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Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

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Valentine's Day

Origami Heart Valentines

February 9, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Valentine’s Day is just a few days away! If you need a festive paper craft with plenty of charm, consider having your little charges make origami heart valentines. The simple craft is showcased in two different designs so everyone can experience success.

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Supplies To Collect

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Gather the following supplies for this Valentine’s Day paper craft:

  • origami paper
  • craft ribbon
  • metallic confetti
  • yarn
  • lace
  • buttons
  • white cardstock
  • markers
  • glue stick
  • white glue or a glue gun

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning activities.

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Making the Origami Hearts

The first thing to do is select paper for this craft. You can use origami paper which comes in a square shape. Or pick out any kind of colored paper and cut off the ends if necessary to make squares.

There are two basic ways to paper fold a square into a heart. The first design is the easiest to create and is the best one for little learners to try. Here is a link to an excellent blog post by green kid crafts with clear instructions for making it.

Easy Origami Heart

This paper folded heart is the bigger of the two. If using a 6-inch x 6-inch paper square, the finished paper heart is 4 inches wide and 3 ½ inches tall.

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Once children master the first origami heart, they may wish to try a second method of paper folding a heart. An easy-to-follow YouTube video by EZOrigami shows how to make a beautiful heart with a few more paper folds.

Origami Heart (Folding Instructions)

The finished paper heart is compact and keeps its shape nicely. It is a little smaller than the first design. When using 6-inch x 6-inch origami paper, the heart is 3 inches wide and 2 ½ inches tall.

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Decorating the Origami Heart Valentines

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Once the origami hearts are completely formed, they are ready to be decorated to become valentines. Craft supply scraps are perfect for decorating since you only need a few bits and baubles to fancy up the hearts.

Use white glue, a glue stick, or a glue gun to

  • fashion string and craft ribbons into bows and adhere them to the hearts.
  • add bits of lace or metallic confetti to the paper folded shapes.
  • add paper-punched shapes or buttons to the crafted hearts.
  • use markers to write messages and adhere them to the hearts.

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The decorated origami hearts make sweet valentines, but can also be used in garlands and mobiles. And they make pretty bookmarks or gift toppers.

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More Valentine’s Day Crafts

Woolly Sheep Valentine’s Day Craft

Dinosaur Valentine Craft

Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Ladybug Wand Craft

Valentine’s Day Owl Craft

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[Read more…] about Origami Heart Valentines

Filed Under: art, crafts, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, origami, paper crafts, Valentine's Day

Alphabet and Number Matching Games

February 12, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Children love a little creativity thrown into daily tasks, and wholeheartedly embrace these alphabet and number-matching games with clothespins and a heart. Along with offering fine motor practice, the activities promote literacy and math skills.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies to Collect

These alphabet and number-matching games are perfect for a Valentine’s Day theme and can be used any time of the year. Just the following few supplies are needed for the heart-themed clothespin activities:

  • spring-loaded clothespins
  • large foam heart
  • small foam or paper hearts
  • heart doilies and sticker hearts
  • white glue and glue paddle
  • hot glue gun
  • black permanent marker

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Preparing and Offering the Clothespin Activities

To prepare these heart-filled alphabet and number matching activities, select a large foam heart. Or cut one out from a generously sized piece of foam. I feature a pink heart for the activity, but any color heart would work fine.

Then choose spring-loaded clothespins to use. Old-fashioned wooden clothespins are up to the task. They are readily available for purchase at dollar stores, along with other kinds.

Invite little learners to clip clothespins onto the heart for valuable practice in developing finger strength and eye-hand coordination. Pass the heart around a circle during group time to give your little charges practice in turn-taking and sharing. As the children are passing around the heart, you could sing the following song to the tune of “Skip To My Lou My Darling.”

We’re passing the heart and adding a clothespin.  

We’re passing the heart and adding a clothespin.

We’re passing the heart and adding a clothespin.

We’re turn-taking with our friends.

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Alphabet Matching Heart Game

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To give this valuable fine motor activity more mileage, write capital alphabet letters around the edge of the large foam heart using a black permanent marker. Then write capital or lowercase letters on small foam or paper hearts, and affix them to clothespins with white glue or a hot glue gun. Add a heart doily and/or heart-shaped stickers for decoration if desired. Invite little learners to match letters as they clip clothespins to the heart.

