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Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

August 28, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Set up a lemonade stand dramatic play center that offers many options for role play. Your little learners will love this center.
Set up a lemonade stand dramatic play center that offers many options for role play. Your little learners will love this center.

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Today is Lemonade Stand Day in and around our city. Children are invited to set up a lemonade stand to raise money for a local children’s hospital. All supplies are included, so it is easy for them to do. A lemonade stand dramatic play center is a fun way to extend this lemony theme at home or in the classroom.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Spring and summer are the best seasons to find lemony tableware and home décor items. And collecting fruity, yellow play pieces to stock the stand is so refreshing!

It's refreshing and fun to gather props for a lemonade stand dramatic play center.

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Included in my lemonade stand are:

  • artificial lemons in different sizes
  • rubber lemon counters
  • lemon branches in vases
  • plastic beverage dispenser
  • yellow plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, and ice cube tray
  • lemon-themed spatula, tableware, placemat, potholder, and tea towel
  • green and yellow rainbow erasers and apple sauce screw-top lids
  • transparent pebble gem “ice cubes”
  • citrus juicer
  • menu
  • signs with lemon quotes
  • play money

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The Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

The supplies for this lemonade stand can be spread around shelves and tables. A wooden food stand makes a great centerpiece for the play center.

Set up a lemonade stand dramatic play center that offers many options for role play. Your little learners will love this center.

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The menu includes lemonade and lemon pie, and loose part treats such as lemon cookies, candies, and donuts. And there are lemons in a variety of sizes available for purchase.

Home décor pieces such as lemon branches in vases, a tea towel, an ice cube tray, and lemon-themed tableware are also for sale. Lemonade quotes add ambiance to the center.

A lemonade stand dramatic play center with much more than lemonade for sale! Loose parts complement the center offerings.

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A table and chairs set up near the lemonade stand offer early learners a chance to hang around and pretend to sip lemonade and eat play food.

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Click here to view a video of the Lemonade Stand.

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A lemonade stand and dramatic play center with much more than lemonade for sale! Loose parts complement the center offerings.

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This lemonade stand dramatic play center goes hand and hand with the lemon-inspired play kitchen featured in an earlier post. The supplies used here easily transfer over to a play kitchen.

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National Lemonade Day

National Lemonade Day is celebrated in early May and/or late August in many areas of North America. Children and teens are encouraged to participate in setting up a lemonade stand as an entrepreneurial venture. In doing this, they get practice in goal-setting, working as a team, handling money, and engaging with the community. Next time you see a pop-up lemonade stand, be sure to stop by and purchase a glass of the refreshing citrus drink!

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Related: 

Apple Stand Dramatic Play Center

Dessert Bar Play Center

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[Read more…] about Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

Filed Under: desserts, dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, sensory, summer Tagged With: food stand, lemonade stand, lemons, loose parts, pretend play

Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

August 27, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This watermelon dramatic play center will add a burst of color to the classroom. Watermelon-inspired loose parts are a highlight of the center.
This watermelon dramatic play center will add a burst of color to the classroom. Watermelon-inspired loose parts are a highlight of the center.

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Watermelon is a sweet, juicy fruit chock-full of vitamins and health benefits. All parts of watermelon contain nutrients. Filled with 92% water, the large, low-calorie melon is an effective thirst quencher on hot days. And it just happens to make a colorful, cheery, theme for a watermelon dramatic play center!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Watermelon-themed picnic tableware and loose parts add a welcome burst of color to a dramatic play center.

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Summer is the best time to collect supplies for a watermelon dramatic play center. The watermelon theme is easy to find in picnic and outdoor living tableware and décor.

Loose parts in complementary colors add interest and extend play possibilities.

Here’s what I included in the play center:

  • watermelon cups, plates, and bowls
  • red cutlery
  • green and red serving spoons
  • red flowers in a vase
  • pink, red, green, black, and white pompoms, buttons, and gems
  • pictures of watermelon slices
  • fans with a watermelon theme
  • checkered red and white placemat
  • watermelon-themed tea towel
  • red and green rubber frogs

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The Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

Watermelon-themed picnic tableware and loose parts add a welcome burst of color to a dramatic play center.

