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

Paint Chip Christmas Card

December 20, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Paint chips, available at hardware stores, come in a glorious array of colors and shades with equally splendid names. The rows and rows of paint color samples offer many choices for painting walls and other items. Teachers love to use recycled or donated paint chips for educational purposes such as sorting and matching activities. Creators love them for craft projects. The many-hued paint color samples add beauty to any activity or project and look pretty in this paint chip Christmas card with a tree theme.

Artificial Christmas trees also come in a huge array of colors. In addition to traditional green, you can now purchase a tree in your favorite color. Many come pre-lighted and ready for ornaments to be strung…so easy! This festive homemade card features paint chip swatches in five colors.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this simple handmade Christmas card:

8 ½ x 11-inch white cardstock
donated or recycled paint chips
adhesive gemstone stickers
pencil and scissors
marker
glue stick

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

_______

Making the Paint Chip Christmas Card

To make this tree-themed Christmas card, fold an 8 ½ x 11-inch piece of cardstock in half. I chose a creamy white color for the cardstock as I like it better than pure white.

_______

Next, draw and cut out a Christmas tree from cardstock to be your tracer. The tree should be slightly smaller than your paint chip samples. A cardstock scrap works fine for this.

Then pick out five donated or recycled paint chips in varied colors for the trees. This is the most fun!

Using the tracer as a guide, trace and cut out small trees from the paint color cards.

Afterward, arrange the tree cutouts on the front of the folded white cardstock sheet, and glue them on using the glue stick. Leave a little space to add a holiday message such as “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.”

_______

As a finishing touch pick one tree to add adhesive gemstone stickers to. I had silver gemstone stickers handy, so they were my choice for the dose of glam.

Pen a greeting inside the tree-themed paint chip Christmas card and it is ready to give to someone special during the festive holiday season.

_______

More Christmas Tree Activities

Color Explosion Science Experiment

Build A Christmas Tree Steam Activity

Christmas Tree Decorating Center

Candy Cane Tree Experiment

_______

More Christmas Art and Crafts Activities

Click on the pictures below to access more Christmas art and crafts activities.

_______

[Read more…]

Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

December 18, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

One of the most popular themes to offer at Christmas is a Gingerbread theme. Delightfully entertaining variations of the gingerbread boy story set the stage for endless hands-on gingerbread thematic activities for early learners. This cozy gingerbread sensory bin is a festive and fun tactile play invitation to include.

_______

Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin Supplies

_______

The following simple supplies are in this sweet cookie-themed sensory bin:

white rice or pinto beans
gingerbread storage container
fillable gingerbread man ornament
gingerbread cookie cutters
gingerbread baker ornaments
pony beads
pom poms
feathers
buttons
gingerbread-themed erasers
gingerbread man measuring scoop
paper snack sups
measuring spoon

_______

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

This gingerbread sensory bin is inspired by a soft and fluffy winter sock spotted in a cozy clothing store.

As with many of my sensory invitations, the bin to hold all the supplies is a white bus tub. It is economical to buy, transportable, and large enough for two to three little learners to explore together.

Spotted, light brown dried pinto beans are the base. The neutral-toned beans provide all the color needed for the bin’s gingerbread cookie theme.

_______

A gingerbread treat tin and clear, fillable gingerbread ornament with the top removed are accessories to fill using the themed measuring scoop and spoon.

A trio of gingerbread baker ornaments with hooks for hanging removed serve as cookies, and gingerbread man erasers are reimagined as additional treats.

Pink, green, red, and white beads and buttons allow cookie cutters to be decorated.

_______

Similarly colored pom poms, feathers, and twisted pipe cleaner bits contribute a soft feel to the bin and are additional supplies for decorating.

_______

Benefits of the Cozy Gingerbread Sensory Bin

Sensory bin exploration offers early learners many benefits. They include

Practice using the senses of sight, hearing, and touch to explore the contents in the bin.
Developing hand-eye coordination and strengthening hand muscles by scooping, pouring, picking up, and arranging the supplies.
Expanding vocabulary by discussing colors, textures, and actions used to investigate the supplies.
Enhancing math skills by counting and sorting supplies.
Practicing social skills such as sharing and turn-taking.
Exercising creativity and engaging in imaginative play.

