St. Patrick's Day

Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

March 17, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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They say “variety is the spice of life,” and it is certainly true in this art project. The crayon resist watercolor shamrock features variety in line, shape, and color. The project is easy for little learners to do, and is great for language development.

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Supplies to Collect

12 inch x 18 inch manila paper
crayons in shades of green
tempera blocks (paint pucks) in gold and shades of green
paint cups
paint brushes and pots
scissors

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The Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock Process

Cut large shamrocks out of manila paper. (This is a sturdy cream-colored paper that comes in larger sizes and is economical to buy.)

Note: Cardstock or construction paper can be substituted for manila paper.

Use crayons in shades of green to decorate a sample shamrock with dots, lines, and shapes.

Explore variety in line and shape through a crayon resist art technique.

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In my demo, there are wavy and curvy lines and straight ones. There are dots and circles, and stripes and dashes. A heart fills the center.

Show the crayoned shamrock to your little learners, highlighting the variety of lines and shapes.

Invite little learners to draw their own crayon designs on a shamrock.

A tempera block paint set-up for a crayon resist art technique.

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Then have them add watercolors using tempera block paints in yellow and shades of green. Encourage children to rinse their brushes in water between colors.

Draw attention to darker and lighter paint shades. Discuss hues with words such as lime green, apple green, emerald green, and forest green. Use descriptive words that match the paint colors you have available.

Offer this simple crayon resist watercolor shamrock activity that explores variety in line, shape, and color.

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Note: Liquid watercolors or water with food coloring mixed in can be used instead of tempera paint blocks.

After the paintings dry, you could add on an Irish St. Patrick’s Day blessing.

This is a simple two-step art activity that all children can do. A younger child’s paint added scribble drawing looks just as stunning as an older child’s project with more defined lines and shapes. This is especially true if a variety of shades of crayons and paints are used.

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Related: Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

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St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

March 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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My preschoolers love loose parts. One of the places they especially enjoy using them is in the play kitchen. Lately, unless loose parts are added to the center, they aren’t too impressed. And so for the first few weeks of March. I set up this St. Patrick’s Day tablescape.

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Supplies To Collect

Set up this inviting St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green and gold loose parts to spark creative, imaginative play.

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Here are table décor and loose parts to gather for an eye-popping St. Pat’s tablescape. You can go all out in adding accessories or just choose a few items.

shamrock-themed plates, cups, napkins, and serving tray
green bowls, serving utensils, and ice cube tray
orange, green, and yellow cutlery
plastic shamrock “coasters”
yellow, green, and orange fruit and vegetable play food
felt “cookies and pretzels”
green buttons, bottlecaps, eggs, and marbles
leprechaun hat, rainbow, and shamrock erasers
green beads and bead strips cut from garland
yellow and green pom poms
gold and green coins
light up green teddy bear
St. Patrick’s Day necklaces and bracelets
metallic shamrock table scatter
white and green carnations in a plastic jar vase
green or orange plastic tablecloth

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The St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

Arrange the table décor and loose parts on toy shelves and in play kitchen appliances. There will be many inviting pieces for early learners to explore and use.

Set up this cheery St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green and gold loose parts and plenty of shamrocks.

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The tablescape above is mostly done in shades of green with a little bit of gold. In the set-up below, an orange tablecloth and green, yellow, and orange produce add color to the play center.

Set up this inviting St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green, yellow, and orange loose parts to spark creative, imaginative play.

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Including a variety of loose parts allows children to use their imagination in dramatic play. Garland strips become green noodles, marbles transform into pickles, and pot of gold erasers are served as popcorn. Other pieces are used to make cake batter for a triple-layer cake. This serves up a whole lotta fun!

As said earlier, it is okay to set out just a few of the above supplies. They will add interest to dramatic play activities, and help your early learners join in on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Set up this cheery St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green, yellow, and orange loose parts and plenty of shamrocks.

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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Store

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St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

March 15, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A cheeky leprechaun is the highlight of this low-maintenance, easy-to put together St. Patrick's Day light table tray.

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St. Patrick’s Day accessories lend themselves so well to sensory activities and can be used in many different ways. Keeping an eye out for transparent supplies is the key to making this easy, mess-free St. Patrick’s light table tray.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Transparent gems, gems, and more gems work well for this tray. Select them in different sizes in the colors green, yellow, and brownish gold.

Other supplies to gather are shamrock reusable ice cubes, shamrocks cut from wall decorations, a black pot, a leprechaun figurine, and mini green tongs and drinking cups.

Dot markers and a piece of transparency copy paper come in handy for creating a rainbow.

