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pretend play

Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

November 23, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup incorporates loose parts in a big way. It's an easy center to include in harvest celebrations.
This Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup incorporates loose parts in a big way. It's an easy center to include in harvest celebrations.

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Here’s an easy Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup your little learners will love. It incorporates fall-colored loose parts with a few turkey and pilgrim-themed accessories.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Supplies In The Thanksgiving Tablescape

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving play tablescape setup.

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The following supplies make this Thanksgiving tablescape a fun place to play:

  • harvest disposable plates and plaque
  • clear plastic glasses, dessert plates, and jars
  • baking pan
  • orange, yellow, and green cutlery
  • gold flowers in a vase
  • green, yellow, red, and orange felt balls and wooden beads
  • turkey centerpieces
  • miniature artificial pumpkins
  • Thanksgiving cookie cutters
  • Pilgrim sticker “cookies”
  • turkey game pieces and wooden beads
  • “Be Thankful” tea towel
  • white tablecloth

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Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Arrange supplies for this tablescape in a play kitchen on a shelf, or place them in the play stove, fridge, and cupboards. Your little learners will enjoy incorporating them into festive play.

Loose parts are always a highlight of pretend play setups. Green, yellow, orange, and red-themed felt balls and round wooden beads easily transfer from a fall play tablescape to this Thanksgiving one.

Loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving-themed dramatic play tablescape.

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The turkey centerpieces were a delightful find at a party store and add color and style.

Pilgrim-themed stickers make great “cookies” when placed on a baking pan.

Turkey game pieces and wooden beads help make the play set up super special.

Themed cookie cutters are easy-to-find items that add flair.

Turkey-themed loose parts are the highlight of this Thanksgiving tablescape pretend play setup.

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Disposable plates befitting the Thanksgiving theme are included in the décor, as are artificial miniature pumpkins showcased in clear plastic glasses.

Early learners will enjoy role-playing Thanksgiving dinner events with this festive pretend play setup.

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A “Be Thankful” tea towel and harvest plaque are the finishing touches to this seasonal dramatic play center.

This Thanksgiving tablescape dramatic play setup incorporates loose parts in a big way. It's an easy center to include in harvest celebrations.

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Related:

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Pumpkin Play Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Thanksgiving Tablescape Pretend Play

Filed Under: autumn, dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, Thanksgiving Day Tagged With: dramatic play, pretend play, tablescapes, turkeys

Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

October 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Seasonal loose parts are the highlight of this fun fall tablescape pretend play setup. Imaginative play is sure to happen!
Seasonal loose parts are the highlight of this fun fall tablescape pretend play setup. Imaginative play is sure to happen!

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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.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies Collected

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

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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

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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.

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

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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?

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

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

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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.

Seasonal loose parts are the highlight of this fun fall tablescape pretend play setup. Imaginative play is sure to happen!

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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.

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View this Fall Play Tablescape as a video.

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Related: Kids’ Winter Wonderland Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

Filed Under: autumn, dramatic play, fall, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: fall, loose parts, play kitchen, pretend play, tablescapes

Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

October 21, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Pumpkins in all shapes and forms are the highlights in this easy-to-set-up pumpkin tablescape pretend play center that little learners will love.
Pumpkins in all shapes and forms are the highlights in this easy-to-set-up pumpkin tablescape pretend play center that little learners will love.

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This bright and cheery pumpkin tablescape pretend play setup has a host of loose parts that make it super fun to explore.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Pumpkin-themed loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play center your early learners will be eager to explore.

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Pumpkins are a huge part of fall décor, so it is easy to find accessories for this inviting, seasonal dramatic play activity. Here’s a list of items gathered:

  • white tablecloth
  • vase with artificial flowers
  • a string of pumpkin lights
  • pumpkin-themed disposable plates and serving trays
  • non-breakable cutlery and drinking glasses
  • acrylic gem pumpkins
  • artificial mini pumpkins
  • wooden pumpkin beads
  • pumpkin cookie cutters
  • pumpkin seeds
  • reusable pumpkin ice cubes
  • pumpkin-themed ice cube tray
  • felt pumpkins
  • fall-themed mini spatula
  • wooden harvest/pumpkin plaque
  • plastic jars and serving bowls
  • cookie tray
  • serving utensils

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Setting Up The Pumpkin Tablescape

Set up this colorful pumpkin-themed pretend play center your early learners will love. Loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play activity.