_______

Soft-Hued Gingerbread Sensory Bins

The cozy winter sock I mentioned serving as inspiration for the sensory play was designed in a white and soft pink color scheme. I added more colors in the bin above to match the gingerbread-themed accessories. But I couldn’t resist trying a few bins with a paired down pink and white color scheme. Below is a dried bean-based bin and two rice-based bins featuring accessories with these two colors. Gingerbread man lights add ambiance to the third bin.

_______

_______

_______

Aren’t the soft pink, white, and brown gingerbread-themed sensory bins oh-so-pretty?

_______

Related: Gingerbread Theme Pretend Play

_______

More Gingerbread Theme Activities

Click on the pictures below to access more gingerbread activities.

_______

[Read more…]

Gingerbread Theme Pretend Play

December 7, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Including a gingerbread theme in holiday festivities is super popular this time of year, and a large array of gingerbread-themed tableware and party supplies are available. That makes a gingerbread theme pretend play tablescape a perfect activity to introduce to early learners to help celebrate the season.

_______

Gingerbread Pretend Play Supplies

_______

Collecting supplies for gingerbread theme pretend play is easy and so much fun. Dollar stores are one of the best places to find them. The following items, many of which are gingerbread-themed were gathered for the festive baking-themed dramatic play setup.

ice cube tray
counters and erasers
flat ornaments
tins and spatula
cookie jar
cookie cutters
serving plate and cups
oven mitt and pot holder
disposable plates
artificial poinsettia sprig
metallic bead necklaces
jingle bells
large red and white pom poms
cookie pan
white tablecloth

_______

The Gingerbread Theme Pretend Play Tablescape

_______

This whimsical gingerbread theme pretend play setup inspires meaningful social interaction and loads of hands-on fun.

Non-breakable, themed ornaments such as gingerbread people, a gingerbread house, and candy canes make tasty play cookies.

Safety Tip: It is important to remove any hooks to hang the ornaments before using them as play cookies. Only ornaments with smooth surfaces and edges should be included as play food.

_______

Gingerbread counters and erasers make spicy candies or tiny cookies.

Cut metallic bead necklaces in gold, silver, and red are festive spaghetti noodles.

Green jingle bells are the juicy meatballs, offering a fun musical component to the dramatic play invitation.

Large red and white pom poms in colors that match the decor are additional creative loose parts to imagine with.

Gingerbread cookie cutters suggest more spicy snacks.

Festive cups and disposable plates complement the accessories.

_______

A gingerbread-themed ice cube tray, spatula, cookie jar, oven mitt, pot holder, serving plate, and dessert tin round out the center.

Exuding holiday charm, the gingerbread-themed supplies spice up dramatic play activities.

Would you include more supplies in the gingerbread pretend play tablescape? Share in a comment below.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

More Gingerbread Theme Activities

Click on the photos below to access the blog posts featuring more gingerbread theme activities.

_______

[Read more…]

Fall Drip Ice Cake

November 9, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This fall drip ice cake sensory bin combines fall colors with ice and dinosaurs. It is suitable for a winter theme about ice or could be incorporated into a fall or dinosaur theme. It would be an inviting activity outside on a hot summer day.

_______

Supplies To Collect

Gather the following easy-to-find, inexpensive supplies for this super fun sensory bin:

ice cube molds
empty round food storage containers
small bottles
tempera paints
stir sticks
sensory tray
dinosaur figurines

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Preparing the Fall Drip Ice Cake Sensory Bin

To prepare this autumn drip ice cake sensory play experience first freeze water into ice shapes. Use molds such as Ice cube trays, margarine and yogurt containers, and an ice cream pail. Allow one or two days for the freezing to be complete.

Next, pick a sensory bin to use. A large active world tray is up to the task and provides ample room to explore accessories. A round saucer sled is smaller but also works well as a sensory bin.

Then add tempera paints in fall colors to small bottles. Leave a little room in the bottles to stir in water. This slightly thins the paints and makes them easier to pour.

When the ice shapes are thoroughly frozen stack the large ones on top of each other to create a three or four-tier cake.

_______

Afterward, spread ice cubes in various sizes around the cake in the bin. Then set dinosaur figurines among the cubes.

_______

The Fall Drip Ice Cake Sensory Invitation

To offer the fall drip ice cake sensory invitation gather participants around the bin.

Invite them to take turns pouring paint over the ice cake.

_______

When the bottles are empty, allow everyone to explore the paint-covered ice cake, frozen cubes, and dinosaurs in the bin.

