flowers

Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center

September 12, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A flower stand dramatic play center can be set up in minutes and will be a colorful, inviting place for your little learners to play. It was this summer’s dramatic play center at my preschool, and absolutely everyone enjoyed it. In addition to making a great spring or summer pretend play area, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Dollar stores are an excellent resource for stocking a flower stand pretend play center, as they often have a good selection of artificial flowers at a low price. Keeping an eye out for flower theme supplies on regular shopping runs will lead to discovering interesting accessories to add to the stand.

Here’s what’s in my flower stand:

a variety of artificial flower branches
small decorative garbage cans
flower-themed plates, bowls, and ice cube trays
pool noodles flower slices
flowery gift bags
bulletin board slabs in a flower shape
flower erasers and reusable ice cubes
flower-themed silicone baking molds
plastic vases
watering cans
gardening gloves
play money
flower stand sign
signs with plant quotes

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The Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center

The flower branches are set out in small decorative garbage cans. They look appealing when organized in individual or analogous colors.

Color sorting artificial flowers in a flower stand dramatic play center is a good way to learn about colors.

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There is no harm in setting out the sprigs randomly. Little learners will eagerly rearrange the blooms in ways that suit them.

These artificial flowers can be arranged by color in a flower stand dramatic play center.

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Other supplies are arranged on a shelf and/or table. This user-friendly shelf on casters houses supplies superbly and is perfect for dramatic play centers.

Flower stand accessories are housed perfectly on a shelf with casters.

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Flower-theme silicone baking cups with different colored inserts are great for developing eye-hand coordination and for discussing colors. In this center, they are repurposed as mini-interchangeable puzzles!

Flower-themed layered baking cups make great mini-puzzles for a flower stand dramatic play center

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Flower-shaped pool noodles cut into thin slices make pretend play “cookies.”

Sliced flower-themed pool noodles make great "cookies" for a flower stand dramatic play center.

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Tip: Slice a pool noodle section into one to two-inch wide flower-shaped treats on a cutting board with a sharp kitchen knife.

Succulents, a last-minute find, add variety and texture to the flower choices. Their smaller size makes them easy for little learners to handle and move around. My preschoolers loved them, so I will definitely be adding more over time.

Artificial succulents are just the right size for little hands and add texture and interest to a flower stand dramatic play center.

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A flower stand sign and quotes about blooms add opportunities to engage with print.

A fower-themed sign and quotes add a literacy component to a flower stand dramatic play center,

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Click here to view the Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center as a video.

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Learning Through Play Possibilities

There is a lot of learning through play potential in this flower stand dramatic play center. The center has opportunities for:

discussing job titles such as florist, cashier, and delivery truck driver.
taking turns to be a customer.
recognizing colors of flowers and accessories.
counting supplies and coins, sorting flowers by color, and discussing large and small bouquets.
experiencing and handling beautiful, aesthetically pleasing things.

A flower-themed cardmaking station would be an awesome center to go along with this flower stand. Little learners would be thrilled to make cards for the store.

A card-making center compliments a flower stand dramatic play center.

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And wouldn’t a flower stand be wonderful in bright, warm fall colors? My flower stand is transitioning to an autumn-themed one next week!

Setting up a flower stand in fall colors is a good way to celebrate the autumn season.

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[Read more…]

Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray

July 7, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This teacup and peony sensory tray is bound to wow the little charges in your care. The chance to cut gigantic flowers and use teacups in waterplay are sure to be tactile activities they want to try.

The flower-themed sensory tray is an afterthought of a project I originally wanted to do. A few years back I shopped for low, wide teacups to set peonies in as a gift for Mother’s Day or year-end. But I couldn’t find teacups in the shape I wanted. I decided to table the idea for the future, determined to pair peonies and teacups in some way.