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The watermelon-themed supplies are arranged in a tablescape here but can be placed on appliances, furniture, and shelves in your play kitchen. They will instantly transform the area into a vibrant role-playing space, bound to be inviting to your little charges.

Reusable shopping bags have lots of learning potential and can be incorporated into centers. Here, watermelon slices cut from a bag make economical and eye-appealing play food. They add artistic flare.

Watermelon slices cut from a reusable bag make excellent play food for a dramatic play center.

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Loose parts can be transferred from jars to tableware, and little learners will think of many ways to incorporate them into their play.

Keeping an eye out for themed accessories when shopping helps you find items that add interest to a pretend play center. Watermelon fans fit the bill!

A themed fan and button loose parts add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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These rubber frogs are included because they are red and green! My little learners had fun reimagining them as cupcakes and candy.

Rubber fogs and gem loose parts add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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Pompoms in red, pink, green, white, and black set in an almond-shaped watermelon bowl add a soft touch.

Pompoms in red, pink, green, white, and black add interest and play possibilities to a watermelon dramatic play center.

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Watermelon accessories add a burst of color to the play kitchen, welcome any time of the year. Try this fruity dramatic play theme in late winter or early Spring. When outdoor colors are drab, the bold palette is sure to be a mood booster.

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A juicy, watermelon theme pretend play center your little learners will love. Loose parts are a highlight of the center.

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Related: Kid’s Winter Wonderland Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Watermelon Dramatic Play Center

Filed Under: dramatic play, gardening, preschool, pretend play, sensory, summer Tagged With: loose parts, sensory play, watermelon

White Lilacs And Black Playdough

June 11, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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

A sure-to-please space playdough setup.

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Black And White Playdough Tray

Set up this striking black and white playdough tray for your little learners to explore today!

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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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Set up this striking black and white playdough tray for your little learners to explore today!

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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…] about White Lilacs And Black Playdough

Filed Under: playdough, preschool, sensory, space, spring, summer Tagged With: butterflies, flowers, insects, loose parts, playdough, sensory play, space

St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

March 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This St. Patrick's Day tablescape is filled with green and gold loose parts, perfect for encouraging imaginative play.
This St. Patrick's Day tablescape is filled with green and gold loose parts, perfect for encouraging imaginative play.

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My preschoolers love loose parts. One of the places they especially enjoy using them is in the play kitchen. Lately, unless loose parts are added to the center, they aren’t too impressed. And so for the first few weeks of March. I set up this St. Patrick’s Day tablescape.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Set up this inviting St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green and gold loose parts to spark creative, imaginative play.

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Here are table décor and loose parts to gather for an eye-popping St. Pat’s tablescape. You can go all out in adding accessories or just choose a few items.

  • shamrock-themed plates, cups, napkins, and serving tray
  • green bowls, serving utensils, and ice cube tray
  • orange, green, and yellow cutlery
  • plastic shamrock “coasters”
  • yellow, green, and orange fruit and vegetable play food
  • felt “cookies and pretzels”
  • green buttons, bottlecaps, eggs, and marbles
  • leprechaun hat, rainbow, and shamrock erasers
  • green beads and bead strips cut from garland
  • yellow and green pom poms
  • gold and green coins
  • light up green teddy bear
  • St. Patrick’s Day necklaces and bracelets
  • metallic shamrock table scatter
  • white and green carnations in a plastic jar vase
  • green or orange plastic tablecloth

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The St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

Arrange the table décor and loose parts on toy shelves and in play kitchen appliances. There will be many inviting pieces for early learners to explore and use.

Set up this cheery St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green and gold loose parts and plenty of shamrocks.

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The tablescape above is mostly done in shades of green with a little bit of gold. In the set-up below, an orange tablecloth and green, yellow, and orange produce add color to the play center.

