Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Chinese New Year Sensory Tray

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Year of the Ox Chinese New Year rice-based sensory tray with a bull figurine and red and gold loose parts.

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Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year) will be celebrated on February 12 in 2021. It is the most important holiday in China and is celebrated by Chinese people and interested others all over the world. The holiday marks the end of the coldest winter days and the beginning of spring. Since it is the year of the ox, why not join in the festivities this February with an ox-themed Chinese New Year sensory tray.

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Ox Facts

  • Domesticated oxen are often castrated adult male cows, as this makes them easier to handle.
  • Ox horns are very long.
  • Being very strong animals, they can pull heavy loads.
  • As dependable work animals, oxen transport people and supplies, help with fieldwork, and power machines.
  • Oxen used to roam in herds in the wild.
Chinese New Year "Year of The Ox" rice-based tray featuring a bull figurine and red and gold loose parts.

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Character Qualities Of The Ox

The ox is a cherished animal in Chinese culture, as it is hardworking and reliable, and was used in agriculture by peasants to plow fields. Positive character qualities are attributed to the ox. And people born in the year of the ox are considered to be logical, disciplined, diligent, trustworthy, and talented. And who wouldn’t want to emulate these qualities!

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Related:

Year Of The Pig Sensory Bin (Chinese New Year 2019)

Year Of The Rat Noodle Bin (Chinese New Year 2020)

Year Of The Tiger Chickpea Bin (Chinese New Year 2022)

Year Of The Rabbit Sensory Bin (Chinese New Year 2023)

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Chinese New Year Sensory Tray

This Chinese New Year sensory tray gives a glimpse into Chinese culture and acknowledges the importance the ox has played in Chinese agriculture and life.

Chinese New Year loose parts tray featuring a bull figurine and red and gold loose parts.

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The base for the tray is super white glutinous rice. Loose parts included are:

  • bull figurine
  • gold coins
  • red beads
  • red diamond-shaped gems
  • gold and red buttons
  • gold bows, bells, and bead garland strips
  • red bowls
  • chopsticks
  • Chinese calligraphy cups
Year of the Ox Chinese New Year rice tray featuring a bull figurine and red and gold loose parts.

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People all over the world celebrate Chinese New Year. This traditional holiday is filled with drama and color, especially welcome in northern, winter white countries like mine!

Year of the Ox tray featuring a bull figurine and red and gold loose parts.

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Christmas Sensory Play

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Christmas-themed sensory play with festive loose parts in a rice based tray and a water tub.

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With a host of seasonal loose parts available to purchase in the fall, Christmas sensory play experiences are easy and economical to put together. These two festive tubs are sure to delight your little learners.

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Christmas Rice Sensory Tray

Glutinous rice is the base for this tray. The word glutinous means glue-like; the rice does not contain gluten. The grains are super white, showcasing the loose parts in the tray. But any kind of rice would work well.

Christmas-themed rice sensory tray.

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Pour a layer of rice into a tray or plastic tub.  Add loose parts from the list below, or substitute accessories you have available. Invite your early learners to explore the tray.

Loose parts:

  • red, green, and white buttons
  • ice cube stars, snowmen, and trees
  • acrylic gem snowflakes and lights
  • metallic snowflakes
  • foam Christmas shapes and alphabet letters
  • candy-striped straws
  • red bowl and spoon

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Christmas-themed loose parts tray for sensory play.

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Additional containers for pouring and filling could be included.

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Christmas-themed containers for sensory play.

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Related: Llama Llama Holiday Drama Sensory Bin

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Christmas Water Sensory Tub

Pour a few liters of lukewarm water into a plastic tub. Drop in accessories from the list above or pick from your own stash of loose parts. Adding just a few Christmas-themed loose parts will set the stage for enjoyable learning through play.

A clear plastic present is a highlight of the sensory tub below.

Christmas-themed water sensory tub.

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Christmas erasers are bound to be a hit!

Christmas erasers are a stand out in this festive water sensory tub.

