A while back on Pinterest, I saw this adorable idea! You simply decorate outlet covers with faces or as eyes, and presto- you have fun new play-dough accessories! 

You will need:

Outlet covers- i got a box of 50 at TJ Maxx for $3.99
Paint Markers
Mod Podge

Use the paint markers to decorate the outlet covers as you see fit. Then, seal the color in with a coat of Mod Podge- I found the the color rubs out very quickly if you don't seal it in.

Have fun!

 
 
I'm sorry- I'm in the process of getting ready to move cross-country, so I'm mostly absent...
 
 
Click here to take you to the entry post!

 
 
Rather than giving everything in a shopping bag at the the end of the year, I like to provide the kids with something that they can use for the Summer- a tote bag, or in this case a sand pail. Michael's always sells sand pails for $1 beginning in May. I bought a few puffy paints and painted on the school logo and the child's name. Inside, I placed their yearbook, a cd of photos from the year, a photo of the child that he/she had framed using craft materials, and a pair of cheap sunglasses. The kids love them! It's a great way to give the kids loot without the junk.

 
 
A special part of every graduation is when we the teachers thank the parents for sending their kids to school with us. These cards with roses really touch the parents' hearts and they always appreciate them!

You will need:

Blank cards
Rhinestones
Glue
Fresh roses- one per child
Vase

Have the kids decorate the outside of the cards with rhinestones in advance. Inside, write ir glue on a typed note thanking the parents for the kids for sending them to school. For older kids, have them write their own notes, or dictate to you. 

After the graduation ceremony, have a circle time/gathering and have each child present a rose and their card o their parents. Make sure not to put water in the vase- you don't want to give the parents dripping flowers!

Another great idea, is to do this on Mothers Day and/or Fathers Day!

 
 
As we prepare for Lag Ba'Omer, this is a fun bow and arrow that really works!

You will need:

Pants hanger from the Dry Cleaners
Extra long rubber band
Colored tape
Razor/scissors
Ribbons (optional)

First- separate the tube from the hanger. Have the kids wrap the tube in colored tape to decorate it. Next, insert the rubber band onto the 2 hooks of the wire hanger, and fold the hooks backward sealing the rubber band in. If you'd like to add ribbons to the arrows, do so on one end. At the opposite end, use the razor to cut a groove into the base of the tube. Your bow and arrow is ready for use! See the photos below for usage.



 
 

And the winner is.... Comment #4 Rivka! Congratulations!
Hachai Publishers recently released a new title "The Torah Book of Opposites" and they sent me a copy to review, and a copy to give away. Author Nechamy Segal and illustrator Marc Lumer collaborated to create a fun and informative book discussing the Torah's components and what we do with it. It's published as a board book- so it's safe for small hands, but I love that the size of the book is larger, and therefore can actually be used in a classroom without forcing kids to strain their eyes.

The book is a great way to reinforce opposites, as well as to teach about the Torah. If you have older children, you can use the simple phrases as discussion starters. 

Al in all, a great read as well as a fantastic teaching tool! 

Now you can win a copy too!

This contest will end Monday, April 30 at 9:00pm Eastern, and is open internationally.

To enter:

1. Like Hachai, then the photo advertising this book on Facebook and comment back here letting me know that you've done so- This step is required for additional entries

2. Comment on the photo of the book

3. Follow Playful Preschool on Twitter

4. Comment on your favorite blog post from my previous posts telling me what you like about it, and then comment here telling me that you've done so.

Good Luck!


 
 

The end of the year is coming a lot faster than we realize! I'll be interspersing some end of year activities with my regular activity ideas.
These Cupcakes are a fun activity to have the kids do with their parents, or to serve as refreshments.

You will need:

Cupcakes
Candy Buttons
Frosting
Gummy worms/ 1/2 Sour sticks
Rice Cake squares or Graham crackers for a more sugary version :)

First, spread some frosting onto the cupcake top. Attach the rice cake square. Stick on an additional dot of frosting at the center of the rice square and attach a single candy button. Add a diagonal line of frying from the button to any one corner and attach the sour stick so that it hangs off like the tassel.

Enjoy!

 
 
These flowers are great for Spring time, Earth Day (recycling), and Shavuos! Or whenever else you want to brighten up a room! And when you have bunches of them, you can barely tell what they're made of!

You will need:

Cardboard egg cups cut from their cartons
Paint
Skewers
Model magic

Have the kids paint both out and inside the egg cups. Once dry, a teacher should pierce a hole through the base of the cup leaving 1/2" of the skewer exposed. Have the kids wrap a small amount of model magic around the skewer, creating a center for the flower and protecting the point from small hands.

Plant a bunch in a basket and enjoy them!

 
 
A few weeks ago, shortly before I took a break for Passover/Pesach, I was chosen as one of 8 random people to participate in a head-to-head battle to win a whole bunch of crafting supplies from Alex Toys! About a week and a half before the holiday, I was declared the winner and 2 days before the holiday, my winnings arrived in the mail!

I received:

Art table and benches
Finger Crayons
Construction Paper Pad
2 Smocks
Roll of Easel paper
Creamy Crayons
Metallic Creamy Crayons
Watercolors
Multipack of paintbrushes
2 sets of washable paints
Paint cups
2 pair scissors
Dotted Chalk with holder
Chalk Eraser
60 Markers
Drop Cloth
Art Portfolio
Colored Pencils

That's close to $500 worth of product! Below I've posted a photo of the supplies besides the art table that we're keeping in its box until we move in July. You can also see my 19 month old son having a great time with the Creamy Crayons! He loved slapping the color onto the paper- a new discovery he's made now that he's the proud owner of these new products, and had a great time putting the caps on and off. I'm looking forward to opening more supplies as time goes by. Thank you Alex!

I've sent an email to Alex regarding their sponsoring a giveaway here on my blog- though not as grand as this one of course- and they should be getting back to me shortly!

Disclosure: I won this contest as an individual and was chosen to participate without any stipulations related to my blog. I just chose to blog about my winning.