Igloos, Penguins and Snow

We were super excited 

to receive this kit from 

Scholastic Book Clubs. 

All we needed was some snow!

To get ready for our fun, I 

put together a couple of 

igloos and then sprinkled water 

on top. The igloos then went 

back into the freezer until we 

were ready to play.

The kids loved to see how much snow and penguins could fit into an igloo. 

Gloves kept their hands warm while playing in the snow.

 

The igloos held up really well and I was able to store them in the freezer after we were done playing. We used the same igloos for several days. Once we were done and the snow was melting outside, we placed an igloo and penguin outside to watch it melt. It took 2 days and it was fun to check on the changes of the igloo each day.

Our Pet Shop

This fall we had lots of fun playing in our pet shop. Everyone wanted to buy a pet and carry it around with them all day. We talked about how pets are a big responsibility. They need to be fed everyday, they need get exercise and they also need a place to sleep.

I found the kennels at the thrift store years ago. The cats and dogs I found at the dollar tree. It was fun to have matching pets on the shelf then clean up became a matching game. We used pom poms for our dog and cat food. We also have dog and cat dishes that came from the dollar tree.

Our fish tank on the table was the biggest hit though! I made large stuffed fish using two pieces of felt cut into a simple fish shape. I used the sewing machine and sewed around the edges. Once I sewed 3/4 of the way around the fish I put a little bit a stuffing inside the fish and then continued around the rest of the fish. I made two of each color of fish so the kids could work on matching again! The fish were very simple and took only an hour to create from start to finish.

This was the best part! I used the left over felt and cut it into 2 inch pieces. Then I put the felt pieces into an old parmesan cheese container. Felt fish food! Someone was always over feeding the fish! The pet shop also had 2 small plastic shoebox containers where the children could put the fish that they bought. In the bottom of the plastic aquariums there was a piece of blue fabric for water.

A price list also encouraged the kids to work on their math skills! I have younger kids currently so I only used the numbers 1-5.

There you have it. Hours of fun playing pet shop for under $15. Priceless!

Sorting Colors

A simple but fun activity for all ages. The younger kids work on taking the lids 

off and on while the older kids sort the colors into the correct container. 

Sometimes pretend play emerges from this activity too! Soup anyone?

The containers that I used for this activity came from empty milk containers my daughter got with kids meals at several different restaurants. I then cut strips of paper into the right size to fit in the the bottle along with a piece of paper that would fit around the bottle for a label. These pieces I laminated to make more durable. Cut a circle to fit the lid and then used modge podge to attach it to the top. 

There you go, simple, yet hours of fun!

Family Style Dining

Family Style Dining is an important way for children to learn many skills 

while doing something that is very routine... eating! 

We sit at the table together and the children help to pass out the dishes.

Children work on one to one correspondence by placing one plate or one spoon at each chair for each child. Many times as children are passing out items the other children are counting along to make sure we have enough for everyone.

We pass each item around the table so each child can take one spoonful and place it on their plate. While doing this the children are encouraged to say please and thank you.

The children take great pride in placing their own food on their own plate. They also are working on motor skills as they scoop food onto their plate.

 Pouring milk is a task that takes lots of concentration! Older children are able to do this on their own while younger children need an adult to help guide them in pouring their milk. Spills do happen but the children learn to clean the spill up and try again.

Painting Outside

I have been trying to figure out how to paint on a easel outside for over a year. 

The only solution that I could find was to bring our easel from inside outside. The 

indoor easel is heavy and hard to get outside, except for right out side the door. 

Thanks to Teach Preschool, my problem was solved! I took 2 pieces of plexiglass 

from Lowes and taped it together at the top with clear box tape.

I put the easels in the grass and let the kids paint on the plexiglass. You could also attach paper right to the easel with tape. Even the youngest ones loved taking a minute to see what they could do with the paintbrush!

When the kids were done painting they took a piece of paper and pressed the paper onto the wet paint.

MAGIC! 

The kids were very impressed with the 

image that appeared on their paper.

When we were done the kids took a spray bottle with water and watched their picture drip away.

Learning Centers

Our environment here at Lighthouse Learning Center is 

carefully set up into different learning centers so the children 

can learn by doing what they do best, PLAY! 

Take a look at what children are learning in each learning center.

Sidewalk Chalk Paint - Part Two

We love painting with chalk paint outside!

This is one of the best homemade recipes that I have ever tried!

Mix Together

1 part cornstarch

1 part water

a little bit of food coloring

I use 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup water to make a larger amount of paint for each color. Then I store the paint in recycled containers to use over several days. After the paint sits the cornstarch does settle and need to be stirred before each use.

I found this great divided tray at the dollar store. It works perfect! When we are done painting and there is leftover paint all I have to do it line up the containers of paint and I can pour back all 3 colors at the same time. Well, most of it gets back into the container!

Many times when painting with young kids I give them colors of paint that can be mixed together without getting all yucky! It also gives kids a chance to figure out how to make new colors other then brown and black. Opps! I was excited to take a picture in action of the kids bringing nature into their art that I didn't notice one little guy painting his hand!

That's the fun of being outside on a nice day! An art activity can turn into a sensory activity. Then a little squirt of water and they are good to go inside again. Sometimes it takes lots of water but the memories and experience lasts a lifetime! When else do you get a chance to paint your hands, feet, legs, rocks and leafs?