loose parts

Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

January 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Stickers are an easy and economical way to dress up cups, plates, and serving bowls for themed pretend play. They also work well for crafting ornaments. When I spotted festive stickers on sale over my Christmas break, I knew they were perfect for Chinese New Year DIY decorating.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Chinese New Year DIY Ball Ornaments

Make these sparkly Chinese New Year-themed ball ornaments using gold glitter and themed stickers.

_______

To make these sparkly decorations, you need:

clear unbreakable ball ornaments
gold glitter
Chinese New Year stickers
a funnel

After collecting the supplies, start off by adding gold glitter to clear fillable unbreakable ball ornaments. Use a funnel to insert the glitter. Add just enough to cover the bottom of each ornament and then put the tops back on. Shaking the balls afterward moves some of the glitter up the sides.

Then decorate each ornament with Chinese New Year sticker designs. Hang up the festive balls for display.

_____

Chinese New Year DIY Tableware

While out and about our city, I always admire clear patio tableware with design accents. An economical way to replicate them for little learners is by using themed stickers. Adding stickers is also an option if you cannot find tableware suitable for children’s play in the theme you are currently working on.

To do this, gather clear unbreakable plates, cups, and bowls and add sticker designs to them. How simple!

In addition to the ornament, below is a cup and a serving bowl with themed Chinese New Year stickers added on. Both were dollar store finds. The decorated tableware goes over well in a play kitchen or sensory tub.

Decorate clear unbreakable tableware and ornaments with Chinese New Year-themed stickers for a cultural vibe.

_______

These Chinese New Year DIY decorating ideas work in any theme you can find coordinating stickers for. I am looking forward to trying them in a sunflower or butterfly theme next.

_______

Related:

Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

Chinese New Year Tablescape Play

Chinese New Year Chickpea Bin

Chinese New Year Money Tree Activities

Dragon Necklace Craft

_______

[Read more…]

Orange-Scented Playdough Invitation

January 14, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This orange-scented playdough invitation introduces early learners to scents and colors that work with current festivities. The activity is a good fit for Christmas and carries over to Lunar New Year celebrations.

_______

Oranges And Christmas

Oranges have been part of Christmas traditions for many years. Here are some ways they were incorporated into the festive holiday season in times past:

In pioneer days, oranges were rare. As such, they were prized stocking stuffers.
Sliced oranges were used in natural decorations, such as wreaths, garlands, and tree ornaments.
Oranges were made into deliciously scented clove-studded pomanders that were displayed in Christmas décor afterward.

Cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise add fun to an orange-scented playdough invitation.

_______

Today, oranges are still popular in Christmas decorating projects. And people are encouraged to eat the nutrient-rich, vitamin C-packed fruit to ward off a cold or flu.

_______

Oranges And The Lunar New Year

Mandarin oranges, preferably with a stem and a few leaves attached, are given as gifts and used in decorating during Lunar New Year celebrations. They symbolize happiness, good luck, wealth, longevity, and fertility.

Mandarin oranges with stems and leaves attached indicate freshness and represent wishes for long life and fertility in Chinese New Year celebrations.

_______

Spices such as star anise, cloves, and cinnamon are native to parts of Asia. And these three spices are also part of Chinese five spice powder, a spice used to season many Asian dishes.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Orange-Scented Playdough Recipe

The orange jello in this recipe gives the dough a lovely citrus scent and a bright orange color.

For the playdough, gather the following ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 3 oz / 85-gram packages of orange jello powder
2 cups water
3 tablespoons oil

_______

How To Make Orange-Scented Playdough

An easy-to-make orange-scented orange playdough recipe showcased with loose parts early learners will love to explore.

_______

To make this soft, cooked playdough recipe, add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix them together.

Stir in two 3 oz/85 gram packages of orange jello powder into two cups of boiled water. Then stir in 2 tablespoons oil.

Add the fruity liquid to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat on the stove on medium heat.

Stirring frequently, cook until the mixture is no longer glossy and the dough forms a ball.

Place the dough on a cutting board.

Knead when cool and add one more tablespoon of oil.

Wrap the playdough in saran wrap and place it in a sealed plastic bag to store it.