Set up this inviting St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green, yellow, and orange loose parts to spark creative, imaginative play.

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Including a variety of loose parts allows children to use their imagination in dramatic play. Garland strips become green noodles, marbles transform into pickles, and pot of gold erasers are served as popcorn. Other pieces are used to make cake batter for a triple-layer cake. This serves up a whole lotta fun!

As said earlier, it is okay to set out just a few of the above supplies. They will add interest to dramatic play activities, and help your early learners join in on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Set up this cheery St. Patrick's Day tablescape that is filled with green, yellow, and orange loose parts and plenty of shamrocks.

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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Store

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: loose parts, pretend play, sensory play, shamrocks, tablescapes

St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

March 15, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A cheeky leprechaun is the highlight of this low-maintenance, easy-to put together St. Patrick's Day light table tray.
A cheeky leprechaun is the highlight of this low-maintenance, easy-to put together St. Patrick's Day light table tray.

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St. Patrick’s Day accessories lend themselves so well to sensory activities and can be used in many different ways. Keeping an eye out for transparent supplies is the key to making this easy, mess-free St. Patrick’s light table tray.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Transparent gems, gems, and more gems work well for this tray. Select them in different sizes in the colors green, yellow, and brownish gold.

Other supplies to gather are shamrock reusable ice cubes, shamrocks cut from wall decorations, a black pot, a leprechaun figurine, and mini green tongs and drinking cups.

Dot markers and a piece of transparency copy paper come in handy for creating a rainbow.

A clear compartment tray works wonderfully for the bin.

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The St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

How to put together a St. Patrick's Day sensory tray for the light table.

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First, select a clear compartment tray for the sensory activity.

Next, use dot markers to create a large rainbow on a piece of transparency copy paper. The ink dries rapidly and doesn’t smudge at all. Or draw a rainbow with felt pens on regular copy paper. Afterward, cut the rainbow out and tape it to one end of the tray.

Then add a variety of acrylic gems to the tray.

Set in the shamrock ice cubes and wall decoration pieces.

Lastly, add the drinking cups, salad tongs, pot, and leprechaun. Then set the sensory tray on a light table or light box for early learners to discover.

Children will be excited to sort and rearrange the loose parts in the tray and may spread them all over the lighted surface.

Note: This St. Patrick’s light table tray is low maintenance. It is mess-free and doesn’t require a base ingredient. It works well as an activity on or off the light table.

A cheeky leprechaun is the highlight of this low-maintenance, easy-to put together St. Patrick's Day light table tray.

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Related:  

Leprechaun Sensory Jar

Leprechaun Sensory Play

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Light Table Tray

Filed Under: light table, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: leprechauns, light, light table, loose parts, sensory bin, sensory play, sensory tray

Pirate Treasure Sensory Bin

March 11, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A pirate treasure sensory bin your little mateys will love. A low maintenance bin to inspire creativity and imaginative play.
A pirate treasure sensory bin your little mateys will love. A low maintenance bin to inspire creativity and imaginative play.

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This sparkling pirate treasure sensory bin has loose parts your little mateys will be eager to explore. The low-maintenance bin will spark meaningful discussions and inspire endless creativity. Learning opportunities will naturally happen while children sort through the contents of the bin.

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Supplies To Collect

A treasure trove of loose parts for a pirate theme sesnory bin.

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This treasure-filled bin features the following items:

  • large blue, red, and clear acrylic diamond gems
  • round gems
  • ornamental gold buttons
  • gold medal and coins
  • metallic silver and gold round bead necklace strips
  • large egg-shaped storage containers
  • miniature treasure chests
  • skull shovels

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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The Pirate Treasure Sensory Bin

The chosen bin for this activity is a red saucer sled, which is inexpensive to buy. It accommodates three or four children at a time.

A gold and gem-filled pirate treasure sensory bin your little mateys will be eager to explore.

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The skull shovels are part of sand playsets. And the “treasure eggs” are toy storage containers repurposed for this activity.

