Showing posts with label preschool activity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preschool activity. Show all posts

Fun and Creative Kids Activity: Stamping Bunches of Grapes Process Art

 Looking for a fun and creative kids activity that is both educational and festive? Look no further than stamping bunches of grapes with pencil erasers and wine corks! This activity is perfect for kids of all ages, and it can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors.


We love to paint with all kinds of things! From wine corks, to dried flower heads, and everything in between. This easy painting project is perfect for kids of all ages. Little ones will love working on a few bunches or grapes, while tweens and teens can create more elaborate works of art.

What is Process Art for Kids

Process art for kids is a type of art where the focus is on the process of creating the art, rather than the finished product. This type of art is often open-ended and allows kids to be creative and expressive. There are many different types of process art that kids can do, such as:

  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Collage
  • Sculpture
  • Performance art
  • Installation art

Process art is a great way for kids to explore their creativity and to learn about different art materials and techniques. It can also help them to develop their fine motor skills and their problem-solving skills.

Here are some tips for doing process art with kids:

  • Provide a variety of art materials and let kids explore them.
  • Don't be afraid to get messy!
  • Encourage kids to be creative and expressive.
  • Don't judge their art.
  • Celebrate their creativity.

Process art can be a lot of fun for kids. It's a great way for them to express themselves and to learn about art. So get creative and let your kids explore the world of process art!


Supplies:

  • Purple Paint
  • Green Paint
  • A paper plate
  • A pencil eraser
  • A wine cork
  • White paper


Begin by stamping one purple dot, then on the next row, stamp two. Repeat thru 4 to 5 rows of grapes.



Repeat until your paper has plenty of purple bunches of grapes. 



Now grab your wine cork and dip into the green paint.


Fill the blank space in between grapes with green dots for leaves. When you are finished your paper should look like this.



So pretty! Let this dry and display it somewhere in the house. You could stick it on the fridge, but this turns out so cute you might want to frame it.


This is a perfect spring or summer craft for kids of all ages. It is easy, and needs no special supplies. I know you will have fun with this process art project.




Find more fun kids craft ideas here:

Pineapple process art

Cork and Button Apple Trees


Here are some process art for kids ideas:

  • Painting with natural materials: Gather some natural materials, such as leaves, flowers, twigs, and grass. Dip the materials in paint and then stamp them onto paper.
  • Collage: Collect a variety of materials, such as magazines, newspapers, fabric, and yarn. Cut out shapes from the materials and then glue them onto paper to create a collage.
  • Sculpting with playdough: Playdough is a great material for sculpting. Kids can use their imaginations to create anything they want, such as animals, people, or objects.
  • Performance art: Performance art is a type of art that is performed in front of an audience. Kids can create their own performance art pieces, such as dances, songs, or plays.
  • Installation art: Installation art is a type of art that is installed in a specific space. Kids can create their own installation art pieces, such as sculptures, paintings, or photographs.

These are just a few ideas for process art for kids. There are many other possibilities, so get creative and let your kids explore their imaginations!

Button Sorting Sensory Bag

Toddlers need sorting skills for a variety of reasons. Sorting helps them learn about the world around them, develop their fine motor skills, and improve their problem-solving skills.



Learning about the world around them

When toddlers sort objects, they are learning about the different characteristics of those objects. They are learning about colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. They are also learning about the relationships between objects. For example, they may learn that all of the blue objects go together, or that all of the small objects fit in the small container.

Developing fine motor skills

Sorting requires toddlers to use their fine motor skills. They need to be able to pick up small objects, hold them in their hands, and move them around. This helps to strengthen their muscles and improve their coordination.

Improving problem-solving skills

Sorting also helps toddlers to develop their problem-solving skills. When they are faced with a problem, such as how to sort a group of objects, they need to use their logic and reasoning skills to come up with a solution. This helps them to learn how to think critically and solve problems on their own.

If you would like to make a DIY sorting activity for your little learners, you might love this easy buttons sorting bag. You might have everything you need at home to make this easy and engaging activity.





Supplies:
A zipper seal baggie
Clear hair gel
Buttons
Markers


First, figure out what colors of buttons you have to work with. You will want to use coordinating markers to make this work.


Start by drawing a large circle with one color of marker.


Then repeat using all of your marker colors.


When you have used all of the colors of markers, add about 2 tablespoons of hair gel into the baggie. You don't need a lot; just a little to make the activity extra fun! Little hands will love the way the buttons glide thru the hair gel. Spread the gel out with your hands.


Add the buttons to the bag.


Seal the bag. You can secure the seal with duct tape if you like.


Encourage your toddler to sort the buttons by color, and maneuver the buttons into the circle.