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It’s so quick and easy to set up this play tablescape. I keep a large storage container with pumpkin-themed accessories and take out the tableware and loose parts that work for the center.

To get this activity ready, first cover a child-sized table with a white tablecloth. Then, set an unbreakable vase with pumpkin-themed artificial flowers in the center. Add a string of pumpkin lights around the vase.

Next, arrange place settings with fall-themed disposable plates and cutlery on the table.

Then, drop artificial mini pumpkins into clear drinking glasses and include them in the place settings.

After this, set out the rest of the supplies in the open spaces:

  • tray of felt pumpkin “cookies”  
  • jar of artificial mini pumpkins
  • bowl of pumpkin/turkey bead “candies”
  • ice cube tray with reusable pumpkin-themed ice cubes
  • bowl of pumpkin seeds
  • jar of acrylic pumpkin gems
  • fall-themed spatula

Finally, add serving spoons to the play tablescape.

Set up this colorful pumpkin-themed pretend play center your early learners will love. Loose parts are the highlight of this hands-on dramatic play activity.

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Your little learners will be excited to discover this pumpkin tablescape pretend play center, and I’m sure a lot of imaginative, quality play will take place.

Pumpkins in all shapes and forms are the highlights in this easy-to-set-up pumpkin tablescape dramatic play center little learners will love.

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View this Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play Center as a video.

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Related: Fall Tablescape Pretend Play

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[Read more…] about Pumpkin Tablescape Pretend Play

Filed Under: autumn, dramatic play, fall, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: dramatic play, play kitchen, pretend play, pumpkins, tablescapes

Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center

September 12, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Set up this flower stand dramatic play center in minutes. The colorful center can be changed throughout the year to match the current season.
Set up this flower stand dramatic play center in minutes. The colorful center can be changed throughout the year to match the current season.

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A flower stand dramatic play center can be set up in minutes and will be a colorful, inviting place for your little learners to play. It was this summer’s dramatic play center at my preschool, and absolutely everyone enjoyed it. In addition to making a great spring or summer pretend play area, it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Dollar stores are an excellent resource for stocking a flower stand pretend play center, as they often have a good selection of artificial flowers at a low price. Keeping an eye out for flower theme supplies on regular shopping runs will lead to discovering interesting accessories to add to the stand.

Here’s what’s in my flower stand:

  • a variety of artificial flower branches
  • small decorative garbage cans
  • flower-themed plates, bowls, and ice cube trays
  • pool noodles flower slices
  • flowery gift bags
  • bulletin board slabs in a flower shape
  • flower erasers and reusable ice cubes
  • flower-themed silicone baking molds
  • plastic vases
  • watering cans
  • gardening gloves
  • play money
  • flower stand sign
  • signs with plant quotes

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The Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center

The flower branches are set out in small decorative garbage cans. They look appealing when organized in individual or analogous colors.

Color sorting artificial flowers in a flower stand dramatic play center is a good way to learn about colors.

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There is no harm in setting out the sprigs randomly. Little learners will eagerly rearrange the blooms in ways that suit them.

These artificial flowers can be arranged by color in a flower stand dramatic play center.

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Other supplies are arranged on a shelf and/or table. This user-friendly shelf on casters houses supplies superbly and is perfect for dramatic play centers.

Flower stand accessories are housed perfectly on a shelf with casters.

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Flower-theme silicone baking cups with different colored inserts are great for developing eye-hand coordination and for discussing colors. In this center, they are repurposed as mini-interchangeable puzzles!

Flower-themed layered baking cups make great mini-puzzles for a flower stand dramatic play center

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Flower-shaped pool noodles cut into thin slices make pretend play “cookies.”

Sliced flower-themed pool noodles make great "cookies" for a flower stand dramatic play center.

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Tip: Slice a pool noodle section into one to two-inch wide flower-shaped treats on a cutting board with a sharp kitchen knife.

Succulents, a last-minute find, add variety and texture to the flower choices. Their smaller size makes them easy for little learners to handle and move around. My preschoolers loved them, so I will definitely be adding more over time.

Artificial succulents are just the right size for little hands and add texture and interest to a flower stand dramatic play center.