A clear compartment tray works wonderfully for the bin.

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The St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

How to put together a St. Patrick's Day sensory tray for the light table.

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First, select a clear compartment tray for the sensory activity.

Next, use dot markers to create a large rainbow on a piece of transparency copy paper. The ink dries rapidly and doesn’t smudge at all. Or draw a rainbow with felt pens on regular copy paper. Afterward, cut the rainbow out and tape it to one end of the tray.

Then add a variety of acrylic gems to the tray.

Set in the shamrock ice cubes and wall decoration pieces.

Lastly, add the drinking cups, salad tongs, pot, and leprechaun. Then set the sensory tray on a light table or light box for early learners to discover.

Children will be excited to sort and rearrange the loose parts in the tray and may spread them all over the lighted surface.

Note: This St. Patrick’s light table tray is low maintenance. It is mess-free and doesn’t require a base ingredient. It works well as an activity on or off the light table.

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Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

March 14, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Today while completing a St. Patrick’s Day wreath craft a child held the circular frame to his face and said “lion mask.” Right then and there the idea for this adorable shamrock paper plate lion was formed. After all, shamrocks are perfect lion mane material!

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Supplies To Collect

There are just a few supplies to gather for this roarsome craft:

white paper plate
wiggly eyes
black felt pen
white glue
glue paddle
large sticker shamrocks

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Making The Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

Steps to create a roarsome shamrock paper plate lion perfect for St. Patrick's Day. The craft can also be turned into a mask.

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First, draw a lion’s mouth on a paper plate with a black felt pen.

Next, add a small shamrock sticker nose.

Then glue on two wiggly eyes.

Afterward, draw on whiskers.

Lastly, add a mane using shamrock stickers.

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Note: Paper cut shamrocks can be used if it is difficult to find the sticker variety. And yellow and orange shamrocks would make good substitutes for green ones.

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Lion Craft Variation

Instead of using wiggly eyes, cut out oval eyes to turn this craft into a St. Patrick’s Day lion puppet. Add a chopstick or drinking straw handle for the finishing touch.

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10 Lion Facts

After the craft is completed, share a few lion facts with participants:

Lions live together in groups called prides.
Most lions live in grasslands and savannahs in Africa.
These powerful animals can run fast, jump far, and see very well.
Only male lions have manes, which grow darker with age.
Female lions do most of the hunting. They work as a team to catch their prey.
Lions hunt large animals such as zebras, wildebeests, antelopes, and buffaloes. They will also eat smaller prey like mice, birds, hares, lizards and tortoises.
The loud roar of a lion can be heard miles away.
Lion cubs are tiny and weigh about 3 pounds.
Lions are a symbol of strength, courage, fierceness, and power.

For more interesting lion facts, view the blogpost Lion Facts by factanimal.com.

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A roarsome shamrock paper plate lion to create for St. Patrick's Day. The craft can also be turned into a mask.

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If you are on the prowl for a simple, unique St. Patrick’s Day craft for your early learners to make, this shamrock paper plate lion is the one for you. Why not give it a try?

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St. Patrick’s Jewelry Bin

March 8, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This St. Patrick’s jewelry bin lets children explore the bling in an additional way to wearing it on the official celebration date, March 17th each year. It makes a great discussion starter about the world-renowned St. Pat’s celebration and the significance of shamrocks and the color green. And it introduces the tricky leprechaun, most entertaining for children!

St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland and started out as a religious one. It evolved into a celebration of Irish culture, and people around the world take part in it. One of the biggest ways people do this is by wearing green on March 17, or at festive events that take place near this date. They may wear t-shirts, socks, hats, glasses, and/or jewelry with a green theme. Irish sayings and shamrocks are a huge part of the designs. Touches of orange, gold, and white also make an appearance.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this sensory bin, gather the following economical and easy to find supplies:

white rice
gold coins and bells
green and rust necklaces
yellow and green gem rings
shamrock-themed bracelets
green bowl, spoon, and tongs
leprechaun legs
sensory tub

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The St. Patrick’s Jewelry Bin

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Pick a sensory tub for the activity. A serving tray will work for one or two children. I feature a food and tableware tub here, large enough for a few children to participate together.

Generously spread white rice on the bottom of the tub. The neutral base allows the accessories to “shine.”

Next, layer in the loose parts.

Lastly, press in the leprechaun legs.

Note: The leprechaun legs are taken from a St. Patrick’s Day wall plaque. A figurine would make a great substitution.

