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dramatic play

Pool Noodle Building Blocks

July 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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Over a year ago, I purchased interlocking foam pool noodles, planning to pull them out one day as a boredom buster. This year they finally made their debut, as pool noodle building blocks!

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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Before introducing the pool noodles, I trimmed them into various lengths with a sharp knife on a cutting board. The cut pieces ranged from thin slices to much longer ones. A few sections were sliced in half lengthwise.

Then I loaded the connectable foam noodle loose parts into large bins and set them out in a block corner. I wasn’t sure how early learners would react to them. Would they find them interesting to build with? Would the novelty of the construction activity wear off after a few days?

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Pool Noodle Block Play

The first day the cut swim noodles were out I demonstrated how to slide them together. Children responded well and began creating structures.

The light, flexible blocks far surpassed my expectations as a building toy. Every day, early learners regularly picked them up and made something new. Here are some things they created with the noodles:

  • large sculptures
  • barricades
  • spaceships
  • an elevator
  • a castle

The hollow foam blocks stayed out for a few months. Over time, I added a few other types and colors of noodles to the play area in order to provide more choice. The new pieces were not interlocking but added interest, and early learners used them to enhance the creations they made.

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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More Play With Pool Noodle Building Blocks

To my delight, children repurposed the different kinds of pool noodles in other play activities. They used individual pieces as:

  • candles on a table in a play restaurant
  • a bun for a sausage
  • food fried up in a pan
  • a telescope

And at times, other classroom building materials were added to pool noodle structures.

Set out these light, transportable, foam noodle building blocks for your early learners to build with and add to for STEAM fun.

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As loose parts, the pool noodles were used innovatively and creatively by early learners. I loved seeing the inventions made, and always responded enthusiastically.

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Pool noodles are inexpensive, light, and easy to move around and store. They work fabulously as creative building pieces and loose parts for construction and dramatic play centers.

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Related: Build A Christmas Tree STEAM Activity

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[Read more…] about Pool Noodle Building Blocks

Filed Under: block play, dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, science Tagged With: block play, dramatic play, pool noodles, pretend play

Spider Theme Activities

October 31, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Spider theme activities little learners will love. Art, Math, dramatic play, and gymnasium play ideas are featured.
Spider theme activities little learners will love. Art, Math, dramatic play, and gymnasium play ideas are featured.

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For years I have been collecting supplies for spider theme activities. And fall is the best time to add to the theme, as spider décor and toys are everywhere in stores.

But I’ve been hesitant to do a whole theme about these little crawlers. That might involve just too many spiders for some children’s comfort!

This fall I decided to introduce just a few spidery things in the classroom, and touch on the theme a little more than usual. I added spider activities sequentially over a two-week period. It didn’t hurt that a family on the route to preschool positioned a humungous spider on top of their home, with a web that extended from rooftop to ground. I’m sure this helped break the topic in!

An oversized spider decoration.

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Here are some spider theme activities we completed. They would work well for the children in your life too.

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Spider Mask

Easily transform into a spider with this easy papercraft mask.

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First, we decorated a spider mask. I used a wooden puppet as a template and traced it on pieces of black cardstock. I cut out enough spider masks for each child to have one and then glued on little orange hats. Each preschooler glammed up a mask with sticker gems. Afterward, I punched holes on each side of the masks and attached 18-inch pieces of thin elastic cord. The activity went over well, and children were happy to pose for pictures wearing their masks.

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Spidery Dramatic Play

Oh so fun spider-themed accessories for the play kitchen.

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Next, I added a few spider décor pieces to a pumpkin store and play kitchen. The items were a hit with everyone, and both centers were popular play areas for the children.

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Spiders and Spouts Sensory Tray

An Itsy Bitsy Spider inspired construction and sensory tray little learners will love.

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The following week I added a “Spiders And Spouts” sensory tray, inspired by the Itsy Bitsy Spider sensory tub blog post by Rubber Boots And Elf Shoes.

For the tray, I selected tubes from a sports net, a musical instrument set, a marble run toy, and a construction set. I added paper webs, spiders in many sizes, and bug viewers.

We followed up the sensory play with Itsy Bitsy Spider nursery rhyme picture books. Some favorites were:

  • The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Joe Rhatigan
  • Pete The Cat And The Itsy Bitsy Spider by James Dean
  • The Eensy-Weensy Spider by Mary Ann Hoberman

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Other Good Spider Books

We also squeezed in the storybooks “Aranea: A Story About A Spider” by Jenny Wagner, and “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle.

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Spider Math Tray

Once the children thoroughly explored the spiders and spouts tray, it was turned into a Math center where students could roll a dice and put the correct number of spiders on a paper web. They could also add in tiny ants as prey.

Bring on the math with spiders and dice counting game.

