Dramatic Play: Bakery

We set up a "bakery" in our dramatic play center for the first week of December to practice making sweets for the holidays.  The kids love to place their order at the bakery window as a customer or bake the breads, cake, cookies and pies as the baker!

Sensory Table Ideas

Early learners are sensory learners.  The following are great ways for your preschoolers to explore using the sensory table in your classroom or home. 

1. Colored Rice (add a little peppermint scent at Christmastime:))

2. Water (add boats, plastic fish or ocean animals)

3. Corn (Kids can take corn off of cob (they love this!)

4. Candy corn (That's right, add a few little scoops and containers, you'd be amazed at how they just "play" with the candy corn

5. Sand (use sand shovels and sifters)

6. Shredded Paper and tongs (hide objects for them to find)

7. Rubber Sensory Noodles or balls (Lakeshore Learning)

8. Homeade "snow"

9. Paper (add some funky scissors and let them practice cutting)

10. Packing Peanuts

11. Beans

12. Homeade Goup (Cornstarch, water and food coloring)

13. Water beads

14. Chunks of Ice (add whales and boats and pretend they're icebergs)

15. Paper and fun hole punches (what a great way to improve hand strength!)

16. Pumpkins (great for fall, cut the top off a pumpkin, give them some safe carving knives and spoons and let them "carve" the pumpkin)

 

 

Candycane Playdough

Candycane Playdough

Playdough is a great way for kids to explore through a sensory approach.  With the coming holidays, why not try out playdough with a holiday twist (Candycane Playdough).  Below is the recipe for this fun medium that is sure to be a hit for the holiday season.  Use it with your preschooler to make a snowman or even to practice forming their names. This also makes a great gift idea for kids.  Put it in a cute container or airtight bag and attach a Christmas cookie cutter!

Recipe for Candycane Playdough:

5 cups water
5 cups flour
2 1/2 cups salt
3 T. Cream of Tartar
10 T. Vegetable Oil
Red food coloring
Peppermint Extract
Red or Silver Glitter

Mix water, salt, cream of tartar.  Cook on medium-low heat, stirring regularly until mixture is hot.  Add oil.  Stir in flour, one cup at a time.   Mix until playdough is no longer sticky and pulls away from pan.  Pour dough out onto counter and let cool a bit and then knead.  Knead in red food coloring until it has a swirled look.  Add a bit of glitter and peppermint extract for the glitz and candycane scent.  Store in airtight container.