Early learners can explore the colors and textures of the jewelry, and wear it if they like. They will have fun with the gold coins and bells in the bin. And they may decide to find a way to trap the somewhat exposed leprechaun!

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To learn more about St. Patrick’s Day, view the blog post “St. Patrick’s Day” by National Geographic Kids.

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St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

March 6, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It’s as much fun setting up a sensory bin as watching young children eagerly explore one. And this St. Patrick’s Day woodland bin is no exception! The bin is one of my favorites created so far.

Leprechauns are mythical creatures thought to live in remote, woodland areas. They make shoes and enjoy playing music. The little tricksters especially love gold and hide their treasure in pots in the woods or at the end of the rainbow.

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Supplies To Collect

A few, easy to find items can be gathered for this bin. Included are:

brown lentils
gold play coins
green acrylic gems
wood slices
yellow and green crinkle paper
kraft crinkle paper
wooden tree and tiny forest creatures
green pot, tongs and spoon
gold bells
leprechaun leg decoration
white cardstock
dot markers
scissors
sensory tub

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The St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

First, cut a rainbow shape from a piece of white cardstock. Use dot markers to create a bright, colorful rainbow.

A bright dot marker rainbow to add to a sensory bin,

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Next, bunch up Kraft crinkle paper and add it to one section of the sensory bin of choice. In this post, I feature a white food and tableware storage tub.

Add the yellow and green crinkle paper to another part of the bin.

Tip: Crinkle paper is an economical filler, and can be used again in another sensory activity.

Then pour in a layer of brown lentils to generously cover the rest of the bottom of the bin.

Add the wooden tree and forest creatures.

Then sprinkle in gold coins and bells, wood slices, and green gems.

Drop in the pot, spoon, and tongs.

Finally, set in the leprechaun legs and paper rainbow.

Now the St. Patrick’s Day woodland bin is ready for your little learners to explore!

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Note:

Most of the supplies in this bin come from Dollar stores, so are economical finds. They get repurposed for other sensory bins, so are worth the investment.
The wooden leprechaun legs were taken from a wall plaque. Colored cardstock legs would make an excellent substitution.

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Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

March 5, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Try this stunning, easy-to-perform shamrock dissolving candy science experiment today! It brings a WOW factor.

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Lately, I cannot get enough of candy color science. So, in addition to previous endeavors, I tried a shamrock dissolving candy experiment. It’s got all the WOW factor similar experiments offer.

Since it is difficult to find a clear or white shamrock-shaped plate or pan, a shamrock outline taken from a St. Patrick’s Day wall decoration helps create the aesthetic appeal. And it does the job beautifully!

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies for a science experiment couldn’t be any easier to gather. Just four items are needed:

shamrock outline
striped green and white candies
round, square, or rectangular leak-proof tray
measuring cup

Steps to perform a shamrock dissolving candy science experiment that delivers a WOW factor.

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Performing The Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

First, set the shamrock outline in the center of a tray that is a little larger than the clover shape.

Next, position the striped candies next to each other around the inside of the shamrock.

Then, fill a 500 ml measuring cup with warm water.

Slowly pour the warm water into the tray, aiming for the area near the rim. Cover just the bottom of the tray with liquid.

Watch what happens!

This stunning, easy-to-perform shamrock dissolving candy science experiment delivers a WOW factor.

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After the color has spread from the candies into different patterns, a leprechaun could be floated in the center of the shamrock outline for added visual appeal.

The leprechaun is the finishing touch to this stunning, easy-to-perform shamrock dissolving candy science experiment.

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Participants may wish to taste the colored water. It will likely have a noticeable mint flavor. The candies will slowly dissolve, but a few could be scooped up for tasting as well.

Note: The shamrock outline can be washed and dried afterward, and used as a tracer.

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The Science Behind This Candy Science Experiment

The candies are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar (the center and rim of the tray.) When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

Water temperature is a variant in this experiment. Sugar dissolves quicker in warm water, and food coloring moves at a faster paste.

This science experiment is so easy to set up and has immediate results, perfect for little learners. And participants get to use their senses of sight, smell, taste, and touch. Try it today!

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Heart-Shaped Dissolving Candy Science

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Leprechaun Sensory Jar

March 4, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Leprechauns are notoriously hard to catch, but your little learner will be up to the task by making this leprechaun sensory jar. It has all the loose parts leprechauns love-especially gold!

Leprechauns are small, bearded legendary creatures who live in forests and woodlands. If you capture one of these sneaky, solitary men, he must grant three wishes to be let go again. For more leprechaun facts, visit my blog post “Leprechaun Sensory Play.”

