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Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Polar Bear Small World

February 22, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A professional stage light adds ambiance to this inviting northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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Two of the most majestic things to see in the Arctic are polar bears and northern lights. It is not uncommon to spot them depicted together in far north artworks. A memory of an award-winning painting of polar bears trekking across a snowy landscape lit up by northern lights is what inspired this lighted polar bear small world.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

This polar bear small world is inspired by northern lights, which are often visible in Arctic skies at night.

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To set up a mesmerizing polar bear small world, gather together the following supplies:

  • polar bear figurines
  • LED stage light
  • white pompoms
  • acrylic snowflakes
  • clear acrylic ice cubes
  • silver placemat
  • turquoise placemat
  • toy igloo, ice floe, tent, and snow vehicle
  • white tablecloth
  • scissors

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The Polar Bear Small World

A professional stage light adds interest to this northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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To put together this polar bear-themed small world, start by covering a table with a white tablecloth to create a “snowy” base.

Next, add placemats to represent ice and water. A silver placemat suggests ice. A turquoise placemat trimmed with scissors becomes “a body of water.”

Then set up a LED stage light at one end of the table.

Afterward, add polar bear figurines, pompom “snowballs,” acrylic snowflakes, and clear ice cubes.

If available, include arctic toys such as an igloo, ice floe, research tent, and snow vehicle. These will add imaginary play possibilities to the small world.

Finally, turn on the LED stage light to illuminate the scene. You can set the stage light to one color, or have it project alternating colors such as green, blue, red, and purple.

A professional stage light adds interest to this northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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For a stunning art activity and facts about northern lights, view the blog post “Northern Lights Squish Painting.”

To learn facts about polar bears and other arctic animals, visit the blog post “Arctic Animal Sensory Trays.”

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A professional stage light adds ambiance to this inviting northern lights-inspired polar bear small world.

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Related:

Winter Playdough Recipe

Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Igloo Camping Pretend Play

Winter-themed Treasure Blocks

Winter Sensory Trays

Painting Ice and Snow

Ice Drum Musical Instruments

Winter Wreath Craft

Frozen-Inspired Shadow Box

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Play Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Polar Bear Small World

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, science, sensory, winter Tagged With: light, northern lights, polar bears, small worlds

Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

February 18, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouette outdoor transient art activity. Facts about snow are included in the post.

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If you are looking for an exciting and easy outdoor winter art activity, this spray paint snowflake silhouette project is a great choice.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies to Collect

An invitation to create a spray paint snowflake silhouette outdoors. A quick and easy transient art activity with stunning results.

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On a day when there is fresh snow on the ground outdoors, gather the following supplies:

  • spray bottles
  • red, blue, green, and yellow food colors
  • large snowflake decoration
  • small towel
  • tray

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The Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette Activity

A beautiful blue background snowflake silhouette created with a spray paint technique. A quick and easy ourdoor transient art activity.

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This painting activity works best when there is a fresh layer of snow on the ground.

To do the art activity, fill spray bottles used only for craft activities at least half full of water. Then add a few drops of food color in each one, and mix it in. I use red, blue, green, and yellow food coloring.

Next, select a large snowflake decoration. I feature an economical 12-inch plastic one purchased at a dollar store.

Afterward, place the colored water-filled spray bottles, the snowflake decoration, and a small towel on a tray.

Then invite participants outside and take the tray of supplies with you.

Gather around a smooth patch of snow that no one has stepped over and gently place the snowflake decoration down.

Have everyone take turns spraying food color paint around the edges of the snowflake.

Afterward, gently lift the decoration off of the snow and admire the beautiful white snowflake silhouette.

A beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouette outdoor transient art activity. Facts about snow are included in the post.

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Wipe the decoration down with a towel and lay it down on another spot. Spray-paint the snow around it again. Drying the snowflake template is a tip I learned after trying this red background silhouette. There are a few drops of other colors on the red-framed flake as the decoration was used in the previous snowflake design.

A beautiful red background snowflake silhouette created with a spray paint technique. A quick and easy ourdoor transient art activity.

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If you have enough snowflake decorations and spray paint bottles, invite participants to spray paint their own snowflake silhouette.

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Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette Benefits

In this snowflake painting activity, squirting a spray bottle develops finger muscles. And participants get the opportunity to create beautiful transient art outdoors during the winter season working cooperatively or on their own.

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Spray Painting Snow Indoors

An invitation to spray paint snow indoors. This is a super fun winter transient art invitation.

