Putting The Pretty In Preschool – Page 3 – Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Spin Painting Butterflies

May 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

There are few art projects that are more exciting and fun than spin painting. And using a salad spinner is an easy and low mess way to create spin art. I’ve featured this painting technique in a few projects on my blog. In this post, I feature spin painting butterflies.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this art x science painting activity:

salad spinner
butterfly template
cardstock paper
pipe cleaners
tempera paint
paint pots
spoons
tape
white glue or glue gun

_______

Creating Spin Painting Butterflies

To create the spin art butterflies, design a butterfly template and trace it onto cardstock paper in the color of your choice. It is optimal for the butterflies to be the size of the bottom of the salad spinner. To help figure out the correct size, trace the bottom of the salad spinner basket onto a piece of paper. Lay the butterfly template on the circle and adjust its size if needed.

Then add a little piece of rolled-up tape to the bottom of one paper butterfly, and position it securely in the salad spinner basket.

Next, pour tempera paint colors of choice into paint pots. Add a little white or yellow paint to brighten up the colors if desired.

Afterward, spoon blobs of paint in a variety of colors onto the butterfly.

_______

Then spin the salad spinner at a moderate rate. It is ideal for the butterfly to remain on the bottom of the spinner. Spinning it super fast may loosen the butterfly resulting in it sticking to the side of the basket. This will smudge up the paint.

Next, open the spinner and carefully lift out the butterfly. Remove the tape and let it dry.

Finally, cut out a one-piece butterfly head, thorax, and abdomen from a complementary piece of sturdy paper, and bend a pipe cleaner length into antennae. Glue both to the center of the butterfly using white glue or a glue gun.

Oh-so-fun salad spinner butterfly art activity. An easy-to-do, all-ages art activity.

_______

Invite each person participating in this activity to create one or two spin art butterflies.

_______

Spin Painting Butterfly Variations

After spinning the salad spinner the first time, you can choose to drop in more paint and spin again.

Create this spin painting butterfly in a few easy steps. This is a process art activity everyone in the family will love.

_______

After the first spin cycle, the butterfly in the above picture turned out mostly yellow. With a little more paint added and another round or two of spinning, the butterfly is more colorful.

If the butterfly does stick to the side and the paint is smudged, make a print with it on a new piece of paper. Cut the butterfly out and use doubled sided tape to secure it onto a new piece of paper for a 3D effect. Add a cardstock frame for a finishing touch.

Butterfly paint prints look stunning when displayed on a cardstock background.

_______

And gluing a painted butterfly, ribbon, and bead garland to a dowel makes an awesome butterfly wand.

Beautiful spin painitng butterfly wand craft your little learners will love. An all-ages process art project.

_______

The Science Behind Salad Spinner Art

Centrifugal force is used in creating salad spinner art. When the salad spinner is spun around, centrifugal force pushes the paint away from the center to the edges of the butterfly.

_______

How to create beautiful spin painting butterflies with a salad spinner. This is a super fun process art activity everyone will enjoy.

_______

Related:

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Salad Spinner Heart Art

_______

[Read more…]

Tea Party Sensory Play

May 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Easy-to-set-up tea party sensory trays for water or rice bin play. Miniature tea sets are the highlights of the sensory play.

_______

These tea party sensory play ideas provide possibilities for easy, affordable, and fun learning through play. Only a few low-cost supplies are needed for the activities.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Tea Party Sensory Play Supplies

Here are the supplies for easy-to-set-up, engaging tea party sensory play:

toy tea sets
measuring cup
container for water
low edged trays
toy fruit counters
fruit-themed reusable ice cubes
play food cookies, cupcakes, and squares
rice
waterproof apron
spill proof tablecloth
water supply

_______

A black, red, and white theme sets the tone for a super inviting tea party water play sensory invitation.

_______

Preparing For Tea Party Sensory Play

To prepare this sensory activity, first, cover a table with a spill-proof tablecloth.

Next, select a toy tea set, a container for water, and a few play food fruits or desserts and set them on a tray on the table.

Then fill the container and teapot with water.

Now this tea party play invitation is ready to explore. Setting up for a sensory activity couldn’t be any easier!

_______

Tea Party Sensory Play Variations

Larger and smaller tea sets and fruit and dessert play food are options to add variety to tea party sensory play.

This black and white diagonally striped placemat enhances the visual appeal.

_______

A silver-edged, gilded mirror tray exudes elegance.

This silver-edged, gilded mirror tray is paired with a dainty miniature tea set for super inviting tea party water play.

_______

A shiny aluminum foil pizza pan is an inviting alternative and the larger tea cups have more room to hold fruit.