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A flower stand sign and quotes about blooms add opportunities to engage with print.

A fower-themed sign and quotes add a literacy component to a flower stand dramatic play center,

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Click here to view the Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center as a video.

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Learning Through Play Possibilities

There is a lot of learning through play potential in this flower stand dramatic play center. The center has opportunities for:

  • discussing job titles such as florist, cashier, and delivery truck driver.
  • taking turns to be a customer.
  • recognizing colors of flowers and accessories.
  • counting supplies and coins, sorting flowers by color, and discussing large and small bouquets.
  • experiencing and handling beautiful, aesthetically pleasing things.

A flower-themed cardmaking station would be an awesome center to go along with this flower stand. Little learners would be thrilled to make cards for the store.

A card-making center compliments a flower stand dramatic play center.

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And wouldn’t a flower stand be wonderful in bright, warm fall colors? My flower stand is transitioning to an autumn-themed one next week!

Setting up a flower stand in fall colors is a good way to celebrate the autumn season.

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Related: Lemonade Stand Dramatic Play Center

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[Read more…] about Flower Stand Dramatic Play Center

Filed Under: dramatic play, gardening, preschool, pretend play, spring, summer Tagged With: dramatic play, fall, flowers, pretend play

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

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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

Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

August 4, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

A cheery lemon-inspired play kitchen early learners will love to play in. Lemony decor and loose parts inspire imaginative dramatic play.
A cheery lemon-inspired play kitchen early learners will love to play in. Lemony decor and loose parts inspire imaginative dramatic play.

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This spring I started collecting lemon-themed supplies before the weather got warmer and the snow finally melted for good. It was refreshing just to look at the growing tub of yellow-infused accessories. A lemonade stand dramatic play center was one goal for the purchases. The other intent was to set up a lemon-inspired play kitchen, which is featured in this post.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

A cheery lemon-inspired play kitchen theme that early learners will love. The lemony decor and loose parts will inspire imaginative dramatic play.

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No store is off limits for collecting supplies that are useful in children’s activities. Keeping an eye out for economical items on usual shopping runs often leads to spotting the perfect accessories for pretend play. Collected for the lemon-themed play kitchen are:

  • lemon play food in smaller and larger sizes
  • play food lemon pie
  • lemon counters
  • jar with green and yellow rainbow erasers
  • jar with apple sauce screw-top caps
  • lemon-themed tea towel, pot holder, spatula, and serving bowls
  • yellow disposable cups, cutlery, and ice cube tray
  • yellow accented paper plates
  • clear drinking cups
  • clear plastic beverage dispenser
  • citrus juicer
  • artificial lemon branch in a vase

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Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen Activities

It’s exciting for early learners to discover lemon-themed dramatic play props set out for them. They can be attractively arranged in a play kitchen on a low table and/or shelving units. The youngsters will happily pick up and use the supplies in their own way.

A cheery lemon-inspired play kitchen theme that early learners will love. The lemony decor and loose parts will inspire imaginative dramatic play.

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Just a few of the lemony accessories listed above will spark interest and add a pop of color to the play kitchen.

An artificial lemon branch makes a great centerpiece displayed in an unbreakable vase.

Including loose parts in complementary hues such as yellow and green apple sauce caps and rainbow erasers is great for igniting children’s imaginations. It gives little learners a chance to use recycled items in innovative ways.

This lemon-inspired kids' play tablescape can be set up any time of the year. Loose parts complement the lemon theme.

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These lemon-themed dramatic play props can be set out any time of the year. And they coordinate wonderfully with National Lemonade Day, which is commonly observed in early May and/or late August.

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This lemon-inspired kids' play tablescape can be set up any time of the year. Loose parts complement the lemon theme.

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Related: Kids’ Winter Wonderland Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Lemon-Inspired Play Kitchen

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, spring, summer Tagged With: lemons, play kitchen, pretend play, tablescapes

Pool Noodle Building Blocks

July 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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Over a year ago, I purchased interlocking foam pool noodles, planning to pull them out one day as a boredom buster. This year they finally made their debut, as pool noodle building blocks!

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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Before introducing the pool noodles, I trimmed them into various lengths with a sharp knife on a cutting board. The cut pieces ranged from thin slices to much longer ones. A few sections were sliced in half lengthwise.

