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Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

December 22, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

How to make six different brown paper bag Christmas ornaments. An all-ages, beautiful recycled craft. Free templates are included.

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For so long I have admired art projects that involve brown paper bags or doilies. This Christmas I was determined to use both of these supplies to make paper bag Christmas ornaments. The resulting ornaments are simple but beautiful… a perfect combination.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies to make vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments. Download the free templates for these six different designs.

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To craft these vintage-themed ornaments, gather the following easy-to-find supplies:

  • large brown paper grocery bag
  • white paper doilies
  • thin white ribbon
  • white pearl bead garland
  • adhesive white pearl beads
  • white pencil crayon
  • pencil
  • scissors
  • glue stick
  • glue gun

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Make these beautiful vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments with lace paper doily accents. Free templates are available to use.

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Making The Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

First, cut out a star, gingerbread girl, angel, heart, and each tree ornament from a large brown paper bag. Feel free to download the templates below to help with the designs.

Note: The three printables in this post are for individual and one-classroom use only.

Download this gingerbread girl and ornament template to make beautiful vintage-inspired brown paper bag Christmas ornaments.

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Gingerbread Girl And Ornament PrintableDownload

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Download this angel and ornament template to make beautiful vintage-inspired brown paper bag Christmas ornaments.

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Angel And Ornament PrintableDownload

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Download this star and heart template to make beautiful vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments.

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Star And Heart PrintableDownload

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With a white pencil crayon, outline the border of each paper bag shape.

Make these vintage-inspired brown paper bag Christmas ornaments. Download the free templates to make six different designs.

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Next, cut out shapes from white paper doilies to accent the paper ornaments. Snipping around the designs in the doilies will give you pretty lace pieces to work with.

Afterward, use a glue stick to affix them to the brown paper backgrounds.

Then cut thin white ribbon into 15 cm strips. Tie them in bows, and trim the ends to your desired length. Glue one bow to each ornament.

Next, cut white pearl bead garland into 8 cm strips. Use a glue gun to affix one strip to the back of each ornament in a loop shape.

Make these beautiful vintage-inspired paper bag Christmas ornaments with lace paper doily accents. Free templates are available to use.

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As a finishing touch, accent the ornaments with a few adhesive white pearl beads.

Make these six different brown paper bag Christmas ornaments with lace paper doily accents. Free templates are included.

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Now the ornaments are ready to be displayed on a Christmas tree. Aren’t they gorgeous?

How to make six different paper bag Christmas ornaments. An all-ages, beautiful recycled craft. Free templates are included.

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Paper Bag Gift Wrap

Another easy, festive craft activity with paper bags is to make decorated gift wrap. A blog post by “A Pretty Fix” titled “Four Simple Brown Paper Bag Gift Wrap Ideas” will give you lots of ideas to try.

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Related: Handprint Christmas Crafts

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[Read more…] about Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments

Filed Under: art, Christmas, crafts, preschool Tagged With: Christmas craft, ornaments, paper bag crafts

Candy Cane Tree Experiment

December 20, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This mini candy cane tree experiment is a must-try. Just three supplies are needed for the simple science activity everyone will love.

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This candy cane tree experiment is easy to set up and is sure to be a conversation piece. It works well as a Christmas science activity, and also fits a forest theme.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

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For this simple science experiment, gather the following four supplies:

  • package of mini candy canes
  • one round striped candy
  • large flat white or cream-colored plate
  • flask of warm water

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    The Candy Cane Tree Experiment

    Design a tree on a plate with mini candy canes. Pour water into the plate and watch what happens. Your audience will be wowed!

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    To perform this showy science experiment, start by arranging mini candy canes on a plate in a Christmas/coniferous tree design. The colorful and fruity candy canes above were a great find at a Dollar Store.

    Next, set a round candy on top of the tree to be the tree topper.

    Then fill a flask with warm water.

    Carefully set the plate with the tree design on a table.

    Now the experiment is ready to be performed. Invite participants to gather around the candy tree. Slowly pour water from the flask into the plate and invite everyone to watch what happens. It’s that simple!

    Participants will be wowed at how the colors in the candy canes quickly spread through the water, making beautiful designs.

    Watch the colors explode from the candy cane tree in this super simple science experiment everyone will love.

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    Color changes will be instant. Over time the colors and their intensity will change.

    Watch the colors move and change in this super simple science experiment everyone will love. The activity is a must-try.

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    Note: This tree-shaped experiment can be done with standard-sized candy canes in a large ridged serving tray.

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    The Science Behind The Candy Cane Tree Experiment

    The candy canes are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar (the center and rim of the tray.) When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

    Water temperature is a variant in this experiment. Sugar dissolves more quickly in warm water, and food coloring moves at a faster pace.

    Candy Cane Color Experiment Variations

    Watch the stunning color changes in this super simple mini candy cane science experiment. Try it today!

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    You can forgo making a tree shape with the candy canes, and spread a few around a plate instead. The color movement is just as interesting in this more basic version.

    Watch beautiful colors emerge in this super simple science experiment with a serious WOW factor. Just thee supplies are needed to perform the experiment.