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Learning Through Play Possibilities

Rich learning takes place when children participate in these Christmas sensory play invitations. Some learning possibilities are:

  • sorting green and red shapes (math – set making; language – color recognition)
  • counting shapes (math – counting)
  • comparing shapes to those of others (language development; paying attention to detail)
  • filling and emptying the plastic present (math/language – empty/full)
  • noticing how the foam shapes stick to the sides of the present (science)
  • recognizing letters of the alphabet (language -letter recognition)

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Canada Day Sensory Bin

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Canada Day rice-based sensory bin with red and white items perfect for little hands to explore.

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On July 1 each year, our country celebrates Canada Day. Festive decorations are typically red and white, with a good dose of maple leaves. This design scheme is patterned after the Canadian flag. So here’s a red and white Canada Day sensory bin incorporating our Canadian flag, maple leaves, and lots of red and white. The tactile bin is perfect for little ones to help celebrate our country’s birthday.

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Items in The Canada Day Sensory Bin

  • brown rice
  • red measuring cups
  • Canadian flag trinkets
  • maple leaf themed baking cups
  • miniature party hats
  • white pompoms
  • red feathers
  • maple leaf-shaped ice cubes
  • play food apples
  • heart-shaped toothpicks

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Canada Day rice based sensory bin with red and white items perfect for little hands to explore.

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This Canada Day-themed sensory bin is easy to put together and promises loads of enjoyment.

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Related: Maple Leaf Butterfly Craft Video Tutorial

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What day of the year do you celebrate your country’s birthday? Is there a favorite sensory bin or activity you offer? Share in a comment below.

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Related:

Canada Day Sensory Play

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

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Snowman Sensory Play

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These snowman sensory play ideas can be explored any time of year – winter or summer. When it’s super cold out and there is real snow on the ground, I’d rather play with these activities indoors!

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Snowman themed sensory play. Rice bins, sensory tube, and ten frame activities for early learners. Free printable included.

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Snowman Sensory Play Supplies

Collect these supplies for the activities that follow:

  • clear chunky gems
  • silver snowflake confetti, bead garland strips, and balls
  • white pom poms
  • orange beads, pom poms, and pipe cleaner pieces
  • black buttons and beads
  • snowmen buttons, ice cubes, and bottles
  • silver spoons

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Loose parts and snowman themed supplies to use in a sensory tray or tube.

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Snowman Sensory Tray

The materials are sprinkled on a white rice base in a square metal tray. The snowmen bottles are the find I was most excited about.

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Snowman sensory tray with a rice base and loose parts. Snowman bottles, ice cubes, and buttons are the highlights of the tray.

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Snowman sensory tray with a rice base and loose parts. Snowman bottles, ice cubes, and buttons are the highlights of the tray.

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An easy alternative to themed bottles is to draw snowmen’s faces on clear cups with black and orange permanent markers. Design some extra faces for snack cups…a dandy idea featured on a post from passionforsavings.com.

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Snowman sensory tray with a rice base. Clear cup snowmen, themed buttons, and snowmen ice cubes are included along with clear, orange, and black bits and baubles.

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Funnels, dessert cups, large white pom poms, and snowmen erasers would also make great additions.

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Ten Frame Activities

Ten frame activities are perfect for this snowman sensory tray. The frame makes it easy to introduce counting and adding challenges.

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Include this ten-frame printable (downloadable below) in the center and have your child find …

  • seven snowmen buttons
  • five ice cube snowmen
  • six orange beads and four black beads
  • five black parts and five orange parts
  • ten objects of any kind

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Snowman themed ten frame activity using rice bin supplies. Snowmen buttons and ice cubes with loose parts sprinkled in are ready to count in this math prompt.

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Ten FrameDownload

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An egg carton with two sections trimmed off transforms into a ten frame. A bonus is that the cups easily contain the supplies.

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An egg carton with one section cut off makes a perfect ten frame for counting snowmen buttons and ice cubes and loose parts.