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Originally, I hoped to offer this spray paint snowflake silhouette activity indoors. I  filled a round tub with snow and got the colored water spray paints ready. But the snow was too sticky and hard, and I couldn’t achieve a smooth snow surface to lay the snowflake decoration down on. But even without a snowflake decoration, the snow is enjoyable to spray paint indoors.

Take snow indoors and invite early learners to spray paint it with food coloring paint. A quick and easy sensory activity.

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Fun Facts About Snow

Snow is composed of many snowflakes. Tiny ice crystals clump together to make each snowflake.

The light reflecting off snow makes it appear white.

In cold weather, snow is powdery, while in warm weather it is sticky.

New snow absorbs sound waves, resulting in a quiet atmosphere.

Snow creates a wonderful playground for activities such as making snowballs, snow angels, snow forts, and snowmen.

Snow contains 95 % trapped air, and is a great insulator for animals who burrow under it.

When snow melts, it makes 1/10th the amount of water.

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A spray paint snowflake silhouette created outdoors. A quick and easy transient art activity with stunning results.

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Related:

Winter Playdough Recipe

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Igloo Camping Pretend Play

Polar Bear Small World

Winter Sensory Trays

Painting Ice and Snow

Winter Wreath Paper Plate Craft

Ice Drum Musical Instruments

Frozen-Inspired Shadow Box

Scissor Skill Snow Cutting Activities

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Play Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

Filed Under: art, preschool, science, winter Tagged With: painting, snow, snowflakes, transient art

Snowman Theme Color Experiment

February 17, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Try this magic creamer color experiment using half-and-half coffee cream. An easy-to-do science experiment with stunning results.

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It’s been a while back, but I promised to try the always-fun magic milk experiment with homo milk or cream. So here’s a post about a magic creamer snowman theme color experiment.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Watch the colors swirl and change in this stunning magic creamer color experiment. This is a crowd-pleasing science experiment.

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Supplies Collected

Collected in this winter-themed version is:

  • snowman cake pan
  • half-and-half (10% milk fat) creamer
  • red, yellow, and blue food coloring
  • liquid dish soap

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The Snowman Theme Color Experiment

Watch the colors swirl and change in this stunning magic creamer color experiment. This easy-to-do science experiment is sure to be a topic for conversation.

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To perform this easy science experiment, pour a layer of half and half (10% milk fat) creamer into a cake pan or small bin. My pick for this experiment is a snowman cake pan. It is medium-sized and fits the amount of liquid I have on hand.

Note: Half and half cream is equal parts whole milk and light cream. It isn’t near as creamy as whipping cream but is creamier than the milk I’ve featured in past experiments. It is commonly used as a coffee creamer.

Next, add drops of red, yellow, and blue food coloring around the pan.

Then add drops of liquid dish soap onto some of the food coloring patches. The colors will immediately swirl around and make new color designs.

Close up, the color changes look super stunning.

A close-up view of the immerging designs created in a magic creamer color experiment. This easy science experiment is a crowd-pleaser.

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After the color movement slows down, check back occasionally and you will see new color patterns immerge. The color designs will keep changing for at least half an hour.

Watch the colors swirl and change in this stunning magic creamer color experiment. This easy-to-do science experiment is sure to be a topic for conversation.

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At this time, try adding a few more drops of food coloring. I try to make a snowman face and buttons.

Add more dish detergent drops and watch the colors move and change again.

Try this magic creamer color experiment using half-and-half coffee cream. An easy-to-do science experiment with stunning results.

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Interpreting This Color-Changing Science Experiment

Although half-and-half (10% milk fat) creamer is made of a significant amount of water, it also contains fat and protein. These are both sensitive to changes in the liquid. When dish soap is added to the pan, it breaks up the surface tension of the half-and-half liquid and is attracted to the fat molecules. The fat molecules try to scurry away but end up bonding with the soap molecules. The movement of the food coloring makes this process visible. As more and more soap and fat molecules bond, the color movement slows down and eventually stops.

Watch the colors swirl and change in this stunning magic creamer color experiment. This is a crowd-pleasing science experiment.

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Fat content in the half-and-half creamy liquid is super important in this science experiment.

The colors in the half-and-half coffee creamer experiment move at a slightly slower rate than 2% or 1 % milk, both of which I’ve tried successfully before. All three liquids show stunning color-swirling results.

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Related:

Color Explosion Science Experiment

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[Read more…] about Snowman Theme Color Experiment

Filed Under: preschool, science, sensory, winter Tagged With: color, color experiment, science experiment, snowmen

Honeycomb Cereal Necklace Lacing

February 11, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A fun honeycomb cereal necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice. An all-ages craft.