This activity is so simple but so awesome for hands on learning because it combines sorting skills with fine motor work.

Fine motor skills are the small, precise movements of the hands and fingers. They are important for a variety of tasks, such as eating, writing, and playing musical instruments. Fine motor skills also play a role in cognitive development, as they require children to use their brains to coordinate their movements.

Here are some of the reasons why kids need fine motor skills:

  • To perform everyday tasks: Fine motor skills are essential for performing everyday tasks, such as eating, dressing, and using the bathroom. Children who have difficulty with fine motor skills may struggle with these tasks, which can lead to frustration and delays in development.
  • To learn: Fine motor skills are also important for learning. Children who have good fine motor skills are better able to hold a pencil, write neatly, and turn pages in a book. This can help them to learn more effectively in school.
  • To participate in activities: Fine motor skills are also important for participating in activities, such as playing sports, playing musical instruments, and doing arts and crafts. Children who have good fine motor skills are better able to participate in these activities, which can help them to develop their social skills and have fun.

There are many things that parents can do to help their children develop fine motor skills. Here are a few tips:

  • Provide opportunities for practice: One of the best ways to help children develop fine motor skills is to provide them with opportunities to practice. This could include giving them toys that require them to use their hands, such as blocks, puzzles, or play-dough.
  • Encourage exploration: Children learn best by exploring. Encourage your child to explore their environment and use their hands to interact with objects. This could include letting them help you cook, garden, or clean.
  • Be patient: It takes time for children to develop fine motor skills. Don't get discouraged if your child doesn't master a skill right away. Just keep providing them with opportunities to practice and they will eventually get there.

Fine motor skills are an important part of child development. By providing children with opportunities to practice and develop these skills, you can help them to succeed in school and in life.




Find more fine motor ideas here

Playdoh Meatball Math

Are you looking for a way to make early math engaging for kids? This play doh activity makes for a fun way to master early counting skills in a manner that kids are going to want an extra helping of.



We are a play doh family through and through. Over the years I have created so many hands on lessons for my kids as well as invitations to play that started with a simple can of squishy play doh.  From a prickly cactus craft that my tween was enchanted by, to  DIY food puzzles for toddlers. I have always felt that playdoh was one of the best toys to have on hand because it doubles as a learning tool.

This idea is so much fun! It starts with 2 cans of play doh and a cute little pan. Grab a few dominoes and your little learners are ready to jump into this awesome activity.


Supplies:
Play doh. I used yellow, a little red and a little orange.
A small pan
Dominoes


Directions:
Create a pan of noodles from the yellow playdoh by rolling out into thin strips between your hands and tear them off at various lengths.
Combine a ball of red and orange dough together to make the meatballs. 
Now tear off small sections and roll them into balls.
Place the noodles into the pan.
Leave the meatballs over to the side.



Invite your preschooler to select a domino from the pile and count the dots.
This is how many meatballs this spaghetti needs. Count the meatballs as you add them to the noodles.


Repeat as desired until you have used all of the dominoes or mastered your counting lesson. I know your kids are going to love this take on early math!


Find more epic playdoh activities here.

Favorites include:

Play Doh Pie Counting

Lollipop Counting

Play Doh Pre Writing Activity

Play Doh Snails

Play Dough Ornaments 


Find more fun math ideas like these math games for kids.

Cork and Button Apple Tree Process Art

This cork and button apple tree process art is perfect for preschoolers or kindergartners this fall. It is an easy activity that requires very little prep. 


We love process art, and we love all things fall around here! Harper and I have been hoarding fall decor since we saw the first adorable decorative pumpkin in stores back in July. Rolf is not so quick to jump seasons, but on the first of September, he said "Finally! It is September. Now we can buy all the pumpkins we want without comment." HA! 


Harper and I felt like painting and wanted to start on some fridge decorations for the season. We came up with these adorable cork and button apple trees. They are so worthy of displaying! Plus, they are easy to make!
 

Supplies Needed: 
Paint in Brown and Green
A Wine Cork
A Paper Plate
White Paper
Buttons
Glue


Directions:
Pour a quarter sized drop of both the brown and the green paint onto a paper plate.
Offer your child the cork.
Encourage your child to first stamp the trunk of the tree with the cork.
Then ask your child to give the tree leaves with the green paint.
Allow to dry for about an hour in a warm, sunny place.



When the paint has dried, offer your child the glue and some buttons. We used yellow for this project to make the kind of apples we like. Feel free to use red, green or even a mix if you like. As you can see below we also made one with red buttons, just because we had so much fun the first time.


Encourage your child to spread out the buttons, pressing them onto dots of glue.