We have a peony plant in our yard, so that makes an activity with the spotlight-grabbing flowers economical to do. This year peonies were late bloomers due to our extremely looooong winter! Mine didn’t bloom in time for Mother’s Day or our last day of preschool in June, so I decided on plan B: to feature peonies and teacups in a summer sensory tray!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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An easy-to-set-up flower-themed sensory tray that features teacups and show-stopping peony flowers.

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Ten Peony Facts

Peonies are large, layered flowers that look like many-petalled roses.
The stunning flowers can measure up to 10 inches wide.
The blooms come in many colors, such as white, pink, red, coral, maroon, or yellow.
Many kinds of peonies are fragrant. Their smell varies from sweet, citrusy, or slightly spicy.
There are early, midseason, and late blooming varieties.
Peony plants are hardy to zone 3 and embrace cold winters.
The striking plants can live up to 100 years.
Ants are attracted to peonies, eating the sugary sucrose the buds secrete before they open.
Peonies make an excellent cut flower.
Popular throughout history, peonies symbolize romance and love. In China and Japan, peonies represent bravery, honor, respect, good fortune, and prosperity.

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Sensory Tray Supplies To Collect

An easy-to-set-up flower-themed sensory tray that features show-stopping peony flowers.

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For this easy-to-set-up sensory tray, gather the following:

large tray or bin
tea cups and saucers
cut peony flowers and leaf stems
peony bud sprays
bowls
cake stand
small plant pots and watering cans
ant and fly figurines
large tablespoons
scissors

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The Teacup And Peony Sensory Tray

In a large sensory bin or active world tray, set up stations with a teacup and saucer, large spoon, and pair of scissors.

Note: My featured tray includes china teacups and saucers. Use unbreakable ones as an alternative if you are more comfortable with that. No matter which kind of cups and saucers you choose, this sensory activity should be supervised closely.

Set plant pots, bowls, and water-filled spray bottles, and watering cans around the teacup stations.

Cut peonies leaving two inches of stem, and set one in each teacup.

Position three large peonies cut right to the flower base on a cake stand in the middle of the play tray for an eye-catching centerpiece.

Three flowers on a cake stand make a stunning centerpiece in a peony and teacup sensory tray play invitation.

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Spread peony leaf stems and bud sprays around the bin, and top them with ant and fly figurines.

Invite your little learners to explore the dainty sensory tray.

Set up this peony flower sensory play invitation your little learners will absolutely love in just minutes!

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Note: Before going ahead with the activity, I researched whether peonies are safe to use with children. Some websites say they are toxic if consumed in large quantities but not harmful to the skin if touched.

Since my students do not have a habit of putting things in their mouths, I decided these flowers were a go for a sensory tray. Aside from the tactile experience, I felt it would be a good opportunity to discuss plant-tasting and possible toxins/poisons.

If the children in your care like to explore by putting things in their mouths, choose an edible flower for this activity

Tip: To stave off ants, it’s best to snip buds before the flowers bloom, and use them once they open. But since we only have one peony plant in our yard, I decided to wait until bloom time so my family could enjoy the flowers first!

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Benefits Of The Teacup And Peony Play Tray

Developing eye-hand coordination, practicing using scissors, exploring fluffy peony flowers, and getting the opportunity to use teacups are just some of the benefits of this gorgeous sensory invitation.

Early learners get plenty of practice with scissor skills and eye-hand coordination in this peony flower sensory play invitation.

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Blogposts About Peony Flowers

Interested in learning more about peony plants? Here are two great blog posts about them:

“The Magic Of Peonies” by salisburygreenhouse.com.
“How To Grow Peonies” by thespruce.com.

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This beautiful peony and teacup sensory tray allows for practice with scissors skills and eye-hand coordination. Peony facts are included.

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[Read more…]

White Lilacs And Black Playdough

June 11, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Try this unexpected white lilac and black playdough combination. It goes well with cookie cutters and white and transparent loose parts.

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When I first decided to make black playdough, it was for a space theme. And lilacs were going to be used in a sensory play tub. Some white lilacs did end up in a sensory tub along with a generous supply of purple ones, and I used black playdough for the space theme as planned. But I also discovered that white lilacs and black playdough make an interesting and unexpected combination.

