Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

skeletons

Painted Skeleton Sensory Bin

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Skeletons can appear more than a little scary, but bold or subtle artsy touches soften them up and make them fun for little learners to explore. I recently found a gorgeous little folk art wooden skeleton and decided to repurpose it in a painted skeleton sensory bin.

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Skeleton Sensory Bin Supplies

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The following simple supplies were used for the sensory bin:

  • wooden skeleton parts
  • skeleton figurine
  • acrylic paint
  • paint palette and brushes
  • pom poms
  • beads
  • wooden flowers
  • spider figurines
  • white rice
  • sensory bin

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The Painted Skeleton Sensory Bin

The sky is the limit regarding accessories suitable for sensory bins, so it is super easy to collect supplies. A beautifully painted folk art skeleton featuring bones attached with jute twine was a find one fall day. Although meant to be a wall hanging, I saw possibilities for sensory play.

The skeleton parts were daintily painted in folk art designs on one side and were white everywhere else. After snipping off the jute connectors, I decided to paint the white sides in matching colors to add interest to the pieces and help them stand out.

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Out came acrylic paints in blue and pink colors along with an artist’s palette and paintbrushes. I mixed the paints into pink and light blue hues and carefully painted the skeleton pieces other than the skull with a few coats of color.

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When the painted wooden bones were dry, I placed them in a rice-filled bin. Then I dropped in pom poms, beads, wooden flowers, and spider figurines in similar colors to add design possibilities.

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Finally, I included a toy skeleton figurine in the bin to model how a complete skeleton looks. A diagram of a skeleton would be a great addition too.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Sunflower Seed Bin

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

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Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Skeleton and Eyeball Water Play

Q-Tip Skeleton Craft

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Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton Preschool Theme

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[Read more…] about Painted Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton Sunflower Seed Bin

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If you need an easy sensory bin idea for a skeleton theme, this skeleton sunflower seed bin is for you. Set it up in minutes, and you’ll have a super engaging sensory invitation your little learners will be happy to explore.

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Supplies To Collect

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The following supplies are in the sunflower seed sensory bin:

  • sunflower seeds
  • skeleton figurines
  • skeleton arm scoops
  • toy bones
  • skull reusable ice cubes
  • toy eyeballs in different colors
  • skull treat holders
  • skull cups
  • clear non-breakable jars
  • silver bowls and serving spoons

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The Skeleton Sunflower Seed Bin

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Striped sunflower seeds are the base for this seedy skeleton bin. They are economical to buy and provide a unique sensory experience. In my active world tray, two large bags of seeds work nicely. For a smaller bin such as a bus tub or saucer sled, one large bag would be enough.

The sunflower seeds bring plenty of color, so there is no need to dye anything. This saves a lot of preparation time.

The toy skeletons, skulls, and bones are supplies easily scooped up at dollar and party stores, or the seasonal section of a big box store.

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It’s always nice to see the excited look of children when they discover a new sensory bin invitation, and their reaction to this bin did not disappoint. There was lots of imaginative and creative play.

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Skeleton Lentil Bin Sensory Play

To keep the interest in skeleton sensory play going, offer the same supplies in a lentil-based bin. The red lentils are another base ingredient that brings its own color to the sensory invitation.

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More Sunflower Seed Sensory Play

After children have had plenty of time to explore the skeleton-themed accessories, swap them out for a pumpkin or sunflower and dinosaur-themed bin using the same striped sunflower seeds as a base.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton and Eyeball Waterplay

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Floral Decorated Skeleton

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

Q-tip Skeleton Craft

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[Read more…] about Skeleton Sunflower Seed Bin

Q-tip Skeleton Craft

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Out shopping this fall, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful skull art in craft and home décor stores. Pastel skull heads were one of my favorite finds, and this colorful dyed Q-Tip skeleton craft is inspired by them. It is super fun to do, so why not give it a try.

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Supplies To Collect

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For this cute skeleton craft, gather the following supplies:

  • Q-tips
  • liquid food coloring
  • paint pots or small jars
  • paint brushes
  • black fadeless construction paper
  • white paper
  • paper in pastel shades
  • thin marker
  • scissors
  • paper towel roll
  • white glue
  • glue stick
  • glue paddle

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How To Dye Q-Tips

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Before setting out supplies for this craft, dye a package of Q-tips in various pastel shades.

To dye Q-tips, pour liquid food colors of choice into small paint pots or jars, and mix in a little water. My chosen colors were turquoise, orange, violet, and neon green.

Next, quickly dip each soft Q-tip end into a jar of liquid color and lay the Q-tips out to dry onto paper towel strips.

When dry, gather the Q-tips and sort them by color into a compartment tray.

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The Q-tip Skeleton Craft

The first thing to do when making a Q-tip skeleton is to select or craft a skull to use. Here are three options:

  • Draw a skull on white or pastel paper using a marker, and fill in the eye socket and teeth details. Then cut it out.
  • Select a sticker or crafted skull.
  • Use a skull rubber stamp/ink pad to print the skull.

On a last-minute shopping trip, I was happy to find a package of skull-themed paper doilies, from which I cut a few skull heads. They work perfectly for the craft as they can be painted.

