Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Skeleton Preschool Theme

by Leave a Comment

Non-scary preschool theme featuring art, math, science, manipulative and dramatic play activities.

_______

Skeleton preschool theme? It’s only something I considered doing recently. In the latter part of October, my activities usually focus on pumpkins…bright orange, happy ones! My preschoolers are encouraged to dress up in non-scary costumes. Skeletons are not on the list to plan a theme around for my little students.

But I couldn’t help notice a glammed-up skull one fall day. Inspired by its beauty, my thoughts turned to “Yes, I can introduce some skeleton activities, and do it in a way that is non-threatening to preschoolers.”

Glam skull pillow.
My Skeleton Theme Inspiration

A focus for fall purchases became skeletons of all kinds. They were not hard to find … or expensive. Here’s what I bought and here’s what to do.

_______

Introducing The Preschool Skeleton Theme

COLLECT:

books about human bodies

X-rays of body parts

ADD:

light table or a DIY lightbox (plastic tub with led lights)

Books featuring human bodies with detailed pictures of skeletons.

________

Set out a variety of books featuring human bodies and skeletons.

Display x-rays of human bones on a light table.

View x-rays on a lid covered, clear plastic tub with led lights inside.

_______

Led string lights inserted in a covered, clear tub can serve as a DIY lightbox.

A lid covered clear plastic tub with led lights inside works as a small light table.

_______

Stress that our bodies have skeletons and bones in them.

_______

Felt Skeleton Activities

THE FINDS:

  • felt skeleton (without bones)
  • felt, hinged skeletons (with bones)
  • cardboard skeleton (with bones)
  • toy bones

ADD:

  • Q-Tips
  • paper fasteners

_______

ACTIVITY ONE: Add Bones To A Skeleton

Cut a few Q-Tips in half, and others into thirds. Leave some whole. Let children add toy and Q-Tip bones to the felt skeleton, using the cardboard one as an example.

Felt skeleton decorated with plastic and Q-Tip bones. A cardboard skeleton serves as a model.

_______

ACTIVITY TWO: Skeleton Poses

Take turns moving a hinged, felt skeleton in different ways. Discuss what it might be feeling and communicating.

Adorable skeletons with movable limbs put in poses to create different expressions.

_______

ACTIVITY THREE: Put A Skeleton Back Together

Take apart the sections of a hinged, felt skeleton. Offer paper fasteners and invite children to put it back together, using the other skeleton as a model. This activity is great for enhancing fine motor skills.

A felt skeleton unhinged. Paper fasteners and a model skeleton aide in helping children put the skeleton back together.

_______

Plastic Skeleton Activities

THE FINDS:

  • three large, plastic hinged skeletons
  • pet costumes
  • adult fingerless gloves
  • children’s gloves and socks
  • beaded jewelry strands
  • stuffed animal
  • candy bag

ADD:

  • sticker gems and pearls
  • large roll of paper
  • felt pens

_______

ACTIVITY ONE: Compare Height With A Skeleton

Decorate one skeleton with sticker and pearl gems to “glam it up.”. Add some jewelry strands. Hang the skeleton on a wall with the caption: “ARE YOU TALLER THAN THIS SKELETON?”

Invite children to stand next to the skeleton. Measure and record who is taller.

A decorative wall decor skeleton hung on a wall. Invitation for children to compare their height with the skeleton.

_______

Take a picture of each child next to the skeleton for a unique photo op.

_______

ACTIVITY TWO: Dress The Skeleton

Set out a skeleton along with clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Invite children to dress the skeleton, offering help as needed.

Large, plastic skeleton dressed up in seasonal clothes.

_______

ACTIVITY THREE: Traced Body With Skeleton

Trace each child’s body on a large section of paper cut from a roll. Take a hinged skeleton apart and set the bones near the body tracings. Encourage children to add bones.

Body tracing with skeleton bones added.

_______

Jumbo Skull Activities

THE FIND:

jumbo felt skull

ADD:

  • calendar pictures of animal heads
  • 12 x 18 pieces of paper
  • pastel crayons

_______

ACTIVITY ONE: Guess The Animal

Slide the skull over each calendar animal head picture and ask children to “Guess The Animal.”

Guess The Animal activity using an oversized felt skull and calendar pictures of animal heads.

_______

ACTIVITY TWO: Trace The Skull

Place the skull on a table along with large pieces of paper and pastel crayons. Encourage children to trace and decorate the skull.

Traced skull activity using a large piece of paper, jumbo felt skull, and padstel crayons.