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    Watch beautiful colors emerge in this super simple science experiment with a serious WOW factor. Just thee supplies are needed to perform the experiment.

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    And if you have been following my blog for a while, you may have discovered that I have done a few other candy/candy cane color experiments. Here are more variations:

    Candy Cane Science Experiment

    Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

    Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

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    This mini candy cane color experiment is a must-try. Just three supplies are needed for the simple science activity everyone will love.

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    [Read more…] about Candy Cane Tree Experiment

    Filed Under: Christmas, preschool, science, sensory, trees Tagged With: candy canes, Christmas tree, science experiment, trees

    Gingerbread Sensory Bin

    December 19, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

    A chickpea-based gingerbread sensory bin children will love. Shop the dollar stores for gingerbread accessories to fill the bin.

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    This gingerbread sensory bin is quick and easy to set up. Most of the supplies in the bin are dollar store finds, so the activity is low-cost. So why not set it up for your little learners this holiday season?

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    Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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    Supplies To Collect

    A super fun gingerbread sensory bin with a chickpea base. An economical bin with dollar store gingerbread accessories.

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    The gingerbread-themed supplies gathered for the bin are:

    • cookie cutters
    • cookie tin
    • ice cube tray
    • gingerbread people ornaments and game pieces
    • gingerbread house and candy cane ornaments

    Also in the bin are:

    • bell garland strips
    • peppermint erasers

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    The Gingerbread Sensory Bin

    An easy-to-put-together gingerbread sensory bin with a chickpea base. An economical bin with dollar store gingerbread accessories.

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    This gingerbread-themed sensory bin has a dyed chickpea base. You can find out how to dye chickpeas in my blog post titled “Chinese New Year Sensory Play.”

    Note: You can skip coloring the chickpeas and use undyed ones instead. They are the same color as gingerbread cookies!

    The chickpeas are spread out in a white bus/utility tub. This size bin works well for one to three children to use at a time.

    The cookie tin, ice cube tray, ornaments, garland, and erasers are from dollar stores. You would be able to find cookie cutters there too.

    This sensory bin is a great follow-up activity to reading gingerbread character stories and doing songs and fingerplays about gingerbread people.

    A chickpea-based gingerbread sensory bin children will love. Shop the dollar stores for gingerbread accessories to fill the bin.

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    Other Supplies For The Gingerbread Bin

    There are endless supplies that work in this bin. Other supplies that could be added are:

    • large gingerbread cookie cutters
    • gingerbread people erasers
    • wiggly eyes
    • pompoms
    • buttons
    • rickrack strips
    • cookie jar

    Whatever the supplies, this cheery gingerbread sensory bin is bound to be a huge hit with your little learners!

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    Related:

    Gingerbread Playdough

    Scissor Skill Gingerbread Man Craft

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    [Read more…] about Gingerbread Sensory Bin

    Filed Under: Christmas, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: chickpea bin, gingerbread, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread man, loose parts, sensory bin, sensory play

    Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

    December 17, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

    Include this simple monochromatic Christmas tree art project in your holiday activities. The pastel-themed trees look beautiful on display.

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    This simple monochromatic Christmas tree art is completed in four different color themes. The art activity is easy to implement at home or in a Christmas art program. Finished projects display beautifully on a bulletin board or feature wall.

    The color theme chosen for this gorgeous art activity is inspired by the exquisite pastel-colored miniature Christmas tree ornaments spotted on shopping trips around town this holiday season.

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    Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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    Supplies To Collect

    Just a few supplies are needed for this pretty craft:

    • 12 x 18-inch sturdy paper
    • magenta, yellow, teal, green, and white tempera paints
    • glitter in magenta, teal, gold, and green colors
    • large magenta, gold, teal, and light green gift bows
    • paint palettes
    • paint pots
    • paintbrushes
    • spoons
    • ruler
    • pencil
    • scissors
    • hot glue gun or white glue
    • plastic tablecloth

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    Preparing The Tree Art Project

    This monochromatic Christmas tree art project is done in pastel shades of green, yellow, teal, and magenta. The trees look beautiful on display.

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    First, select 12 x 18-inch sturdy paper for the art project. I used manila and manila tag and both kinds worked well.

    With a ruler and pencil, draw a long, narrow triangle on each sheet of paper. The triangles should fill the whole page.

    Next, cut the paper triangles out.

    Then mix a variety of shades of magenta, yellow, teal, and green tempera paint in small pots by adding various amounts of white to each color. For each hue, the shades should range from light to dark.

    Tips:

    • To warm up the yellow just a little, add a drop of red to the hues.
    • To make teal paint, mix a little yellow into blue paint. Or use teal tempera paint straight out of the bottle.

    Afterward, spoon different shades of each color into paint palettes. Each palette should have shades of one hue only. Include a little white tempera.

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    The Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art Process

    This monochromatic Christmas tree art project is done in pastel shades of green, yellow, teal, and magenta. The trees look beautiful on display.

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    To offer this tree painting project, cover an art table with a plastic tablecloth.

