Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center

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Unicorns are majestic imaginary creatures who have inspired many gorgeous artworks. They add beauty to clothing and are captivating subjects in children’s picture books. They “have a moment” in this Unicorn Store dramatic play center. It’s a fitting center for International Unicorn Day, noted on April 9 each year, and would be a huge hit any time.

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Supplies in the Unicorn Store

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The following supplies are in this fun-filled Unicorn Store dramatic play center:

  • unicorn figurines, toys, and finger puppets
  • unicorn head reusable ice cubes
  • disposable unicorn tray and plates
  • unicorn cups
  • unicorn stickers and sensory bag
  • play cupcakes
  • erasers
  • reusable ice cube diamonds and stars
  • play money
  • unicorn-themed gift bags

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The Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center

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Most of the items in this Unicorn Store display purple, pink, turquoise, and white colors. These hues are popular in unicorn supplies.

Unicorn figurines, finger puppets, and other toys are showcased in the center. Dollar stores feature these types of accessories for economical prices.

The unicorn-themed plates, cups, and tray were beautiful finds at a party supply store.

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Unicorn artwork commonly includes stars, diamonds, rainbows, flowers, butterflies, and cupcakes. These items are included in the center in arty erasers, reusable ice cubes, and play food.

Unicorn-themed gift bags are beauties to behold and several gorgeous designs are in the center.

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The play money is adorned with unicorn-themed stickers. This is inspired by a 15th-century Scottish king who had gold coins with unicorn images made.

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Benefits of the Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center

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A primary interest in setting up this store for my little learners was to honor their interest in unicorns and give them a chance to observe and play with beautiful supplies. The center has many other benefits. Children can:

  • count and sort unicorns.
  • take turns being a storekeeper and customer.
  • label and describe store supplies.
  • count and use play coins.
  • develop their imagination while using the supplies.

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More Unicorn Activities

Unicorn Watercolor Art
Unicorn Playdough Tray
Unicorn Theme Sensory Play
Unicorn Marble Painting
Unicorn Puppet Craft

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Easter Store Dramatic Play Center

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With so many topics to explore for Easter and an endless supply of accessories available to purchase or thrift, it is easy to set up an Easter Store dramatic play center. Your little learners will be excited to explore the spring-themed store.

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Easter Store Supplies

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The following supplies are in the fun-filled store:

  • fillable eggs
  • Easter baskets and grass
  • cookie cutters
  • egg cups and egg platter
  • bendable bunnies
  • bunny bowling pins
  • chick and bunny finger puppets
  • fillable bunnies
  • bunny ornaments
  • bunny-themed glasses
  • disposable Easter plates
  • tic tac toe game
  • erasers
  • wall plaques
  • gift bags
  • cash register and play money
  • posters with Easter greetings
  • Easter Store sign

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The Easter Store Dramatic Play Center

An Easter store play center is the perfect opportunity to display a variety of Easter eggs. Metallic, pastel, transparent, painted, camouflage, patterned, and glitter eggs are featured in the store.

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Along with the eggs, Easter baskets and grass in various hues add plentiful color to the center. Little shoppers can fill their baskets with eggs, grass, and other items in the store.

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Egg cups and an egg serving platter offer opportunities for eye-hand coordination.

Bunny-themed ornaments and bunnies that are fillable or bendable add to the fun in the center.

Easter-themed hacky sack balls, a tic tac toe game, and bunny bowling pins allow for games to be played.

Easter-themed cookie cutters, erasers, disposable plates, and plaques are more accessory choices to purchase.

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Easter animal finger puppets and play glasses offer opportunities for additional dramatic play.

Egg-shaped storage boxes and Easter gift bags hold the children’s purchases.

Easter posters, an Easter Store sign, a cash register and play money round out the supplies in the store.

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Benefits of the Easter Store Dramatic Play Center

This Easter Store play center offers young children many benefits. Little learners have the opportunity to:

  • practice taking turns roleplaying a storekeeper and customer.
  • make decisions about what to purchase.
  • strengthen hand muscles and eye-hand coordination by placing objects in baskets and bags.
  • count and use play money.
  • recognize and label colors of eggs, baskets, and Easter grass.
  • play games, try on Easter glasses, and use finger puppets.

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What are your thoughts? Share in a comment below.

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More Easter Activities

Easter Playdough Tray

Easter Bunny Sensory Bins

Easter Transient Art

Easter Bunny Light Table

Spring Basket Cupcakes

Bunny Candy Art

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Origami Heart Wreath

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This origami heart wreath features skin-toned paper-folded hearts with a 3D effect. Make this exquisite wreath craft during Black History Month or save it for a Celebrate Diversity theme. Changing the color scheme makes it a standout Valentine’s Day craft.

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Origami Heart Wreath Supplies

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Gather the following supplies for this meaningful easy-to-make paper craft:

  • 6-inch x 6-inch origami paper in skin tones
  • 9-inch thin paper plate
  • 1 ½ inch wide wired craft ribbon
  • scissors
  • glue gun

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Making the Origami Heart Wreath

To create this heart wreath craft cut the middle out of a thin cardboard paper plate. This leaves a rim of about 1 ¾ inch wide.

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Next, gather 8 sheets of 6-inch x 6-inch origami paper in various skin-toned hues and fold the paper into origami hearts. An easy-to-follow YouTube video by EZOrigami shows how to make paper hearts.

Origami Heart (Folding Instructions)

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Afterward, adhere the hearts on the paper plate rim with a glue gun, leaving a little room on the bottom for a bow.