Allow the glue time to dry. Then display! This is perfect for refrigerator art!



Are you looking for more awesome apple art projects for kids? 
Here are some favorites:






Rainbow Sorting Sensory Bin

 This rainbow sorting bin is so much fun for little ones. It has a variety of textures, shapes and colors for sorting on a rainy day, or anytime! This is perfect for kids who are learning colors, or just need some busy work!


My daughter loves rainbows, and she loves busy work, so this rainbow sorting bin was the perfect rainy day activity for her. We had dyed oats in our craft supplies, and with that, an idea was born to make this activity. Dying oats is so easy, and they are awesome to play with. 


I grabbed a 3 pack of mini pots at the dollar store  and painted them with Kwik Stix but you could use any type of small container, like a baby food jar, a food storage container or whatever for this bin. you just need something that your toddler or preschooler can place the beads in.




Supplies:
Small containers
A plastic storage bin with a lid
Clothespins
Small spoons
Foam beads
Buttons or larger beads


After dying your oatmeal start layering it into the storage bin.


Place the pots or containers for sorting into the bin.
Add beads to the bin, or buttons. I like to offer a variety of textures in the beads. This bin has foam, wooden and standard crafting beads in it.


Add a few small spoons, clothespins and other items for sorting, pinching and measuring. Tongs and slotted spoons are great additions!


I added a clear plastic ornament to the bin too because I wanted to challenge Harper to place the items in a smaller opening.



Offer your child the bin. Ask your child to identify colors as they are picking them up. Encourage your child to sort the colors. This bin is fun to play in, and it is visually appealing too. The variety of textures is engaging. The use of clothespins and or tongs uses the small muscles of the hand. 
This bin has so many developmental benefits and it is a lot of fun too!


Harper loved this bin. She is a big fan of rainbows and busy work, so this rainbow sorting bin engaged her for a while on a rainy afternoon. When she was finished we snapped the lid on the storage bin and stashed it away for another day.


You can find more sensory play ideas here

Hair Cutting Activity for Preschoolers

 If your kids are anything like mine, they have an interest in cutting their own hair. YIKES! To combat that urge, I created a safe alternative that will keep everyone happy. This hair cutting activity for preschoolers gives kids a chance to put their scissor skills to work while satisfying the curiosity of little ones. Plus this is the perfect use for empty toilet paper rolls.


This is such an easy activity to set up. Chances are you have everything you need to do this with your little ones. I love crafts and activities that I don't have to buy any supplies for! Even the least crafty parents can set this cutting activity up in no time.



Supplies:
Empty toilet paper rolls
Scissors
Sharpie



Directions:

Cut small strips into the top of one end of the toilet roll. Make the cuts varying in length to offer some variety on the cuts for your child.
Draw a fun face on the paper roll.





You might want to create a few of these because your kids are going to have so much fun cutting hair!


Offer your child some scissors and invite them to give their new friend a hair cut.
Observe your child doing this, for safety.




This activity is awesome for kids because it gives them a chance to work on their scissors skills while having a good dramatic play session! Harper LOVED this activity and she always asks me if I will save toilet paper rolls for her to do this again.



If you are looking for more toilet roll crafts. You might want to check out this Easy Butterfly Craft.


Apple Tree Addition Activity

This apple tree addition activity is perfect for kindergarten and first grade students. It gives them a hands on chance to practice their skills and work hands on play into their lessons. This is an all around engaging way to teach addition to kids.

This semester both of my kids are attending virtual school. They have a great curriculum that they follow, and the kids seem to be ok with the change in how we learn.  But, I like to make sure they are learning offline too. This apple tree math activity is perfect for little kids who are just grasping math concepts. Plus it is easy to set up and it is a lot of fun to work with. 

Using play doh is a great way to make this more than a math activity. Play doh is great for sensory play as wee all know. Adding it to math? Thats an equation for fun learning! Adding pony beads gives the activity a fine motor element, so I guess this math lesson has a lot of layers to it!

Supplies:
Green and Brown Play Doh
Pony Beads
Small wooden letters or stamps



Directions:
Encourage your child to roll out a tree trunk with brown play doh.
Instruct your child to flatten out a can of green play doh for the leaves of the tree.



Select two numbers and stamp them into the leaves. Add a +  between them.


Offer your child a few pont beads.
Encourage your child to count out enough for the first number and press them into the doh.
Instruct your child to count out enough beads for the second number and press them into the doh.
Ask your child to count all of the beads to get the sum.


Remover the beads. 
Remover the "leaves"
Smash the green doh into a fresh pile of doh.
Repeat with more numbers.

If you liked this easy math lesson idea you might like these reader favorites: