day everyday object printed poppy because “We Remember.”

#RemembranceDay #weremember #WeRememberThem #poppyart #printmaking #printmakingart #easyart #funart #meaningfulart #preschoolart #kindergartenart #artforkids #keepingkidsbusy #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Have you ever heard of orange or yellow watermelon Have you ever heard of orange or yellow watermelon? They are featured in creative snacks in this watermelon-themed video. Link in profile leads to the blogpost.  #creativesnacks #watermelonsnacks #funsnacks #easysnacks #healthysnacks #watermelon #sunflowers #fruitskewers #popsicles #watermelonpopsicles #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #preschoolsnacks #teacherofig #iteachprek #iteach
Load More Follow on Instagram

Subscribe Via Email

Recent Posts

  • Bunny Rice Bin March 26, 2023
  • Ombre Bunny Art March 25, 2023
  • St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray March 16, 2023
  • St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play March 15, 2023
  • St. Patrick’s Day Light Table March 14, 2023
  • Shamrock Leaf Print Art March 12, 2023
  • Squeegee Painting Heart Art March 10, 2023
  • Salad Spinner Heart Art February 27, 2023
  • Eye Dropper Heart Art February 26, 2023
  • Polar Bear Small World February 22, 2023

Categories

Topics

block play bunnies Chinese New Year Christmas Christmas craft Christmas tree colors dramatic play Easter eggs fall flowers Happy New Year hearts holiday jewelry keepsakes leaves leprechauns light table loose parts New Year's Eve painting paper crafts playdough pretend play printables process art pumpkins rice bin scented playdough science experiment scissor skills sensory bin sensory play sensory tray shamrocks skeletons spiders spring St. Patrick's Day sunflowers tablescapes Valentine's Day water play

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in