Valentine's Day

Squeegee Painting Heart Art

March 10, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

The Squeegee Painting Heart Art Process

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

Related:

Salad Spinner Heart Art

Eye Dropper Heart Art

Valentine’s Day Process Art

_______

[Read more…]

Eye Dropper Heart Art

February 26, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

More Eye Dropper Painting Art Activities

Earth Day Heart Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

_______

[Read more…]

Loose Part Jewelry Heart

February 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

The Loose Part Jewelry Heart Play Invitation

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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

_______

Related:

Jewelry Sensory Tray

St. Patrick’s Jewelry Sensory Bin

_______

[Read more…]

Celebrate Diversity Heart Art

February 10, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Skin Tone Sunburst Heart

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

_______

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

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

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

Skin Tone Chalk Heart Art

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

Metallic Marker Concentric Hearts

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

_______

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:

_______

Heart Art PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

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.

_______

Related:

Three Black History Month Crafts

Celebrate Diversity Butterfly

Black History Month Yarn Art

_______

[Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

February 22, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

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.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

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

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

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.”

_______

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.

_______

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.

_______

[Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments

February 14, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Valentine's Day containers with loose parts added make drum and shaker musical instruments perfect for sound exploration.

_______

Save those little containers that valentine treats and crafts come in! Empty chocolate boxes, plastic jars, heart-shaped bowls, and small containers make excellent sensory and art supplies. And when used with drumsticks and filled with loose parts, they can also be Valentine’s Day musical instruments.

_______

Valentine’s Day Loose Parts To Collect

Here’s a supply of loose parts that early learners could choose from for music-making:

Loose parts to add to Valentine's Day containers to make shaker and drum musical instruments.

_______

mini rubber balls
coins
erasers
heart necklaces
heart-shaped cookie cutters
red heart gems
pompoms
buttons
X and O game pieces

_______

This compartment tray holds the above items and the ones below:

Loose parts to add to Valentine's Day containers to make shaker and drum musical instruments, and a variety of drumsticks.

_______

pony beads
red and white round gems
large red beads
striped straws
wooden hearts

_______

Making Valentine’s Day Musical Instruments

Collect Valentine’s Day-themed containers and set them out on a table with a tray of loose parts. Encourage little learners to fill containers with one kind of loose part and add lids. Have them use the filled containers as shakers.

A collection of Valentine's Day-themed containers with loose parts and drumsticks for music-making.

_______

A heart-shaped bowl and small tin make excellent drums. Just add drumsticks!

An overturned plastic heart-shaped bowl and small tin make excellent drums.

_______

When covered with a lid and tipped from side to side, this pony bead-filled tin becomes an ocean drum.

A heart-shaped tin with pony beads added makes an ocean drum.

_______

Why not go big? This large chocolate box heart works wonderfully as an ocean drum too. A few beaded necklaces add the sound.

A heart-shaped empty chocolate box with necklaces or loose parts added makes an ocean drum.

_______

Your early learners will love making sounds and tapping beats with these recycled containers. To extend the investigative play, add the containers to a large tub filled with rice. Invite your little learners to add rice to them to create more Valentine’s Day musical instruments.

_______

[Read more…]

Dinosaur Valentine Craft

February 13, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

_______

It was just a couple of days before Valentine’s Day when one of my preschoolers said “Remember, Mrs. Kaminsky…you promised to make a dinosaur valentine craft for us to do.” And yes, I had!

We were just finishing up a polar dinosaur theme when I had come across super cute dinosaur Valentine’s Day window clings. They served as perfect transition décor from that winter-wrapped dinosaur theme to a Valentine’s Day topic. And they provided lots of craft inspiration, which led me to tell my preschoolers we would do a dinosaur valentine craft.

So this is a very last-minute dinosaur-themed Valentine’s Day craft project!

_______

Supplies To Collect

dinosaur printable
12-inch x 12-inch cardstock
8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock
pompoms
wiggly eyes
thin felt pen
paper or foam hearts
thin ribbon strip
white glue
glue paddle
glue stick

_______

Making The Dinosaur Valentine

Download one of these two dinosaur templates and print it on 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock paper in the color of your choice.

Dinosaur template to use for a dinosaur-themed craft.

_______

Dinosaur PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Rawr-y dinosaur template to use for a valentine craft.

_______

Rawr-y Dinosaur PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Fashion a bow from a small strip of thin ribbon.

Cut out the dinosaur, and invite your early learner to use a glue stick to paste it on a 12-inch x 12-inch piece of complementary cardstock.

Then have your little one use white glue to add pompoms to the dinosaur back, wiggly eyes to the head, and a bow to the neck.

Next, have your little learner use the glue stick to add paper or foam hearts to the body, and use a thin felt pen to draw a smile on the head.

Cut out the “I Rawr-y Love You” greeting to add to the craft if desired.

_______

[Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Playdough Activities

February 7, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Valentine's Day playdough recipes and loose parts trays. A basic recipe with color variations and a jello playdough recipe is featured.

_______

Playdough is a shoo-in for any Valentine’s Day theme. There are so many heart loose parts available to use, and who doesn’t like the chance to include red and pink colors in their play? In this post, I’ve included a basic playdough recipe and a jello recipe. The basic recipe includes color variations made with neon food colors. All the recipes are easy to use for introducing Valentine’s Day playdough activities to your little learners.

But first, the loose parts!

_______

Valentine’s Day Loose Parts Trays

Here are two playdough trays brimming with loose parts. The tray below includes:

Valentine's Day playdough tray with loose parts and pink and white dough recipes.

_______

rubber heart game pieces
X and O game pieces
toothpick cupcake toppers
wooden, gem, and foam hearts
buttons
heart erasers
natural colored gems
cookie cutters and rolling pin

_______

This second tray includes:

Valentine's Day playdough tray with loose parts and blueberry, white, and lilac dough recipes.

_______

heart bead garland
red and white bead garland
white and red gems
wooden, gem, and eraser hearts
large red beads
buttons
X and O game pieces
lollipop sticks

_______

Basic Playdough Recipe

Valentine's Day playdough tray with loose parts and red, pink and white dough recipes.

_______

My go-to basic playdough recipe has the following ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups water
3 tablespoons oil

Add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix together.

Stir two tablespoons oil into two cups of water.

Add the water and oil to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat on the stove on medium heat.

Stirring frequently, cook until the mixture is no longer glossy and the dough forms a ball.

Scoop the dough on to a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding in one tablespoon more oil.

Store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag.

_______

Jello Playdough

To make deep, pinkish-red strawberry playdough, boil the water and stir in two 85 gram packages of strawberry jello powder. Next, mix in two tablespoons of oil. Add the hot colored water mixture to the dry ingredients in a pot as above, and finish making the recipe the same way.

To make the pastel blue playdough, use one 85 gram package of blueberry jello.

_______

Food Coloring Playdough

To make the lilac playdough, stir a few generous squirts of neon purple food coloring into the pot of mixed wet and dry ingredients. Then heat the mixture and finish making the recipe as above.

To make the pastel pink-colored playdough, add a few squirts of neon pink food coloring to the pot. The more food coloring you add, the darker the playdough will get.

Note: These recipes make a batch of playdough for up to five children to use.

_______

Valentine’s Day Playdough Invitation

Set out loose parts on a tray with playdough colors of choice. Add rolling pins and cookie cutters if desired, and watch your little charges create.

Valentine's Day-themed playdough and loose parts tray.

_______

[Read more…]