Toy fruit counters add interest to this easy-to-set-up tea party water play sensory invitation for early learners.

_______

The dainty miniature dollar store tea set below is super affordable and little learners love to handle the tiny pieces.

Tea party water play is extra inviting with a miniature tea set on this silveredged gilded mirror tray.

_______

For more variety, offer a tea set and accessories in a rice bin or tray.

Dessert playfood and a toy tea set are inviting to play with when set in a rice-based sensory bin.

_______

Dessert playfood and a miniature toy tea set are inviting to play with when set in a rice-based sensory bin.

_______

Eye-hand coordination, practice with self-help skills, exploring capacity, language development, and just plain fun are goals for these sensory activities.

Tea party sensory play is perfect for Mother’s Day or any time of the year. And it works fabulously for outdoor playtime.

_______

Strawberry Hot Chocolate Bin

Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin

_______

[Read more…]

Popcorn Spice Mother’s Day Craft

May 13, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A simple and aromatic Mother's Day craft that is super fun to make. Use spices, sesonings or herbs for this sensory craft activity,

_______

This simple and aromatic popcorn spice Mother’s Day craft is so fun to make. And it really caters to the sense of smell. Warning: there may be a few sneezes while doing this activity!

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies Used In The Craft

The following easy-to-find supplies are used in this spicy craft:

popcorn seasonings: butter salt, jalapeno cheddar, ketchup, and all dressed
small bowls and spoons
dessert plates
brown cardstock paper
cream-colored cardstock paper
scissors and pencil
glue stick
tablecloth

_______

The Popcorn Spice Mother’s Day Craft

To make this craft, first, cover a table with a washable tablecloth.

Next, trace and cut out four “wooden spoons” from brown cardstock paper. Use the printable below for the spoons or design your own.

_______

Spoon PrintableDownload

_______

Then spoon popcorn seasonings into small bowls.

Four popcorn seasoning flavors for an aromatic Mother's Day craft project.

_______

Afterward, use a glue stick to spread a thick layer of glue on the head of a spoon.

Next, hold the paper spoon over a dessert-sized plate and sprinkle a generous amount of popcorn seasoning on it.

Then shake off excess seasoning and let the spoon dry.

An oh-so-easy and fun popcorn seasoning Mother's Day craft to do in one sitting. Explore the sense of smell with this aromatic craft activity.

_______

Repeat the process with all the spoons and seasonings.

Then use the glue stick to affix the spoons to a paper background.

_______

Finally, add the words “You Spice Up My Life” and “Happy Mother’s Day.” Feel free to use the template below for this craft.

Mother's Day craft template for an aromatic keepsake project for mom.

_______

Spiced Mother’s Day Craft PrintableDownload

_______

This template is perfect for grandma.

Mother's Day craft template for an aromatic keepsake project for grandma.

_______

Spicy Mother’s Day Craft TemplateDownload

_______

The bright yellow butter salt and ketchup seasonings add pops of color to the craft. Herbs or other spices could be substituted. What seasonings would you use?

_______

Mother’s Day Floral Craft

Mother’s Day Crafts And Gifts

_______

[Read more…]

Dot Marker Easter Bunnies

April 8, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

These dot marker Easter bunnies are easy and fun to create. This project is the third in a series of silhouette bunny canvas art activities on my blog, all completed with dot markers. Long-eared fluffy-tailed bunnies make the perfect subject for the art technique.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Try making these dot marker silhouette bunnies in a few different colors. This easy-to-do bunny art project displays well.

_______

Using dot markers on a canvas board is a satisfying way to create art. Gather the following supplies to do it:

6-inch x 8-inch canvas board
non-toxic dot markers
bunny silhouette template
pipe cleaners
wiggly eyes
buttons
scissors and pencil
glue gun or white glue

_______

Making the Dot Marker Canvas Art Project

Steps to create bunny silhouette art with dot markers, a template, and canvas board. Give this art project a try today.

_______

First, cut out a bunny head and shoulders template from sturdy paper in a size that fits the canvas board of choice. A smaller canvas size works well for this project and is easy and economical to purchase at a dollar store.

Next, lay the bunny template on the canvas.

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

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

_______

Bunny Head PrintableDownload

This bunny head template is for individual and one classroom use only,

_______

Then select a dot marker color of choice and fill in the bunny-shaped cutout. For my first bunny, I used a purple shimmer dot marker. On the canvas, it has a purply-pink hue.

Tip: Lighter-hued dot markers work best for this art project.

Afterward, take off the cardboard cutout and let the silhouette bunny design dry. Dot marker art dries quickly, even on a canvas, so it won’t take long.

