jewelry

Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

February 11, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The giving and receiving of jewelry around Valentine’s Day is a common tradition. Who doesn’t feel special receiving a new sparkling, jewel-toned necklace, bracelet, or ring? Trying on Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table gives little learners a chance to feel that specialness and explore the glittering accessories in a new way.

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Light Table Valentine’s Day Supplies

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The following supplies were gathered for this charming light table play invitation:

clear acrylic jewelry chest
clear acrylic compartment trays
mirror and stand
transparent purple, pink, and red necklaces, bracelets, and rings
heart-themed play sunglasses
transparent tic tac toe game
reusable heart-shaped ice cubes
acrylic heart gems

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The Valentine’s Day Jewelry Play Invitation

Play jewelry is a welcome addition to any dress-up center, but has a moment to shine extra brightly in a light table play invitation.

The clear acrylic jewelry chest was a recent happy find and is super fun to use. Jewelry displayed in clear compartment trays works just as well.

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A large mirror set on a stand reflects the supplies beautifully and invites children to view themselves all jeweled up. Choosing a non-breakable mirror is recommended.

Play sunglasses add to the possible looks.

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Heart-themed loose parts provide additional items to explore and encourage children to think in creative ways. Early learners can practice labeling, counting, and sorting them.

Having a variety of materials on the light table allows children to play side by side, offering opportunities for socialization. Two to four children can play in the center at one time.

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The color scheme for this Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table play invitation is purple, pink, and red. Any color combination would work wonderfully for the illuminating, accessory-filled center.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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More Valentine’s Day Activities

Valentine’s Day Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day Process Art

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Water Play

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies

Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments

Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

Llama-inspired Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin

Valentine’s Day Sensory Tubes

Eye Dropper Heart Art

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[Read more…]

Paint Chip Watermelon Art

August 17, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Create beautiful watermelon art with paint chip samples. The colorful watermelon slices can be used in many different activities.

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Paint chip color samples with their gorgeous lined-up hues are truly something special. They come in every glorious color scheme you can imagine and make any kind of art activity extra beautiful. In this post, they shine in paint chip watermelon art that lends itself to a variety of fun activities for children.

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Not Just Red

The only color of watermelon I experienced as a child is red, but did you know that there are also yellow, orange, pink, and white watermelon varieties? All these hues are featured in this fruity art activity.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies to make paint chip watermelon art:

paint chip samples in hues of red, pink, orange, yellow, and green
black cardstock
hole punch
glue stick
scissors and pencil

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Paint Chip Watermelon Art Process

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To create this juicy art activity, trace and cut out half-circle shapes from paint chip swatches donated from hardware stores.

Note: Watermelon comes in at least five different hues, so multi-shade paint chip strips in yellow, orange, pink, red, and white all apply.

Next, trace and cut out thin half-circle watermelon rinds from green paint color samples.

Afterward, use a glue stick to affix the green rinds to the curved edge of the half circles to create watermelon slices.

Just add seeds to these fruity slices to create watermelon art. The juicy slices can be used in many differnt activities for litlle learners.

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Then punch dots from black construction paper for watermelon seeds, and glue a few onto each watermelon slice.

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Paint Chip Watermelon Activities

The created paint chip watermelon slices can be used in several ways with little learners:

Watermelon Slice Collage

Invite little learners to glue watermelon slices to a large sheet of paper for a pretty watermelon collage.

Craft watermelon slices with paint chip samples and use them in a pretty watermelon collage. A beautiful. all-ages art activity.

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Counting and Color Recognition Activities

Use the juicy slices as props for counting and color-recognition rhymes, songs, and charting activities.

Paint chip watermelon slices shine in this fruity math chart where little learners can count the seeds and add the corresponding number.

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Paint chip watermelon art used in a fruity color chart where little learners can practice matching color words to watermelon slices.

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Pretend Play Food

The crafted fruit slices make attractive pretend food for a play kitchen.

Paint chip watermelon slices make attractive play food for a pretend play kitchen.

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Watermelon Necklace

With a hot glue gun, affix small paper clips to the back top of three watermelon slices. String pony beads and paper watermelon slices onto a 24-inch piece of thin lacing cord and tie it off.

Supplies to make a beaded necklace with paint chip watermelon slices and green, red, pink, and clear pony beads.

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How to make a beaded necklace with paint chip watermelon slices and green, red, pink, and clear pony beads.

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Color Discussions

After little learners can recognize the basic colors, use the paint chip watermelon slices to discuss lighter and darker shades of color.

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Paint Chip Fruit Drink Art

It is easy to transition this paint chip watermelon art activity into a fruit drink craft. To do this, cut paper glasses from construction paper colors of choice. Then cut half circles from paint chip swatches in fruity hues. Offer each participant a paper glass, glue stick, and six or seven half-circle fruit wedges to create a lemon, lime, or orange paper drink. Add an additional fruit slice to the top of each glass.