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

To make this leprechaun sensory jar, gather the following loose parts:

wide-mouth plastic jar
green and yellow crinkle paper
rust and green necklaces
green beads cut from garland
foil shamrocks and pots of gold
shamrock, leprechaun hat, rainbow, and pot of gold erasers
small gold coins
jute twine string
leprechaun figurine

A tiny leprechaun is the highlight of this ready-to explore St. Patrick's Day loose parts tray.

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The jar I feature is a container saved from an acrylic gem purchase. A plastic mason jar would work well too.

The leprechaun figurine may take a little time to find (just like legendary ones!) Mine is a plant poke topper. If procuring one is difficult, a leprechaun sticker glued to a popsicle stick will do fine.

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Making The Leprechaun Sensory Jar

Gotcha! The mini trickster is caught in this leprechaun sensory jar.

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Set a clear plastic jar on a table, along with a tray of loose parts.

Invite your little learner to layer loose parts in the jar, saving the leprechaun for last.

Then have your little one tuck the leprechaun in the middle of the jar. Or leave the jar out overnight and secretly add the leprechaun later.

Screw on the lid and wrap jute string around the neck.

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This St. Patrick’s Day sensory jar can be made over and over again. The loose parts can be sorted back into the tray, and then layered back into the jar. Or when complete, the jar can be part of a tablescape and will make a great conversation starter.

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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Activities

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Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

March 16, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A fun rolling pin art project with three different looks. A process art painting activity on shamrocks the whole family can enjoy.

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This shamrock rolling pin art project is bound to get a little messy, and that means your little learner is sure to looove it! Shamrocks make an eye-pleasing subject for this process art activity.

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Supplies to Collect

green, yellow, and white tempera paint
rolling pins or paper towel rolls
large sheets of sturdy paper
paint containers and spoons
shamrock template

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Click here to download a shamrock template.

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Shamrock Rolling Pin Art Fun

Set out tempera paints in yellow, white, and shades of green. Invite your little learner to spoon dabs of paint over a paper shamrock.

Invitation to use a rolling pin as a painting tool.

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Then ask your little one to roll a rolling pin over the paint.

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A paper towel roll works well to move paint around too. On the shamrock below, a pattern of paint was spread vertically. Then a paper towel roll was rolled up and down to give the striped effect. There are diagonal lines left from the paper roll on the shamrock…I kind of like them!

Paper towel roll painting on a shamrock.

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The paint can also be splattered on diagonally, with the rolling pin to squish the paint around positioned the same way.

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Which shamrock art project do you like best? Leave a comment below.

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Rolling pin art with a diagonal stripe design.

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Leprechaun Sensory Play

March 14, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Leprechauns, shamrocks, pots of gold, and the color green are all associated with St. Patrick’s Day. And they make for super fun sensory play…especially the leprechauns! Here are two inexpensive, easy-to-put-together leprechaun sensory play activities.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Leprechaun Facts

Leprechauns are tiny, mischievous, gold-loving characters in Irish folklore.
Shoemaking is how leprechauns spend most of their time.
These entertaining, energetic, miniature men love to participate in dance parties and expertly play the tin whistle, fiddle, Bodhran, and Irish harp.
Underground caves or hollow tree trunks in rural Ireland are where these solitary characters are said to live.
Leprechauns love to collect gold and store it in pots in the remote countryside (or at the end of the rainbow.)
The speedy tricksters can vanish quickly, so are difficult to capture.
But if a leprechaun is caught, he must grant three wishes.
Leprechauns are known all over the world.

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Leprechaun Sensory Play

Here are two easy to set up leprechaun sensory trays:

Leprechaun Rice Tray

Gold coins, shamrocks, a money pot, and an oh-so tricky leprechaun are the highlights of this rice-based tray.

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Glutinous rice is the base for this tray. I love it because it is super white, and showcases the loose parts. Included are:

leprechaun figurine
money pot
tiny gold coins
white, green, and gold beads (because leprechauns like all kinds of treasure)
glittery, green hats (to collect any coins or gems that don’t fit into the pot)
shamrocks
St. Patrick’s Day greeting

The leprechaun is a repurposed plant poke topper. The other loose parts are snipped from inexpensive St. Patrick’s Day necklaces.

Shamrocks, gold coins, a money pot, and an oh-so tricky leprechaun are the highlights of this rice-based tray.

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Shamrock Confetti Tray

Instead of rice, generously sprinkled shamrock confetti with metallic gold pots added in is the base. The tray also includes a leprechaun, money pot, gold coins, beads, hats, and shamrocks.