Young children enjoy creating fun objects that can be played with in different ways. In this activity, children will create a scented paper plate pie using paint, glue, and spices. This activity will foster creativity and imagination and develop fine motor and oral language skills.
Learning Area(s): Physical Development; Sensory and Art
MATERIALS
- Paper plate (not styrofoam)
- Washable paint – orange, beige, brown
- Spices – pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, peppermint or extracts – lemon, almond, peppermint, etc.
- White school glue
- Paint brushes
- Art smocks
LET'S PLAY
Talk about what a pie is. Ask your child questions like: “What shape is a pie? Do you remember eating a pie, like an apple, blueberry, or pumpkin pie? Which pie is your favorite pie?” Talk about how a pie smells, taste, and looks.
Demonstrate and explain to your child how to create a whole pretend pie by painting paper plates with a mix of paint and white school glue (orange for pumpkin, brown or beige for apple, dark brown for chocolate, yellow for lemon, etc.). Next, explain that s/he can add spices, which will stick to the glue, to create a pretend pie that will smell delicious. Let your child smell each of the spices as you name them so they can begin to identify and describe them.
Have your child complete a pie using paint brushes and the paint/glue mixture, and then help sprinkle some spices on top. Continue to reflect on past experiences of eating pies as your child finishes creating his/her pie. If your family eats meat or vegetable pies, talk about those foods with your child.
TIPS
- While your child is working, have a conversation about pie. For example, you can name a variety of pies, discuss when pie is eaten (e.g., after dinner for dessert, for special occasions or holidays), discuss how it is eaten (e.g. sometimes served warm with ice cream, in some cultures pies are stuffed with meat or vegetables), etc.
- You and your child can celebrate your creation with a pie party! Pretend to eat the pie and trade “bites” with each other. If you make more than one kind of pie, compare how the different pies smell and look. You can even talk about new pie flavors that you would like to invent! Asking questions such as, “How would a bubblegum pie look and smell?” or “What do you think a rainbow-colored pie would taste like?”, can foster creativity and imagination.
- This activity could be used as a book extender activity after reading a book about Thanksgiving or baking.
- Your child may enjoy real cooking projects too. You might make a pie or other dish together with your child, encouraging her to help with measuring, scooping, stirring, pouring, and other steps in the baking process.