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

For the black playdough in this post, I use a recipe featured in a blog post by Left Brain Craft Brain. It is easy to make, and produces super black playdough!

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White Lilacs And Black Playdough Tray

Set up this unexpected white lilac and black playdough tray. Striking creations will surely be the result.

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The supplies gathered for this effortless playdough tray are:

white lilac sprigs
clear gems
transparent hair ties
reusable transparent star ice cubes
white pony beads
wired white leaves
flower, bug, and butterfly cookie cutters
scissors
rolling pin

Set out on a serving tray with compartments, the supplies make for an aromatic play invitation.

The lilac sprigs can be snipped and kneaded into the playdough.

Loose parts and tiny lilac petals are available to embellish playdough shapes.

The flower, insect, and butterfly cookie cutters are unexpected and result in striking creations.

White lilac and black playdough creations using flower, butterfly, and bug coolie cutters and white and transparent loose parts.

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Black playdough and white lilacs make the perfect combination for a dynamic playdough invitation.

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Alternatively. the lilac and black playdough work wonderfully for a space theme. Star-shaped gems and reusable ice cubes, grey painted rocks, white pony beads, clear acrylic gems, and an astronaut and spaceship are included in the play invitation below.

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Black And White Playdough Tray

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If you decide to forgo using lilacs, black playdough works well on its own with white and transparent loose parts and cookie cutters. Gathered for the tray above are:

striped black and white straws
white buttons
black and white game pieces
bottle caps
baby bottle lids
white beads
pizza lid box stands
flower, butterfly, and bug cookie cutters

An striking black and white playdough theme with flower, bug, and butterfly cookie cutter shapes.

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Spider, bat, and skeleton loose parts are also a good fit for this playdough.

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A sure-to-please outer space playdough setup.

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More Activities With Flowers

Balloon Painting Flower Art

Tea Set Water Play

Dish Wand Print Flowers

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Contact Paper Flower Art

Petunia Flower Sensory Tray

Eye Dropper Flower Art

Create a beautiful flower with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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[Read more…]

Lilac Flower Sensory Trays

June 9, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It is safe to say that our city is a late bloomer when it comes to plants popping up in spring. So when large, showy lilac blooms finally appear, I am more than ready to enjoy them. With these lilac flower sensory trays, their magnificent beauty and fragrant aroma are celebrated.

Before using natural materials with early learners, the first thing I do is check if the items I would like to introduce are poisonous or toxic. I was super excited to find that no lilac parts contain chemicals or toxins that are harmful to people or animals. This makes them safe for sensory tray play.

And when washed, lilac flowers are edible, with flavors that vary from grass-like, lilac, or no flavor at all.

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Lilac Flower Tuff Tray

As is often featured on this blog, this lilac flower sensory tray is easy-peasy to set up. You can use supplies commonly at your fingertips. Gather the following for the tray:

metal bowls
tablespoons
children’s scissors
containers with water
lilac foliage and sprigs in purple, lavender, and white
a bouquet of lilacs

Lilac flowers are the stars of this aromatic sensory play invitation.

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Set up stations in a tuff tray or sensory tub. For each station, include a metal bowl, lilac sprigs, a container with water, a pair of children’s scissors, and a large spoon. Place a bouquet of lilacs in the center for added visual appeal.

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Lilac flowers are the stars of this aromatic tuff tray play invitation.

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Invite little learners to explore. They will be thoroughly engrossed in cutting lilacs, pouring water, and making delicious “lilac soup.”

Oh-so-fun lilac flower sensory play in a tuff tray.

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Note: Lilacs come in a range of purple, pink, and white colors. The Spruce website features an array of gorgeous colors in a blog post titled “14 Beautiful Types Of Lilac.”

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Pop-Up Lilac Flower Mud Kitchen

How to set up a pop-up mud kitchen in minutes. A nature-based sensory activity your little learners will love.