_______

This icy sensory invitation incorporating fall colors and dinosaur figurines is bound to be a favorite.

_______

_______

_______

More Fall Activities

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Fall Scissor Skills Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Remembrance Day Butterfly Art

November 6, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Remembrance Day is celebrated each year on November 11 in many countries. It is a day to remember the end of World War I and the many soldiers who died in battle. In Canada, it is also a day to recognize and appreciate the people who serve in the army today.

_______

The Red Poppy and Remembrance Day

Wearing a red poppy has become a tradition on Remembrance Day, and the days leading up to it. After noticing the abundance of red poppies that sprouted up among the graves of fallen soldiers when World War I ended, a Canadian doctor wrote the now-famous poem “In Flanders Field”. Not long afterward, a United States teacher named Moina Michael wrote a poem called “We Shall Keep the Faith” in response and decided to wear a red poppy to remember the soldiers who served in the war. Noting that returning disabled soldiers had trouble caring for themselves, she started selling red poppies to raise money for their needs. The poppy flower soon became a symbol of the service of past and present soldiers.

_______

Since butterflies are seen as a symbol for inspiring good deeds, they go together well with poppies in a Remembrance Day butterfly art project.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more activities.

_______

Remembrance Day Butterfly Art Supplies

_______

Gather the following supplies for this meaningful art activity:

8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper
dot markers
pencil and scissors
pipe cleaners
pony beads
pom poms
artificial red poppies
white glue or glue gun

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Remembrance Day Butterfly Art Project

This creative project is a simpler version of squish-painted poppy-enhanced Remembrance Day butterflies featured a few years ago.

For the remembrance art project, start by tracing and cutting out large butterflies from 8 ½ x 11-inch white or cream-colored cardstock paper. Manila tag cardstock works well for this activity and is economical to buy.

_______

Set the paper butterflies on a table with red, orange, and black dot markers and invite participants to decorate their winged creatures. Using a black dot marker for finishing touches is recommended so that the red and orange colors remain dominant in the designs.

Tip: Dot marker designs dry quickly, which is one thing I love about them. If the decorated butterflies curl a little after drying, allow time to flatten them under a stack of books or a heavy object.

Afterward, invite everyone to string black pony beads onto same-colored pipe cleaners. When the pipe cleaners are folded in half, there should be enough strung beads to cover the abdomen and head of the dot-marked butterflies.

_______

After participants finish beading their pipe cleaner, have them fold it in half and twist the unbeaded ends together to create two antennae.

Glue a pom pom to each pipe cleaner antenna with white glue or a glue gun, and then affix the beaded pieces to the middles of the butterflies.

Finally, glue an artificial red poppy with the pin removed onto each dotted insect.

Note: Older participants can independently glue on the beaded pipe cleaners, pom poms, and poppies.

_______

This Remembrance Day butterfly art project is simple but striking and is bound to be appreciated. Having the opportunity to include beads is a highlight of the activity.

_______

[Read more…]

Eye Dropper Bat Art

October 26, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Eye dropper art is a super satisfying painting technique, and it’s so quick and easy to do. This eye dropper bat art project is a good choice for October, as the winged creatures are commonly spotted in fall creative activities and décor.

_______

Supplies to Collect

Gather the following supplies for this flying mammal art activity:

paper towel sheets
liquid watercolors
paint pots or jars
eye droppers or pipettes
pencil and scissors
bat template
wiggly eyes
white glue or a glue gun
waterproof tablecover

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Eye Dropper Bat Art

To begin this vibrant bat art activity, cover a table with a waterproof tablecover.

Next, trace and cut out large bats from paper towel sheets. Thick paper towels work best. You are welcome to use the free template available to download below.

_______

Bat Art PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Afterward, pour liquid watercolors in a variety of colors into small jars or paint pots. Liquid food coloring hues with water stirred in are a suitable substitute for liquid watercolor paints.

Then place the paint jars on the table and add eye droppers or pipettes.

_______

Set out a paper towel bat for each participant and invite them to drop paint all over their fruit-pollinating winged animal.

_______

Then let the paint-soaked bats dry. Leaving them in place to dry is recommended if there is room. Otherwise, carefully remove each color-infused bat to another spot.

_______

When dry, use white glue or a glue gun to add two wiggly eyes to each bat for a cute finishing touch.