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After picking out a skull design and painting it with a pastel shade if desired, use white glue or a glue stick to tack it near the top of a black piece of fadeless construction paper.

Next, lay out Q-tips in the shape of a skeleton below the skull. Whole Q-tips work fine for the rib cage and backbone, and Q-tips cut into various lengths with a pair of scissors are best for the arms and legs. Q-tip ends are perfect for the little fingers.

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When you have a design that you are happy with, use a glue paddle to add white glue to the Q-tip ends, and carefully affix them one by one to your skeleton design.

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A group of crafted Q-Tip skeletons would be eye-catching if displayed together, as each pose is bound to look different.

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Q-tip Skeleton Arm

Instead of making a whole skeleton out of Q-tips, trace an arm from black construction paper, cut it out, and glue Q-tip pieces to it. This Q-tip craft version draws attention to the many bones in the hands, and the two bones in the lower arm.

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Q-tip Skeleton Transient Craft

If you are short on time but would still like to offer a Q-tip skeleton-building experience, this craft project could be set up as a transient craft invitation.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton and Eyeball Waterplay

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Floral Decorated Skeleton

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

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[Read more…] about Q-tip Skeleton Craft

Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

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On a recent trip to a Dollar store, I picked up a pair of skeleton arms to add to my growing supply of bony resources. In the checkout line, a man turned around, smiled, and announced “Grandma’s spaghetti scoops.” I took the comment in humor, and immediately thought it would be fun to use the skeleton props in a spaghetti and eyeball sensory bin. The sensory invitation was a hit with my little learners, and I highly recommend trying it.

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Supplies To Collect

For this ooey-gooey sensory bin, gather the following supplies:

  • saucer sled
  • large package of spaghetti noodles
  • big pot
  • orange tempera paint
  • toy eyeballs
  • pair of skeleton arms
  • two bowls
  • painting aprons

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Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin Preparation

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To prepare this slimy sensory bin, cook a large package of spaghetti noodles in a big pot.

Next, pick a bin or tray to hold the cooked noodles. A saucer sled is a good size for this sensory invitation. It is neither too small nor too large to hold this amount of noodles. A bus bin or similar-sized storage tub would work nicely too.

Then slide the noodles into your bin of choice, and spread them around.

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Afterward, mix three parts of orange tempera paint with one part of water. Pour the thinned paint over the noodles so that it looks like spaghetti sauce.

Next, add toy eyeballs to the bin to represent meatballs.

Finally, place two bowls and a pair of skeleton arms in the slippery, mushy bin. The skeleton arms will serve as spaghetti scoops.

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The Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

In offering this noodle-based sensory bin to little learners, you’ll find out which children love to get covered in paint, and which ones prefer not to. Not everyone will want to explore the bin, but it will likely be a huge hit with most.

A saucer sled sensory bin is perfect for two children to play in at a time.

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Having participants wear a painting apron is encouraged, as well as setting up a hand washing station close by.

Washing hands in a tub after exploring the noodle bin is as fun as playing in it. The orange water and bubbles created by handwashing will delight little learners and add to the sensory experience.

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Taste-Safe Spaghetti Sensory Bin

To make this spaghetti and eyeball sensory bin taste safe, use a mildly spiced spaghetti sauce instead of tempera paint for the noodle-based sensory activity.

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More Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton and Eyeball Waterplay

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Floral Decorated Skeleton

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

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[Read more…] about Spaghetti and Eyeball Sensory Bin

Skeleton Treasure Blocks

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Children love using loose parts in pretend play centers and sensory trays, and they make playful playdough accessories. I also enjoy featuring them in treasure blocks, and these skeleton treasure blocks are among my favorites.

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Supplies In the Treasure Blocks

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The following supplies are featured in the skeleton treasure blocks:

  • wooden treasure blocks with two clear panels
  • skeleton figurines
  • skeleton and bone metallic necklace pieces
  • green, orange, and purple pompoms
  • orange bead necklace
  • white, green, orange, purple, and black beads
  • skull treat holder
  • squishy eyeballs
  • toy bones

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The Skeleton Treasure Blocks

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Treasure blocks are fillable wooden blocks with two clear or transparent panels.  They are perfect for holding natural and found objects and sensory loose parts. They can be used in many different ways, and I highly recommend having a set or two in your collection of educational supplies.

Bendable skeleton figurines in purple, green, and orange, are the highlight of my skeleton blocks. They are featured in a large square sensory block, and in the rectangular block. The neon skeletons set the color scheme for most of the rest of the supplies.

Bright, sparkly green, orange, and purple pompoms are included in the orange skeleton block and also have a moment of their own in a small square block.

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Similarly colored small beads accent the block with two skeletons.

Skull and bone necklaces that are cut apart make tiny, exquisite loose parts for a second small square block.

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Strips cut from a metallic orange bead necklace provide the sensory base for the second large square block. Bones are featured on the middle layer, and white squishy eyeballs are layered on top.

Individual beads cut from the orange bead necklace are also featured in the third small square treasure block.

A small skull treat holder fits perfectly inside the last square block.

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Other Skeleton Activities

Skeleton Preschool Theme

Glam Skeleton Sensory Bin

Skeleton and Eyeball Waterplay

Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

Floral Decorated Skeleton

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[Read more…] about Skeleton Treasure Blocks