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St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

March 16, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This St. Patrick's Day playdough tray will help children celebrate the special day. Two no-cook homemade playdough recipes are featured.
This St. Patrick's Day playdough tray will help children celebrate the special day. Two no-cook homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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It’s nice to have a new clump of playdough for every theme, and this recipe is my pick for St. Patrick’s Day. It is an easy-to-make, no-cook playdough that keeps well. In this post, the dough is showcased in a St. Patrick’s Day playdough tray.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Recipe

Shamrock leaves add interest to a St. Patrick's Day playdough invitation. Two homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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The white playdough in this post is a fantastic homemade no-cook variety. I discovered the recipe for it on The Artful Parent website. The green and yellow playdough varieties featured are a result of minor tweaks to the recipe.

For the deep green playdough, gather the following ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon green gel food color
  • 1/4 teaspoon glycerin (optional)
  • 1 cup boiling water

In a large metal bowl, measure the dry ingredients and mix them together.

Make a well in the center and add the oil, gel food color, and glycerin.

Boil water in a kettle and immediately add the liquid to the dry ingredients.

Stir the mixture well until all the ingredients are combined.

Let it sit for a bit until it firms up into a dough.

If the mixture is still a bit goopy after you have given it a few minutes to thicken, add a little more flour and stir again.

When cooled, knead the dough into a smooth ball and place it in a sealed bag.

Three different colors of playdough are featured in a St. Patrick's Day playdough tray for early learners to explore.

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To make the vivid yellow playdough, substitute yellow gel color for the green.

Glycerin is optional in the recipe but adds a little shine to the playdough.

Note: I’ve made the plain white no-cook playdough recipe several times, and never had to add more flour. But adding a little more flour at the end worked well for me this time when including gel food color in the recipe.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

Set out this fun St. Patrick's day playdough tray for your little learners to explore. Three different colors of playdough are featured.

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Collected for this fun playdough invitation are:

  • rainbow, shamrock, and leprechaun hat erasers
  • green buttons
  • metallic and wooden shamrocks
  • small shamrocks and gold coins
  • gold beads
  • green necklace garland
  • shamrock cookie cutters
These St. Patrick's Day-themed loose parts are perfect for a playdough tray or a sensory play experience.

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All the shiny loose parts, from the large shamrocks to the tiny coins, are cut from St. Patrick’s Day necklaces.

Themed erasers are always a great addition to a playdough tray, as are a variety of buttons.

Setting the playdough and loose parts on a party tray is an eye-appealing way to offer the St. Patrick’s Day playdough invitation.

Set out this fun St. Patrick's day playdough tray for your little learners to explore. Three different colors of playdough are featured.

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If you have a shamrock plant available, snip off a few leaves to add to each participant’s playdough experience.

Shamrock leaves add interest to a St. Patrick's Day playdough invitation. Two homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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More St. Patrick’s Day Activities

Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

Scissor Skill Shamrock Collage

St. Patrick’s Day Sheep Craft

St. Patrick’s Day Painted Shamrock

Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tub

Leprechaun Sensory Jar

St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Sensory Bin

St. Patrick’s Day Jewelry Bin

Leprechaun Sensory Play

St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

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This St. Patrick's Day playdough invitation will help children celebrate the special day. Two no-cook homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

Filed Under: playdough, preschool, St. Patrick's Day, themes Tagged With: loose parts, playdough, shamrocks, St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

March 15, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A green and gold St. Patrick's Day pretend play tablescape filled with themed play kitchen accessories to explore.
A green and gold St. Patrick's Day pretend play tablescape filled with themed play kitchen accessories to explore.

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A play kitchen is a must-have center in an early learning classroom and is a favorite place for little learners to play. Adding seasonal items to a play kitchen keeps it interesting and inviting. In March, a St. Patrick’s Day pretend play center is a perfect fit.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

Green and St. Patrick's Day-themed accessories for a dramatic play kitchen center your little learners will love to explore.

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For this center, I gathered mostly green items, with a few yellow and gold items added in. Included are:

  • St. Patrick’s Day disposable plates
  • cutlery
  • play food
  • stir sticks
  • reusable shamrock ice cubes
  • clear glasses
  • baskets, serving bowls, and ice cube tray
  • felt “pretzel” shamrocks
  • sheet pan with felt shamrock “cookies”
  • wooden shamrock “candies”
  • shamrock-shaped serving tray with buns
  • ping pong ball “buns” in a muffin tin
  • St. Patrick’s Day erasers
  • jar with coins, beads, and garland strips
  • large gem pebbles
  • leprechaun and bear table decorations
  • artificial flowers in a vase
Green and St. Patrick's Day-themed accessories for a dramatic play kitchen center your little learners will love to explore.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Center

In this post, most of the supplies are set on a play kitchen table. These supplies can also be arranged in the appliances and on the shelves.

