Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

jewelry

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Bin

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A fun St. Patrick's jewelry bin with bling! Loose parts include a set of leprechaun legs to elevate the sensory experience.

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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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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

A fun St. Patrick's jewelry bin with bling! Loose parts include a set of leprechaun legs to elevate the sensory experience.

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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!

A fun St. Patrick's jewelry bin with bling! Loose parts include a set of leprechaun legs to elevate the sensory experience.

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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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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

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Dragon Necklace Craft

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A dragon necklace craft your children will love to make. An all-ages dragon-themed jewelry project that is easy to do.

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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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Bat Necklace

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

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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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Jewelry Sensory Tray

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This heart-themed jewelry sensory tray goes beyond Valentine's Day with its cheery spring colors.

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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

Heart-themed jewelry loose parts 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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