_______

ACTIVITY THREE: Jumbo Mask Photo Op

Take pictures of children holding the skull as a “jumbo mask.” The wall skeleton can be part of the backdrop.

_______

Glitter Skull Math Activities

THE FIND:

two tree branches decorated with metallic skulls 

ADD:

plastic, rubber, or wooden numbers

_______

ACTIVITY ONE: Make Patterns

Take the skulls off the tree branches. (The branches can be saved for other activities.)

Glitter skulls cut from a decorative tree branch.

_______

Have children make patterns with them.

Glitter skulls used for counting, sorting, and patterning activities.

_______

ACTIVITY TWO: Count And Sort Skulls

Set out the skulls, and numbers 1 – 9. Invite children to count them and add the correct number. Encourage skull sorting.

_______

Neon Skull Activities

THE FIND:

neon skeleton party favors

_______

ACTIVITY ONE: Sort And Match Skeletons

Have children sort and match skeletons according to their color.

_______

ACTIVITY TWO: Make Patterns

Invite children to make patterns with the neon skeletons.

Neon plastic skeleton party favors are perfect for making patterns.

_______

Skull Printable

Download this cute skull printable that features basic shapes. Discuss the shapes. Invite children to glam it up with their favorite art medium and sticker gems and pearls.

Skull activity sheet suitable for all ages for cutting, coloring, painting, collage and decorating.

_______

Download the skull printable here. (This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.)

Skull PrintableDownload

_______

My “go-to” activities for late October are still pumpkins. But I’m sticking a few skeleton preschool theme activities in with the mix!

_______

How do you feel about doing a Skeleton preschool theme with young children?

Are there some activities you would choose? Are there others you would stay away from?

Are there new activities you can suggest? Share below!

_______

[Read more…] about Skeleton Preschool Theme

Ninja Theme Facts And Activities

by Leave a Comment

This ninja theme draws inspiration from the picture book “Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Nap”, written and illustrated by J. C. Phillipps. The book is filled with energy, wisdom, and tidbits about Japanese culture. For young children, the story is a captivating read. The illustrations provide inspiration for multicultural story extensions.

Ninja theme featuring sensory, small world, art, large motor, and pretend play activities. Ninja facts and picture book inspiration included.

_______

In the story, a little ninja named Wink is excited that he is a famous circus performer.  But he cannot get in a much-needed nap because his fans follow him everywhere!  He walks through a garden of cherry trees, and moves through and hides in different parts of town, but his followers persist.

Back at Summer Moon School For Young Ninjas, he comes up with a plan inspired by Master Zutsu’s mentoring. With help from his fellow ninja students, his fans are detoured so he can nap. His stuffed panda is along for the adventure.

_______

“Wink” Inspired Ninja Activities

Cherry Blossom Tree Small World

Offer children accessories to create a small world on a decorative cloth-covered table with

  • Wooden tree blocks
  • Pink flower blossoms
  • Pink and white gems
  • Ninja figurines
  • “Safari Toob” panda bears
  • Paper folded Japanese home
Cherry blossom tree small world with pink flowers, gems, and panda and ninja figurines.

_______

Cherry blossom tree book-inspired small world with pink flowers, gems, and panda and ninja figurines.

_______

For the ninjas, take apart Wall Crawlers, available at dollar stores. Remove the jelly-like insides, glue the upper and lower body parts together with a hot glue gun, and glue in pipe cleaner hands and feet.

_______

Ninja Dress Up

Collect ninja-themed props for dramatic play and photos ops. Include

  • Ninja masks  (Dollar Tree)
  • Throwing stars (Dollar Tree)
  • Ninja vests  (Dollar Tree)
  • Foam swords  (Dollar Store)
  • A stepping stool to stand on and pose
Ninja themed masks, vests, throwing stars, and foam swords for pretend play.

_______

Pretend Play Printable

Download this free printable to inspire ninja-themed pretend play. It works best printed on cardstock paper.

The mask can be cut out and decorated with crayons or felt pens. It can also be traced onto and cut from colored paper. Attach an elastic string so the mask can be worn.

_______

Ninja Mask PrintableDownload

_______

World Landmark Geography Center

Create a center inspired by Wink’s circus performer travels and his sleeping area at home.

Display pictures from around the world on a wall above a table. Add a rice sensory bin with:

  • Safari Toob “Around The World” landmark figures
  • Ninja figurine
  • Panda bear figurine
  • Loose parts  (gems, beads. bells, and shells)   
Ninja book-inspired rice sensory bin featuring Safari Toob "Around The World" figurines.