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Honeycomb cereal is tasty to eat, but is also super fun to use in a craft activity. In this post, the craft idea is honeycomb cereal necklace lacing.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Honeycomb Cereal “Snowflake” Necklace

With its six sides, each honeycomb makes a nice “snowflake.” And having holes, the cereal is perfect for lacing a “snowflake” necklace.

A thin lacing cord works best for threading honeycomb. In fact, the thinner the cord the better.

Older children may enjoy the challenge of lacing each honeycomb down one side and up the other. And they can make a game of it by seeing who can string the most honeycomb cereal in the shortest amount of time.

For younger children, it’s best to suggest lacing through the center hole.

A fun and tasty lacing honeycomb cereal activity for little learners.

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Some honeycomb pieces have holes that are too small to thread lacing cord through, so they are perfect for snacking on.

Stretching the cord while working may break a few, but again, the honeycomb bits are just another excuse for snacking on the tasty morsels!

After some practice, this first string of honeycomb is ready to be tied as a necklace.

A fun honeycomb cereal "snowflake" necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice.

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More Honeycomb Cereal Necklace Lacing

Naturally, it’s hard to stop after lacing just one string of honeycomb cereal. Here’s a pink version for Valentine’s Day.

A fun honeycomb necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice.

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And below is a version for a bumblebee theme, the most natural fit for honeycomb cereal.

A fun honeycomb cereal necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice. An all-ages craft

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Finally, since the lacing cord comes in Easter colors and I have a few jube bunnies hanging around, the chewy treats are included in a necklace craft photo.

A fun honeycomb cereal necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice. An all-ages craft

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Lacing honeycomb cereal is a perfect opportunity to practice eye-hand coordination and fine motor control while casually snacking on the flavorful cereal.

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A fun bee theme honeycomb cereal necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice.

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Related:

Bunny Candy Art

Silhouette Easter Bunnies

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[Read more…] about Honeycomb Cereal Necklace Lacing

Filed Under: Easter, Food Art, preschool, sensory, Valentine's Day, winter Tagged With: fine motor activity, food art, jewelry

Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

February 9, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Penguins are well-loved animals and are a popular subject for art activities and sensory bins. Here they get a further notice in a penguin pretend play tablescape.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

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My preschoolers love to discover seasonal loose parts in a dramatic play center.  And just a few themed accessories and matching loose parts make for engaging learning through play. Supplies collected for this penguin-themed tablescape are:

  • crafted foam penguins
  • penguin coasters and cookie tin
  • muffin tin and cupcake liners with a penguin theme
  • mini penguin erasers
  • penguin ice cube tray
  • black bowls, baskets, trays, and serving spoon
  • white spoons and forks
  • clear cups and faux ice cubes
  • black and white plaid styrofoam balls
  • red, black, and white stuffed felt hearts
  • black and white letter tiles
  • cotton balls
  • white buttons and pearl beads
  • black and white gift box, placemat, and striped straws
  • play food fish and eggs
  • penguin themed key chains
  • white tablecloth

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The Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Even though we have snow in our area well into March most years, penguin-themed supplies are usually only available in fall or early December. If you see them, you buy them because there is no guarantee you will spot them again.

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In this bin, the penguin-themed coasters, cookie tin, and ice cube tray are dollar store finds.

Black bowls, serving spoons, and trays as well as white forks and spoons fit the color scheme.

Mini penguin erasers and penguin-themed cupcake liners add character to the theme.

Crafted foam penguins and stuffed felt hearts make great play cookies.

Penguins eat fish and lay eggs, so fish and egg play food is a good fit.

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A black and white gift box and placemat add design elements. The letter tiles give the opportunity to spell the word “penguin.”

A mound of cotton balls is a reminder of the snowy environment most penguins live in.

The penguin-themed key chains make great dinner party favors.

Black and/or white loose parts such as buttons, straws, pearl beads, and cloth-covered styrofoam balls round out the supplies.

All accessories are set on a white tablecloth.

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This penguin-themed pretend play tablescape is a good example of how a few themed supplies and inexpensive complimentary loose parts offer many dramatic play opportunities.

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Related Posts:

Arctic Animal Facts And Sensory Trays

Penguin Small World

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[Read more…] about Penguin Pretend Play Tablescape

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, sensory, winter Tagged With: dramatic play, penguins, pretend play

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