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Number Matching Heart Game

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For even more learning potential, flip the heart over and write numbers around the edge. You can go with numbers 1 to 10, or add numbers up to 25 if the foam heart is large enough. Then write the same numbers on small foam or paper hearts and affix them to spring-loaded clothespins. This time ask your early learners to match numbers when clipping clothespins on the heart.

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Benefits of Fine Motor Activities

As mentioned above, fine motor activities such as these alphabet and number matching games promote eye-hand coordination and finger strength. Practice using clothespins strengthens the pincer grasp. This is important for self-help skills such as buttoning, tying, and zipping, and for coloring, cutting, and using tools. They are great prewriting exercises.

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More Pinch Grasp Activities

View a blog post by The OT Toolbox for detailed information on the pinch grasp and more clothespin pinch grasp exercises.

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More Heart-themed Activities

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

Salad Spinner Heart Art

Eye Dropper Painting Heart Art

Jewelry Heart Loose Parts Play

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

Earth Day Heart Art

Heart-Shaped Dissolving Candy Science Experiment

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[Read more…] about Alphabet and Number Matching Games

Filed Under: friends, literacy, Math, preschool, sensory, Valentine's Day Tagged With: alphabet, fine motor activity, hearts, numbers, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

February 11, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The giving and receiving of jewelry around Valentine’s Day is a common tradition. Who doesn’t feel special receiving a new sparkling, jewel-toned necklace, bracelet, or ring? Trying on Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table gives little learners a chance to feel that specialness and explore the glittering accessories in a new way.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Light Table Valentine’s Day Supplies

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The following supplies were gathered for this charming light table play invitation:

  • clear acrylic jewelry chest
  • clear acrylic compartment trays
  • mirror and stand
  • transparent purple, pink, and red necklaces, bracelets, and rings
  • heart-themed play sunglasses
  • transparent tic tac toe game
  • reusable heart-shaped ice cubes
  • acrylic heart gems

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The Valentine’s Day Jewelry Play Invitation

Play jewelry is a welcome addition to any dress-up center, but has a moment to shine extra brightly in a light table play invitation.

The clear acrylic jewelry chest was a recent happy find and is super fun to use. Jewelry displayed in clear compartment trays works just as well.

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A large mirror set on a stand reflects the supplies beautifully and invites children to view themselves all jeweled up. Choosing a non-breakable mirror is recommended.

Play sunglasses add to the possible looks.

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Heart-themed loose parts provide additional items to explore and encourage children to think in creative ways. Early learners can practice labeling, counting, and sorting them.

Having a variety of materials on the light table allows children to play side by side, offering opportunities for socialization. Two to four children can play in the center at one time.

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The color scheme for this Valentine’s Day jewelry on the light table play invitation is purple, pink, and red. Any color combination would work wonderfully for the illuminating, accessory-filled center.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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More Valentine’s Day Activities

Valentine’s Day Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Pretend Play

Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day Process Art

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Water Play

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies

Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments

Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

Llama-inspired Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin

Valentine’s Day Sensory Tubes

Eye Dropper Heart Art

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[Read more…] about Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

Filed Under: light table, preschool, pretend play, sensory, Valentine's Day Tagged With: jewelry, light table, loose parts, pretend play, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day Owl Craft

February 10, 2024 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Here’s a cute Valentine’s Day owl craft that doubles as a fun card to give to someone you love on February 14. It can be made entirely from paper or embellished with a few more supplies. Download the free template to make craft preparation easy.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

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Gather the following supplies for this sweet owl-themed Valentine’s Day craft:

  • various colors cardstock or construction paper
  • 8 ½-inch x 11-inch white cardstock paper
  • wiggly eyes
  • eyelash stickers
  • thin felt pen
  • scissors and pencil
  • glue stick

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The Valentine’s Day Owl Craft

This owl-dorable Valentine’s Day craft is so easy to make. The first thing to do is pick a few different colors of cardstock or construction paper to use.

Then, download this template and use it to cut out the owl’s body, wings, beak, and feet. Pick different colors of paper for the task.

