Hurrah for Mom! - Toddler Art Project

Hurrah For Mom!

Banner & Flags

Age: 18 Months - 5 Years or older (younger ones need more supervision)

Time: 15 min (+ Prep)

Theme: Mothers Day (Or any celebration)

Books: Are You My Mother by PD Eastman, Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

Materials:
Copy Paper
Straws
Crayons
String/Ribbon/Yarn
Glue Sticks
Adults get to use Scissors and a Ruler

Prep: Mark and cut out the banner pieces. On one 11” side of the paper measure 5-1/2” and on the other measure 2-1/4” in from each edge. Make a line from corner to 2-1/4” mark, then back up to the 5-1/2” mark, down to the other 2-1/4” then back to the top corner. This will give you 3 banners or flags (and 2 smaller triangle scraps). Measure and cut however many you want for your banner (3 for ‘Mom’ – 5 for ‘Mommy’ etc). Make at least one additional to use as a flag. After they are cut, fold the wide edges down about ¾” and trim the corners flush with the banner edge.

Activity: The banner: Each child gets banner pieces and crayons. Decorate, draw, scribble, make it colorful! An adult can help with letters too. When done, have an adult cut a length of ribbon/yarn/string then help attach them by folding the already trimmed wide end over the string and gluing the fold closed. Be sure to leave enough ribbon at the ends to make loops for hanging.
The flags: Each child gets a banner piece and crayons. Again decorate, draw, scribble – but remember that this time the design will be horizontal instead of vertical. Using the same technique as with the banners, glue the flags around straws to hold as you wave them.

Notes/Tips: Remember to double check the order you are putting them on the string before you glue. This is easily made into a multi-age multi-kid project because each child can decorate a banner piece to contribute to the whole – and you can make it as long or as short as you want!

Mail-able Art for Easter - Toddler Art Project

The process of this project is a lot like the I Spy one I posted a while back, but with an interior frame added. It is also sized so that it can be sent through the mail!

Mail-able Art for Easter

 

Age: 18 Months - 12 Years (younger ones need more supervision)

Time: 15 min (+ Prep)

Theme: Eggs, Easter, Mail

Books: Open

Materials:

Contact Paper (sticky clear stuff)
Black construction paper
Transparency Paper
Assorted scraps of paper, yarn, tissue, sequins, spangles, foam pieces, etc
Adults & Big Kids get to use Colored Masking Tape and Scissors

Prep: Cut an ‘egg’ out of ½ a sheet of black construction paper, then trim the inside to create an egg shaped frame – you can remove the whole of the inside or segments to create a design. Cut (1) piece of contact paper per child slightly larger than 1/2 sheet of transparency paper (apx. 6 x 9). Remove the paper backing. Using tabs of masking tape, secure the contact paper to the table sticky side up. For younger kids, adhere the egg frame to the contact paper for them. Write the address where the card will be sent on a small (about “1 x 3”) piece of decorative paper.

Activity: Each child gets to decorate their ‘egg’ with items of their choosing. When they are finished, an adult can assist placing the address in the center of the design, then placing the transparency paper over their design to seal it in.

Finishing: (Can be done by just an adult or older kids can help) Trim the excess contact paper so that it is flush with the transparency. ‘Edge’ the entire design with colored masking tape folded over the sides. This will both create a frame and further secure the items inside. The final piece should be about 8” x 5” and can be mailed with a regular stamp (not postcard).

Notes/Tips: This project can be modified for other seasons by changing the shape of the construction paper frame – or using none at all. Just remember to keep proportioned like a greeting card. It is a lot easier if you can set this project up in advance of the kids coming to the work space. Choose age appropriate items to go inside (no spangles for the wee ones). Distributing the little items on a paper plate will save on a ton of clean-up!

I Spy Window Art - Toddler Art Project

I Spy Window Art

Age: 18 Months - 5 Years (younger ones need more supervision)

Time: 15-20 min (+ Prep)

Theme: Open

Books: Any of the I Spy series

Materials:

Contact Paper (sticky clear stuff)

Transparency Paper

Assorted scraps of paper, yarn, tissue, sequins, spangles, foam pieces, etc

Adults get to use Colored Masking Tape and Scissors 

Prep: Cut (1) piece of contact paper per child slightly larger than the sheet of transparency paper (so if 8-1/2 x 11 then 9 x 12 etc). Remove the paper backing. Using tabs of masking tape, secure the contact paper to the table sticky side up.

Activity: Each child gets to decorate the contact paper, covering it with items of their choosing. When they are finished, an adult can assist with placing the transparency paper over their design to seal it in.

Finishing: (Can be done by just an adult or older kids can help) Trim the excess contact paper so that it is flush with the transparency. ‘Edge’ the entire design with colored masking tape folded over the sides. This will both create a frame and further secure the items inside.

Notes/Tips: It is a lot easier if you can set this project up in advance of the kids coming to the work space. Choose age appropriate items to go inside (no spangles for the wee ones). Distributing the little items on a paper plate will save on a ton of clean-up!