Finally, fold the wired craft ribbon into a bow and hot glue it on the wreath. 1 ½ inch wide craft ribbon with an animal print is showy and works nicely with the skin-toned hearts.

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Related: Origami Heart Valentines

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Black History Month Mixed Media Art

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Black History Month is observed in February in the United States and Canada. It is a time to celebrate the creativity and achievements of Black people and their communities by participating in activities and discussions. This Black History Month mixed media art project draws attention to the beauty of black women’s hair. The craft features a unique technique for creating curly hair.

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Supplies To Collect

For this mixed media art project that pays homage to Black History Month, gather the following:

  • black yarn
  • brown, orange, and green construction paper
  • 14-inch x 16-inch sheet of white construction paper
  • 1 ½ inch wide wired craft ribbon
  • white glue
  • black fine point marker
  • parchment paper
  • scissors and pencil
  • glue stick and glue gun
  • disposable plate
  • measuring cup
  • spoon
  • tray

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Starting the Mixed Media Art Project

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To begin this art project, draw a side view of a woman’s head on brown construction paper and cut it out.

Next, draw and cut out one ear from the same sheet of paper, and the top of a t-shirt from orange construction paper.

Then draw a few lines on the ear with a black fine-point marker to add detail.

After this step, cut two small triangles from green and orange sturdy paper to fit together as an earring.

Then cut two strips of wired craft ribbon, one measuring 12 inches long, and the other measuring 9 inches long.

Next comes the part that may be the most fun: creating the curly yarn hair. To fashion the hair, complete the following steps:

1) Draw a silhouette outline of the hair in the middle of a large sheet of parchment paper. Then place the parchment paper on a tray.

2) Mix one-half cup of white glue with one-half cup of water on a disposable plate.

3) Using a spoon, press down a long piece of black yarn in the gooey white mixture to completely cover it in glue.

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4) Slowly lift the yarn out of the thinned glue and spread it around the hair outline in swirls. Add a second layer of swirled yarn and gently press it down on the first layer so the yarn sticks to itself when dry. Add a few straight lines at the hairline.

5) Let the sculptured yarn hair dry for one or two days. When dry it lifts off the parchment paper easily.
Note: The glue-soaked yarn hair may look grey at first, but will appear black again as it dries.

This swirled yarn art process was a must-try for me after viewing an informative September 4. 2024 Instagram post by mykidsartbox.

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Assembling the Black History Month Art

Now it is time to assemble the gorgeous art activity. Complete the following steps:

1) Select a large piece of sturdy paper to glue all the arty shapes onto. I feature paper cut to a 14-inch x 16-inch size.

2) Position the crafted pieces on the background paper and note where they look best. Drawing light pencil lines to mark the perfect spot for each shape makes this easier and the lines can be erased at the end.

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3) Use a glue stick to adhere the head, ear, triangular earring, and shirt portion to the paper.

4) Carefully affix the curly hair over and above the face with a glue gun.

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5) Fashion two strips of wired craft ribbon into a knotted headband. Cut the ribbon ends to the correct size and fold in the outer edges to fit around the yarn hair above the hairline.

6) Use the glue gun to adhere the headband over and above the bottom edge of the curly hair.

7) Add a caption for Black History Month if desired.

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When making the Black History Month mixed media art project, feel free to work with a color scheme of your choice. What do you think of this activity?

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Related: Black History Month Hair Decorating Art

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Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft

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While paging through a small book with elephant facts, I realized that elephants are a glowing symbol of kindness. And since kindness is a theme of Pink Shirt Day, this Pink Shirt Day necklace craft was one of my activities for last year’s annual anti-bullying day.

Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day is held on the last Wednesday in February every year in many countries. It originated in Canada in 2007 when a boy was teased in school for wearing a pink shirt. In response, two other boys bought a host of pink shirts and gave them to classmates. The rosy t-shirts symbolized anti-bullying, and since then many people have worn pink shirts on Pink Shirt Day. Last year more than 110 countries celebrated the anti-bullying themed day.

Elephants Are Kind

Elephants are a symbol of kindness. They are super smart creatures and seem to have feelings similar to ours. They exchange hugs with their heads and trunks. They spread their ears wide when walking with their young, making sure they shield them from danger. They help other elephants who are sad, sick, or hurt.

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Supplies to Collect

Along with pink shirts, a pink elephant necklace craft to symbolize kindness makes a great addition to Pink Shirt Day activities. To assemble the simple elephant necklace, collect the following:

  • pink craft foam sheet or cardstock
  • elephant template
  • adhesive gem stickers
  • necklace cord
  • scissors and pencil
  • hole punch

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Pink Shirt Day Necklace Craft Directions


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To make this kindness craft, start by tracing and cutting an elephant from pink cardstock or a sheet of pink craft foam.

Next, cut off a 26-inch strip (or longer) from the elastic necklace cord.

Then punch a hole in the upper middle of the elephant.

Loop the cord through the hole.

Then decorate the elephant with adhesive sticker gems.

Finally, securely tie the ends of the necklace cord, adjusting the length of the cord if necessary.

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Elephant Facts Printable

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To complement the kindness elephant necklace craft, here is a free printable to download. At preschool, I sent the handout home with the jewelry craft.

Elephant Facts PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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My preschoolers loved this necklace craft and were eager to wear it. One little boy wore his necklace many days during the remainder of the school year. Will you give this craft a try?

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Related: Pink Shirt Day Dramatic Play

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