Fall Learning and Fun on It's Playtime

I laugh at fall posts these days.  Only because I'm in Southern California and while everybody else is enjoying Autumn in September and October, it doesn't really hit us until the middle of November.  It's the hottest time of year for us (it was 110 degrees last week!), the leaves are still green (or simply turning brown from lack of rain), and we batten down the hatches for fire season because it's extremely dry.

But I love fall; I wish we had an earlier one.  I love the colors, the pumpkins (and the pumpkin eats!), the apples, and all the fall activities.  This week on It's Playtime, I'm going to pretend it's not 95 degrees, imagine the trees are changing color, and share some of the wonderful fall activities you all shared with us last week.

I love this Letter and Math Game with Autumn Leaves from the NutureStore!  They use real leaves but if you are in a place like mine where they aren't available yet, craft stores often carry faux leaves that would work just as well.

Join My Buddies and I by creating your own Not-Yet-Fall Tree on a glass door or window in your home/preschool.  It can easily be changed to a fall tree as needed.

 Who needs to cut their pumpkins when painting them can be easier and more fun!  Check out the ArtClubBlog for one way to Decorate your Pumpkins without all the carving and gooey mess (which has it's place but you can't really carve a pumpkin this early; it would be disgusting by Halloween!).

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."   

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEYKQj4S7oHoLKfsA3PoeXgaNMJ5dxkdUxIphbmwXOlbFg78Gwl73-rT8AdMTgmqYmIJZrkJRYOqOEItkCbR_exui4YhZqLlwZaBHXhC5slGyqPScnxvq-zrQezw9-MdIUiecgW3fxKg/s1600/featured-messykids.jpg" width="150/" /></a>

These activities plus more can be found over on the It's Playtime Pinterest Board.  Happy Pinning! 

Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

30 Days to Hands on Play: Sensory Tub

Although I'm a bit behind blogging wise, our family has been having a great time with the 30 Days to Hands on Play Challenge.  Day 9 was Sensory Tub Play which was convenient for me because that was my plan for the day anyway (they say great minds think alike!)     

Our sensory tub included feed corn, acorns (we gathered on a hike), fake fall leaves, and spiky balls (sweetgum seed pods).  After throwing the "ingredients" into our sensory bowl, I provided the kids with a variety of tools and containers for play.  

 Michael enjoyed experimenting with different sized containers and making a mess on the table.  When I asked him to be careful he said, "I'm making a mess because I'm a little boy!"

Ariel loved the glass jar.  She played with layering the different objects to create "candles".  Here she is explaining her "around the world scents of fall" candle (which I later discovered decorating our bathroom).

 Michael offers me a taste.  

 Michael learns it's more difficult to pour corn using a big bowl then a small scoop.  

 Then he discovered this scoop fits into the container...

 and this scoop made a great drum stick for the table.

 Michael also found the hole at the bottom of one of the scoops was the perfect size for the feed corn.

Ariel arranged everything in the bowl so perfectly, then declared, "I'm making gumbo...it's a type of soup." 

 

It's Playtime: Leaves

Here in San Diego, the leaves are finally beginning to change color.  I'm lucky to have some beautiful trees along the street outside my home.  The reds are amazing this year!  So inspired by the changing leaves that I dedicate this week It's Playtime to leaf activities.  Enjoy the colors!  

Play Create Explore used leaves to create Leaf Snowflakes and Leaf Confetti.  And think of all the ways you could use that Confetti!

Homeschooling the Cameron Clan created Leaf Impressions from their backyard treasures and salt dough.  

Happy Little Messes used homemade Modge Podge on their leaves to make them stronger for play and future projects.

  Greencraftingkid used green leaves to create Green Creatures.  Isn't it cute?  

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEYKQj4S7oHoLKfsA3PoeXgaNMJ5dxkdUxIphbmwXOlbFg78Gwl73-rT8AdMTgmqYmIJZrkJRYOqOEItkCbR_exui4YhZqLlwZaBHXhC5slGyqPScnxvq-zrQezw9-MdIUiecgW3fxKg/s1600/featured-messykids.jpg" width="150/" /></a>

Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

30 Days to Hands on Play: Water Play

Water play was the theme for Day 8 of the 30 Days to Hands on Play challenge.  Like most of the challenges, the theme was simple and open-ended.  I knew right away what we were going to do...