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Snowman Themed Sensory Tube

Extend play possibilities by adding these snowman-themed materials to a sensory tube. You can get by with less of each supply, and variety is always nice!

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Snowman sensory tube with a rice base and loose parts. Snowman ice cubes and buttons are the highlights of the tube.

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You can never go wrong with a snowman theme, for any age! I hope these snowman sensory play activities enhance your child’s hands-on learning opportunities with this beloved topic.

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Related:

Magic Creamer Color Experiment

Try this magic creamer color experiment using half-and-half coffee cream. An easy-to-do science experiment with stunning results.
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New Year’s Sensory Tray

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This New Year’s sensory tray shines bright with gold and silver accents. Two watch heads are the highlight of the bin, and children treasure finding them.

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New Year's sensory tray with gold and silver pieces. Two watch heads are the highlights. This tray offers math, language and sensory opportunities for learning.

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The collection of pieces below is all gold with a few silver parts added in. The musical instruments are black, only because the gold finish wore off in previous play! The alphabet letters are cut from “Happy New Year” necklaces.

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Gold and silver supplies to use in a New Year's sensory tray. Opportunity to sort and count pieces and make sets. Invitation to spell the wish "Happy New Year."

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The base ingredient is parboiled rice, as its yellow hue complements the gold tone of the bin. The ingredients are showcased in a silver metal square-shaped tray.

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A square-shaped silver metal tray is perfect for showcasing the gold and silver pieces in this New Year's sensory play center.

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Items In The New Year’s Sensory Tray:

  • parboiled rice
  • antique watch heads set to 12:00
  • tube confetti
  • confetti party hats and stars
  • sequins
  • foil pieces
  • tiny balls
  • beads
  • pom poms
  • bead garland strips
  • tinsel
  • bells
  • musical instruments
  • alphabet letters that spell the wish “Happy New Year”
  • star dessert cups
  • spoons

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Safari Toob musical instruments would be a stand out in this tray.

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Activities To Extend Exploration

Your early learner will enjoy sifting through the sensory tray and filling the star dessert cups with treasures.  A few prompts will extend learning opportunities.

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New Year's sensory tray with gold and silver pieces. Two antique watch heads are the highlights. This tray offers math, language and sensory opportunities for learning.

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Search And Find Challenges

Challenge your child to…

  • find letter H, Y, etc.
  • collect five pom poms
  • shake bells in cupped hands to make music
  • search for watch heads
  • find three silver stars and two gold stars
  • add musical instruments to a star dessert cup

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Spelling “Happy New Year”

Cut necklaces into “HAPPY NEW YEAR” sections. Ask your little one to find the letters that make up the new year’s greeting. 

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New Year's sensory tray with an invitation to spell the wish "Happy New Year". This tray offers sensory, math and language opportunities for learning.

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The gold and silver pieces are not precious metals, but this New Year’s sensory tray has a rich feel that is sure to be inviting.

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To create a similar tray, keep an eye out for baubles to recycle from Christmas events or gift openings. As an alternative, you can put together a bright, colorful bin as seen at rubberbootsandelfshoes.

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Llama Christmas Sensory Bin

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This post was edited on December 12, 2022.

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Llama themed sensory bin inspired by the picture book "Llama, Llama Holiday Drama" by Anna Dewdney.

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A llama Christmas sensory bin is sure to captivate your little learners. It’s a superb way to give children access to the rich colors and textures of the Christmas season.

This festive bin is inspired by the storybook “Llama Llama Holiday Drama,” written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney. In the picture book, little Llama becomes overwhelmed helping his mama with holiday preparations. There are so many things to do, and the wait for Christmas seems much too long. Amid the busy, bustling season, Mama Llama takes time to stop and snuggle with Llama Llama, saying that “having each other is the true gift” at Christmas.

Llama Llama’s pre-Christmas experience is one that children can relate to. And parents and caregivers get a gentle reminder to slow down and spend some snuggle time with the “littles” in their lives.

