• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Winter
  • Chinese New Year
  • Blog
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Contact Me
  • Easter Activities

bats

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.

_______

_______

Related:

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…] about Eye Dropper Bat Art

Filed Under: art, autumn, fall, preschool, science Tagged With: bats, eyedropper art, watercolors

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.

_______

_______

Related:

Bat Theme Pretend Play

Bat Necklace Craft

Neon Finger Paint Tree Art

Gorgeous neon finger paint tree art inspired by the picture book "The Tree In Me" by Corinna Luyken. An all-ages, easy-to-do art activity. A free template is included.

_______

_______

More Fall Activities

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Fall Leaf Salad Spinner Art

Fall Scissor Skills Activities

_______

[Read more…] about Fall Pom Pom Tree Craft

Filed Under: art, autumn, crafts, fall, preschool, trees Tagged With: bats, fall craft, tree art, trees

Bat Theme Pretend Play

August 29, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This bat theme pretend play setup is fun for little learners to explore, and it is bound to ignite their interest in these nocturnal flying animals.

_______

Bat Theme Pretend Play Center Supplies

A well-known saying is “There is a season for everything” and it’s as true for collecting educational supplies for little learners as in anything else. Late summer/early fall is the best time to gather supplies for a bat theme, and that’s when I picked up the ones featured in this post.

_______

In the batty pretend play setup are the following:

  • orange, green, purple, and black bead necklaces and rings
  • purple, orange, green, and black pom poms
  • bat-shaped silicone mold  
  • bat-shaped cookie cutters
  • bat-themed glasses
  • reusable bat-shaped ice cubes
  • transparent bat decorations
  • miniature bat figurines
  • buffalo plaid decorative balls
  • bat-themed bowl
  • cookie pan
  • paper plates and bowls
  • cutlery
  • clear play cups

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

The Bat Theme Pretend Play Center

Although this bat theme pretend play center is simpler than many of my play tablescapes, little learners will be eager to explore it. They will happily use the loose parts in creative, imaginative ways.

_______

The orange, green, purple, and black bead necklaces are cut into strips to make colorful “loose part” spaghetti. A preschooler suggested this idea while exploring a New Year’s pretend play setup. I loved it and have since used “bead necklace spaghetti” to enhance and color-coordinate with many of my pretend play centers.

Similar colored pom poms stored in a bat-shaped silicone mold make great meatballs.

Bat-shaped cookie cutters on a cookie pan suggest home-baked cookies.

Miniature bat-themed toys make small tasty pretend treats.

_______

Black and white buffalo-plaid decorative balls cut from garland display nicely in a bat-shaped bowl. Along with transparent bat decorations, they offer additional play food choices.

Bat-shaped reusable ice cubes keep pretend drinks cold in clear play cups or can be used as additional play food.

Bat-themed play glasses and toy rings add dress-up opportunities to the center.

White plates, bowls, and cutlery coordinate nicely with the bat-themed loose parts.

_______

Exploring the topic of bats in a pretend play center is a great way to introduce young children to these night-flying, roosting creatures.

_______

Related: Bat Necklace

_______

More Themed Pretend Play Tablescapes

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

St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play

Spring Bunny Play Tablescape

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

_______

[Read more…] about Bat Theme Pretend Play

Filed Under: dramatic play, fall, preschool, pretend play, science, sensory Tagged With: bats, loose parts, play kitchen, pretend play

Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment

October 30, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This felt marker chromatography experiment uses supplies from the kitchen, has quick results, and can be tailored to a variety of topics. Creativity and center play are easily incorporated. And the experiment is super family-friendly.

_______

Basic Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment

See what colors felt pens are really made up of with this felt pen chromatography experiment.

_______

The simplest version of this experiment is to draw three filled-in circles with nonpermanent felt pens near the bottom of a section of paper towel.

Add a thin layer of water with 2.5 ml salt stirred into a measuring cup or jar. Place the towel with the colored side down into the container. The water level should sit just below the felt pen colors.

Simply watch what happens!

After the color movement stops, remove the paper towel from the container and let it dry flat. Discuss the color changes/new color results.

_______

Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment Scary House

Scary house imaginative play with a felt pen experiment chromatogram.

_______

Although I am not into scary things and don’t do much frightening stuff with my preschool students, this version of the experiment produces a house that bats and spiders might like to inhabit. And here’s where the creative element kicks into high gear.

Draw the outline of a house on a paper towel section with a black nonpermanent felt marker. Trim the edges with scissors. Then add a thin line of black to the bottom of the house with the marker. Pour a little water with a bit of salt added into an ice cream pail. Position the paper towel so it reaches the bottom of the pail but does not slide in. Watch the immediate results. Then check back periodically to note more color changes.

This easy-to-do felt pen chromatography experiment has stunning results.

_______

When the colors have finished spreading, take the paper towel out of the pail, and dry it flat.