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Get the free printable:

Valentine’s Day Owl Craft PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Next, use a glue stick to affix the body onto a neutral-colored sheet of 8 ½ inch x 11-inch cardstock paper.

Afterward, cut out a paper heart and glue it in the center of the body.

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Then glue a wing on either side, positioning each one to touch the edge of the heart.

Glue on two small hearts on the bottom of the body to serve as feet.

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Then add two eyelash stickers or wiggly eyes to the head, and glue a paper beak. Or draw in the eyes with a thin felt marker or pencil.

Finally, add the words “You Have My Hoot” to the top of the picture using the art medium of your choice.

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The owl-themed saying on this craft can be varied. Below, the Valentine’s message is “You Hoot a Song in My Heart,” and the large heart is cut from musical note-themed scrapbook paper.

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The Valentine’s Day Owl Craft Simplified

For a simple classroom or home-based activity, print the free owl craft template below onto copy paper. Give a template to each child participating in the craft. Invite participants to color each owl body part with crayons or pencil crayons, and cut the parts out. Then have them glue the colored shapes to a cardstock background to create the Valentine’s Day owl craft. Finally, have everyone draw eyelashes or eyes on their bird and add the words “You Have My Hoot” with a felt pen or pencil.

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Get the free printable:

Valentine’s Day Owl Craft Printable 2Download

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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More Valentine’s Day Crafts

Origami Heart Valentines

Woolly Sheep Valentine’s Day Craft

Dinosaur Valentine Craft

Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Ladybug Wand Craft

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[Read more…] about Valentine’s Day Owl Craft

Filed Under: art, crafts, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: free printable, owls, paper crafts, Valentine's Day

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

March 10, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This squeegee painting heart art project gives participants a chance to spread the paint in a new way. An all-ages process art activity.

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This super fun squeegee painting heart art project is bound to be one of your children’s favorites. Using a squeegee instead of a paintbrush offers participants a new way to move paint around a canvas.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this abstract art project:

  • tempera paints in a variety of colors
  • paint pots and spoons
  • cardstock paper
  • squeegee
  • heart template
  • pencil and scissors
  • newspapers or a plastic tablecloth

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Preparing The Squeegee Painting Heart Art Activity

How to paint with a squeegee to create beautiful heart art. This is an all-ages process art activity with collaborative possibilities.

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To prepare this unique process art activity, trace and cut hearts from sturdy cardstock paper.

Then cover an art table with newspapers or a plastic tablecloth.

Next, set out a workstation for each participant with tempera-filled paint pots. Add a teaspoon to scoop paint into each one.

Note: I feature paints in red, pink, magenta, and white hues. Any color scheme would work wonderfully with this art project.

Afterward, add a paper heart canvas and squeegee to each workspace.

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The Squeegee Painting Heart Art Process

How to paint with a squeegee to create beautiful heart art. This is an all-ages process art activity with collaborative possibilities.

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Invite participants to spoon blobs of paint on different areas of their hearts. The blobs can be large or small. They can be dotted randomly or placed strategically around a heart.

Note: Paint can be squirted from paint bottles instead of spooned from paint pots. Smaller-sized bottles work best for this method.

Afterward, have them use a squeegee to move the paint around. You can suggest sliding the squeegee downward or from side to side. Using the squeegee in random motions is just fine too.

A super fun squeegee painting technique to create a hombre heart. This is an a;ll-ages process art project.

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A super fun squeegee painting technique to create a hombre heart. This is an a;ll-ages process art project.

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Note: The longer the squeegee scrapes over the paper, the more the colors will blend.

An oh-so-fun squeegee painting activity that offers participants a new way to spread the paint. It is a top ten process art project.

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After participants have had a chance to paint one or more heart-shaped canvases, set out large sheets of sturdy paper for them to work on.

Squeegee painting on huge sheets of paper is a great process art project to take outdoors. The canvases can be set out on a flat ground surface or tacked to a fence. Large canvases also lend themselves to collaborative art projects.

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What do you think about this squeegee painting project? Do you think it is a top ten process art activity for children? Let me know in a comment below.

