Let's Explore - Creative Activities for Preschoolers

I'm moving!

Well, not literally -- but this blog is!  

My blog will now be integrated into my Let's Explore Shop website.  Which, in the long run, will be much more streamlined for me....that is, once I am a Wordpress pro and totally know what I am doing.  :)

If you subscribe to this blog already, I'm hoping you won't see any interruptions in your feed.  But if you don't hear from me for a couple days, please re-subscribe at the new blog!

Visit the new blog now!

www.lets-explore.net/blog

(and pardon the changes and possible mess while I make things just right over there...)

Okay, I'm off to update the feed and other maintenance stuff.  Update your bookmarks and see you at the new place!

Sticker Play Scenes on Sale

These are fun!  Full of reusable stickers and available in two sizes.  Great for in the car, at the grocery store, any time there is waiting involved! :)  Also great for last-minute birthday gifts and Easter baskets.

Go ahead and head over to the shop so you can see all the cute designs!  Sale ends March 1, 2009 and is limited to stock on hand.

Hello!

Hello, hello, hello!  We've just returned from a really fun girls' trip to Disneyland with my mom, my sister, and her two girls.  I am working on unpacking and laundry and all that stuff that comes with returning from a trip.

In case you missed it, I posted over at Blissful Kids yesterday - a fun book and project exploring clouds!

Be back soon with more fun! :)

Purr-fect Kitty Valentines

Delaney made some sweet and simple kitty Valentines for her preschool friends.  Get all the how-to details over at Blissful Kids today!

Happy Valentine-Making!

Spin Art Hearts

Have you tried making spin art in a salad spinner yet?  It's so fun!  Last week at preschool, I was in charge of the spin art station.  Instead of round paper cut to fit the salad spinner, we made hearts.

The how-to is simple:  Put your paper in the spinner.  Squeeze/drop/dribble on some paint - slightly watered-down tempera works great.  Now, put the  lid on and spin, spin, spin!

Take the lid off and ooh and ahh over the finished product.  Have lots of paper ready, 'cause this activity begs to be repeated over and over and over again.

Happy creating!

Rain Art

It has been so dry around here that the girls were quite excited when they heard that rain was in the forecast for today.  While waiting for puddles to appear, we had fun making some rain art!

Draw a picture or design with washable markers.  I suggest using a sturdy type of paper, such as card stock or watercolor paper.  Then, place your drawing out in the rain for a few minutes - time will vary depending on how hard it is raining.

Watch the colors begin to move and swirl as they get wet.  My girls especially like to pick up the paper and tip it from side to side, making the colored water go all over the paper.  This is also a great time to make a print by pressing a dry piece of paper onto your rain art creation.  When you are satisfied with the results, bring in your paper and let it dry.

When you rain art is dry, you can add more details to it with crayons, black marker, collage materials, etc. or hang it up and enjoy it!

No rain in the forecast?  Make your own rain drops with a dropper or spray bottle!

Happy playing!

Kitchen Gadget Painting

 

We're painting with potato mashers, cookie cutters, sponges and more!  Head over to Blissful Kids to read all about painting and printing with kitchen gadgets.

Happy playing!

My Favorite Resource Books: Art & Creating

We're big fans of "process" creating around here - enjoying the doing and not necessarily worried about the finished product.  Sometimes we do more crafty things for holidays and gifts, but for the most part it is all about the experience!  

All of the creating books I use regularly are by MaryAnn Kohl - she is a big proponent of process-based art exploration.  She has tons of books, most of which my library has.  Here are my favorites:

First Art : Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos

I bought this when Natalie was two, and we continue to refer to it regularly.  It is filled with fun, simple, exciting art experiences for little ones from painting to working with dough to collage and more. 

Preschool Art: It's the Process, Not the Product

More great process-based experiences for preschool age kiddos.

Scribble Art: Independent Creative Art Experiences for Children

This is a neat collection of independent art activities that do not have an adult "model" for kids to follow - just fun art experimenting with basic supplies.

Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters

This is the newest MaryAnn Kohl book we have been enjoying.  Learn a little bit about some famous artists and then do an art project that demonstrates some of the artists' techniques or styles.  Really fun!

I'd love to hear about your favorite art/creating books for kids, too!

{A quick reminder - today is the last day to take advantage of the Super Good Deals at the Let's Explore shop!}

Have a great weekend!

Our Top 10 Play Things

Here's the things that are keeping the girls busy lately:

• Art supplies, especially stickers
• Playsilks & pieces of fabric
• Small animals
• Chapter books; How-to-draw books
• Dress-up clothes
• Music (often combined with playsilks and/or dress-up clothes)
• Letter writing and delivering
• Puzzles
• Board games
• Each other :)

What are your kiddos really into right now?

Watercolor Initials

The girls and I made some new personalized artwork for their bedroom.  You can see the step-by-step and finished product over at Blissful Kids today! :)

Have a great day!