_______

Bat Necklace Craft

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment

Try this easy-to-do felt marker chromatography "scary house" experiment. It has possibilities for art and imaginative play.

_______

[Read more…]

Painted Skeleton Sensory Bin

October 25, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Skeletons can appear more than a little scary, but bold or subtle artsy touches soften them up and make them fun for little learners to explore. I recently found a gorgeous little folk art wooden skeleton and decided to repurpose it in a painted skeleton sensory bin.

_______

Skeleton Sensory Bin Supplies

_______

The following simple supplies were used for the sensory bin:

wooden skeleton parts
skeleton figurine
acrylic paint
paint palette and brushes
pom poms
beads
wooden flowers
spider figurines
white rice
sensory bin

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Painted Skeleton Sensory Bin

The sky is the limit regarding accessories suitable for sensory bins, so it is super easy to collect supplies. A beautifully painted folk art skeleton featuring bones attached with jute twine was a find one fall day. Although meant to be a wall hanging, I saw possibilities for sensory play.

The skeleton parts were daintily painted in folk art designs on one side and were white everywhere else. After snipping off the jute connectors, I decided to paint the white sides in matching colors to add interest to the pieces and help them stand out.

_______

Out came acrylic paints in blue and pink colors along with an artist’s palette and paintbrushes. I mixed the paints into pink and light blue hues and carefully painted the skeleton pieces other than the skull with a few coats of color.

_______

When the painted wooden bones were dry, I placed them in a rice-filled bin. Then I dropped in pom poms, beads, wooden flowers, and spider figurines in similar colors to add design possibilities.

_______

Finally, I included a toy skeleton figurine in the bin to model how a complete skeleton looks. A diagram of a skeleton would be a great addition too.

_______

More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Sunflower Seed Bin

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

_______

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Skeleton and Eyeball Water Play

Q-Tip Skeleton Craft

_______

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton Preschool Theme

_______

[Read more…]

Spider Web Doily Art

October 16, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Arty spider webs are everywhere during this time of year, and doilies are an exquisite supply for creating web décor. These spider web doily art projects are color-infused with gorgeous seasonal hues using a crayon-resist painting technique.

_______

Spider Web Doily Art Supplies

_______

Gather the following supplies for this anything-but-creepy spider-themed art project:

paper doilies in a variety of sizes and shapes
watercolor tempera paint cakes
white crayon
pencil
ruler
paint brush
paint pot
scissors
spider figurine
glue gun
waterproof table cover

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Creating Spider Web Doily Art

To create beautiful watercolor doily art first cover an art table with a waterproof tablecloth.

Next, select a doily to use as a canvas for painting.

Then, use a pencil and ruler to draw faint straight lines that radiate from a focal point in the center of the doily. Draw over the white lines with a white crayon or any color. Add silky curved connecting lines with the crayon to complete the web.

Note: When offering this activity to early learners, you may wish to draw the webs on the doilies and have them paint over them.

_______

Afterward, set watercolor tempera cakes in the colors of your choice in a paint tray. I love the pink, purple, orange, and gold hues spotted on web décor on recent shopping trips and use these colors.

Fill a paint pot with water, wet the tempera cakes, and paint over the drawn spider web. Spread the color over the whole doily or up to the lacy edging.

Note: Liquid watercolors are a luminous alternative for this painting activity.

When the arty web is dry use a glue gun to add a spider figurine in a matching or contrasting color. Adhere the paper spider web to a contrasting cardstock paper hue if desired.

_______

If using a large round doily, it’s a nice look to cut out a section of the web to become your finished design.

_______

Variations of the Spider Web Doily Art

Round or rectangular craft doilies are easy to find, but heart doilies also work wonderfully as a canvas for a spider web art activity. In addition to being super lacy, they remind us to give spiders some much-needed love.

_______

Crochet doilies make perfect ready-made spider webs. Left unpainted, white or cream-colored ones look like natural webs. It is superbly satisfying to add color to them, as watercolor paints soak in very well. For a stunning look display a color-infused web and spider figurine on a mirror.

_______

More Spectacular Doily Art

In addition to providing the canvas for spider web doily art, use the exquisite paper shapes in a novel way for more painting fun. In the projects below, doilies are placed on paper, and the lacy cutouts are carefully filled with watercolor tempera paints. A beautiful design appears after the doily is lifted off.

