The great thing about art is that it
can be a collaborative effort. Don't just watch your child and their
friends have fun. Get in there. Get your hands dirty!
Ready? Let's see...we are going to
need a piece of plywood (2 ft x 3 ft should do it), a variety of wood
scraps, wood glue, starter nails, canning jar lids (frozen juice can
lids will also work), clean (and empty) soup cans, yarn, two cups of
flour, 4 cups hot water and sawdust. And maybe some paint.
Ahh, now you're curious, aren't you?
Well, here we go!
Carpentry Collage
This first one is easy-peasy. Set out
the 2 x 3 piece of plywood and the wood scraps. Did your child set
up their work space and workbench?
Source: edenpictures |
Okay, good. Have them nail or
glue the scraps to the plywood to make a collage.
Decorate to taste.
Have them clean up.
Done.
Next.
Junior Tinsmith
This requires a teensy bit of prep work
on your part. On either the canning lids or frozen juice can lids,
draw dotted outlines of simple shapes: triangles, squares, stars,
you get the idea. Place the lids on wood blocks and show your child
how to lightly nail through each dot to create a see-through hole.
Once they can see through where all the dots used to be, voila!
Design complete. Now all you need to do is punch a hole in the top of
each lid and tie a loop of yarn for hanging. As a reminder, make
sure they are hammering on a wood block and not directly onto the
workbench. We're forming habits, remember? Let's make them good
ones.
Source: Steadyjohn |
This one is always a favorite. Oh, I
forgot. You'll need some twine or string for this one. Oops.
Anyway, take two of your cleaned empty soup cans (chicken noodle is
my favorite!) and place them with the open end down on the workbench.
You can draw a dot in the middle of the lid, if you want. Have your
child create a see-through hole - - just one.
Do the same with the other can. Help
them string the twine through the hole and make a knot, big enough
so that it won't come out. Make the twine as long as you want before
doing the same with the other can. Know what you have? Instant
tin-can telephone!
Sawdust Clay
Sounds crazy, right? Well, you cooks
will love this one because it will require some time and preparation
to do it right. You (not your child) should combine the two cups of
flour and four cups of hot water and mix until thick and clear.
Now,
stir in fine sawdust (see what I mean about the preparation?) until
the mixture resembles modeling clay. Have your child create
sculptures with the clay. Leave the sculptures to dry and harden.
Once hardened, your child can sand and paint to their liking. Once
you have enough sculptures, be ready to host an art opening!
These art projects are great for one or
more than one. After your child has made some art and is ready to
share their new-found passion, have them invite a friend or two over
to join the fun. Keep it supervised and orderly so everyone can
enjoy making art. Like I said, don't just watch your child and their
friends have fun. Get in there. Get your hands dirty!
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