_______

The Orange-Scented Playdough Invitation

_______

For a traditional vibe, offer the orange playdough on a tray with the following:

cinnamon sticks
star anise pods
whole cloves
ribbon
mandarin orange leaves and stems
tree sprigs
pine cones

The star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and grated orange rind add additional scents for children to experience when using the playdough supplies. They contribute to the cultural vibes of the play invitation.

Tip: Show a few samples of pomanders and Christmas decorations using dried oranges before offering this playdough invitation to inspire creativity. Or display a miniature orange tree and/or oranges with stems and leaves attached for early learners to observe.

_____

Adding Grated Orange Rind

Grated orange rind, cloves, and cinnamon sticks add interest to an orange-scented playdough invitation.

_______

To extend this aromatic playdough experience, sprinkle grated orange rind near each participant’s work area. The crumbled, scented rind gives early learners a chance to incorporate a new texture into their creations.

_______

Orange-Scented Playdough Invitation Benefits

This orange-scented playdough invitation has many educational benefits. When using the playdough and accompanying supplies, early learners develop finger strength, important for being able to hold a pencil and use scissors. And eye-hand coordination is enhanced through making playdough creations.

_______

Below are suggestions to extend the learning potential of this playdough experience:

Language Development

Label spices and discuss their colors and shapes:

Highlight that star anise pods look like stars, whole cloves are shaped like nails, and cinnamon sticks look like tiny rolled logs.

Smell and describe the following scents:

the strong, sweet, licorice smell of star anise.
the fragrant, sweet smell of cinnamon sticks.
the strong, powerful smell of whole cloves.

Math Skills

Count cloves and star anise pods.

Count the points on star anise. There are usually six to eight points.

Discuss pairs: In parts of Asia, a pair of oranges is given to newlywed couples as a symbol of luck and fertility.

Creativity

Design oranges and pomanders from playdough and spices.

Incorporate natural materials in playdough designs.

Cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise add fun to orange-scented playdough creations.

_______

More Playdough Recipes and Activities

Apple Playdough Tray

Edible Playdough Turkey

Scented Playdough Activities

Edible Playdough Pumpkins

Creating warty pumpkins is easy and fun with white chocolate chips and an edible, no-cook playdough recipe.

_______

Gingerbread Playdough

Chocolate Mint Playdough

Christmas Playdough

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

Red, pink and white playdough recipes, perfect for a Valentine's Day theme.

_______

St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray

Easter Playdough Tray

_______

[Read more…]

Gingerbread Sensory Bin

December 19, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

This gingerbread sensory bin is quick and easy to set up. Most of the supplies in the bin are dollar store finds, so the activity is low-cost. So why not set it up for your little learners this holiday season?

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

_______

Supplies To Collect

A super fun gingerbread sensory bin with a chickpea base. An economical bin with dollar store gingerbread accessories.

_______

The gingerbread-themed supplies gathered for the bin are:

cookie cutters
cookie tin
ice cube tray
gingerbread people ornaments and game pieces
gingerbread house and candy cane ornaments

Also in the bin are:

bell garland strips
peppermint erasers

_______

The Gingerbread Sensory Bin

An easy-to-put-together gingerbread sensory bin with a chickpea base. An economical bin with dollar store gingerbread accessories.

_______

This gingerbread-themed sensory bin has a dyed chickpea base. You can find out how to dye chickpeas in my blog post titled “Chinese New Year Sensory Play.”

Note: You can skip coloring the chickpeas and use undyed ones instead. They are the same color as gingerbread cookies!

The chickpeas are spread out in a white bus/utility tub. This size bin works well for one to three children to use at a time.

The cookie tin, ice cube tray, ornaments, garland, and erasers are from dollar stores. You would be able to find cookie cutters there too.

This sensory bin is a great follow-up activity to reading gingerbread character stories and doing songs and fingerplays about gingerbread people.

_______

Other Supplies For The Gingerbread Bin

There are endless supplies that work in this bin. Other supplies that could be added are:

large gingerbread cookie cutters
gingerbread people erasers
wiggly eyes
pompoms
buttons
rickrack strips
cookie jar

Whatever the supplies, this cheery gingerbread sensory bin is bound to be a huge hit with your little learners!

