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Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Lunar New Year

Paper Chain Snake Craft

January 29, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This paper chain snake craft is a perfect hands-on creative activity. It helps young children develop fine motor skills, recognize colors, practice measurement, and make patterns. The activity suits a reptile, jungle, or Chinese New Year “Year of the Snake” theme.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following basic supplies you probably already have on hand to make this slithery chain-link friend:

  • light cardstock paper
  • ruler and pencil
  • wiggly eyes
  • scissors
  • tape
  • glue stick
  • glue gun

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Steps to Make a Paper Chain Snake Craft

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To start making a paper chain snake select a sturdy paper in two or more colors. Construction paper or light cardstock is a good choice because it isn’t too heavy to curve into a loop and holds up well for display.

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Next, cut the paper into strips. To make the strips the same-sized width and length, use a pencil and ruler to draw light lines on the paper first. My strips are about 1 ¼ inch wide and 8 ½ inches long. You can make yours shorter and thinner or longer and wider depending on how big you would like the snake to be.

Afterward, form a loop with one paper strip and tape or glue the ends together.

Then add the next link by threading a paper strip through the first loop. Form it into a loop and tape or glue the ends together.

Keep adding paper strips in the same way to make the chain the desired snake body length.

Then draw and cut out a snake head and tail from cardstock. Fold both pieces in half leaving a little section in the middle.

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Afterward, draw a forked tongue on a contrasting color of cardstock and glue it to the bottom of the snake head.

Then glue two wiggly eyes to the head.

Finally, use a glue gun to affix the head to one end of the paper chain snake body and tail to the other.

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Inspired By Chinese Culture

The paper chain snakes in this blog post are inspired by colors spotted in Chinese festivals and artwork. Turquoise, orange, and yellow are hues seen in lion dance performances.

Blue and white color schemes are popular in Chinese ceramics, with flower motifs being common. So as a finishing touch, this next snake is embellished with paper-punched flowers.

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Red and white decorations are feature colors in Chinese New Year celebrations. Red symbolizes celebration and white provides a nice contrast. White paper flowers enhance the snake below too.

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This Chinese New Year signifies “The Year of the Snake“, and the snake craft fits in well with the theme.

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Benefits of The Paper Chain Snake Craft

This slithery snake craft has many benefits for young children. It helps them

  • develop fine motor control and finger muscle strength as they tape or glue paper strips into loops.
  • recognize colors and make patterns.
  • observe and/or help use a glue gun.

The snakes can be measured with a string or a long ruler. They make great pretend pets for little learners.

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More Activities With Snakes

Chinese New Year Chickpea-based Bin

Black Playdough Snakes

Reptile Theme Activities

Reptile Egg Science

String Painting Snake Art

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You may also like:

Unicorn Playdough Tray

Set up this magical unicorn playdough tray early learners will love. The best homemade playdough recipes are featured.

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Teacup and Peony Sensory Tray

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

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Don’t forget to share this post on Pinterest or your favorite social media channel. Sharing is caring!

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© Annette Kaminsky January 29, 2025

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Filed Under: art, Chinese New Year, crafts, Math, preschool, reptiles Tagged With: color, Lunar New Year, paper crafts, snakes

Easy DIY Black Playdough

January 25, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This easy DIY black playdough is sleek, shiny, and oh-so-easy to make. The no-cook recipe pairs perfectly with a snake theme as it is super stretchy. Using it this month also works well with Lunar New Year “Year of the Snake“ activities.

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Easy DIY Black Playdough Ingredients

Gather the following supplies for this black playdough recipe:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp black gel icing color
  • ½ tsp glycerin
  • large bowl
  • measuring cup
  • mixing spoon

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Making the No-Cook Black Playdough

This black playdough recipe can be made quickly. Here are the instructions:

  • Add two cups of flour to a serving bowl.
  • Pour in 1 cup of salt.
  • Add 1 cup of water.
  • Measure in 2 tbsp vegetable oil.
  • Drop in 1 tsp black gel icing color.
  • Add ½ tsp glycerin.
  • Stir all the ingredients together with a mixing spoon until it becomes thick. Then take the playdough out of the bowl and knead it thoroughly.

