tablescapes

St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

March 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

Related: St. Patrick’s Day Store

_______

[Read more…]

Kids’ Winter Wonderland Tablescape

January 25, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

Catching fluttery snowflakes on mittens, building a humungous snowman, and having a splattering snowball fight are all activities little learners gleefully participate in outside. This inviting kids’ winter wonderland tablescape takes snowflake, snowmen, and snowball activities indoors for further snow-themed exploration.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Kids’ Winter Wonderland Tablescape Supplies

Let your little learners explore a sparkly Winter Wonderland tablescape with snowmen, snowflake, and snowball accessories.

_____

For this cozy pretend play setup, I feature snowmen, snowball, and snowflake accessories from the supplies I have available. Craft bits and other loose parts feature prominently in the resulting collection.

Items in the winter tablescape:

snowman-themed tablecloth, dinner plates, cups, baking dish, oven mitts, cookie tin, and bottle
snowflake erasers
foam snowflakes
snowflakes cut from garland
blue and clear gem snowflakes
snowflake serving utensils, cupcake liners, and tin
large and small styrofoam balls
round winter-themed gems
cookie sheet
muffin tin
plastic forks and spoons
play food buns
Winter Wonderland sign

_______

Setting Up The Tablescape

Changing up the decor in our play kitchen is one of my favorite things to do. And little learners always eagerly dive into each new setup.

When it's cold and chilly outside little learners can explore snowmen, snowflakes, and snowballs indoors in a Winter Wonderland play tablescape.

_______

For this kids’ winter wonderland tablescape, a fabric snowman-themed tablecloth is a base.

The buns are the only real play food on the table.

A variety of loose parts add a dose of glam, and little learners can imagine them to be any number of foods. For instance, the foam snowflakes make good cookies to bake in the play oven. The large foam craft balls can be reimagined as snowball cookies.

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland play tablescape with snowman, snowflake, and snowball decor for little learners to explore.

_______

And the smaller loose parts displayed in the snowman baking tin and scattered around the table could be candy.

A sparkly, kids' Winter Wonderland pretend play setup with snowman, snowflake, and snowball play kitchen decor for little learners to explore.

_______

A polar animal theme would work fabulously for winter pretend play too. Here’s a super fun penguin-themed tablescape by birdsparty.com.

_______

[Read more…]

Chinese New Year Tablescape Play

January 20, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Little learners will love to explore this Chinese New Year tablescape set up filled with Asian artifacts and red and gold loose parts.

_______

This Chinese New Year tablescape play invitation features Asian artifacts and decorations. Little learners will love exploring the unique items on the table, learning about Asian culture along the way.

Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is an important celebration held in late January or early February in China. Many other East Asian countries, as well as Chinese people around the world, celebrate the holiday too.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

_______

Chinese New Year Tablescape Supplies

A Chinese New Year tablescape filled with Asian artifacts and red and gold loose parts for little learners to explore.

_______

Here are the Asian-themed supplies featured in the tablescape:

wicker decorations and hat
gold serving bowl
chopsticks
red bowls
gold glitter cups
tiny cups with calligraphy
candy decorations
fish ornament
play food fish
gold garland “noodles”
game chip “play food”
tin ornament candies
coin purse
money envelopes
small tins
vase with artificial cherry blossom branch
gold coins
lion string puppet
fabric ornaments with tassels
plaque with Chinese calligraphy
red tablecloth

_______

Tablescape Play Invitation

_______

In setting up the dinner table play invitation, I use artifacts collected long ago, supplies available in stores around Chinese New Year, and red and gold loose parts.

Bowls and chopsticks are important pieces, as they are commonly found in Asian tableware. Fish is a traditional New Year’s dish and is equated with an increase in prosperity. The gold garland strips represent longevity noodles: long, uncut noodles that symbolize a long life. A coin purse and money envelopes are ready for coins to be added. And a lion string puppet is poised for the lion dance.

_______

More Chinese New Year Play Inspiration

This tablescape play invitation is bound to engage little learners. For more Chinese New Year play ideas or to host a vibrant party, view the blog post “How To Throw A Stellar Lunar New Year Party” by So Fort Worth It. The post showcases a host of decorating and activity ideas that can be adapted for little learners.

_______

[Read more…]