• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

  • About Me
  • Sensory Play
  • Holidays
  • Places
  • Picture Book Themes
  • Growing Things
  • Ocean
  • Contact Me

Places

Dark Sky Festival preschool activities.

Jasper National Park

Situated on the western side of the province of Alberta are the beautiful world renowned Banff and Jasper National Parks.  Both parks are a beautiful places to visit any time of the year.
In 2011 Jasper National Park was named a Dark Sky Preserve, and it is the largest accessible Dark Sky Preserve in the world.  A dark sky preserve is an area with no artificial light.  Many more stars can be seen in the sky than in areas with urban light.
Every year in October there is an event called the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, which celebrates the night sky.  Visitors to the town of Jasper can take in various events such as
– listening to space talks by keynote speakers and other astronomy experts
– stargazing and aurora-gazing at some of Jasper’s famous landmarks
– looking through powerful telescopes in the area
– attending a photography workshop about taking night sky pictures
– taking in a planetary dome shows and sessions
– viewing museum art inspired by the Dark Skies
– listening to a Symphony orchestra performance under the stars

New in the year 2018 was a Food Lab, where gourmet food meets Science demos.

The Jasper Dark Sky Festival has grown to be one of North America’s biggest astronomy events of the year.  For the latest information about this festival, visit the stunning and informative website jasperdarksky.travel .

Preschool Activities Inspired By The Jasper Dark Sky Festival

Deep Space Sensory Table

Space themed water table with sun, moon, star and planet shapes to use with scoops and sorting trays.
Space Themed Water Table

Turn a water table into a deep space adventure.  This table has
– small space vehicles
– astronauts
– space themed erasers
– jewel suns and stars
– button stars
– marbles (various sizes)
– rubber balls
– plastic pet balls
– moon rocks (that light up in the night)
– small rocks sprayed with silver metallic paint
– rubber bracelets (rings for planets)
– plastic muffin tins
– ice cube trays
– tongs
– gravy spoons

Space Table Diorama

Space themed table diorama with objects to rearrange.
A Space Themed Diorama

A batik star patterned piece of fabric is the base for this center.  It showcases a collection of astronauts and spaceships, plastic planets, star jewels, and various sizes of marbles and small balls.  A transparent bath mat serves as a cratered moon, and moon rocks and crumpled foil shapes complete the center.

Space Kitchen

Clear and shiny silver serving dishes, plates and cutlery arranged on an aluminum foil table covering.
Space Play Kitchen Tableware

Large pieces of foil secured with duct tape cover the table. The kitchen supplies are:
– pie plate dinner plates
– clear plastic trays, serving bowls, and dessert bowls
– metal pans, bowls and serving utensils
– plastic metal silverware
– grey oven mitts
– play food

Sorting Stars At The Light Table

Transparent star shaped ice cubes to sort at a light table.
Star Shaped Ice Cubes

Clear plastic egg cartons and ice cube stars work well for sorting activities at a light table.

CD: P.J. Perry And The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

The CD "P. J. Perry And The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra."

In October 2017 P. J. Perry and the late Tommy Banks joined the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at their performance “Symphony Under The Stars”.   This CD by P. J. Perry and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra makes great background music for preschool activities.

 

 

 

 

Follow me on social media for more ideas:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Primary Sidebar

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!

Instagram

Have you ever heard of orange or yellow watermelon Have you ever heard of orange or yellow watermelon? They are featured in creative snacks in this watermelon-themed video. Link in profile leads to the blogpost.  #creativesnacks #watermelonsnacks #funsnacks #easysnacks #healthysnacks #watermelon #sunflowers #fruitskewers #popsicles #watermelonpopsicles #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #preschoolsnacks #teacherofig #iteachprek #iteach
This β€œwords of affirmation” glow art activity This β€œwords of affirmation” glow art activity is perfect for the beginning or end of the school year, or anytime in between. Details are on the blog…click link in profile. 
πŸŒŸβ˜€οΈπŸŒŸ. #glowart #blacklightart #neon #glowinthedark #watchwhathappens #blacklight #uvlight #artandliteracy #prek #kindergarten #prekart #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #tryit #howto
An easy art activity for β€œInternational Talk Lik An easy art activity for β€œInternational Talk Like A Pirate Day”, celebrated on September 19 each year. A pirate theme is excellent for encouraging speaking and socialization. That’s perfect for this time of year, when many children are starting school. Link in profile leads to the blogpost with two free printables.  #socialdevelopment #startingschool #pirates #piratetheme #freeprintable #freeprintables #scissorskills #earlylearning #creepyart #creepyartwork #kidsart #kidsartwork #easyart #funart #finemotorskills #prekart #prekactivity #kindergartenactivity
Beautiful leaf art with a gigantic horse chestnut Beautiful leaf art with a gigantic horse chestnut leaf. This and more leaf art projects are on the blog. Link in profile. 🌿🌿🌿 #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #leaf #fallleaves #painting #pastels #reliefart #classroomart #kindergartenart #preschoolart #artclass #artclasses #fallart #September #funart
Today is Lemonade Stand Day in and around our city Today is Lemonade Stand Day in and around our city. Children are encouraged to set up lemonade stands (supplies are provided) and raise money for a local children’s hospital.
A lemonade stand also makes a beautiful dramatic play center at home or in the classroom.