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The nice thing about this playdough is that you can play around with the ingredients and it will turn out just fine. If the dough is a little dry, add in a tiny bit more water, glycerin, or oil. If it is a little moist, add a small amount of flour. Kneading the ingredients thoroughly makes it moldable.

If the playdough looks more grey than black measure in more black gel icing color. Note: The playdough will get a little darker over time so it doesn’t need to look all-black immediately.

For additional shine, add a teaspoon more glycerin.

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Little hands will look greenish after making and using the playdough because of the intense black gel color. The gel color is edible, and hands should be their normal hue again after a few washes.

This easy DIY black playdough recipe is super shiny and has a lot of stretch. It becomes a little like slime when reused…how fun!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Year of the Snake Playdough Invitation

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The homemade black playdough recipe makes a great 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake) or a reptile-themed activity. Add white beads, small wiggly eyes, and cardstock paper forked tongues. Then invite participants to create beautiful black and white snakes.

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Reusing the Black Playdough

This show-stopping black playdough can be used a few times. When finished playing with it, store it in saran wrap and put it in a sealed container. Place the dough in the fridge if you wish. Keep a little oil and flour on hand to mix in when you pull the shiny black playdough out a second and third time. The dough may be a little moist but will soon be pliable when the two ingredients are kneaded in.

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No Cook Versus Cooked Playdough Recipes

Cooked playdough is long-lasting if stored properly. It is delightful to use, and I love its properties.

When making cooked playdough, take note of the following:

  • You need a stove to heat up the recipe, or a kettle to heat water.
  • Most cooked recipes use cream of tartar, a rather expensive ingredient.
  • The recipe must be made carefully according to the instructions, or it will be too sticky or dry.
  • It is hard to fix the dough when it is too sticky…I haven’t had much luck with that!

But I love cooked playdough and have made it many times. It is a great choice if you are making a batch ahead of time.

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In the last while I’ve tried more no-cook playdough recipes, selecting ones that do not use boiling water. This is because:

  • It is easy to include children in making the playdough as there is no need to worry about burns from a hot mixture or stove. And children love helping!
  • If the ingredients in a recipe are tweaked the playdough will still usually turn out fine. Thorough kneading is key for this.
  • The recipes do not usually need cream of tartar, which is an additional cost and may not be an ingredient you have on hand.

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[Read more…] about Easy DIY Black Playdough

Filed Under: Chinese New Year, playdough, preschool, reptiles, sensory Tagged With: Lunar New Year, playdough, snakes

Chinese New Year Dragon Craft

February 7, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The Chinese New Year celebration is just around the corner, and this year the feature animal is a dragon. The imaginary animal is fifth in the Chinese Zodiac and is linked with the element wood in the year 2024. So naturally, wood products are incorporated in this Chinese New Year dragon craft.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Dragon Craft Supplies

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The supplies in this spectacular dragon craft are:

  • sandpaper
  • wood sample chips
  • wiggly eye
  • 11-inch x 14-inch sturdy paper
  • Asian coin play money
  • white glue and glue paddle
  • pencil and scissors

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The Chinese New Year Dragon Craft

For this woodsy dragon, I enlarged a dragon necklace pattern, a free printable on the blog. I used it to cut out the head, legs, and tail from a sheet of course sandpaper.

Small rectangular wood sample chips, donated from a hardware store, make up the curvy body.

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Gold Asian play coins add glitz to the design.

The creative invitation makes a unique transient art activity. Or the supplies can be glued onto a large piece of sturdy paper using white glue and a glue paddle.

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Variations Of The Dragon Craft

Instead of using wood sample chips, rectangles cut from wood-themed scrapbook paper would work beautifully.

Circles cut or punched from metallic or glitter gold cardstock could serve as the play money.

The entire project would look equally stunning made from one or more colors of construction paper.

The Chinese New Year dragon craft is a great fit for Lunar New Year 2024. Since dragons are part of the celebrations every year, it could become an annual project.