    Choose one monochromatic color scheme to work with.

    Then set out a triangular-shaped paper tree, filled paint palette, and brush for each child participating.

    Invite participants to paint their tree, using as many shades of the chosen color as they can.

    When the trees are fully covered and the paint is still wet, let little artists sprinkle similarly toned glitter on their projects. They will love this part of the process.

    After the paint has dried, use white glue or a hot glue gun to affix a matching gift bow to the top of each tree. As an alternative, glue silver or gold bows on the trees.

    On another day, pick a different paint color and offer the Christmas tree painting project again.

    If there is time, complete the tree art in all four colors.

    Include this simple monochromatic Christmas tree art project in your holiday activities. The pastel-themed trees look beautiful on display.

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    When finished, display the painted trees together on a wall. They are sure to be admired!

    Note: The paint colors used for this art project also make awesome ombre Christmas trees.

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    Related: Christmas Tree Art

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    [Read more…] about Monochromatic Christmas Tree Art

    Filed Under: art, Christmas, preschool, trees, winter Tagged With: Christmas tree, painting, paper crafts, trees

    Gingerbread Playdough

    December 12, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

    This gingerbread playdough tray is filled with festive loose parts. The spicy playdough recipe is easy to make and little hands can help.

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    Christmas playdough recipes are all about the smells, and this gingerbread playdough is no exception. The fragrant recipe is easy to make and doesn’t require cooking or using boiling water. This makes it perfect for early learners to help make, and they can participate from start to finish.

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    Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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    The Playdough Ingredients

    This scented gingerbread playdough requires no cooking or boiling water. Invite early learners to help make it from start to finish and can experience all the aromatic smells.

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    Gather the following for this homemade gingerbread-scented dough:

    • 1 cup flour
    • ½ cup salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • ½ cup water

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    How To Make Gingerbread Playdough

    This homemade scented gingerbread playdough and the festive loose parts are ready to be explored by little learners.

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    Measure all of the above ingredients in a bowl. Invite early learners to help.

    Mix the spicy mixture into a dough, and knead it thoroughly. The kneading helps strengthen little helpers’ hand and finger muscles.

    Four spices in addition to salt are included in the dough. Allowing your little helpers to smell each one is a rich sensory opportunity.

    The spices add color to this all-natural playdough, so no additional color is needed.

    Another plus for this homemade playdough is that it can be used in a play invitation as soon as it has been made. It doesn’t need cool down time like a cooked playdough or recipe that uses boiling water would.

    This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to be enough for a group of children.

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    Gingerbread Playdough Invitation

    After helping make the playdough, little learners will love using it to mold and decorate gingerbread houses and people. Offer loose parts in a party tray for a spicy playdough invitation.

    There are many opportunities to be creative with the festive loose parts in this spicy gingerbread playdough invitation your children will love.

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    The loose parts in the tray above are:

    • gingerbread house and people cookie cutters
    • gingerbread ornaments
    • cut sparkly pipe cleaners and pompoms
    • cut rick rack and straws
    • buttons
    • candy cane and gingerbread erasers
    • bows
    • bead garland
    • wiggly eyes

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    In this next tray, gingerbread house shapes, felt gingerbread people, beads, and rubber peppermint lollipops are included in the mix.

    There are many opportunities to be creative with the festive loose parts in this spicy gingerbread playdough invitation your children will love.

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    Gingerbread Playdough Invitation Benefits

    This heavenly-scented playdough invitation offers many benefits:

    • Exercising creativity by decorating pretend cookies.
    • Language development by using playdough cutouts to retell gingerbread stories or develop new ones.
    • Gaining hand and finger strength by rolling, pressing, and kneading dough, and decorating it with loose parts.
    • Role-playing working in a pretend bakery and baking cookies in a play oven.

    Tip: A small box with a rack placed inside makes an easy DIY oven for pretend play.

    A cardboard box with a rack set inside makes a terrific play oven to bake gingerbread playdough cookies and muffins.

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    How To Store Gingerbread Playdough

    This amazing gingerbread-scented dough is not sticky, rolls out just fine, and works well with cookie cutters.

    To store it, wrap it in saran wrap and place it in an airtight container. Doing this will keep it nice and moist. To my delight, the playdough is even easier to work with when you pull it out for additional play.

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    More Playdough Recipes and Activities:

    Apple Playdough Tray

    Edible Playdough Turkey

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    Scented Playdough Activities

    Pumpkin Playdough Activities

    Gingerbread Playdough

    Orange-scented Playdough Invitation

    Chocolate Mint Playdough

    Christmas Playdough

    Offer this lemon cypress scented playdough invitation with cut silk poinsettia leaves and bracts.

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    Santa Claus Playdough Tray

    Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

    St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

    Easter Playdough Tray

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    [Read more…] about Gingerbread Playdough

    Filed Under: Christmas, playdough, preschool, sensory Tagged With: gingerbread, playdough, scented playdough, sensory tray

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    Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky, a preschool teacher who loves sharing learning through play activities for young children. Thanks for visiting my site. Feel free to stay awhile!

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