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Spider Web Printable

Feel free to download this printable for use in a sensory or math center.

Downloadable spider web printable for math, sensory, and art activities.

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Spider Web PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Gross Motor Activities

Finally, we had spoon races with spiders, and used bouncy spider balls in our gymnasium. Playing with the bouncy balls was definitely the favorite activity of the children.

Easy to play spider and spoon game.

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Spider balls to get little learners moving.

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[Read more…] about Spider Theme Activities

Filed Under: autumn, book theme, crafts, dramatic play, fall, literacy, Math, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: dramatic play, paper crafts, sensory tray, spiders

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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!

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puttingtheprettyin.preschool

Lemonade theme dramatic play tablescape! 🍋🍋🍋

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Moon exploration playdough invitation with lots of Moon exploration playdough invitation with lots of sparkle and shine.  #playdoughfun #sensoryplayideas #playbasedlearning #keepingkidsbusy #learnandplay #loosepartsplay #invitationtoplay #preschooler #preschoolfun #spaceexploration #spaceships #earlyeducation #eyfsideas
An easy-to-make water-melon themed hanging banner An easy-to-make water-melon themed hanging banner that helps celebrate summer!
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Easy and fun space exploration rice bin. The space Easy and fun space exploration rice bin. The spaceship bubble bottle makes a great addition to the bin. 
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This strawberry lemonade sensory bin is perfect fo This strawberry lemonade sensory bin is perfect for a hot day like today! Details are on the blog…click link in profile.

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Can anyone pull out the magic instead of the madne Can anyone pull out the magic instead of the madness in this wolf? Free pattern and tutorial are on the blog. Click link in profile to access it. Book suggestions and wolf facts are included.

Today I’m joining in the global Sew A Softie tutorial hop organized by Trixie @sewasoftie . Sew A Softie is an annual initiative to inspire kids and adults all over the world to learn to sew.
Please join in and tag #sewasoftie and @sewasoftie to be in the running for some fun prizes.
Pop over to @early_years_steph to see yesterday’s tutorial and don’t forget to visit:
@missdaisypatterns
@mit_kleber_und_schere 
@m_and_m_bubble 
tomorrow for more softie magic!

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Beautiful pink peonies are the highlight of this f Beautiful pink peonies are the highlight of this flower sensory tray. Easy to set up, and fun to play in!  #summerbouquet #prettyflowers #flowersmakemehappy 
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Black and white playdough invitation! Link in prof Black and white playdough invitation! Link in profile leads to blogpost. #flowers #bugs #butterflies #playdoughrecipe #childsplay #kidsplay #invitationtoplay #blackandwhite #loosepartsplay #prek #kindergarten #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Canada Day sensory play invitation on the light ta Canada Day sensory play invitation on the light table!  #sensoryactivities #playactivities #playandlearn #freeplay #lightplay #lightplayactivities #CanadaDay #lighttableactivities #celebrate #Canadadianteacher #prekteacher #prek #kindergarten #homeschool #homeschooling #loosepartsplay #looseparts #lightbox
Spin painting maple leaf process art activity usin Spin painting maple leaf process art activity using a salad spinner! The chosen colors are those seen in Canadian landscapes and home decor. This project is perfect for Canada Day or anytime of the year. 
Download the free template on the blog. Link in profile.
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#spinpainting #processart #spinart #mapleleaves #CanadaDay #Canadianlandscapes #fallleaves #leafart #preschoolart #funart #littleartist #Wowart #itstheprocess
I’m thrilled to be joining in the Sew A Softie T I’m thrilled to be joining in the Sew A Softie Tutorial Hop organized by Trixie @sewasoftie. It kicks off on July 1 launching a month of daily simple sew a softie tutorials that are perfect for you to sew with your kids.

Sewing is fun and creative, and boosts kid’s self confidence!

Join us in making softie magic happen and follow @sewasoftie and hashtag #sewasoftie to feature what you’ve made and be in the running for some fun prizes. 

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Last minute Father’s Day craft that is sure to p Last minute Father’s Day craft that is sure to please!
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#spacecraft #spacecollage #kidsartproject #easyart #homeschooling #prek #fathersdaycraft #fathersday #papercraft #spaceships #planets #starrysky #summercrafts #funcrafts #tactile
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Recent Posts

  • Salt And Glue Moon Art August 8, 2022
  • Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen August 4, 2022
  • Painting Striped And Spotted Sharks August 1, 2022
  • Watermelon-Inspired Banner Craft July 31, 2022
  • Pool Noodle Building Blocks July 30, 2022
  • Scented Moon Playdough July 29, 2022
  • Strawberry Lemonade Sensory Bin July 19, 2022
  • DIY Grey Wolf Softie July 14, 2022
  • Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray July 7, 2022
  • Canada Day Sensory Play June 30, 2022

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