πŸ‹πŸ‹πŸ‹

#lemonadestand #dramaticplay #pretendplay #earlylearning #makelemonade #lemonade #kidpreneur #kidpreneurs #kidsplay #keepingkidsbusy #socialplay #roleplay #prekteachers #prekteachersofinstagram #creativeplay
Flower Stand dramatic play center! 🌸🌺🌼🌺🌸🌼🌺🌸🌼 #flowerstand #flowers #flowerboquet #playcenter  #pretendplay #floraldesign #floraldesigns #flowershop #kidsplay #earlyplay #creativeplayideas #activesummer #playislearning #toddlerplay #toddlerplayideas #prek #instateachers #teacherofig #playsetup
Just a little watermelon tablescape as a dramatic Just a little watermelon tablescape as a dramatic play invitation. πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰
#dramatic play #playkitchen #watermelon #creativeplay #creativeplayideas #playislearning #colorful #itsthelittlethings #Sundayvibes #summerday #playinvitation #pretendplay #tistheseason #prek #kindergarten #prekteacher #teacherblogger #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
When you are collecting school supplies, save some When you are collecting school supplies, save some school for light table experimentation. Details are on the blog. Click the link in profile. 

#playinvitation #lighttable #schoolsupplies #explorecolor #explorelight #lightplay #recycledplay #creativeplay #creativeplayideas #seajellies #jellyfish #fish #geometricshapes #gems #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Watermelon playdough tray. The recipe is so easy t Watermelon playdough tray. The recipe is so easy to make and lasts a looooong time. Link in profile leads to the instructions to make it.  #playdough #playdoughtray #playdoughrecipe #watermelon #scentedplaydough #easyplay #easyplayideas #summerfun #playtime #handsonactivities #prekplay #prek #puttingtheprettinpreschool
Lemonade theme dramatic play tablescape! πŸ‹πŸ‹πŸ‹

#lemonade #lemonadetableacape #lemons #playfood #prekfun #kindergartenactivities #prescoolactivities  #dramaticplay #pretendplay #summertheme #preschoolthemes #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #kidsplay #earlylearning #earlylearning101 #tablescapes #tablescapestyle
Moon exploration playdough invitation with lots of Moon exploration playdough invitation with lots of sparkle and shine.  #playdoughfun #sensoryplayideas #playbasedlearning #keepingkidsbusy #learnandplay #loosepartsplay #invitationtoplay #preschooler #preschoolfun #spaceexploration #spaceships #earlyeducation #eyfsideas
An easy-to-make water-melon themed hanging banner An easy-to-make water-melon themed hanging banner that helps celebrate summer!
πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰πŸ‰

#watermelon #watermelontheme #watermelons #bannerdesign #papercraft #papercrafts #easycrafts #easycraftsforkids #summercrafts #craftingfun #aloha #sweetsummer #happysummer #sundaycrafts #sundayvibes #kidscrafts101
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Subscribe Via Email

Recent Posts

  • Llama-Inspired Winter Sensory Bin January 29, 2023
  • Five Black History Month Crafts January 28, 2023
  • Chinese New Year DIY Decorating January 21, 2023
  • Chinese New Year Sensory Tub January 20, 2023
  • Chinese New Year Rice Bin January 15, 2023
  • Orange-Scented Playdough Invitation January 14, 2023
  • Santa Claus Sensory Bin December 23, 2022
  • Paper Bag Christmas Ornaments December 22, 2022
  • Candy Cane Tree Experiment December 20, 2022
  • Gingerbread Sensory Bin December 19, 2022

Categories

Topics

block play bunnies Chinese New Year Christmas Christmas craft Christmas tree colors dramatic play eggs fall flowers Happy New Year hearts holiday keepsakes leaves leprechauns light table loose parts New Year's Eve painting paper crafts playdough pretend play printables process art pumpkins rice bin scented playdough science experiment scissor skills sensory bin sensory play sensory tray shamrocks skeletons spiders spring St. Patrick's Day sunflowers tablescapes trees unicorns valentines water play

Copyright © 2023 Β· Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework Β· WordPress Β· Log in