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More Chinese New Year Activities

Chinese New Year Pretend Play

Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

Orange-scented Playdough Invitation

Chinese Money Tree Art and Sensory Activities

Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

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[Read more…] about Chinese New Year Dragon Craft

Filed Under: art, Chinese New Year, crafts, preschool Tagged With: Chinese New Year, dragons, Lunar New Year, recycled craft, transient art

Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

January 21, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Simple and economical Chinese New Year DIY decorating ideas using themed stickers. Ornament and play tablescape ideas are included.
Simple and economical Chinese New Year DIY decorating ideas using themed stickers. Ornament and play tablescape ideas are included.

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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.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Chinese New Year DIY Ball Ornaments

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Simple and economical Chinese New Year DIY decorating ideas using themed stickers. Ornament and play tablescape ideas are included.

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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

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[Read more…] about Chinese New Year DIY Decorating

Filed Under: Chinese New Year, display, dramatic play, party, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: Chinese New Year, loose parts, Lunar New Year, sensory bin, sensory play, sensory tray

Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

January 20, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Set up this Chinese New Year sensory tub for your little learners to explore. It's a fun way to learn about Chinese New Year traditions.
Set up this Chinese New Year sensory bin for your little learners to explore. It's a fun way to learn about Chinese New Year traditions.

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This Chinese New Year sensory tub features a pretend play set up, bound to be a hit with your little learners. While playing in the oh-so-fun sensory invitation, children get a chance to learn about Chinese culture.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Chinese New Year Sensory Tub Supplies

Super fun supplies for a Chinese Lunar New Year sensory tub invitation to play your early learners will love to investigate.

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Play kitchen accessories and loose parts are the theme of these economical and easy-to-gather supplies. Collected for the tub are:

  • large round gold placemat
  • gold coins, bead garland, and buttons
  • pink pompoms
  • orange counters
  • fish and orange play food
  • panda storage container
  • stuffed rabbit ornament
  • paper plates
  • clear bowl and cups
  • training chopsticks
  • ladle
  • gold tongs
  • artificial cherry blossom flowers

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The Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

A super inviting Chinese Lunar New Year sensory tub with a "Year Of The Rabbit" theme. A cultural sensory play opportunity your early learners will love.

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The sensory bin for this activity is a spiral saucer sled, and it works beautifully. It is big enough to hold supplies for three children to play in. An active world tray would also be a good fit.

The round gold placemat at the bottom of the bin offsets its bright red color.

Before setting in the clear bowl and cups, I added a few Chinese New Year stickers as an easy way to make them festive.

The orange counters and oranges represent orange fruits (especially mandarins), which are displayed and given as gifts during Chinese New Year. Mandarin oranges are symbolic of gold, as their name in Chinese sounds like it. They are believed to bring riches when given or received as gifts.

A pretty Lunar New Year sensory tub with a "Year Of The Rabbit" theme. A perfect way to introduce Chinese culture to early learners.

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The cut gold garland strips are “noodles.” Long, uncut noodles symbolize a long life to Chinese people.

The play food fish stands for togetherness and plentifulness.

The cherry blossoms in the bin represent the promise of Spring and the renewal of life.

The pink pompoms coordinate with the cherry blossom touches and are soft like bunny tails.

The gold coins are reminders that children are given money in envelopes during Chinese New Year.

Since this is the “Year Of The Rabbit,” there is a stuffed rabbit ornament in the bin.

A pretty Chinese New Year sensory tub with a "Year Of The Rabbit" theme. A perfect way to introduce Chinese culture to early learners.

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Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is a national holiday and the biggest festival of the year.  Dinners with family are a big part of Chinese New Year celebrations. This dinner-themed sensory tub is the perfect way to introduce some of the cultural traditions to little learners.

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Set up this Lunar New Year sensory bin for your little learners to explore. It's a fun way to learn about Chinese New Year traditions.

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[Read more…] about Chinese New Year Sensory Tub

Filed Under: Chinese New Year, dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, sensory bin, sensory play, sensory tray

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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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