Loaded into the bin are glistening buttons, coins, metallic bead garland strips, a medal, mini treasure chests, and round and diamond acrylic gems. The loose parts fill the tub, so no sensory base is required.

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Benefits Of This Sensory Bin

It’s always exciting to introduce loose parts to children, and the ones in this pirate treasure sensory bin offer a host of learning opportunities:

  • Describing loose parts (language development)
  • Sorting and counting pieces (math)
  • Placing treasures in eggs and chests (eye-hand coordination, fine motor control)
  • Picking favorite treasures (making choices, noticing beauty)
  • Discussing heavy and light treasure chests and containers (math)
  • Guessing “What’s inside the egg?” (making predictions, show and tell)
A gold and gem-filled pirate treasure sensory bin your little mateys will be eager to explore.

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The Pirate Treasure Bin In My Classroom

This treasure-filled bin is currently in my preschool classroom, and every day the childrens’ interest in it grows. The red diamonds are imagined as “fire gems”, and the blue ones as “water gems.” The container eggs are described as “power balls”, and the skull shovels are occasionally used as walkie-talkies. Bead garland strips are formed into a heart shape, and a domed button is reimagined as a “snow globe.”

Some children collect a variety of loose parts, and others choose just the coins so they can be rich and buy lots of things!

At times pieces get taken to other play centers, offering additional opportunities for creative thinking.

After a few days of exploring the bin, it is now on the light table, offering “enlightened” opportunities for exploring and sorting.

This pirate treasure sensory bin makes a statement on the light table and inspires many learning opportunities.

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“Arrrrrr” you ready to make this pirate treasure sensory bin? I highly recommend it.

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A gold and gem-filled pirate treasure sensory bin your little mateys will be eager to explore.

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Related:  New Year’s Eve Sensory Tray

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[Read more…] about Pirate Treasure Sensory Bin

Filed Under: pirates, preschool, sensory Tagged With: loose parts, pirates, sensory bin, sensory play

St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

March 6, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.
Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

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It’s as much fun setting up a sensory bin as watching young children eagerly explore one. And this St. Patrick’s Day woodland bin is no exception! The bin is one of my favorites created so far.

Leprechauns are mythical creatures thought to live in remote, woodland areas. They make shoes and enjoy playing music. The little tricksters especially love gold and hide their treasure in pots in the woods or at the end of the rainbow.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

A few, easy to find items can be gathered for this bin. Included are:

  • brown lentils
  • gold play coins
  • green acrylic gems
  • wood slices
  • yellow and green crinkle paper
  • kraft crinkle paper
  • wooden tree and tiny forest creatures
  • green pot, tongs and spoon
  • gold bells
  • leprechaun leg decoration
  • white cardstock
  • dot markers
  • scissors
  • sensory tub
Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

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The St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

First, cut a rainbow shape from a piece of white cardstock. Use dot markers to create a bright, colorful rainbow.

A bright dot marker rainbow to add to a sensory bin,

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Next, bunch up Kraft crinkle paper and add it to one section of the sensory bin of choice. In this post, I feature a white food and tableware storage tub.

Add the yellow and green crinkle paper to another part of the bin.

Tip: Crinkle paper is an economical filler, and can be used again in another sensory activity.

Then pour in a layer of brown lentils to generously cover the rest of the bottom of the bin.

Add the wooden tree and forest creatures.

Then sprinkle in gold coins and bells, wood slices, and green gems.

Drop in the pot, spoon, and tongs.

Finally, set in the leprechaun legs and paper rainbow.

Now the St. Patrick’s Day woodland bin is ready for your little learners to explore!

Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

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Note:

  • Most of the supplies in this bin come from Dollar stores, so are economical finds. They get repurposed for other sensory bins, so are worth the investment.
  • The wooden leprechaun legs were taken from a wall plaque. Colored cardstock legs would make an excellent substitution.

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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Blocks

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Create this easy, engaging St. Patrick's Day woodland bin a sneaky, solitary leprechaun would feel right at home in.