A green and gold St. Patrick's Day pretend play tablescape filled with themed play kitchen accessories to explore.

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There are a variety of green and St. Patrick’s Day-themed loose parts in the table display. Little learners will use their imagination to incorporate the loose parts in their own ways.

The themed supplies are set on a gold tablecloth. In an earlier post, I showcased similar supplies on an orange tablecloth. I also featured them on a green table-a natural fit!

Many of the play kitchen accessories seen here are useful in other centers as well. They can be used on a light table, in a water table, or on a rice sensory tray.

A super fun, easy-to-set-up St. Patrick's Day dramatic play activity. Themed loose parts are the highlights of the pretend play set up.

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More Pretend Play Tablescapes

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Tablescape

Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Chinese New Year Tablescape

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: dramatic play, loose parts, pretend play

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

March 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This St. Patrick's Day light table is filled with green transparent loose parts and treasures little learners will love to explore.
This St. Patrick's Day light table is filled with green transparent loose parts and treasures little learners will love to explore.

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Setting up activities for the light table is one of my favorite things to do, and the light table is a well-loved center in our classroom. A perfect center for March, this St. Patrick’s Day light table setup is full of captivating loose parts for early learners to explore.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

This oh-so-green St. Patrick's Day light table activity filled with transparent loose parts is super fun for early learners to explore.

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The following transparent loose parts are gathered for this very green light table center:

  • light-up rubber bear
  • bear figurine
  • shamrocks
  • numbers
  • stir sticks
  • tiny cups
  • gem animal figurines
  • reusable shamrock ice cubes
  • shamrock serving tray
  • pebble-shaped gems
  • light-up shamrock necklaces
  • pair of party eyeglasses
  • construction toy
This oh-so-green St. Patrick's Day light table activity filled with transparent loose parts is super fun for early learners to explore.

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A vase with artificial flowers, a leprechaun figurine, and a pair of St. Patrick’s Day glasses round out the supplies on the table.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Center

This St. Patrick's Day light table is filled with green transparent loose parts and treasures little learners will love to explore.

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For this light-illuminated center, I started off by checking my St. Patrick’s Day supplies for green transparent objects. These have been collected over the years from Dollar stores and party supply stores.

Next, I scrounged through my tub of green loose parts for interesting things to add, selecting the light-up bear, transparent pebbles and stir sticks.

Then I looked through my light table supplies and gathered mostly green and a few yellow transparent objects, such as a bear figurine, transparent construction toys, numbers, and tiny animal figurines.

An opportunity to sort shamrocks on a St. Patrick's Day light table filled with green transparent loose parts.

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An opportunity to sort green loose parts on a St. Patrick's Day light table filled with transparent treasures to explore.

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Finally, on a recent trip to a dollar store I purchased two light-up necklaces. I included them after little learners had a week to explore the center, offering my little charges new items that continued their interest in this St. Patrick’s Day activity.

A green shamrock light-up necklace is a highlight in a St. Patrick's Day light table center.

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A green shamrock light-up necklace and pair of glasses are highlights in a St. Patrick's Day light table center.

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View this center as a St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Video.

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More Light Table Activities

St. Patrick’s Day Light Table Tray

Canada Day Light Table

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Light Table

Filed Under: light table, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: light table, loose parts, sensory play, St. Patrick's Day

Shamrock Leaf Print Art

March 12, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

How to make beautiful shamrock leaf print art with sprigs from an Oxalis Regnelli plant. An easy-to-do all-ages art project.
How to make beautiful shamrock leaf print art with sprigs from an Oxalis Regnelli plant. An easy-to-do all-ages art project.

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Shamrock leaf print art is an activity I’ve wanted to try for a few years now, and this spring I carved out time for it. The art project is easy and enjoyable to do, and I am sure you will like it too.

A good time to try this leaf print art activity is around St. Patrick’s Day, as shamrock plants are plentiful in stores then. The compound leaves on the plant look like the shamrock symbol that the country of Ireland is known for. Irish people think shamrocks represent good luck, and they are prominent in clothing, decorations, and tableware during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

An Oxalis Regnelli shamrock plant with compound leaves composed of three triangular leaflets.

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The shamrock plant I found is called Oxalis Regnellii, which comes from Africa and some parts of the Americas. It has delicate leaves with three triangle-shaped leaflets. The leaves fold up neatly on overcast days and anytime it is dark, and open up when they are exposed to sunlight. The tiny, white, long-stemmed flowers have five petals.