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Llama Christmas Sensory Bin Supplies

With adorable llama-themed Christmas decorations readily available, a llama-inspired bin is easy to put together. Purchase a few nonbreakable llama ornaments, and add Christmas-themed sensory items in colors that complement them.

Llama themed sensory bin inspired by the picture book 'Llama, Llama Holiday Drama' by Anna Dewdney.

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This sensory tub includes

  • brown rice
  • llama Christmas decorations (cut from a garland)
  • small gift boxes
  • felt Christmas tree decoration
  • gingerbread decoration
  • mini Christmas cookie cutters
  • sparkle pom poms
  • bows
  • bells
  • metallic snowflakes
  • metallic trees

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A llama-themed sensory bin offers young children a chance to play with festive contemporary decorations along with well-loved staples.

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What’s your current theme for Christmas decorating? Is a color scheme or favorite type of ornament taking center stage? Drop a comment below.

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To view a read-aloud version of the picture book “Llama, Llama Holiday Drama”, click here.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Activities

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Ugly Christmas sweater activities for young children and their families. Art, sensory, playdough, games, and cookie making.

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The Ugly Christmas Sweater trend has resurfaced, and for a few years I couldn’t figure it out. Having a passion for fashion, I didn’t understand why anyone would want to wear a tacky sweater. Until…I read that people host Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties, often to raise funds for charity. Then I saw purpose and humor in them.

Aside from wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, the trend shines in some easy to introduce early learning activities the whole family can participate in.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Sensory Bin

This rice bin includes

  • Christmas sweater tins
  • metallic and gem snowflakes
  • metallic and gem stars
  • gem light bulbs
  • bead garland strands
  • bows
  • pom poms
Ugly Christmas sweater sensory bin.

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Invitation To Decorate An Ugly Christmas Sweater

Craft sweaters from large pieces of paper and glue them to 12 by 12-inch squares of cardstock. Set out a tray with Christmas decorations and supplies for children to decorate the sweaters with.

Christmas decoration themed loose parts tray to design a Christmas sweater.

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The tray includes

  • bows
  • pom poms
  • miniature presents
  • bead garland strands
  • gem light bulbs
  • fabric stars
  • metallic stars and snowflakes
  • miniature Christmas trees

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Invitation to decorate a Christmas sweater with festive loose parts.

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Invitation to decorate a Christmas sweater with festive loose parts.

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This can be a reusable activity, or pieces can be glued on the sweaters for art to display.

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Sweater Cookie Baking And Decorating

Bake your favorite butter cookie recipe using a sweater cookie cutter to shape the dough. Or purchase a kit with premade cookies and icing. The creativity shown in decorating the treats will draw smiles from everyone.

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Playdough Center

Set out playdough, a sweater cookie cutter, and items for embellishing. Mini Christmas buttons enhance the playdough creations below. Ribbon, gems, pom poms, beads, and sequins work well for this activity.

Ugly Christmas sweater playdough center.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Tracing And Decorating Center

A station with a sweater tracer felt pens, stickers, gems, colored paper, and other craft supplies allows children to design their own ugly Christmas sweater.

Christmas sweater tracing and decorating center.

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Memory And Matching Games

A Christmas sweater placemat is perfect for matching or memory games.

Ugly Christmas sweater placemat matching game.

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Ugly Christmas sweater memory game.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Relay Race

Divide children into two teams. Have children on each team take turns running to a station with hats, scarves, and mittens. Children pick up a hat, scarf, or pair of mitts to wear “to keep warm”, and run back to their team.

Stay warm station with sign and winter accessories.

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More Activities

For more activities, view a post on child-friendly Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Games at thespruce.com.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Trivia

1. Ugly Christmas sweaters became popular in the 1980s, and were sold under the name “Jingle Bell Sweaters.” They made a showy statement when worn by television or movie comedic actors.

2. They rose in popularity in the early 2000s when people began having “Ugly Sweater Parties”.  Events are often held in support of charities.