_______

In this second project, the area above the doily is painted too. When the doily is removed, the design is so realistic it looks exactly like the paper doily.

_______

More Spider Activities

Spider Theme Activities

Green Huntsman Spider Activities

_______

[Read more…]

Ribbon and Cord Pumpkin Craft

October 1, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

At this time of year, there are many beautiful, vibrant fall décor and craft supplies to view. A stroll through any craft or home décor store is a pure delight. A splendid bundle of sewing supplies spotted on one excursion inspired this easy-to-make ribbon and cord pumpkin craft. Download the free pumpkin pattern in this post to make craft preparation easier.

_______

Ribbon and Cord Pumpkin Craft Supplies

_______

The following supplies are used for this colorful autumn craft:

cardstock in green, gold, tan, and cream hues
fabric ribbon
rickrack trim
braided cord
pom pom fringe
craft ribbon
double-sided tape
white glue and glue gun
scissors and pencil

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Ribbon and Cord Pumpkin Craft

To make this textured fall pumpkin craft, start by selecting yarn, thin braided cord, sewing and craft ribbons, rickrack trim, and dainty pom pom fringe in the colors and patterns of your choice. Orange, tan, green, and brown hues are featured in mine.

Once your ribbon and cord hues are picked out, choose complementary cardstock and construction paper colors. Green, gold, cream, and tan are natural choices.

_______

Using white glue or a glue gun, affix varying colors and widths of the ribbon and cord in rows to a piece of sturdy paper. Make sure to leave a little bit of space around the edge of the cardstock. My design is made with craft supplies placed horizontally, but a vertical or diagonal placement would work wonderfully too.

Next, cut strips of double-sided tape and add one near each corner of the ribbon and cord-embellished paper. Add additional tape strips if needed.

_______

Then trace and cut out a pumpkin from the same-sized paper in another hue, leaving the border around the pumpkin shape uncut. Feel free to download this pumpkin pattern for the task.

_______

Pumpkin Craft PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Finally, gently position the paper with the pumpkin cut out on top.

_______

The ribbon and cord pumpkin craft is ready for display.

_______

Variations of the Pumpkin Craft

Little learners may find it easier to glue the ribbon and cord sewing supplies in a random design. The results would be equally interesting.

_______

_______

This craft uses a variety of colors and textures of sewing and crafting ribbons and cords. Feel free to use the supplies you have available for the craft. It would look equally stunning with only yarn colors or craft ribbon hues.

_______

_______

[Read more…]

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

September 29, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Fall is such a pretty time of year, and for many people, it is their favorite season. Aside from the leaves changing into gorgeous, radiant colors, the home décor is also stunning, and is super fun! The colors and décor of this fall season inspired the bat-topped fall pom pom tree craft.

_______

Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft Supplies

_______

Gather just the following few supplies for this soft and simple autumn tree craft:

pom poms in pink, melon, white, and purple hues
9-inch x 12-inch cardstock or construction paper
8 1/2 x 11-inch cream colored cardstock
white glue
glue gun
bat sticker
bat ring party favors
scissors and pencil

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

The design of this tree is a triangular Christmas tree shape. So it’s a little like creating a Christmas craft early. The tree base is cut from cream-colored cardstock.

Young children enjoy using special craft supplies such as pom poms and will love gluing them to the paper triangle base. The pom poms can be squished together or spread apart in a random design. White glue works well for this task. 34 pom poms are affixed to this crafted tree.

_______

A metallic gold sticker bat is the unexpected but delightful tree topper, tying into the fall theme wonderfully. A bat cut from paper adhered with glue would work fine too.

An optional addition is to glue bat ring party favors between the pom poms for even more flare.

_______

Finally, a tree trunk cut from gold foil tissue paper and the pom pom-decorated tree display nicely when glued on a 9-inch x 12-inch piece of colored construction paper.

_______

An alternate way to showcase the crafted tree is to cut a thin cylinder from a toilet paper roll and cut two slits opposite from each other. Gently slide the bottom of the fall pom pom tree in the slits. The tree stands up sturdily on a table or shelf.

_______

Pom poms in pink, purple, ochre, and white provide the color scheme for this seasonal tree craft. But the craft would look spectacular in any color scheme.

_______

Bat Theme Pretend Play

Bat Necklace Craft

Neon Finger Paint Tree Art