This super fun squeegee painting heart art activity offers participants a chance to spread paint with a squeegee instead of a paintbrush. This is an all-ages process art project.

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Related:

Salad Spinner Heart Art

Eye Dropper Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Process Art

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[Read more…] about Squeegee Painting Heart Art

Filed Under: art, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, painting, process art, squeegee painitng, Valentine's Day

Eye Dropper Heart Art

February 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Oh so pretty eye dropper heart art that little learners will love. An easy process art activity for Valentine's Day or any time of the year.
Oh so pretty eye dropper heart art that little learners will love. An easy process art activity for Valentine's Day or any time ot the year.

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This eye dropper heart art project is bound to put a smile on the face and joy in the heart of each of your little learners. It works well for a Valentine’s Day theme but would be a hit any time of the year.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Easy to set up eye dropper heart art that will bring a smile to the face and joy in the heart of each participant.

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There are just a few supplies to gather for this art project and you probably have them around your home. You will need:

  • eye droppers or pipettes
  • paint jars
  • neon pink and purple food coloring
  • red food coloring
  • paper towel roll
  • heart template
  • spoons
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • plastic tablecloth or newsprint paper

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The Eye Dropper Heart Art Project

Super pretty eye dropper heart art that will bring a smile to the face and joy in the heart of each participant.

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To prepare this art project, trace and cut out large hearts from a roll of paper towel. Make sure you have at least two paper towel hearts for each little learner participating.

Next, add water to small paint jars. Baby food jars work well for this art activity.

Mix a few drops of food coloring in each jar. I feature watercolor paints made with red and neon pink and purple food coloring.

A fabulous eye dropper painting process art activity with food coloring paint and paper towel hearts.

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Then stick an eye dropper or pipette in each jar of colored water.

Afterward, cover a table with newsprint paper or a plastic tablecloth and set up art stations.

Invite participants to use the eye droppers or pipettes to drop paint colors onto their paper towel hearts. They will absolutely love this process art invitation and will want to make a few eye dropper heart art projects.

A fabulous eye dropper painting process art activity with food coloring paint and paper towel hearts.

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Note: It looks like turquoise paint was included on these hearts, a color I was thinking of adding to the mix. But the turquoise color appeared after neon purple bled into the paper towel shapes. This was a delightful surprise.

If little learners have had a chance to drop paint on a few paper towel hearts and there are paint colors left over, roll out long paper towel pieces across the table to allow them to paint large scale.

Oh so pretty eye dropper heart art that little learners will love. An easy process art activity for Valentine's Day or any time ot the year.

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More Eye Dropper Painting Art Activities

Earth Day Heart Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

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More Valentine’s Day Activities

Valentine’s Day Owl Craft

Origami Heart Valentines

Salad Spinner Heart Art

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[Read more…] about Eye Dropper Heart Art

Filed Under: art, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, painting, Valentine's Day

Loose Part Jewelry Heart

February 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

An invitation to create a loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.
An invitation to create a loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.

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Do you have some costume jewelry you no longer wear? Have you picked up vintage jewelry at a garage sale or second-hand store? It will be perfect for this beautiful loose-part jewelry heart invitation to create.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

An invitation to create a gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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For this easy-to-set-up transient heart art activity, gather the following supplies:

  • large wooden canvas frame
  • wood heart plaque
  • vintage costume jewelry
  • small containers

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The Loose Part Jewelry Heart Play Invitation

An invitation to create a loose-part jewelry heart with costume jewelry pieces. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.

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To prepare this gorgeous loose part play invitation, first, select a large wooden canvas frame. My frame is approximately 12 inches wide and 16 inches long.

Flip the frame over and use the backside.

Note: A serving tray or an art frame with the back removed also work well for this activity.

Next, put a wood heart plaque inside the frame.

Then cut costume jewelry into pieces suitable for loose part play. Make sure there are no rough edges on the jewelry.

Place the jewelry bits into small containers and set them in the corners of the canvas frame. Add more jewelry pieces around the frame if available.

Finally, set the canvas frame on a table and invite little learners to take turns decorating the heart with jewelry treasures.

A gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart created with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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Benefits Of Loose Parts Play

In this loose part jewelry heart play invitation, early learners get to:

  • engage in open-ended play
  • practice sorting, counting, and color matching
  • strengthen finger muscles by moving and arranging jewelry pieces
  • experience beautiful objects with different colors and textures
  • create unique patterns and designs
  • focus on a task and be mindful
  • develop higher thinking skills

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A gorgeous loose-part jewelry heart created with costume jewelry pieces. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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More Loose Part Heart Decorating

On another day, offer this loose part heart invitation to create with polished agate slices and precious rocks and gemstones.

A gorgeous loose-part precious rock heart created with polished agate slices. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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An invitation to create a loose-part precious rock heart with polished agate slices. This is a gorgeous all-ages transient art project.

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A gorgeous loose-part precious rock heart created with polished agate slices. This is an all-ages transient art project everyone will enjoy.

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Related:

Jewelry Sensory Tray

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Sensory Bin

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[Read more…] about Loose Part Jewelry Heart

Filed Under: art, Mother's Day, preschool, science, sensory, Valentine's Day Tagged With: hearts, jewelry, loose parts, rocks, transient art, Valentine's Day

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

February 10, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Three easy-to-do "Celebrate Diversity" heart art projects with chalk, metallic marker, and pencil crayon skin tone art supplies.
Three easy-to-do "Celebrate Diversity" heart art projects with chalk, metallic marker, and pencil crayon skin tone art supplies.

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With so many skin-tone art supplies available to explore, it is easy to provide art activities that celebrate diversity. In this post, I feature three “Celebrate Diversity” heart art projects: one with chalk, another with pencil crayons, and a third with metallic markers. These are all low-prep, low or no-mess art projects everyone can do. To help out, there is a free heart template to download.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Skin Tone Sunburst Heart

A "Celebrate Diversity" sunburst heart art project with skin tone pencil crayons. An all-ages, non-messy, stunning art activity.

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Only a few inexpensive supplies are needed for this mini art project:

  • set of skin tone pencil crayons
  • ruler
  • white cardstock paper
  • heart template

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Steps to make a "Celebrate Diversity" sunburst heart art project with skin tone pencil crayons. An all-ages, non-messy, stunning art activity

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To start off, cut white cardstock paper into 5-inch or 6-inch squares. With this size of paper, the whole project can be done without having to sharpen the pencil crayons.

Next, use a pencil or pencil crayon to trace around a small heart template in the middle of the square. Feel free to download the template further on in the post for the art project.

Then add lines that extend from the heart to the edge of the paper in a sunburst design.

Tips from a blog post by ARTBAR were helpful in making the sunburst lines that protrude invisibly through the heart from one side of the paper to the opposite one. The technique took me a few tries to get right but the effort is worth it.

Afterward, use pencil crayons in skin-tone hues to color inside the lines.

You may want to trace around the small heart template once again at the end to make sure the heart is defined and stands out.

A "Celebrate Diversity" sunburst heart art project with skin tone pencil crayons. An all-ages, non-messy, stunning art activity.

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Skin Tone Chalk Heart Art

Make a "Celebrate Diversity" heart art project with skin tone sidewalk chalk. An all-ages, stunning art activity.

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For this second art project, gather the following supplies:

  • 8 ½ x 11-inch light blue fadeless construction paper
  • large and small heart template
  • skin tone sidewalk chalk
  • painter’s tape
  • table cover

First, select a heart tracer that is a little smaller than the construction paper.

Lay the heart on the construction paper and tack it down gently with a piece of painter’s tape.

Next, use sidewalk chalk in various skin tones to color in the area around the heart.

Note: An alternative is to trace the heart first and remove the template before using the chalk sticks.

Afterward, gently smudge the chalk lines in an outward fashion.

If desired, trace a smaller heart in the center of the larger one using one of the chalk hues and color it in.

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A variation of this art activity is to dip the chalk sticks in water before decorating the paper.

Make a "Celebrate Diversity" heart art project with skin tone sidewalk chalk dipped in water. An all-ages, stunning art activity.

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For both chalk activities, it is advisable to lay down newsprint or an old tablecloth first to protect the work surface and make clean-up easier.

