newspaper into strips.
Combine the flour and water, adjusting proportions to achieve the consistency of very loose paste, like runny oatmeal. You may have to make more paste for progressive layers of your project.
Help your child dip each strip into the paste mixture and smooth it over the form. You will probably need to help your child squeeze the excess paste off the newspaper strip before removing it from the bowl.
Be sure that the entire mold is well covered with the paper strips. Let the layer dry before applying the next layer. Large or complex molds need multiple layers; small or simple shapes need fewer.
Once the sculpture is dry, it will be quite hard. You and your child can decorate it in many ways. Try using paint, markers, and glue with scraps of paper, feathers, or glitter.
Making Collages
There is no end to the number of materials that can be used for collages. Anything that will stick with glue is fair game. Let the ideas below be an inspiration for you and your child to create many variations.
Rice Collage
Your child will enjoy manipulating and gluing the rice. You will enjoy how bright the colors appear. This procedure also works well with dried pasta in distinctive shapes, such as macaroni or wagon wheels.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
Rubbing alcohol
Food coloring in various colors
Zip-top plastic sandwich bags (1 for each color used)
Uncooked rice or pasta
Waxed paper
White craft glue
Construction paper
For each color, mix ¼ teaspoon rubbing alcohol and a few drops of food coloring in a zip-top bag. Add ¼ cup of rice. Seal the bag and shake well.
Spread the rice on waxed paper and let dry.
Let your child use the glue to make designs on the construction paper. Sprinkle the rice over the wet glue to create a brightly colored picture. Let dry.
Natural Dye Collage
This activity will produce some very pretty fabric swatches. You may wish to use the resulting collage to make another project from the fabric, such as a kite or doll dress.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Muslin fabric
Natural materials such as berries, flowers, and leaves
Spread the muslin on the ground. Measure to middle of the fabric swatch and mark the center line so that fabric is divided in half.
Working on one half of fabric, help your child place his chosen materials into any pattern or design he wishes.
Fold the fabric in half with the items inside.
Let your toddler pound the items through the muslin with a small hammer or mallet. Very young children can also stomp on the fabric to flatten the materials.
Open the fabric and brush away the remaining materials to reveal the collage design.
Other Art Media
Art is creative. Look around, and you will find many items and materials to use for art projects. Recycled materials often make super art materials. Oatmeal boxes can become drums, and margarine lids make great coasters. Try keeping a box of miscellaneous materials available for your child to create with.
Bubble Prints
You will be amazed at the unique look of this project!
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Food coloring
Bubble solution
Pie tin
Plastic drinking straw
Paper
Mix a few drops of food coloring into the bubble solution. Pour solution into the pie tin.
Have your child use the plastic straw to blow bubbles into the solution. For young children, poke a few tiny holes near the top of the straw to keep them from sucking up any of the bubble solution.
Spread a sheet of paper gently on top of the bubbles to make a print.
Homemade Stickers
Does your child love stickers? Now you can make some from just about any image! This recipe is for adults to prepare. You will then have finished stickers for your child.
Activity for an individual child
Makes ½ cup sticker glue
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 45 minutes
½
Combine the flour and water, adjusting proportions to achieve the consistency of very loose paste, like runny oatmeal. You may have to make more paste for progressive layers of your project.
Help your child dip each strip into the paste mixture and smooth it over the form. You will probably need to help your child squeeze the excess paste off the newspaper strip before removing it from the bowl.
Be sure that the entire mold is well covered with the paper strips. Let the layer dry before applying the next layer. Large or complex molds need multiple layers; small or simple shapes need fewer.
Once the sculpture is dry, it will be quite hard. You and your child can decorate it in many ways. Try using paint, markers, and glue with scraps of paper, feathers, or glitter.
Making Collages
There is no end to the number of materials that can be used for collages. Anything that will stick with glue is fair game. Let the ideas below be an inspiration for you and your child to create many variations.
Rice Collage
Your child will enjoy manipulating and gluing the rice. You will enjoy how bright the colors appear. This procedure also works well with dried pasta in distinctive shapes, such as macaroni or wagon wheels.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
Rubbing alcohol
Food coloring in various colors
Zip-top plastic sandwich bags (1 for each color used)
Uncooked rice or pasta
Waxed paper
White craft glue
Construction paper
For each color, mix ¼ teaspoon rubbing alcohol and a few drops of food coloring in a zip-top bag. Add ¼ cup of rice. Seal the bag and shake well.
Spread the rice on waxed paper and let dry.
Let your child use the glue to make designs on the construction paper. Sprinkle the rice over the wet glue to create a brightly colored picture. Let dry.
Natural Dye Collage
This activity will produce some very pretty fabric swatches. You may wish to use the resulting collage to make another project from the fabric, such as a kite or doll dress.
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 10 minutes
Muslin fabric
Natural materials such as berries, flowers, and leaves
Spread the muslin on the ground. Measure to middle of the fabric swatch and mark the center line so that fabric is divided in half.
Working on one half of fabric, help your child place his chosen materials into any pattern or design he wishes.
Fold the fabric in half with the items inside.
Let your toddler pound the items through the muslin with a small hammer or mallet. Very young children can also stomp on the fabric to flatten the materials.
Open the fabric and brush away the remaining materials to reveal the collage design.
Other Art Media
Art is creative. Look around, and you will find many items and materials to use for art projects. Recycled materials often make super art materials. Oatmeal boxes can become drums, and margarine lids make great coasters. Try keeping a box of miscellaneous materials available for your child to create with.
Bubble Prints
You will be amazed at the unique look of this project!
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Food coloring
Bubble solution
Pie tin
Plastic drinking straw
Paper
Mix a few drops of food coloring into the bubble solution. Pour solution into the pie tin.
Have your child use the plastic straw to blow bubbles into the solution. For young children, poke a few tiny holes near the top of the straw to keep them from sucking up any of the bubble solution.
Spread a sheet of paper gently on top of the bubbles to make a print.
Homemade Stickers
Does your child love stickers? Now you can make some from just about any image! This recipe is for adults to prepare. You will then have finished stickers for your child.
Activity for an individual child
Makes ½ cup sticker glue
Age group: 18–40 months
Duration of activity: 45 minutes
½
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