This is a really cool video, finger painting 101 for a kids craft project. The video goes through an entire finger painting session as a kid layers on paint, coat after coat to create the final masterpiece work of art.
I need to try this with my own child, basically, looks like you layer on paint, using a putty knife or other tool to scrape the new layer to reveal color from the layer below. After many layers, it becomes very colorful with intricate patterns and designs.
What you need for the project:
1 kid
poster paint in at least 3 colors
poster board
painters tape
How to make the project:
- Using the painters tape, tape off the edges of the poster board. This will create a white, clean, boarder for your project once the tape is removed at the end. Align the tape edge on the edge of the board and run a piece of tape along all 4 sides making a tape frame. If you want your child to really be creative, create a 2 inch tape frame and use a knife to cut a scalloped edge or any pattern onto the tape. When the tape is removed, the pattern will show as a white frame.
- Paint 1 color at a time onto the poster board making your shapes and designs. Use a scrapper, knife of tool to create designs and swirls in between the layers revealing the color below.
- watch the kid in this painting video
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SFMx18zQBc]
Once done painting, take off the tape and hang up the art.
Here is a cool and easy project to do with kids on any day. Kids love feeding things… animals, birds, stuffed animals… so put em to work making a bird feeder.
Most children hate eating crusts of bread, but birds love them. Next time, rather than tossing the crust, hand them over to your child with a pencil or straw and have them poke a hole through the slices, about 1 inch from the top. If they wish, food coloring can be used to lightly dab some color on their bread slices, letting them make special designs for their bird friends. The bread should then be left to sit on the counter overnight so that it will dry out. The next day, thread a piece of yarn through them, hang the bread from the branches of a nearby tree and watch feathered friends flock to their new bird feeders.
With a string of yarn, a straw, and some Cheerios, even small children can help create these fun bird feeders. Take the yarn (about 24 inches works well) and tie it around the middle of the straw. This will provide a base, allowing your child to thread the yarn through the cereal, not only making an effective bird feeder, but helping develop motor skills. When they have threaded the cereal up to the top, carefully hold the top of the string and then untie the bottom from the straw. Knot the two of these ends together, forming a circlet of cereal, which can be hung outside as a great bird snack. This can also be done using different colored fruit cereals, helping your child with repetitive pattern exercises.
Letting your child become more involved in tasks like this, not only helps them learn but gives them a sense of responsibility as well. Have them keep track of how long it takes for their homemade bird feeders, so they know when it will be time to make more. Have them make charts or draw pictures of what kinds of birds come to their feeders and let them look through books, to identify who their new feathered friends are. Not only will the birds thank you, but your kids will have a great time too.