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Metallic Marker Concentric Hearts

Make a "Celebrate Diversity" heart art project with skin tone metallic markers. An all-ages, non-messy, stunning art activity.

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Supplies to gather:

  • 8 ½ inch x 11-inch white cardstock paper
  • metallic markers in skin tones
  • heart template
  • scissors

For this third project, start by tracing the large heart template, and then draw smaller hearts inside it with metallic skin tone markers.

If you do not have metallic markers in all the hues, substitute regular ones. I use a regular marker for the black hue.

Note: For little learners, you can offer non-toxic washable markers in skin tones instead of the permanent metallic markers featured in this art activity.

Downloadable Heart Template

Here is a free heart template to download for the art projects featured in this post:

A free downloadable heart template for making three stunning heart art projects with skin tone pencil crayons, metallic markers, and sidewalk chalk.

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Heart Art PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Three easy-to-do "Celebrate Diversity" heart art projects with chalk, metallic marker, and pencil crayon skin tone art supplies.

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These three heart art projects give participants a chance to celebrate diversity by experimenting with different art media. They are a good fit for Black History Month, a Valentine’s Day theme, or a special time set aside to celebrate diversity.

Do you have questions about any of these art projects? Leave a comment below.

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Related:

Three Black History Month Crafts

Celebrate Diversity Butterfly

Black History Month Yarn Art

Celebrate Diversity Paper Craft

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[Read more…] about Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

Filed Under: art, Black History Month, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: Black History Month, hearts, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

February 22, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

These Valentine's Day treasure blocks offer a host of learning opportunities paired with loose parts and other blocks.
These Valentine's Day treasure blocks offer a host of learning opportunities paired with loose parts and other blocks.

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To add interest to block play activities, treasure blocks are always a good choice. Their contents can be changed to match the current theme you are doing as well as your child’s interests. Since we are in the month of February, Valentine’s Day treasure blocks blend in perfectly and can be used in a variety of creative ways.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

There’s no shortage of items to gather for valentine treasure blocks. You can go entirely with recycled loose parts or use economical purchased items. Or you can use a few of both.

The supplies I feature are red, pink, purple, and white – traditional Valentine’s Day colors. Gathered and added to the blocks are:

  • cut straws
  • beads cut from garland and necklaces
  • buttons
  • heart and rainbow erasers
  • acrylic hearts
  • gem craft hearts
  • hair ties

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Valentine’s Day Treasure Block Activities

At first, the filled treasure blocks can be set out on their own on a table or in a carpeted area for children to explore.

The blocks can be used as musical shakers, and children can be challenged to order them from quietest to loudest. With my blocks, the one with the hair ties hardly makes a sound, and the ones with bead garland balls and acrylic hearts tie for making the loudest sound.

These Valentine's Day treasure block shakers can be ordered by softest to loudest sounds.

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Another day, introduce new items to the treasure block play area. Featured here are little monsters, inspired by the endearingly illustrated storybook “Love Monster” by Rachel Bright, and Valentine’s Day loose parts. The monsters are actually repurposed dog toys, so they stand up superbly to block play! And they are squeaky, adding another element of sound to the play experience. Pairing the blocks, monster figurines, and loose parts together encourages children to think creatively in new ways.

These Valentine's Day treasure blocks offer a host of learning opportunities paired with monsters and loose parts.

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Asking the question “What can you build for the monsters?” will foster even more creativity. When I asked my preschoolers this question some of the answers were:

  • “I’m building a monster lair.”
  • “I am going to make a monster hiding place.”
  • “I made a house for the monsters.”

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More Block Play Possibilities

Pairing treasure blocks with mirror blocks is always a hit. The blocks are similar in size and shape and combine well for building large structures.

Pair Valentine's Day treasure blocks with mirror blocks and monsters for creative and imaginative play.

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And counting monster teeth and eyes, and discussing block shapes are ways to incorporate math into the play.

On their own, or combined with loose parts and other blocks, Valentine’s Day treasure blocks offer many opportunities for learning.