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Another easy way to celebrate lilacs is to offer them in a pop-up mud kitchen:

Set a crate and small wire shelves in a sensory table or tray.

With a black felt pen, draw four stove burners on a section of cardboard.

Set the cardboard “stove top” on the crate.

Add metal pots, bowls, muffin tins, and spoons to the table/tray. Include a selection of smooth stones and tiny wood slices.

This DIY mud kitchen is a must-try. Aromatic lilac flowers accentuate the nature-based play invitation.

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Your little charges will love investigating this sensory invitation too!

Note: Both lilac flower sensory trays can be offered indoors or outdoors. And a current in-season flower can be used instead of lilacs.

Set up this "do it yourself" mud kitchen in minutes! Use it indoors or outdoors.

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Related: Flower Theme Activities

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[Read more…]

Flower Planting Sensory Play

May 10, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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One of the best things to do in spring is to visit greenhouses, pick flowers, and then plant them in gardens and pots. Little learners can experience this indoors in flower planting sensory play activities.

A few easy-to-gather supplies are all that is needed for children to engage in spring planting sensory activities. Featured are four sensory tray ideas.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Seed Tray Flower Planting

Set up this no-fuss flower planting sensory activity today!

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Seed trays are the perfect size for planting miniature flower figurines.

Supplies To Collect:

small seed starter trays
flower figurines
dried black beans

Set out the seed starter trays, along with a bowl of black beans and flower figurines. Invite little learners to plant flowers in black bean “dirt.”

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Flower Planting Sensory Tray

Miniature flower and butterfly figurines take center stage in this easy-to-set-up flower planting sensory activity.

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The low edge in serving trays makes them ideal for little learners to reach in and explore sensory materials.

Supplies To Collect

small seed starter trays
dessert cups
flower and butterfly figurines
spoons
serving tray

Spread a layer of black beans in an edged serving tray. Set in dessert cups and spoons.

Then place containers with flowers and butterflies next to the tray.

Invite little learners to scoop and pour black beans, plant flowers, and add butterflies to their designs.

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Book-Inspired Construction Zone Tray

A bean-based sensory bin inspired by the storybook "The Digger And the Flower" by Joseph Kuefler.

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This book-inspired sensory tray features an unlikely pairing: a construction vehicle and flower figurines.

Supplies To Collect

picture Book: The Digger And The Flower
black beans
rocks
flower figurines
serving tray

Read the endearing picture book called “The Digger And The Flower” by Joseph Kuefler. It’s a keeper!

Then layer a base of black beans in a serving tray.

Next set in a construction vehicle digger, rocks, and a few flowers.

Afterward, invite students to take turns exploring the tray.

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Rice Bin Flower Planting

Miniature flower figurines take center stage in this easy-to-set-up flower planting rice bin.

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Rice makes an economical sensory base in this bin.

Supplies To Collect:

brown rice
seed starter trays
flower and butterfly figurines
wooden scoops
plastic bin

Spread brown rice in a bin. I feature a food service bin that accommodates two to three children. Add in seed starter trays, flower figurines, and wooden scoops for little learners to use in the bin.

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Note: Eaten raw, black beans and rice are toxic. Supervision is important when offering these activities. If your little charges are prone to sticking things in their mouths, consider using an edible sensory base.

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These four flower planting sensory play invitations take only minutes to set up. With slight variations in supplies, the flower and butterfly figurines can be explored in new ways.

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Related: Carrot Paint Prints

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[Read more…]

Ladybug Sensory Tray

April 24, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This ladybug sensory tray is filled with flowers. It is a great example of how an easy-to-set-up activity can provide so much enjoyment to children, and also have educational outcomes.

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Ladybugs And Flowers

Did you know that ladybugs (also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles) and flowers go hand in hand? This is because the spotted, well-loved bugs are attracted to the nectar (a source of protein,) and pollen (a carbohydrate energy source) in flowers.