Create a cute paper drink craft with orange, yellow, and green paint chip fruit slices glued onto drinking glass shapes.

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Watermelon Facts

Interested in finding out more about different kinds and colors of watermelon? Check out the post “Here’s the Difference Between Pink, Orange, and Yellow Watermelon” by myrecipes.com.

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Ideas to include paint chip watermelon slices in math, color recognition, art, dramatic play, and manipulative activities for early learners.

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Paint Chip Apple Craft

Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

Fun Ways To Serve Watermelon

Watermelon-Inspired Banner Craft

Watermelon Playdough Tray

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[Read more…]

Loose Part Jewelry Heart

February 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Do you have some costume jewelry you no longer wear? Have you picked up vintage jewelry at a garage sale or second-hand store? It will be perfect for this beautiful loose-part jewelry heart invitation to create.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

An invitation to create a gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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For this easy-to-set-up transient heart art activity, gather the following supplies:

large wooden canvas frame
wood heart plaque
vintage costume jewelry
small containers

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The Loose Part Jewelry Heart Play Invitation

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To prepare this gorgeous loose part play invitation, first, select a large wooden canvas frame. My frame is approximately 12 inches wide and 16 inches long.

Flip the frame over and use the backside.

Note: A serving tray or an art frame with the back removed also work well for this activity.

Next, put a wood heart plaque inside the frame.

Then cut costume jewelry into pieces suitable for loose part play. Make sure there are no rough edges on the jewelry.

Place the jewelry bits into small containers and set them in the corners of the canvas frame. Add more jewelry pieces around the frame if available.

Finally, set the canvas frame on a table and invite little learners to take turns decorating the heart with jewelry treasures.

A gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart created with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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Benefits Of Loose Parts Play

In this loose part jewelry heart play invitation, early learners get to:

engage in open-ended play
practice sorting, counting, and color matching
strengthen finger muscles by moving and arranging jewelry pieces
experience beautiful objects with different colors and textures
create unique patterns and designs
focus on a task and be mindful
develop higher thinking skills

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More Loose Part Heart Decorating

On another day, offer this loose part heart invitation to create with polished agate slices and precious rocks and gemstones.

A gorgeous loose-part precious rock heart created with polished agate slices. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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An invitation to create a loose-part precious rock heart with polished agate slices. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.

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Related:

Jewelry Sensory Tray

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Sensory Bin

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[Read more…]

Honeycomb Cereal Necklace Lacing

February 11, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Honeycomb cereal is tasty to eat, but is also super fun to use in a craft activity. In this post, the craft idea is honeycomb cereal necklace lacing.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Honeycomb Cereal “Snowflake” Necklace

With its six sides, each honeycomb makes a nice “snowflake.” And having holes, the cereal is perfect for lacing a “snowflake” necklace.

A thin lacing cord works best for threading honeycomb. In fact, the thinner the cord the better.

Older children may enjoy the challenge of lacing each honeycomb down one side and up the other. And they can make a game of it by seeing who can string the most honeycomb cereal in the shortest amount of time.

For younger children, it’s best to suggest lacing through the center hole.

A fun and tasty lacing honeycomb cereal activity for little learners.

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Some honeycomb pieces have holes that are too small to thread lacing cord through, so they are perfect for snacking on.

Stretching the cord while working may break a few, but again, the honeycomb bits are just another excuse for snacking on the tasty morsels!

After some practice, this first string of honeycomb is ready to be tied as a necklace.

A fun honeycomb cereal "snowflake" necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice.

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More Honeycomb Cereal Necklace Lacing

Naturally, it’s hard to stop after lacing just one string of honeycomb cereal. Here’s a pink version for Valentine’s Day.

A fun honeycomb necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice.

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And below is a version for a bumblebee theme, the most natural fit for honeycomb cereal.

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Finally, since the lacing cord comes in Easter colors and I have a few jube bunnies hanging around, the chewy treats are included in a necklace craft photo.

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Lacing honeycomb cereal is a perfect opportunity to practice eye-hand coordination and fine motor control while casually snacking on the flavorful cereal.

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A fun bee theme honeycomb cereal necklace lacing activity that is great for fine motor control and eye-hand coordination practice.

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Related:

Bunny Candy Art

Silhouette Easter Bunnies

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[Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Bin

March 8, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This St. Patrick’s jewelry bin lets children explore the bling in an additional way to wearing it on the official celebration date, March 17th each year. It makes a great discussion starter about the world-renowned St. Pat’s celebration and the significance of shamrocks and the color green. And it introduces the tricky leprechaun, most entertaining for children!