_______

Tree Placemat

Set out ninja figurines, panda bears, pink gems, and a tree placemat so children can create a cherry tree garden scene.

Ninja-themed loose parts tray with panda bears, ninja figurines, and pink and white gems.

_______

Tree placemat scene invitation to create with pink gems and ninja and panda bear figurines.

_______

A similar scene works with eraser figurines and gems.

Ninja themed placemat scene with gems and eraser figurines.

_______

Other Book-Themed Accessories

Keep your eye out for accessories that complement a ninja theme.

Story accessories to compliment the picture book "Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Nap" by J. C. Phillipps.

_______

A Little Ninja History

Ninjas …

  • were spies/warriors active from the 12th century to the early 1600s.
  • were specially trained. Their skills were handed down from father to son, and from teacher to a small group of trainees.
  • were exceptional students. Only top students were picked for training in schools.
  • were extremely physically fit.
  • were skilled at using swords and throwing discs.
  • were good at keeping secrets. To this day little is known about their training.
  • were great actors. They pretended to be someone else in their daily lives and were good at making surprise attacks.

_______

“Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Nap” is a follow-up story to the delightful picture book “Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Be Noticed.” To view a video of the first book read by author J. C. Phillipps, click here.

_______

To see how to make a toilet roll ninja craft featured on the website www.kidsactivities.com, click here.

_______

[Read more…] about Ninja Theme Facts And Activities

Reptile Egg Science

by Leave a Comment

Reptile egg science activities. Make a rubbery reptile egg and use turtle and snake figurines with egg matching play mats.

_______

Animal eggs come in different colors, shapes, sizes, and shell textures. Bird eggs feel hard. Snakes and many turtles lay soft-shelled eggs with a rubbery feel. Snake eggs are usually oval; turtle eggs are round to slightly oblong.

_______

Make A Reptile Egg

Here’s an easy-to-do Science experiment to transform an unshelled, boiled egg into a rubbery reptile egg!  It’s perfect for the classroom or to do with your children at home. 

A container of cider vinegar and an egg.

_______

Supplies Needed:

  • one unshelled, boiled egg
  • 1 ½ cups / 375 ml cups of cider vinegar
  • clear 2 cup / 500 ml jar
  • tablespoon
  • dessert plate

_______

Boil the egg and let it cool. Ask children to describe the color and feel the hardness of the egg.

Place the unshelled, boiled egg in a jar of cider vinegar.  Discuss the color of the liquid…yellow, red, and orange are words children might use for the hue. I suggest the word amber.

Put the jar in the fridge.

A boiled egg immersed in a jar half-filled with cider vinegar.

_______

After a couple of days, take the jar with the egg out of the fridge and have everyone view it. The cider vinegar will look a little foamy.

Scoop the egg out of the jar, place it on a dessert plate, and invite children to feel it. The egg will be tinged with brown residue. Ask children to describe the texture, which has turned rubbery.

A boiled egg taken out of cider vinegar after two days.

_______

New Discovery

The above egg is the result of the second time I tried this experiment! The first egg I used was not boiled, as I forgot to do it! I left the unshelled egg (in a jar of cider vinegar) in the fridge for two weeks before noticing it!  When I finally took it out, it had a neat visual appeal. The outside of the uncooked egg felt rubbery, just as the boiled one did. When I poked it, soft insides spilled out. It was a happy accident that led to a new discovery!

An unboiled egg after being immersed in cider vinegar for two weeks.
Forgotten Reptile Egg

_______

An unboiled egg placed in cider vinegar for two weeks, then pricked with a fork to show the soft inside.
Forgotten Reptile Egg Insides

_______

Reptile Egg Science Printable

Extend the Science experiment by setting out this printable with reptile egg shapes to decorate and cut, or use as a play mat for matching turtle and snake figurines.

Reptile egg shapes printable to color and cut. Or invite children to place snakes and turtles in the circle, oval and oblong-shaped eggs.

_______

Match snakes and turtles to their corresponding egg shapes.

_______

Reptile Egg Shapes Free PrintableDownload

(This printable was created in PicMonkey and is for personal or one classroom use only.)

_______

Do you have a favorite experiment to do with eggs? I’d love to hear about it!

_______

To view a video showing a snake hatching from an egg on the DK website, click here.

_______

[Read more…] about Reptile Egg Science

Activities With Sunflowers

by Leave a Comment

Art, nature and sensory activities with a variety of sunflowers and their parts.

_______

Sunflowers are a summer showstopper on a patio or balcony, or in a garden. They make stunning cut flowers. When mature, sunflower parts are ideal for art, nature, and sensory activities with young children.