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[Read more…] about St. Patrick’s Day Woodland Bin

Filed Under: art, preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: forest, leprechauns, loose parts, sensory bin, sensory play

Leprechaun Sensory Jar

March 4, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This leprechaun sensory jar is a great way to incorporate green and gold loose parts in a St. Patrick's Day activity.
This leprechaun sensory jar is a great way to incorporate green and gold loose parts in a St. Patrick's Day activity.

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Leprechauns are notoriously hard to catch, but your little learner will be up to the task by making this leprechaun sensory jar. It has all the loose parts leprechauns love-especially gold!

Leprechauns are small, bearded legendary creatures who live in forests and woodlands. If you capture one of these sneaky, solitary men, he must grant three wishes to be let go again. For more leprechaun facts, visit my blog post “Leprechaun Sensory Play.”

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

To make this leprechaun sensory jar, gather the following loose parts:

  • wide-mouth plastic jar
  • green and yellow crinkle paper
  • rust and green necklaces
  • green beads cut from garland
  • foil shamrocks and pots of gold
  • shamrock, leprechaun hat, rainbow, and pot of gold erasers
  • small gold coins
  • jute twine string
  • leprechaun figurine
A tiny leprechaun is the highlight of this ready-to explore St. Patrick's Day loose parts tray.

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The jar I feature is a container saved from an acrylic gem purchase. A plastic mason jar would work well too.

The leprechaun figurine may take a little time to find (just like legendary ones!) Mine is a plant poke topper. If procuring one is difficult, a leprechaun sticker glued to a popsicle stick will do fine.

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Making The Leprechaun Sensory Jar

Gotcha! The mini trickster is caught in this leprechaun sensory jar.

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Set a clear plastic jar on a table, along with a tray of loose parts.

Invite your little learner to layer loose parts in the jar, saving the leprechaun for last.

Then have your little one tuck the leprechaun in the middle of the jar. Or leave the jar out overnight and secretly add the leprechaun later.

Screw on the lid and wrap jute string around the neck.

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This St. Patrick’s Day sensory jar can be made over and over again. The loose parts can be sorted back into the tray, and then layered back into the jar. Or when complete, the jar can be part of a tablescape and will make a great conversation starter.

This leprechaun sensory jar is a great way to incorporate green and gold loose parts in a St. Patrick's Day activity.

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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Activities

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[Read more…] about Leprechaun Sensory Jar

Filed Under: preschool, sensory, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: leprechauns, loose parts, sensory play, St. Patrick's Day

Valentine’s Day Water Play

February 7, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A friendly, bubbly Valentine's Day water play activity your early learners will love to participate in. A quick and easy sensory bin to set up.
A friendly, bubbly Valentine's Day water play activity your early learners will love to participate in. A quick and easy sensory bin to set up.

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A Valentine’s Day water play activity is quick and easy to set up, and supplies are low cost. The activity helps create a festive ambiance on a party day or any day!

The weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day are a good time to visit stores to collect Valentine-themed supplies for all kinds of learning opportunities, including water play. No store is off-limits for gathering hands-on materials.

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Supplies To Collect

Here’s a list of supplies that work well in a Valentine-themed water table or tub. Pick the ones you have handy, or can easily and economically find in a store.

  • alphabet letters that spell the word “LOVE”
  • heart ice cube trays
  • red and pink buttons
  • heart-shaped gems
  • bendy heart people
  • red and pink ducklings
  • valentine erasers
  • pink and red rainbow erasers
  • styrofoam hearts
  • cut striped red and white straws
  • red coins
  • wiggly eye rings
  • heart-shaped measuring cups
  • treat baskets and boxes

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The Valentine’s Day Water Play Activity

Add warm water to a large water table for group sharing, or set out a small white washtub with water for each child. Throw in Valentine’s Day loose parts that you have available.

The tub below has clear water, and the colors and shapes of the supplies can be easily seen and admired in the white bin.

Valentine's Day loose parts that work well in a water play activity, or a tub with a rice or chickpea base.