3. The city of Vancouver, Canada claims to be the birthplace of the “Ugly Sweater Party.” The first one was held in December 2002. An annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party has been held at the Commodore Ballroom in this vibrant city every December since. It is a festive event for the Make A Wish Foundation Of Canada, a charity that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.

4. There are Ugly Sweater Runs. People run/walk a course that averages around five km long. At pit stops, they can get hot chocolate, coffee, a hat, mittens, etc. to help them stay warm and finish the race. Funds are raised from these walks for various charities.

5. A National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, started in 2011, is celebrated on the third Friday of December. People can wear their ugly Christmas attire to work and school, and the day often has a festive, holiday feel.

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Ugly Christmas sweater decorating station.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Books

These two books are available online from booksellers and are lighthearted reads with lots of tips for including Ugly Christmas Sweaters in holiday festivities.

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide To Getting Your Ugly On by Brian Miller, Adam Paulson and Kevin Wool.

This book has tips for throwing an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and features pictures and humorous descriptions of some of the craziest ugly Christmas sweaters ever worn. The section on different personas people take on at ugly sweater Christmas Parties is especially entertaining!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: Christmas Crafts, Recipes, Activities by Brandy and Matt Shay.

A colorful, entertaining book filled with ideas for hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. The book showcases patterns for making ugly Christmas sweaters, ponchos, shoes, legwarmers, headbands, and a Christmas tree dress.

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Ugly Christmas sweaters add humor, color, and creativity to the busy Christmas season. Their inclusion into festive parties and fundraisers for charities has me on board. Christmas is definitely better with ugly Christmas sweaters!

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How do you feel about ugly Christmas sweaters? Will you be wearing one this Christmas season?

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Chinese New Year Sensory Bin

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Chinese New Year 2019 Rice Sensory Bin

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The Chinese New Year officially begins on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, and it will be the Year of the Pig. The pig is the 12th and last zodiac animal. Some ancient storied explanations are:

  • The pig was the last to arrive at an important meeting because he slept in.
  • A wolf destroyed the pig’s house so he had to rebuild it before he could get to the meeting.
  • The pig stopped to enjoy a feast while taking part in a race. He resumed the race but not surprisingly came in last.
  • Being pretty pudgy, the pig moved the slowest in the race.

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Fascinating Facts About Pigs

Although pigs often get associated with being smelly and dirty, they keep quite clean if they are in a temperature-controlled environment. They only roll around in dirt when they get hot, and this is because they cannot sweat.
As far as smarts go, pigs are considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world.  As pets, they can figure out how to open a cupboard and can be trained to shake a hoof and rollover.

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Predictions For The Year Of The Pig

The Year of the Pig might just be a positive one for everyone!  People born in the Pig Year are attributed with an agreeable personality, balanced lifestyle, hardworking nature, and enjoyment of life. These qualities are thought to have a positive influence on all people.

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Related:

Year Of The Rat Noodle Bin (Chinese New Year 2020)

Year Of The Ox Sensory Tray (Chinese New Year 2021)

Year Of The Tiger Chickpea Bin (Chinese New Year 2022)

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Local Celebrations

In recognition of Chinese New Year, this weekend there will be celebrations all over the city of Edmonton.  Events will include lion and dragon dances, music, dancing, and cultural performances. There will be karaoke singing for seniors and crafts for children.  West Edmonton Mall will host a talent show as part of their itinerary. The University of Alberta will hold a Lunar New Year Gala, so Asian students can celebrate the holiday and make new friendships while staying in Edmonton to further their studies.

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Chinese New Year Sensory Bin

Here’s a sensory bin to celebrate Chinese New Year 2019. The rice base is a neutral color, but colored yellow rice would work well too.

A Chinese New Year 2019 rice sensory bin.

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Items In The Sensory Bin:

  • brown rice
  • red bowls
  • red spoons
  • Asian themed tins
  • small red cups
  • chopsticks
  • gold coins (borrowed from my St. Patrick’s Day stash)
  • gold and red buttons
  • red and gold jewels
  • red garland pieces
  • gold stars
  • toy dragons
  • toy pigs

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