And as they travel from flower to flower, ladybugs transport pollen, fertilizing blooms as they go.

Some flower varieties ladybugs especially love are:

marigolds
nasturtium
cosmos
yarrow
sunflowers
zinnias
sweet alyssum
scented geraniums

Ladybugs are also helpful in a flower patch because their main food source is tiny, green, pesky aphids. These pests suck nutrient-rich juices from plant parts and multiply quickly.

An adult ladybug can munch on up to fifty aphids a day. They eat other bugs as well as flower pollen and nectar to supplement their diet.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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The Ladybug Sensory Tray

A color-filled ladybug and flower sensory tray. Facts about ladybugs and blooms included.

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This tray is effortless to set up, and your little learners will be eager to explore it.

For the base, I feature a large, square serving tray. It’s easy for little ones to reach in and reorganize the pieces.

Craft punched paper flowers are arranged in the tray, along with artificial plant leaves and a few smooth rocks.

As my ladybug figurines are buried in a large bin, I use craft foam ladybugs in two different sizes. The light, oversized bugs add interest to the tray.

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If flowers are plentiful in your area, you can add real ones to your bin. The tray below features a few kinds of sunflowers.

For an alternative to ladybug figurines, painted rock bugs are an inexpensive choice.

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Do you love ladybugs or need some around to combat aphids? Why not plant flowers that they are attracted to in your flower patch or container garden.

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Related: Ladybug Wand Craft

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[Read more…]

Easter Transient Art

April 17, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Here are three easy Easter transient art activities using egg, chick, and bunny designs as a base. They’ll add color and style to any Easter or spring theme.

Set out these adorable, party-ready Easter transient art activities using easy-to-find supplies. The activities also work for a spring theme.

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What Is Transient Art?

Transient art is non-permanent art using craft materials and/or loose parts. It is open-ended and process-oriented. The art can be designed and redesigned by the same child, or by different children. It allows children to be creative in a non-threatening environment.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following for these Easter transient art activities:

wood canvas boards
wall art frames
undecorated wood bunny, chick, and egg plaques
circle, flower, and butterfly paper punches
turquoise, green, yellow, orange, pink, and purple cardstock paper
12-inch x 18-inch yellow, pink, and blue construction paper
glue stick
scissors
pencil

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The Easter Transient Art Process

Adorable, party-ready bunny and egg transient art activities using easy-to-find supplies. The activities also work for a spring theme.

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First, select inexpensive unfinished wood plaques with an Easter or spring theme. The bunny, egg, and chick plaques featured here were purchased at a Dollar store. I was originally looking for just a bunny, but was excited to happen upon all three designs!

Next, pick wooden canvas boards and/or wall art frames that are slightly bigger than the plaques.

Then cut 12-inch x 18-inch construction paper in colors of choice to fit inside the frames or canvas board backs.

Punch out flowers and butterflies from spring-colored cardstock. Punch circles and glue contrasting colored ones to the flower centers.

Lastly, set the plaques on a table in frames or canvases, and add the paper punched shapes.

Set up this Easter egg transient art invitation for your child today! An easy, non-threatening spring activity.

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Invite children to pick an egg, chick, or bunny design to decorate with paper shapes.

Oh, so pretty spring chick transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Oh, so pretty Easter bunny transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Oh, so pretty Easter egg transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Tips:

For an economical alternative, a homemade cardstock frame can be used instead of the canvas board or art frames.
And die cut, foam, and felt craft supply butterflies and flowers can be substituted for paper punched ones.

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Permanent Art Projects

After children have had a chance to create transient art projects, they may wish to complete a finished work. White glue could be used to adhere the flowers and butterflies to the plaques. Or you could offer cardstock bunnies, chicks, and eggs as templates.

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Oh, so pretty Easter chick transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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Oh, so pretty spring bunny transient art activity using easy-to-find supplies. A permanent artwork can also be created.