St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland and started out as a religious one. It evolved into a celebration of Irish culture, and people around the world take part in it. One of the biggest ways people do this is by wearing green on March 17, or at festive events that take place near this date. They may wear t-shirts, socks, hats, glasses, and/or jewelry with a green theme. Irish sayings and shamrocks are a huge part of the designs. Touches of orange, gold, and white also make an appearance.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this sensory bin, gather the following economical and easy to find supplies:

white rice
gold coins and bells
green and rust necklaces
yellow and green gem rings
shamrock-themed bracelets
green bowl, spoon, and tongs
leprechaun legs
sensory tub

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The St. Patrick’s Jewelry Bin

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Pick a sensory tub for the activity. A serving tray will work for one or two children. I feature a food and tableware tub here, large enough for a few children to participate together.

Generously spread white rice on the bottom of the tub. The neutral base allows the accessories to “shine.”

Next, layer in the loose parts.

Lastly, press in the leprechaun legs.

Note: The leprechaun legs are taken from a St. Patrick’s Day wall plaque. A figurine would make a great substitution.

Early learners can explore the colors and textures of the jewelry, and wear it if they like. They will have fun with the gold coins and bells in the bin. And they may decide to find a way to trap the somewhat exposed leprechaun!

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To learn more about St. Patrick’s Day, view the blog post “St. Patrick’s Day” by National Geographic Kids.

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[Read more…]

Dragon Necklace Craft

February 12, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The first few weeks of this year have gone by so fast! Between winter, Chinese New Year, and Valentine’s Day, there have been so many activities to choose from. This dragon necklace craft was meant to be completed in early February for Chinese New Year, but time didn’t permit. And so my little learners will be making it next week.

Dragons are seen as positive creatures in Chinese culture. They symbolize wisdom, power, and prosperity, as well as fertility, long life, and good luck. Dragon dances are a big part of Chinese New Year celebrations. And since the new year festivities happen around the same time as Valentine’s Day, hearts are the perfect embellishment to be included in the dragon jewelry craft.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Craft supplies to make a dragon necklace craft your children will love to do.

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For these colorful dragon necklaces, gather the following supplies:

thick craft foam in colors of choice
wiggly eyes
adhesive round and heart-shaped gems
lacing string
small paper clips
scissors
hot glue gun

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Making The Dragon Necklace Craft

To start the project off, cut small dragons from craft foam colors of choice.

Steps to make a dragon necklace craft your children will love. An all-ages dragon-themed jewelry craft project.

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If desired, you can download this free template.

Free template to make a dragon necklace craft your children will love to do.

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Dragon Necklace Craft PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Invite little learners to decorate a dragon with sticker gem hearts and circles.

Next, use a hot glue gun to add a wiggly eye and tongue to each dragon, and a paper clip to the back.

Then cut lacing string into 26-inch lengths. Loop the cut string through the paperclips, and tie the ends together. Make sure to adjust the length of the strings so the necklaces fit properly.

Allow your little charges to wear their creations. Have a camera ready to snap some pictures.

Note: You can choose red or gold craft foam for the dragons in this craft, as they are traditional Chinese New Year colors. Or you could offer foam dragons in a variety of colors.

Easy and fun dragon necklace children's jewelry craft suitable for all ages.

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Color Meanings In Chinese Culture

The dragon necklace craft in this post is featured in red, yellow, green, blue, and orange colors. Here’s what these colors mean in Chinese culture.

Red symbolizes excitement, good fortune, and happiness.
Yellow stands for royalty and prosperity.
Green represents harmony, health, and spring.
Blue symbolizes growth, optimism, and peace.
Orange represents harvest, happiness, and celebrations.

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Whether children perceive dragons to be scaly, scary, and fire-breathing, or friendly and helpful, they’ll be super excited to make and wear this craft.

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Related: Bat Necklace Craft

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[Read more…]

Bat Necklace

October 24, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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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.

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Bat Necklace Supplies To Collect

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

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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

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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.

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Bat Template PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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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.

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Snap a few pictures of children wearing their new bling.

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

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[Read more…]

Jewelry Sensory Tray

February 15, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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If you have washable heart-themed children’s jewelry pieces lying around or found some in a post-Valentine’s Day sale, they can have a go in a jewelry sensory tray. Add a few complimentary colored loose parts, and your early learners will be eager to explore the tray.

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Loose Parts For The Tray

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heart bracelets
color block silicone bracelets
rainbow heart rings
wiggly eye rings
rainbow heart erasers
foam flowers and hearts
gem hearts
flower eraser
buttons

This tray has loose parts in a variety of cheery colors, taking it beyond Valentine’s Day.

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Making The Jewelry Sensory Tray

Heart-themed jewelry sensory tray that takes tactile exploration beyond Valentine's Day.

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Pick a tray large enough for a few children to play in.

Add a layer of rice. I feature glutinous rice. I love it because it is super white.

Spread the heart jewelry and complimentary colored loose parts in the tray. Invite your early learners to explore the tactile center.

This sensory tray idea also works for individual play. Just divide the supplies into a portion for each child and add them to smaller trays.

Heart jewelry sensory tray with cheery colors that take tactile exploration beyond Valentine's Day.

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