The color on my paper towel chromatogram stopped just short of the top of the house. I decided to wet the top a bit so the color filled in completely. That made the design ready to be a placemat for pumpkins, bats, and spiders.

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

_______

Two Different Marker Chromatography Experiment

Try this easy felt pen chromatography experiment using a permanent and nonpermanent felt pen.

_______

Using both permanent and nonpermanent black felt markers produces nice results too. For this second version, draw the house on the paper towel with a black permanent marker. Then fill in the thin line of color at the bottom with a nonpermanent felt one. Finish the experiment with the same process as above.

As with the first project, the resulting colors did not spread to the very top of the paper towel house. So I wet the top of this chromatogram too. The color record looks like a house on fire to me, so adding people, pets, firefighters, and orange, black, and clear gems creates another imaginative play invitation.

Sensory and imaginative play with a felt pen experiment chromatogram.

_______

Firefighter diorama created with a felt pen experiment chromatogram.

_______

Interpreting The Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines chromatography as “a process in which a chemical mixture carried by a liquid or gas is separated into components as a result of differential distribution of the solutes as they flow around or over a stationary liquid or solid phase.”

Although each felt marker appears to be just one color, the hues are actually made up of different chemicals called pigments. As saltwater seeps up stationary paper towels, the pigments move up with it. New colors appear because some pigments travel faster than others, and certain colors are less soluble and/or adhere to the paper towel more.

Each color-infused paper towel is called a chromatogram, a graphic record of the separation of colors into different pigments by chromatography.

_______

[Read more…] about Felt Marker Chromatography Experiment

Filed Under: art, autumn, fall, preschool, pretend play, science, sensory Tagged With: bats, colors, loose parts, pumpkin, science experiment, sensory play, spiders

Bat Necklace

October 24, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Your children will be excited to craft this simple bat necklace that uses easy to find supplies. Free bat template printable included.
Your children will be excited to craft this simple bat necklace that uses easy to find supplies. Free bat template printable included.

_______

This simple bat necklace craft is sure to excite little learners. The preparation time is minimal, and just a few, easy-to-find supplies are needed. A free template printable is included below.

_______

Bat Necklace Supplies To Collect

Supplies needed to create a bat necklace children will love to make.

_______

Collect the following supplies for the bat necklaces:

  • bat stickers, rubber bat figurines, or cardstock bats
  • orange, black, and clear pony beads
  • tiny sticker googly eyes
  • stretchy plastic or thin lacing string

_______

Making The Bat Necklace

Cut bats from orange cardstock. Feel free to download this template.

Bat template to use in making a bat necklace all children will love.

_______

Bat Template PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Tip: Bat stickers or rubber figurines would work well too, and save on preparation time. If you plan on using sticker bats, it is important to leave the paper backing on.

Punch a hole in the sides of each bat. Then cut lacing string into 12 – inch lengths. Two will be needed for each necklace. Securely tie one end of the strings to each side of the bats.

Set out containers of black, clear, and orange pony beads. About forty beads per child will be more than enough.

Tip: Using orange beads of different types (opaque, transparent, and pearl) adds more choice. And then certain beads may become “treasures” to search out for some little learners.

Invite children to string the beads on each side of the necklace.

Adding about 15 – 17 beads per side works well. In doing this craft, I found that many little learners naturally stop stringing beads at around 15.

Ask children to count beads on the side with the most, and add the same number to the other side. Tie off the necklaces, and help your little charges add tiny sticker googly eyes.

Easy to make bat necklace that little learners will love.

_______

Snap a few pictures of children wearing their new bling.

Children will love to craft and wear this easy-to-make bat necklace.

_______

[Read more…] about Bat Necklace

Filed Under: crafts, preschool Tagged With: animal crafts, bats, bead art, jewelry

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

Subscribe Via Email

Recent Posts

  • Salt and Ice Science Experiment May 20, 2025
  • Airplane Rice Sensory Bin May 16, 2025
  • Salt Painting Planet Art May 3, 2025
  • Spring Bunny Sensory Bin April 19, 2025
  • Tin Foil Egg Printing April 17, 2025
  • Lentil Easter Bunny Sensory Bin April 15, 2025
  • Unicorn Store Dramatic Play Center March 25, 2025
  • Easter Store Dramatic Play Center March 23, 2025
  • Origami Heart Wreath February 28, 2025
  • Black History Month Mixed Media Art February 26, 2025

Categories

Topics

block play bunnies butterflies Chinese New Year Christmas Christmas craft color colors dramatic play Easter flowers hearts holiday jewelry leaves leprechauns light table loose parts painting paper crafts playdough pretend play printables printmaking process art pumpkins rice bin scented playdough science experiment scissor skills sensory bin sensory play sensory tray shamrocks skeletons snakes snowflakes spiders spring St. Patrick's Day sunflowers tablescapes trees Valentine's Day water play

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in