Finally, using white glue or a glue gun, affix two wiggly eyes, a button nose, and a curved pipe cleaner mouth to create a bunny face.

Make this easy and fun dot marker Easter bunny art activity today. It's an all-ages bunny-themed spring art project everyone will love.

_______

This art project is so much fun, you may wish to create bunny art in a few different colors. Displayed together, the bunnies make quite a statement. You can also use two or more dot marker colors to create each silhouette.

Make this easy and fun canvas art bunny today. It's an all-ages bunny-themed spring art project everyone will love.

_______

Make this easy and fun dot marker spring bunny art activity today. It's an all-ages bunny-themed art project everyone will love.

_______

More Silhouette Bunny Canvas Art Activities

Spring Bunny Canvas Art

Silhouette Bunny Art

_______

[Read more…]

Paper Plate Easter Basket

April 2, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This paper plate Easter basket craft is inspired by an Easter purse spotted on a shopping trip. I wanted to make one for each of my preschoolers as part of their Easter party favors, and here’s what I came up with.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

There are only a few supplies to collect for this bunny and carrot-themed craft. Gather the following items:

paper plates
green dot markers
orange and green construction paper
stuffed bunnies
scissors, ruler, and pencil
glue stick and glue gun

Stuffed bunnies cut from garland and paper carrots are highlights of a paper plate Easter basket craft that is sure to please.

_______

Making The Paper Plate Easter Basket Craft

The first thing to do in making a few of these paper plate Easter baskets is to cut out sections of paper plates to create half-circle openings and handles. There are different kinds of paper plates, and I recommend choosing a sturdy version.

_______

Next, give two of the plates to each child who will get a basket, and ask the little charges to decorate the bottom half of their plates with a green dot marker.

Note: Instead of using dot markers, participants can decorate the basket sides with crayons, paint, and/or Easter stickers.

Afterward, cut carrots from orange construction paper, and carrot tops from green construction paper. With a glue gun or glue stick, adhere the carrot tops to the carrots.

Just insert Easter grass and a few chocolate eggs into this paper plate Easter basket. It is sure to be a big hit as a party favor.

_______

Cutting and putting together the paper carrots take a little time. When this task is done, the basket sides will be dry and ready to be assembled. Use a glue gun to carefully adhere the decorated half of each pair of cut plates together so that the openings and basket handles match. Leave the handles unglued.

Then glue two carrots on each side of every basket. Make sure the carrots on one side of the baskets align with the carrots on the other side.

Next add a small stuffed bunny to each basket. My bunnies are from a disassembled Easter garland snapped up at a party store. Fortunately, it was easy to remove each bunny from the garland, and the yellow, pink, and blue stuffies are safe to use in the paper plate Easter baskets.

Before handing out the baskets to your little charges, add Easter grass and wrapped chocolate eggs to them. The children will be delighted with the craft and treats!

_______

To help make this craft, feel free to download this basket, bunny, and carrot template to use as a guideline. Happy crafting!

A free Easter basket template to make a paper basket with carrot decorations and a bunny inside.

_______

Bunny and Basket PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Related:

Spring Basket Cupcakes

Bunny Candy Art

_______

[Read more…]

Easter Peeps Houses

April 1, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky 2 Comments

_______

These cute Easter peeps houses take gingerbread house-making into the Easter season. And the chick peep coop and bunny peep hutch are easy-peasy to make together with little learners.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies to make these sweet graham cracker houses:

bunny and chick peeps
Easter bunny rabbit jubes
graham crackers
powdered sugar icing
cornstarch
water
assortment of candies
green candy sprinkles
green gel icing color
mixer or whisk
plates, spoons, and disposable knives

_______

Making The Easter Peeps Houses

An oh-so-tasty graham cracker Easter bunny hutch everyone will enjoy making. A sure-to-please Easter activity.

_______

For this activity, I use powdered sugar icing, a little cornstarch, and water to make the icing. It’s ideal to have powdered gingerbread house icing available, but I couldn’t find any on short notice.

Start by mixing a few scoops of powdered sugar icing, a teaspoon of cornstarch, and a little water in a bowl. Blend ingredients with a mixer or whisk for a couple of minutes. The icing mixture should be thick and tacky. Add a little more icing sugar if the mixture is too thin, or add a tad more water if it is too thick.

Then set aside some of the icing in a bowl and stir in a tiny bit of green gel icing color.

Next, spread plain icing on the edges of graham crackers and gently assemble them together to make five sides of a cube, leaving one side open. Disposable knives are a good size for little learners to work with.