Then I loaded the connectable foam noodle loose parts into large bins and set them out in a block corner. I wasn’t sure how early learners would react to them. Would they find them interesting to build with? Would the novelty of the construction activity wear off after a few days?

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Pool Noodle Block Play

The first day the cut swim noodles were out I demonstrated how to slide them together. Children responded well and began creating structures.

The light, flexible blocks far surpassed my expectations as a building toy. Every day, early learners regularly picked them up and made something new. Here are some things they created with the noodles:

  • large sculptures
  • barricades
  • spaceships
  • an elevator
  • a castle

The hollow foam blocks stayed out for a few months. Over time, I added a few other types and colors of noodles to the play area in order to provide more choice. The new pieces were not interlocking but added interest, and early learners used them to enhance the creations they made.

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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More Play With Pool Noodle Building Blocks

To my delight, children repurposed the different kinds of pool noodles in other play activities. They used individual pieces as:

  • candles on a table in a play restaurant
  • a bun for a sausage
  • food fried up in a pan
  • a telescope

And at times, other classroom building materials were added to pool noodle structures.

Set out these light, transportable, foam noodle building blocks for your early learners to build with and add to for STEAM fun.

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As loose parts, the pool noodles were used innovatively and creatively by early learners. I loved seeing the inventions made, and always responded enthusiastically.

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Pool noodles are inexpensive, light, and easy to move around and store. They work fabulously as creative building pieces and loose parts for construction and dramatic play centers.

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Related: Build A Christmas Tree STEAM Activity

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[Read more…] about Pool Noodle Building Blocks

Filed Under: block play, dramatic play, preschool, pretend play, science Tagged With: block play, dramatic play, pool noodles, pretend play

Dessert Bar Play Center

May 8, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Your little learners will love playing in this tasty dessert bar dramatic play center with a coffee brewing station.

Hands down this dessert bar play center is one of my preschooler’s favorites. It was available for a month this past March/April and played in every single school day.

Your little learners will love playing in this tasty dessert bar dramatic play center with a coffee brewing station.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

No store is off-limits when gathering supplies for this tasty dramatic play center. Since it’s easy to find play food and kitchenware sets, the center is pretty effortless to put together.

Items in this dessert bar are:

  • a variety of cupcakes and cookies
  • brownie set
  • muffins
  • pie
  • cake slice
  • disposable plates
  • cutlery
  • cups and saucers
  • food trays
  • coffee brewing set
  • cash register
  • play money
  • vase with flowers

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The Dessert Bar Play Center

A shelving unit showcases the desserts beautifully.

Delectable dessert bar play food displayed on a shelf with see-through cubicles.

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A table and chair set make a cozy area to “eat” dessert. A mammoth mom and baby joined in this setup!

A dessert bar tablescape ready to be enjoyed by little learners.

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A play coffee brewing set is nice to have. Mine came from a discount store, and the children loved making and serving coffee with it.

A coffee brewing station is a fun addition to a dessert bar dramatic play center.

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This elegant little tray was a happy find at a dollar store, and I snapped up a few. They weren’t available long, so I’m sure other people realized how special they were too. The shiny trays showcase the desserts well.

A shiny play tray to add elegance to a dessert bar play center.

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A sign and menu posted on a wall indicate the type of restaurant and what is served. Pictures of desserts accompanied by captions help create an ambiance.

Add ambiance to a dessert bar play center with a sign, menu, and pictorial quotes.

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The menu is helpful to check prices and see how much to pay for orders. When the food is laid out like a chart, it makes it easy for preschoolers to add up how much an order costs.

Make a graph with play food to show how much a dessert bar order costs.

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Benefits Of The Dessert Bar Center

Aside from counting and addition opportunities, this center allows children to make choices by selecting desserts. And they can practice turn-taking and role-playing by being the server and the customer.

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Enhancing The Dessert Bar

After a few days, setting out a new dessert such as a play cake set would help keep children’s interest in the center going. And pictorial signs attached to shelving cubicles would enhance the literacy component and give opportunities for sorting and matching desserts. Can you think of anything else to add?

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Your little learners will love playing in this tasty dessert bar pretend play center with a coffee brewing station.