_______

Related:

Gingerbread Playdough

Scissor Skill Gingerbread Man Craft

_______

[Read more…]

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

October 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

For the longest while I stayed away from featuring skeletons in activities for little learners. But you wouldn’t know it by all the posts about them on this blog. That’s because in recent years I’ve seen so many glam skeletons in home décor, inspiring a host of ways to showcase them in fun, non-threatening ways. This glam skeleton playdough tray is my latest bone-filled play invitation. It is an extension of a post I did last week about an elegant skeleton sensory bin.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies To Gather

Silver and gold loose parts complement the neutral palette in this glam skeleton-themed playdough invitation.

_______

The same loose parts used in the skeleton-themed sensory bin work wonderfully in a playdough party tray:

skeletons
skulls
bones
spider figurines
pearl beads
gem leaves
bead jewelry strands
crown hair combs
mini pumpkins
bells

_______

The Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

This playdough tray can be offered with a basic playdough recipe or one that is colored. Black and white playdough contrast each other in the tray below. There are links to the dough recipes further on in the post.

A skeleton sits atop black and white playdough in this inviting party tray. Other loose parts include pumpkins, spiders, skulls, and bones.

_______

This next tray features white playdough made with my go-to basic playdough recipe.

_______

Although there’s a whole lotta glam in the sensory tray, an ornate mirror adds just a little more.

A mirror adds elegance to this glam skeleton playdough invitation early learners will be excited to explore.

_______

The loose parts spark the imagination and children can use them to make unique designs. They make interesting prints in the dough.

_______

Playdough Recipes

Find the recipes for the playdough here:

Black Playdough Recipe (from the blog “Left Brain Craft Brain.”)

This black playdough was featured in my “White Lilacs And Black Playdough” blog post a few months ago. Believe it or not, the playdough is still pliable.

Basic Playdough Recipe

The basic playdough recipe can be made in a big batch to use with a group of children.

_______

Four different ways to feature skeleton-themed loose parts in sensory play. Black and white playdough recipes are included.

_______

Related:

Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Q-tip Skeleton Craft

_______

More Themed Playdough Trays

Circus Playdough Tray

Watermelon Playdough Tray

Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Santa Claus Playdough Tray

Pet-Themed Playdough Tray

_______

[Read more…]

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

October 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Living in Alberta, Canada, it seems a little late to feature a fall activity post. The leaves have almost completely blown off the trees, by fierce winds that seem determined to knock every last one to the ground. But although fall has nearly left us, we are not ready to leave it behind. So here’s one last colorful autumn post…an inviting fall tablescape pretend play center.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Supplies Collected

Pretend play is super fun and imaginative in this fall tablescape pretend play set up early learners are bound to love.

_______

Fall colors, leaves, and animals feature prominently in this list of gathered supplies:

leaf-themed paper plates
green, yellow, and orange forks and spoons
fall cupcake liners
orange ice cube tray
bowl with owl, leaf, acorn, and apple game pieces
jar with yellow, orange and red felt balls
container with leaf, acorn, pumpkin, and diamond gems
felt animal decorations
orange artificial flower sprig
artificial sunflower heads
large felt maple leaf
muffin pan
cookie sheet
potholder and spatula

_______

The Fall Tablescape Pretend Play Setup

The list of supplies seems long, but this play tablescape is quick and easy to set up. I started out by setting out the red maple leaf and vase with flowers. Next, I added the plates and cutlery. Then I added the rest of the supplies.

_______

Loose parts such as gems, felt balls, and game pieces allow children to use their imagination. Little learners love incorporating them in pretend play. For instance, wouldn’t the felt animal decorations make super fancy cookies?

_______

Seasonal loose parts add a host of imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

_______

Loose parts such as game pieces and felt balls add imaginative possibilities to this easy-to-put-together fall tablescape pretend play setup.

_______

Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten to set out on the table? It’s fall-themed cups! I didn’t realize they were missing until after I had taken all the pictures.

_______

Little learners relish playing with seasonal accessories. And it’s especially fun to see their excited response the first day they notice a new play kitchen theme.

_______

View this Fall Play Tablescape as a video.

_______

[Read more…]