Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over… A big kid project

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly..." ~Proverb

A Big Kid  Project...

Materials:

Large paper plate, Small paper plate, Water color paints, Dark colored pipe cleaner, String, Scissors, Hole Punch, Masking tape (optional)

 Fold the large plate in half then cut a scalloped edge on the folded side. The result should be two pieces that look a little like a pair of kidney beans.

Paint the ‘out’ side of the plate to resemble a cocoon, and the inside to be wings. Paint the the small plate to resemble a flower, but just the rim of the inside leaving the center for the quote.

Once dry, write the quote in the center of the small plate.

With the wings facing each other, punch two holes about 2” apart on the rounded edge of the plate. Using the pipe cleaner, assemble the wings by stitching them from the outside in, twisting for the body, then stitching closed leaving the ends for antenna.

Add a string for hanging the flower below the butterfly and also one for hanging the whole thing.

Now the cool part… If you fold the small plate in half, position it inside the wings, tuck the string and antenna in and close the wings it all fits neatly into the cocoon.

And if you close up the cocoon with colored masking tape, address as you would an envelope, use 2x postage - You can send a butterfly in the mail!

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!