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[Read more…]

Spring Bunny Wreath Craft

April 14, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Make this adorable spring bunny paper plate craft with easy-to-find supplies. A jelly bean necklace is a finishing touch.

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Here’s a simple spring bunny wreath craft that’s perfect for the Easter season, but also celebrates spring. Along with a bunny, flowers, and butterflies, it incorporates jelly beans, fitting for National Jelly Bean Day!

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Supplies To Collect

Easy to gather supplies to make an adorable spring bunny wreath craft.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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For this sweet, floral craft project, gather the following:

white paper plate
cardstock in spring colors
flower, butterfly, and circle paper punches
white or tan cardstock
pink pompom
wiggly eyes
needle and thread
jelly beans
glue stick
white glue or glue gun
scissors
thin black felt pen

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Making The Spring Bunny Wreath Craft

Craft this adorable spring bunny wreath with easy-to-find supplies.

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First, cut the center from a paper plate.

Next, punch flowers, butterflies, and circles from spring-colored cardstock. Using a glue stick, adhere contrasting circle centers to some of the flowers.

Then glue butterflies and flowers around the paper plate rim.

Trace and cut a bunny head from white or tan cardstock. (A white bunny is perfect for Easter, but a grey or brown one will take the craft into spring.) Download this free template if desired.

Download this bunny head template to make a spring bunny wreath craft.

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Bunny Head PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Then draw two curved lines for the bunny mouth, and add whiskers.

Afterward, glue on the wiggly eyes and a pink pompom nose.

Lastly, adhere the paper bunny to the bottom back of the wreath using white glue or a glue gun.

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Adding The Jelly Bean Necklace

For a unique crafting experience, make a colorful and tasty jelly bean necklace for the bunny:

Pull a long piece of thread through a sturdy sewing needle.
Thread on jelly beans in a pattern of choice, or add them randomly.
Tie off the ends of the thread when the necklace is the desired length.
String the necklace around the bunny’s neck.

String a jelly bean necklace to wear or use in a craft. A super fun activity with pattern-making possibilities.

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Tip: For young children, the necklace could be prepared in advance. Or little learners could dictate which color jellybeans to thread on a necklace as you make one for them.

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Making this jelly bean necklace was easier than I thought it would be. I was sure that I would poke my fingers more than once. But thankfully I didn’t!

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This paper plate bunny wreath will brighten up any space, The jelly bean necklace is the highlight of the craft.

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Craft this adorable spring bunny wreath with easy-to-find supplies. A jelly bean necklace is a finishing touch.

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Related: Jelly Bean Theme

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The spring colors in the wreath are so welcome at a time of year when some days are bright and sunny, but others are grey and overcast. And I’m so ready for flowers and butterflies since we’ve had more than our share of snow this year!

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[Read more…]

Floral Decorated Skeleton

October 30, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It’s always a treat to check the latest trends in home décor and craft stores, and this fall the offerings did not disappoint. Design ideas that stood out from the crowd were the floral accents on skeletons in wall art, sculptures, and figurines spotted at Michael’s stores. The pastel flowers totally romanticized and softened skeletons and skulls, and made them super fun.

Little learners can experience and create a floral decorated skeleton with a nature-themed transient art opportunity.

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Floral Decorated Skeleton Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this invitation to create:

flowers
tray
large model skeleton
large frame

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Decorating The Skeleton

Set a skeleton in a frame and add floral accents to soften up the look.

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On a table, set a skeleton model inside a 16-inch x 20-inch art frame.

Arrange flower heads in a tray. Mine were picked from begonias and marigolds grown in my yard over the summer: end-of-season plants that were about to freeze over due to frosty fall mornings.

A nature tray filled with flowers ready to be used for crafts, playdough, and sensory play.

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Invite early learners to decorate the skeleton with flowers.

Yellow and orange flowers brighten up this skeleton and allow children to become floral designers.

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You might enjoy adding floral touches to the skeleton too!

Yellow marigolds brighten up this skeleton and allow children to become floral designers.