An oh-so-tasty graham cracker Easter chick coop craft everyone will enjoy making. A sure-to-please Easter activity.

_______

Note: Name-brand graham crackers are best to use because they are sturdier, don’t break as easily, and come in bigger pieces. Featured here is a no-name brand.

Afterward, select candies to decorate the Easter peeps house with. I feature miniature M&M’s and jelly bellies.

Easter peeps and an assortment of candy to make graham cracker Easter peeps houses.

_______

Then spread icing on the sides and tops of the graham cracker house and decorate with candies of choice.

If little learners are participating, allow some snacking while working. There will be interesting discussions about candy types, colors, and tastes!

_______

A Peep Bunny Hutch Or Chick Coop

Create this cute Easter bunny hutch with graham crackers, a peeps bunny, and candy treats. It's an all-ages craft sure to be enjoyed.

_______

To make an edible bunny hutch scene, spoon a layer of green icing on a plate. Make sure the plate is disposable if participants are taking their tasty creation home.

Then set in the graham cracker “hutch.” Add a few candy sprinkles around it.

Spread a generous amount of icing on the floor of the house and set in two Easter bunny rabbit jubes. These can be bunny babies.

Finally, drop candy sprinkles on the green icing to look like grass, and add an Easter bunny peep and a few gummy eggs.

Create this cute Easter chick coop with graham crackers, a peeps chick, and candy treats. It's an all-ages craft sure to be enjoyed.

_______

For the chick peep coop scene, set the coop on a plate with green icing, and add candy sprinkles and gummy eggs. Then place the Easter chick peep in the coop.

_______

These Easter peeps houses are sure to delight little learners and their families. Do you have any suggestions for how to make them? Leave a comment below.

_______

Related:

Bunny Candy Art

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies

Easy S’Mores Bars

_______

[Read more…]

Spring Bunny Play Tablescape

March 27, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Bunnies are a symbol of spring, and can easily be spotted hopping around neighborhoods at this time of year. They are associated with abundance, rebirth, new beginnings, and fertility. And just as these four-legged garden lovers are prevalent outdoors, bunny-themed accessories are easy to snag in stores at the moment. Here’s a collection of accessories featured in a spring bunny play tablescape.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Spring Bunny Tablescape Supplies

Bunny-themed loose parts for a spring dramatic play tablescape your little learners will love to play in.

_______

The following bunny-themed supplies are featured in the colorful pretend play setup:

paper plates and cutlery
clear disposable goblets
serving bowls
carrot-shaped treat holders
bowling pins
bunny builder construction toy
large pompom balls
erasers
foam beads
squish bunny party favors
cookie cutters
miniature stuffed bunny
fillable bunnies
hopping bunny and basket game
artificial spring branch

_______

The Spring Bunny Play Tablescape

Bunny-themed loose parts take center stage in this super fun Easter bunny dramatic play invitation.

_______

The list above shows the possibilities for collecting accessories for this vibrant dramatic play invitation. Just a few of the supplies will keep a play kitchen center interesting and engaging.

Game pieces and fillable treat holders work wonderfully as play kitchen loose parts.

Early learners will use their imagination to turn these loose parts into muffins, cookies, candies, and other kinds of food.

During the spring season, these kinds of supplies are prevalent at dollar and discount stores, and in the seasonal section of most grocery stores.

A super fun bunny pretend play invitation that is quick and easy to set up. It's perfect for an Easter or spring theme.

_______

This bunny-themed play tablescape works well during the Easter season and can be offered as part of a spring theme.

A super fun bunny dramatic play invitation that is quick and easy to set up. It's perfect for an Easter or spring theme.

_______

Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

Watermelon Dramatic Play

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

_______

Set up this super colorful Easter bunny play tablescape in minutes. Bunny-themed loose parts take center stage in the setup.

_______

[Read more…]

Bunny Rice Bin

March 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

We’re ready for spring, and this bunny rice bin is definitely helping to usher it in. The green and white seasonal color scheme is inspired by beautiful bunny-themed eggs discovered on a shopping run.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

This spring bunny loose parts tray features green and white bunnies, eggs, and loose parts.

_______

For this calming rice bin, gather the following supplies:

stuffed Easter bunny
decorative Easter eggs
Easter basket
shredded Easter grass
bunny erasers
marbles
container caps
transparent triangles
bendable bunny figurine
Easter grass
glutinous rice
bus tub

_______

The Bunny Rice Bin

The bin of choice is a white bus tub. It is large enough to fit a variety of contents and is suitable for 2-3 children to use at once.