_______

Growing Sunflowers

Sunflowers are easy to grow. And there are so many varieties to choose from! Featured below are golden yellow midsized ones (Golden Hedge), rust and yellow sunflowers (Evening Sun) and a fluffy double flower “teddybear” kind.

Sunflowers in different colors, shapes and sizes.

_______

Start seeds indoors near a sunlit window, or under a grow light. After the last frost, transplant the tiny plants to pots or add them to a garden plot. In areas with long growing seasons, plant the seeds in gardens or containers outdoors immediately.

Sunflowers need a sunny location to flourish. They require regular watering but can tolerate some drought. Plants in pots may need to be transplanted to larger ones when they grow bigger.

For more information about growing sunflowers, view this post from Gardener’s Path.

_______

Sunflower Activities For Young Children

Invite young children to help plant and grow sunflowers. The frequent changes in growth offer many opportunities for investigation. Include mature sunflower parts in art and sensory activities.

_______

Printmaking With Sunflowers

Set out red, blue, green and yellow tempera paint colors along with brushes, sunflower heads, and leaves. Have children paint the flowers and leaves and press them on a large piece of paper.

Supplies for making paint prints with sunflower parts.

_______

Let the paintings dry.

Paint prints with sunflowers. Tempera paint and primary colors used with leaves and heads of sunflowers. This is an all-ages activity.

_______

Paint prints with sunflowers. Tempera paint and primary colors used with leaves and heads of sunflowers. This is an all-ages activity.

_______

Paint prints with sunflowers. Tempera paint and primary colors used with leaves and heads of sunflowers. This is an all-ages activity.

_______

Also read: Butterfly Sunflower Papercraft

_______

Sunflowers And Playdough

Offer a circular party tray with playdough and sunflower parts for children to use. The one below includes

  • seeds
  • petals
  • leaves
  • stems
  • flower heads
  • seed packages

_______

_______

Discovery Tub With Sunflowers And Bugs

Set out a shallow tub for children to explore that contains

  • sunflower parts
  • insects
  • magnifying glass
  • a pair of binoculars

_______

Sensory tray with sunflower heads and leaves, insects, binoculars and a magnifying glass.

_______

Growing sunflowers and exploring them through activities offers young children valuable nature experiences. And in late summer/early fall, a visit to a sunflower patch or maze makes a terrific field trip or family outing!

_______

[Read more…] about Activities With Sunflowers

Dinosaur And Sweet Potato Vine Activities

by Leave a Comment

Preschool dinosaur and sweet potato vine sensory, art and nature activities.

_______

One Spring I was greenhouse shopping, and a ledge of sweet potato vines caught my attention. The sales clerk suggested that the leaves looked like dinosaur footprints.

That thought stuck with me, and soon after I picked two uniquely colored sweet potato vines to add contrast to the flowering plants on my deck. I was also eager to use some leaves in dinosaur-themed nature play.

When the sweet potato vines had grown and poured over their pots, I snipped a few leaves off the plants to feature the activities below.

_______

Dinosaur Themed Small World

Sweet potato vine leaves in a dinosaur-themed sensory tub. Rocks, twigs, plastic and marble eggs, and blue water complete the scene.

Small world scene with dinosaurs, rocks, twig, plastic eggs, marbles, blue water, and sweet potato vine leaves.

_______

Painted Leaf T-Rex Footprints

An invitation to make leaf prints shaped like dinosaur footprints with silver and bronze paints and sweet potato vine leaves.

_______

One side of cut leaves are painted with tempera paints. Next the leaves are carefully pressed on paper to make T-Rex dinosaur footprints. Bronze and silver paints make the art project extra special!

Printmaking project. Sweet potato vine leaves are painted with bronze and gold metallic paints. The leaves are pressed on paper to look like dinosaur footprints.

_______

Printmaking project. Sweet potato vine leaves are painted with bronze and gold metallic paints. The leaves are pressed on paper to look like dinosaur footprints.

_______

Sorting T-Rex Footprint Shaped Leaves

An invitation to sort different sizes and colors of “dinosaur footprint” shaped leaves into “alike and different”. Large passionflower leaves add variety to this activity.

An iInvitation to sort sweet potato vine and passionflower leaves. A Math activity using nature materials.

_______

Activities with leaves are a welcome opportunity to include nature in art and play centers. Do you have a favorite activity to do with leaves or leafy plant you treasure? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

_______

[Read more…] about Dinosaur And Sweet Potato Vine Activities