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This dessert bar play center is bound to be a hit with your little learners. Just a few supplies provide many opportunities for vibrant learning through play. Start out with economical play food, such as dollar store cupcake and cake sets. The selection of desserts need not be elaborate…children will love the center no matter how big or small it is.

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Related: Winter Wonderland Tablescape

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[Read more…] about Dessert Bar Play Center

Filed Under: dramatic play, preschool, pretend play Tagged With: desserts, play food, pretend play, restaurant

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

Ladybug Wand Craft

February 13, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Cute ladybug wand craft early learners will love to make and play with. A host of ladybug facts are included in the post.
Cute ladybug wand craft early learners will love to make and play with. A host of ladybug facts are included in the post.

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Last month my preschoolers made simple snowflake wands to coordinate with winter and “Frozen” activities. The crafted wands generated lots of enthusiasm, and children were excited to use them in play. Because of their exuberant response, I decided to offer similar projects in the future. This ladybug wand craft is the next one we will do. I’m sure my little learners will enjoy making it, and I think yours will too!

With wings cut from a heart, this cute craft fits in perfectly with Valentine’s Day but could be offered in spring or any other time of the year.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this buggy craft, gather the following:

  • red and black cardstock
  • black adhesive gems
  • red and white thin ribbon
  • wiggly eyes
  • straws
  • glue stick
  • glue gun
  • scissors

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Making The Ladybug Wand Craft

Steps to make a cute ladybug wand craft early learners will love to help create and play with.

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First, cut large circular ladybug bodies from black cardstock, and similar-sized hearts from red. Then cut the red hearts in half to become wings.

Snip a few kinds of ribbon into strands about the length of a straw. Hot glue the ribbon strands to the top of the straws.

Then invite children to add black adhesive gem spots to a pair of red wings, and adhere them to their circle with a glue stick.

Afterward, they can add a pair of wiggly eyes.

Finally, glue the ladybugs to the top of the straws and invite crafters to play with their wands.

Cute ladybug wand craft early learners will love to make and play with. A host of ladybug facts are included in the post.

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Ladybug Facts

Ladybugs are well-loved by children. Even when they don’t especially like other insects, little learners are usually excited to hold a dainty ladybug and study it closely. Here are facts to share with little ones when they spot ladybugs while playing.

  • Ladybugs are a kind of beetle and can be found in a variety of habitats.
  • There are more than 5000 kinds of ladybugs.
  • Although shiny, red and black spotted dome shaped ladybugs are most familiar in North America, these adored creatures come in a variety of bright colors.
  • Ladybugs have from five to twenty spots, which can fade over time.
  • Their colors and spots help warn predators that they are not pleasant to eat.
  • With their six feet and two antennae, ladybugs smell and look for food. They use their front legs to clean their heads and antennae.
  • Their two eyes can distinguish between dark and light, but ladybugs don’t see well.
  • A pair of colorful hard, top wings protect two transparent, veined inner flying wings.
  • Ladybugs help the environment by eating pesky bugs such as aphids and mites, and spreading pollen.
A host of ladybug facts to share with early learners.

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  • Birds are huge predators. Other animals that like to eat ladybugs are frogs, lizards, wasps, spiders, and dragonflies.
  • In addition to flashing their spots and bright colors, ladybugs secrete oily, stinky, bad tasting, yellow drops of fluid from joints in their legs to discourage predators. They can also play dead.
  • Ladybugs are either male or female.
  • Over a period of about seven weeks, ladybugs develop in four stages: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults.
  • Tiny yellow eggs are laid in batches on the underside of leaves near aphid colonies.
  • Colonies of ladybugs hibernate over the winter in warm spots such as in rotting logs or ground cover, or under rocks and snowdrifts. Thousands of these little bugs may gather together.
  • Ladybugs commonly live for about one year, but some live two to three years.

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It’ll soon be spring, and all kinds of bugs will be crawling around. You’ll want to include this captivating ladybug wand craft in your insect theme activities. You could also offer it for Valentine’s Day along with the love bug headband craft featured below.

Pair a ladybug wand craft with a love bug headband for a session of buggy dramatic play.

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Related: Spider Theme Activities

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[Read more…] about Ladybug Wand Craft

Filed Under: crafts, dramatic play, insects, preschool, pretend play, Valentine's Day Tagged With: crafts, ladybugs, pretend play

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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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