The base for this bin is white glutinous rice. It is my absolute favorite base because it showcases the supplies in a bin so well.

The sensory bin theme is inspired by decorative green and white eggs snapped up at a dollar store on a routine shopping run.

This green and white bunny-themed rice bin gives you all the feels. Loose parts coordinate with the bunnies and eggs in the bin.

_______

It took a little while to find a matching stuffed bunny, but eventually, I discovered a unique one at another dollar store. The sprawling bunny adds character to the bin.

Green paper Easter grass adds texture to the glutinous rice base.

An Easter basket, bendable bunny, and bunny erasers all in green come from my Easter theme storage tub.

And green transparent triangles, marbles, and container caps picked from my loose parts collection round out the supplies in the bin.

_______

Any color scheme will work wonderfully for this bunny rice bin. Selecting two or three feature colors for the bin makes setting it up that much more fun.

________

More Bunny Activities

Easter Bunny Sensory Bins

Silhouette Bunny Art

Spring Bunny Canvas Art

Bunny Rolling Pin Art

Bunny Candy Art

_______

[Read more…]

Ombre Bunny Art

March 25, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

When doing a similar bunny art project year after year it’s nice to vary the color scheme. In this spring painting activity, shades of teal and blue are used to create ombre bunny art.

________

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Shades of blue tempera paint are used to decorate this ombre bunny, This is an easy-to-do art project that you are sure to love.

_______

For this simple painting project, gather the following supplies:

teal and deep blue tempera paint
white tempera paint
paint pots
paintbrush
paint palette
bunny template
manilla tag paper
wiggly eyes
black pipe cleaner
blue button
cotton balls
spoons
scissors and pencil
white glue or glue gun

_______

The Ombre Bunny Art Project

_______

To start off, pick a bunny template to trace and cut out from manila tag paper, or another sturdy kind. My bunny design was traced from a dollar store wall plaque.

Then select a deep color of teal paint and add it to three paint pots. In two of the pots, stir in varying amounts of white paint. Pour dark blue paint into a fourth paint pot and mix in some white.

Afterward, spoon the blue paint shades and a little white into a paint palette.

Set the paint palette, bunny template, and paintbrush on an art table protected with newspapers or a disposable tablecloth.

Brushing on blue shades from dark to light or light to dark will create an ombre effect.

When the painting is dry, use a glue stick or glue gun to adhere two wiggly eyes, a button nose, and a bent pipe cleaner mouth to create a bunny face.

Wiggly eyes, a button nose, and a pipe cleaner mouth create a bunny face.

_______

Or glue one or more cotton balls to the bottom of the bunny to fashion a bunny tail.

A cotton ball tail accents this easy-to-do ombre-painted spring bunny art project you are sure to love.

_______

A pink, purple, or green color palette would also look pretty on this ombre bunny art project.

_______

More Bunny Art

Spring Bunny Canvas Art

Bunny Rolling Pin Art

Silhouette Bunny Art

_______

[Read more…]

Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

March 18, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A bright and cheery Easter dramatic play tablescape for your little learners. Loose parts add imaginative play possibilities.

________

With every new theme, my preschoolers eagerly look forward to using new dramatic play accessories in the play kitchen center. As we are now in the month of March, this bright and cheery Easter pretend play tablescape is a great choice.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Easter-themed loose parts and decor are key supplies in a dramatic play tablescape your little learners will love to explore.

_______

Easter-themed loose parts add variety and spice to an Easter pretend play setup.

Gather the following supplies for the tablescape:

vase with artificial Easter flower sprig
Easter-themed cups and paper plates
matching play forks and spoons
egg cups and play eggs
baking sheet and Easter-themed cookie cutters
muffin tin and Easter pompom garland
egg platter with fillable Easter eggs
bunny-shaped tongs
fillable chicks
themed tea towel
oval spring-themed box
bunny and chick game pieces in a small oval box
bowl with Easter-themed erasers

_______

The Easter Pretend Play Tablescape

Set the above supplies on shelves in the pretend play kitchen center, or arrange them as an Easter-themed tablescape.

_______

Dollar and party stores are great places to find unique and economical loose parts for the tablescape.

Gigantic pompoms cut from garland make fluffy pretend play muffins or cupcakes.

Easter-themed erasers add variety and can be reimagined as candies or other treats.

Chick and bunny tic tac toe game pieces get a new use as Easter loose parts.

Bunny-themed tongs make picking up fillable eggs more fun.

_______

The themed paper plates and cups, egg platter, egg cups, fillable chicks, cookie cutters, tea towel, and artificial flower sprig are staples for the Easter pretend play tablescape.

_______

[Read more…]