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After a little while, you could add red food coloring to the water to extend interest.

A fun and friendly Valentine's Day water play activity your early learners will love to participate in. A quick and easy sensory bin to set up.

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Or you could add dish detergent to create bubbles, so fitting for Valentine’s Day activity.

A friendly, bubbly Valentine's Day water play activity your early learners will love to participate in. A quick and easy sensory bin to set up.

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Benefits Of Water Play

Here are some benefits of this water play activity:

  • sorting shapes (math – set making; language development – color recognition)
  • counting shapes (math – counting)
  • comparing shapes to those of other children (language development; paying attention to detail)
  • filling and emptying treat boxes (eye-hand coordination; math/language development – empty/full)
  • noticing how some shapes stick to others (science)
  • recognizing letters of the alphabet (language development – letter recognition)
  • discovering beautiful themed items (creativity)

Water play is an embraced activity any day. For another time, the Valentine-themed supplies could be included in a rice or chickpea sensory tub.

Can you think of supplies to add to my list? Share in a comment below.

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Related: St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Tub

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[Read more…] about Valentine’s Day Water Play

Filed Under: party, preschool, sensory, Thanksgiving Day, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, loose parts, sensory bin, sensory play, water play

Winter Wonderland Pretend Play

January 25, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland tablescape with snowman, snowflake, and snowball accessories for little learners to explore.
A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland tablescape with snowman, snowflake, and snowball accessories for little learners to explore.

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Catching fluttery snowflakes on mittens, building a humungous snowman, and having a splattering snowball fight are all activities little learners gleefully participate in outside. This inviting kids’ winter wonderland pretend play tablescape takes snowflake, snowmen, and snowball activities indoors for further snow-themed exploration.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Kids’ Winter Wonderland Pretend Play Supplies

Let your little learners explore a sparkly Winter Wonderland tablescape with snowmen, snowflake, and snowball accessories.

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For this cozy pretend play setup, I feature snowmen, snowball, and snowflake accessories from the supplies I have available. Craft bits and other loose parts feature prominently in the resulting collection.

Items in the winter tablescape:

  • snowman-themed tablecloth, dinner plates, cups, baking dish, oven mitts, cookie tin, and bottle
  • snowflake erasers
  • foam snowflakes
  • snowflakes cut from garland
  • blue and clear gem snowflakes
  • snowflake serving utensils, cupcake liners, and tin
  • large and small styrofoam balls
  • round winter-themed gems
  • cookie sheet
  • muffin tin
  • plastic forks and spoons
  • play food buns
  • Winter Wonderland sign

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Setting Up The Winter Tablescape

Changing up the decor in our play kitchen is one of my favorite things to do. And little learners always eagerly dive into each new setup.

When it's cold and chilly outside little learners can explore snowmen, snowflakes, and snowballs indoors in a Winter Wonderland play tablescape.

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For this kids’ winter wonderland tablescape, a fabric snowman-themed tablecloth is a base.

The buns are the only real play food on the table.

A variety of loose parts add a dose of glam, and little learners can imagine them to be any number of foods. For instance, the foam snowflakes make good cookies to bake in the play oven. The large foam craft balls can be reimagined as snowball cookies.

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland play tablescape with snowman, snowflake, and snowball decor for little learners to explore.

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And the smaller loose parts displayed in the snowman baking tin and scattered around the table could be candy.

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland pretend play setup with snowman, snowflake, and snowball play kitchen decor for little learners to explore.

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A polar animal theme would work fabulously for winter wonderland pretend play too. Here’s a super fun penguin-themed tablescape by birdsparty.com.

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Related:

Winter Playdough Recipe

Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Winter-themed Treasure Blocks

Igloo Camping Pretend Play

Polar Bear Small World

Winter Sensory Trays

Painting Ice and Snow

Winter Wreath Paper Plate Craft

Ice Drum Musical Instruments

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[Read more…] about Winter Wonderland Pretend Play

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, winter Tagged With: loose parts, pretend play, snowflakes, snowmen, tablescapes

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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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