A tiny white flower on an Oxalis Regnellii plant.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this nature-based art project:

  • shamrock plant
  • green and purple acrylic or tempera paint
  • paint pots
  • paintbrushes
  • purple and green pencil crayons
  • all-purpose art paper
  • green and purple construction paper
  • newspaper or manila paper
  • magnifying glasses

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Making The Shamrock Leaf Print Art

Before using the shamrock leaves for printmaking, give participants a chance to study the plant. Offer magnifying glasses to view the leaves and dainty flowers with yellow stamens. Set the plant out in a sunny place and then put it in a dark area to see how its leaves fold down and spread out depending on how much sunlight the plant is getting.

To prepare the art activity, snip a few leaves off the plant to use for making paint prints.

Steps to make beautiful shamrock leaf print art. This is an easy-to-do all-ages nature art project

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Next, lay down newspaper sheets or a large piece of manilla paper for participants to work on.

Then add an art station with a sheet of all-purpose art paper, leaf sprig, paintbrush, and green acrylic paint for each participant. My paper size is an 11-inch x 14-inch inch sheet cut in half, creating a 7-inch x 11-inch piece to work on.

Note: Non-toxic tempera paint is a good choice for young children taking part in the activity.

Afterward, invite participants to brush the tops of the leaflets on their sprig thoroughly with green paint, flip the leaf over, and carefully press the painted sides down on the paper.  Have them gently rub their fingers over the leaflets and pat the edges down to transfer as much paint to the paper as possible.

Beautiful shamrock leaf print art with leaves from the Oxalis Regnelli plant. This is a nature art project that is perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

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Then ask everyone to slowly lift their leaf off the paper canvas and repaint it to make more leaf prints. The shamrock leaves are delicate, but when handled gently they can be used a few times. If someone’s leaf tears, offer a new sprig to use.

When the paint prints are dry, ask participants to use a pencil crayon to add stems to the leaves.

As a finishing touch, mount each shamrock leaf print art project on a similar-colored construction paper background.

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Making Purple Shamrock Leaf Print Art

A purple shamrock, called Oxalis Triangularis, has similarly shaped leaves and flowers as the Oxalis Regnallii. This purple shamrock showcases deep purple, dark-edged leaves that respond to darkness and light in the same way.

With purple acrylic or tempera paint, let participants create shamrock prints just as they were made in green.

Beautiful shamrock leaf print art with leaves from the Oxalis Regnelli plant. This is a nature art project that is perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

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If there are any leaves left on the plant after the printmaking activity is done, add them to a playdough activity. Or have someone without pets take the plant home to care for.

Note: All Oxalis plants are toxic to dogs, cats, and grazing animals such as horses and must be kept out of their reach. These plants are slightly toxic to humans. Make sure to supervise all shamrock leaf activities closely so that no one ingests the leaves.

How to make beautiful shamrock leaf print art with sprigs from an Oxalis Regnelli plant. An easy-to-do all-ages art project.

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Related:

Horse Chestnut Leaf Art Activities

Maple Leaf Activities

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[Read more…] about Shamrock Leaf Print Art

Filed Under: art, playdough, preschool, science, sensory, spring, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: art, leaf prints, leaves, printmaking, shamrocks, St. Patrick's Day

Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

March 17, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

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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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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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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.

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

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Related: Shamrock Rolling Pin Art

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[Read more…] about Crayon Resist Watercolor Shamrock

Filed Under: art, literacy, preschool, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: painting, shamrocks, St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

March 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This St. Patrick's Day tablescape is filled with green and gold loose parts, perfect for encouraging imaginative play.
This St. Patrick's Day tablescape is filled with green and gold loose parts, perfect for encouraging imaginative play.

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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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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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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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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: loose parts, pretend play, sensory play, shamrocks, tablescapes

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.
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.

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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Related:  Transparent Page Divider Activities

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

Filed Under: light table, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: leprechauns, light, light table, loose parts, sensory bin, sensory play, sensory tray

Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

March 14, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

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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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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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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.

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

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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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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Sheep Craft

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[Read more…] about Shamrock Paper Plate Lion

Filed Under: art, crafts, preschool, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: animal crafts, lions, paper plate crafts

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Bin

March 8, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A fun St. Patrick's jewelry bin with bling! Loose parts include a set of leprechaun legs to elevate the sensory experience.
A fun St. Patrick's jewelry bin with bling! Loose parts include a set of leprechaun legs to elevate the sensory experience.

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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

A fun St. Patrick's jewelry bin with bling! Loose parts include a set of leprechaun legs to elevate the sensory experience.

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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!

A fun St. Patrick's jewelry bin with bling! Loose parts include a set of leprechaun legs to elevate the sensory experience.

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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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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Jewelry Bin

Filed Under: preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: jewelry, leprechauns, rice bin, sensory bin, sensory play, St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

March 6, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.
Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

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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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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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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
Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

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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!

Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

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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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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

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Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

_______

[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

Filed Under: art, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: forest, leprechauns, loose parts, sensory bin, sensory play

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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!

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