We have a lovely park near us with fabulous natural elements the kids (and I) enjoy exploring.  It rained recently, so the creek was flowing again.

 I was hoping to make leaf boats with my son but some of the kids that gather each day after school had created several dams across the water.  While I moved some rocks around, Michael threw rocks into the water.

 He realized different rocks make different sized splashes.  Of course splashing mommy was a plus too!

Then we played a bit of sink or float.  Michael learned that while rocks sink, leaves float.  Unfortunately, due to the water level, his first leaf was too big to float down the creek; it immediately became stuck on some rocks.

We tried a smaller leaf, which floated an extremely short distance, before it too, became stuck.  I guess leaf boats will have to wait until the water level is higher.  

We had such a nice time playing in the water at the park...and I didn't have to clean it up afterwards!  

It's Playtime: Playing with Seeds

Fall is a fantastic time to play with seeds and seed pods.  They can be found everywhere: on the ground, in the food we eat, and at the store.  They are great for sensory play, painting, counting, graphing, eating, etc.  This week on It's Playtime, I've featured some fun, messy, and creative ideas for exploring seeds (or seed pods).  Enjoy, and remember, sometimes it is OK to play with your food!

Playful Learners shared Pumpkin the Hedgehog.  How cute is he?!  

How about some outside exploration, messy fun, and fall decorations all wrapped up in one blog post?  Then check out Paint & Pine Cones from Sun Hat & Wellie Boots.  They had a grand time gathering pine cones, painting them, and creating wonderful displays.  

It's OK if you've lost your marbles, there are acorns laying on the ground!  Marla's Motherhood Musings created Acorn Art.  It didn't quite go as planned...

Indian corn isn't just for decorating the Thanksgiving table, it's a great material for artistic expression.  Just ask Child Central Station who made a wonderful mess while they did some Indian Corn Printing/Painting.

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEYKQj4S7oHoLKfsA3PoeXgaNMJ5dxkdUxIphbmwXOlbFg78Gwl73-rT8AdMTgmqYmIJZrkJRYOqOEItkCbR_exui4YhZqLlwZaBHXhC5slGyqPScnxvq-zrQezw9-MdIUiecgW3fxKg/s1600/featured-messykids.jpg" width="150/" /></a>

Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

<a href="http://messypreschoolers.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWLA7lm_Fqc/TaNHGpGSuVI/AAAAAAAAEX0/DGSvqIT7fyU/s320/RED-itplaytime.jpg" width="150" /></a>

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

30 Days to Hands on Play: Play Dough Exploration

Day 4 of the challenge came and went.  The theme was Pretend Islands and as much as I wanted to participate, I was lazy.  Rain, makes me extremely lazy.  I think partially because in southern California, we don't see too much rain, so when we do, I just want to cuddle with my kids and watch a good movie, which is what we did.

Day 5 was Play Dough Exploration.  We have a lot of store bought play dough, but I decided, since my son loves to cook, that part of the fun would be making play dough.  I have my own tried and true recipe (which I haven't made since I taught preschool, but it's sooooooo soft!), but since it involves a little longer in the kitchen, I decided to try the recipe Anna posted on The Imagination Tree site with her challenge (see the above link).  If you desire a gluten-free recipe, check out my No Flour Play Dough.  Anna's recipe was very quick.  Next time, I'll have to try a bit less salt to see if I can get it softer.  Even my regular recipe, I reduce the amount of salt by half.  But I did love Anna's recipe for the speed factor.  I've never made play dough so quickly!

Once the playdough was made, I set out a variety of items for my son and I to explore...

We had some pom pom balls, rocks, acorns, straws (different lengths), buttons, google eyes, and pipe cleaners.  

 Michael began by making a happy face.  Acorns for the eyes and nose, and upside-down google eyes
for the mouth.

I asked Michael if he could share some play dough with me and this is what he gave me!

 So I taught him about straw worms...

 He experimented with the pipe cleaners and straws...

 Which led him to discover that a pipe cleaner can also go through a hole in the play dough.  Pipe cleaners make better worms.

 I showed him how pom pom balls make cool prints!

Then Michael folded a bunch of items into the play dough.  I thought he was going to dig them out... 

instead, he covered the dough with acorns and decided he was done playing.  I packed up the dough into a ziploc but the items are still stuffed inside, even as I write.   

 

I had to include this video.  It's my son playing by pounding the acorns into the play dough.  As he does he creates sound effects.  I found it quite amusing.