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Pink begonia flowers soften up this skeleton and give young children a chance to be floral designers.

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[Read more…]

Flower Theme Activities

November 8, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Flower theme art, sensory, and pretend play activities. Early learners will love the winged creatures (dragons, unicorns, and an angel) featured in the theme.

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Last spring I picked up two voluminous begonia plants that had large wing-shaped leaves. One plant was called “dragon wing begonia,” and the other was a double pink-flowered variety with similar wing-like leaves. The vigorous plants inspired dragon and flower theme activities for early learners, and angel and unicorn play.

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Nonstop Pink Begonia Flower Activities

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Nonstop pink begonia still blooming after Canadian Thanksgiving Day. — Nonstop Pink Begonia

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Begonia “Through The Seasons” Sensory Tray

Around Canadian Thanksgiving Day, the nonstop pink begonia was still blooming profusely. At the same time collecting pine cones was on my list of tasks to do. By the end of the week, snow was in the forecast. Our area didn’t get snow, but many places in our province did. The mingling of elements of summer, fall, and winter in that week was the inspiration for this sensory tray for little learners. Included are flower leaves and blooms, pine cones, and cotton ball snow. Rocks, stone eggs, and a show-stopping dragon round out the tray.

Three seasons sensory tub with pine cones, begonia leaves and flowers, and cotton ball snow. A dragon and stone eggs complete the tub

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Flower Angel

Puffy begonia flowers and leaves arranged in an angel craft are a pretty way to highlight the blooms of the plant. The angel can be a table decoration and conversation piece during snack or lunchtime.

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Flower angel made with nonstop pink begonia blooms.

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Mud Kitchen Sensory Table

A piece of cardboard with stove elements drawn on with a black permanent felt pen and crayon works magnificently for flower-themed “indoor mud kitchen” play. Set it out on a table with flowers, leaves, spoons, and a mortar and pestle. Or offer the blooms and accessories outdoors for kitchen play.

Flower-themed indoor mud kitchen. Nonstop pink begonia leaves and flowers, mortar and pestle, pots and pans, and a cardboard stove top complete the play invitation. — Cardboard Stove Top

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Flower Petals And Playdough

Offer the leaves and flower petals with scented playdough for your little ones to use.

Coconut and strawberry playdough with nonstop pink begonia leaves and flower petals.

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Unicorn Water Play

Float begonia leaves and flowers in turquoise colored water in a tub filled with rubber unicorns and pink and white loose parts. The items in this inviting sensory tub are:

begonia leaves and flowers
ice cube flowers and fish
shells
pearl gems
buttons
rubber unicorns

Unicorn and nonstop pink begonia sensory tub. Gem pearls, fish and flower ice cubes, shells, and buttons are part of the water tub.

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Related: Sunflower Unicorn

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Dragon Wing Begonia Flower Activities

Dragon wing begonia plant. — Dragon Wing Begonia

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When I saw the plant named “dragon wing begonia,” I knew it was destined for early childhood play. Here are two inviting activities this plant can shine in.

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Castle-Themed Sensory Tray

Begonia leaves and flowers, rocks, and stone eggs are included in this flower-inspired tray for little ones. A dragon, king, and princess figurine offer serious play potential in the tray.

Castle-themed sensory bin with a dragon, king, princess, and dragon wing begonia leaves and flowers.

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Cardboard Dragon Craft

Dragon wing begonia leaves are the wings in this painted cardboard dragon craft. Flowers accent the mythical creature.

Cardboard dragon with dragon wing begonia wings and flower accents.

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Note:

Begonia plants are not poisonous to people. But the plants are toxic to dogs and cats and should be kept in pots out of their reach.

Children require supervision while participating in the activities shown in this post. When play is finished, they should wash their hands with soap and water.

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These flower theme activities work well when frost threatens and the growing season is over. They allow early learners to explore the low-maintenance, show-stopping plants with loose parts in art and sensory play.

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