Let's Explore - Creative Activities for Preschoolers

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!

Wood Vehicle Kits from Maple Landmark

A good part of our Sunday was spent creating these:

We all had such fun with these Made By Me wood vehicle kits by Maple Landmark.  Each kit comes with a vehicle body, four wheels, and four axles.  These kits are made in the USA from smoothly sanded unfinished pine.  All you need to assemble them is a small hammer and some wood glue.

Before assembling them, we dolled them up with a variety of techniques - painting (we used acrylic paints), coloring with markers, adding stickers, and attaching scrapbook paper and clip art with Mod Podge.  Here's a closer look:

Natalie's race car, Daddy's vegetable delivery truck, and Natalie's apple orchard tractor

Delaney's sea animal tugboat, my groovy Bug, and Delaney's train engine

As soon as they were dry, the girls grabbed them and headed off to play.  Natalie was quite excited that some of her Playmobil people and Calico Critters can fit in the tractor seat.

I think these would be awesome birthday party activities or favors.  Also great for rainy days, last minute birthday gifts, and Easter baskets.  :)

All 6 Made By Me kits are available over at the Let's Explore Shop for $4.49 each.  A set of all 6 is also available for $23.99.

         

Happy Playing!

Wood Tool Caddies

Way back in the summer, the girls assembled and decorated some simple wood tool caddies with Daddy.  Natalie had made one at a birthday party, and we decided to do the project again so Delaney could have one of her own.

Daddy cut the pieces and pre-drilled the holes for the screws.  The girls had a lot of fun with the screwdriver, putting their caddies together.  Then the real fun started - painting!

Giving a tool caddy kit would be such a fun gift!  You could even include a small tape measure, screwdriver, level, etc.  Of course, these would be great for art supplies, too! :)

We're off to watch Natalie's school do a little holiday program tonight.  Hope the holidays are treating you well!

Paper Bag Gingerbread Garland

Pull out your brown grocery bags and make a fun gingerbread garland today!  All the details are over at Blissful Kids...

Stay Warm & Happy Playing!

Oh, Christmas Tree...

I think this is my favorite piece of artwork so far this holiday season.  I didn't know Delaney could draw such awesome trees!  We've had a stack of watercolor paper, pastels, watercolors, and sequins sitting out for whenever the mood strikes.  I had to cut out this tree and mount it to show off its adorable shape!

This weekend we are looking forward to Delaney's first ballet recital, Babes in Toyland.  There are also plans to drive around looking at lights, and do some wrapping and teacher gift-making.  Should be a lovely weekend!

And, if you need something furry and super-cute poking out of a stocking, all our Folkmanis finger puppets are 25% off this weekend (Friday-Sunday 12/12-12/14).  We have owls, chipmunks, penguins, pandas, black bears, porcupines, hedgehogs, and so many more!

Have a playful weekend!

Glittery Initial Ornaments

We love a little sparkle on our Christmas tree!  All the glittery directions are posted over at Blissful Kids today.

I know it's late in the day, but you still have time to check out the Deal of the Day over at the Let's Explore Shop!  It will be available until tomorrow at 6 am (PST), when I post a new deal! :)

Have a great evening!