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[Read more…] about Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

Filed Under: block play, Math, music, preschool, pretend play, sensory, Valentine's Day Tagged With: block play, monsters, musical instruments, Valentine's Day

Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

February 5, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky 4 Comments

Super fun heart doily gnome valentines the whole family can make. Free printable included for easy crafting.
Super fun heart doily gnome valentines the whole family can make. Free printable included for easy crafting.

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These adorable heart doily gnome valentines will add a major dose of cuteness to your holiday décor. Little learners can review shapes while you work on the project. And wouldn’t the valentine crafts look great displayed together on a classroom wall? To make the papercraft super easy, I’ve included a free printable for downloading below.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For the gnome valentines, gather the following supplies:

  • 4-inch red paper heart doilies
  • 6-inch white paper heart doilies
  • red, white, and grey cardstock
  • cardstock in different flesh tones
  • valentine scrapbook paper
  • 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock or construction paper
  • heart paper punch
  • black felt pen
  • glue stick

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Making The Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Steps to create an adorable heart doily gnome valentine.

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There’s a bit of cutting to do in order to set up this valentine gnome craft. The good news is that it can be completely made of paper, keeping the project low cost. If desired, download this free template for the shapes.

Heart gnome template to use to make adorable gnome valentines.

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Heart Gnome Valentine PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Tip: Construction paper or cardstock works best for the papercraft.

Cut an oval nose and two circle hands from flesh-colored paper, and punch or cut a small heart “pom pom” from white. Snip a heart valentine (the smallest one on the template) from red paper, and two oval shoes from grey. Finally, cut a curved, pointy hat from the scrapbook paper of choice.

Using a glue stick, adhere the red heart doily upside down near the bottom of an 8 ½ x 11-inch sheet of sturdy paper. This heart will be the lower body of the gnome.

Glue the large white heart right side up halfway over the red lacy one to serve as a beard.

Note: The heart doilies help make for an exquisite craft, but they can easily be substituted with paper ones. Included on the template are two heart shapes that can be used instead.

Center the flesh-colored oval in the middle of the top of the white heart for the nose.

Creating this huggable valentine gnome will be fun for the whole family. Free printable included for easy crafting.

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Paste on the scrapbook paper hat.

Write a message on the smaller red heart with a black felt pen. Then glue it to the white one.

Adhere the circles to serve as hands holding the valentine heart, and the white heart to the tip of the curved hat for a pom pom.

Glue the grey ovals on the bottom of the red doily heart to become shoes.

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Multicultural Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Multicultural heart doily valentine gnomes that are fun for the whole family to make. Free printable included for easy crafting.

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The heart gnomes can be crafted in different flesh tones, making the project multicultural. And while putting together this craft with little learners, heart, circle, and oval shapes can be discussed.

Adorable multicultural gnome valentine with exquisite heart doilies taking center stage.

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Tip: Paint samples work well for the nose and hands, as they come in so many flesh tones.

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Sweet multicultural gnome valentine with exquisite heart doilies taking center stage.

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Six Gnome Facts

Gnome ornaments and crafts have been extremely popular in the last few years. If you are interested in finding out a little more about these mythical beings, here are a few facts:

  • Gnomes are legendary creatures originating in European stories.
  • They are small men with pointy hats and long, white beards.
  • These imaginative creatures live in dark, rural places such as forests or underground burrows.
  • Gnomes are considered to be industrious, kind, and wise.
  • Guarding the earth and wildlife is important to gnomes.
  • Garden gnomes originated in Germany in the mid-1800s and are prevalent today.

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You are going to love creating these huggable gnomes! Tag me on Instagram with your creations and I’ll share them in my stories!

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Multicultural heart doily gnome valentines that are fun for the whole family to make. Free printable included for easy crafting.

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More Valentine’s Day Activities

Valentine’s Day Light Table

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

Valentine’s Day Water Play

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread Cookies

Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

Valentine’s Day Jewelry on the Light Table

Valentine’s Day Sensory Tubes

Woolly Valentine’s Day Crafts

Valentine’s Day Process Art

Ladybug Wand Craft

Scissor Skill Heart Collage

Painting With Chocolate

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[Read more…] about Heart Doily Gnome Valentines

Filed Under: art, display, preschool, Valentine's Day Tagged With: gnomes, hearts, paper crafts, Valentine's Day, valentines

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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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