Clothespin Caterpillars

Create cute clothespin caterpillars that can be used to hang art work or be given as gifts.

Goals:

• To practice fine motor skills
• To explore different color combinations
• To express creativity

Before You Start:
Gather materials needed: clothespins, tacky glue, pom-poms and wiggly eyes.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Set out all materials and provide children with 1 or 2 clothespins each.

Step 2.
Apply a line of tacky glue along the entire length of one side of a clothespin.

Step 3.
Place a row of pom-poms close together on the glue. Use however many can fit on the clothespin (3-5 is usually a good number).

Step 4.
Apply two dots of tacky glue to the pom-pom on the opening side of the clothespin. Apply wiggly eyes to the glue.

Step 5.
Allow the glue to dry, then place wherever you like!

Furthermore:
Use the Clothespin Caterpillars activity to supplement learning about real caterpillars, or for when reading about The Hungry Caterpillar. Or, use brown pom-poms to make clothespin worms. Then read the book Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin.

Products You May Need:

• Pom Poms – 300 Pieces
• Wood Clothespins – Set of 48
• Excellerations® Yellow Sorting Tray
• Wiggly Eyes in Storage Container – 560 pieces
• Colorations® Tacky Glue – Set of 6

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Valentine’s Day Monster

Create a friendly “monster” to share on Valentine’s Day!

Goals:

• To create a special gift to give on Valentine’s Day
• To practice creativity

Before You Start:
Gather materials needed: cardboard craft rolls, assorted pipe cleaners, assorted craft twist ties, ceramic or foam heart shapes, wiggly eyes, pom poms, red and pink paint, paint brushes and tacky glue.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Paint a craft roll in a Valentine’s Day color. Alternatively, you could cover the roll in construction paper or foil paper.

Step 2.
Glue two lengths of either craft twist ties or pipe cleaners in the center of the craft roll. These will be the monster’s legs.

Step 3.
Glue a heart shape to the end of each leg. You can use ceramic or foam heart shapes, or simply cut your own hearts out of construction paper. Paint, if desired.

Step 4.
Glue two wiggly eyes and a pom pom nose to the outside front of the monster.

Step 5.
Twist the ends of two pipe cleaners together to create an extra-long pipe cleaner. Wrap the extra-long pipe cleaner through the back side of the monster and create a heart-shaped antenna.

Step 6.
Display your monster, or give to someone special!

Furthermore:
Stuff the monster with a small baggie of Valentine’s Day treats to give someone an extra-special delivery!

Products You May Need:

• Pom Poms – 300 Pieces
• Magenta BioColor® Paint – 16 oz.
• Red BioColor® Paint – 16 oz.
• White BioColor® Paint – 16 oz.
• Fun Foam Shapes – 1000 Pieces
• Pink Colorations® Pipe Cleaners – Pack of 100
• Red Colorations® Pipe Cleaners – Pack of 100
• Colorations® Best Value Plastic Handle Paint Brushes – Set of 30
• Assorted Colors Pipe Cleaners – Pack of 100
• 9″ x 12″ Colorations® Heavyweight Construction Paper
• Sturdy Recycled Craft Rolls – 24 Pieces
• Assorted Shapes Ceramic Tiles – 1lb.
• Wiggly Eyes in Storage Container – 560 pieces
• Glitter Poms – 300 Pieces
• Twist and Bend Craft Ties Super Pack

Kandinsky Circles

Submitted by: Heather Lockwood

Create an array of color paper rolled to mimic Kandinsky’s circles.

Goals:

• To practice fine motor skills
• To explore different color combinations
• To work as a group to make a piece of cooperative art

Before You Start:
Gather materials needed: cardboard box lids (e.g., shoe box or paper box lids); an array of different types of paper in different colors, sizes and patterns; black paint; paint brushes; scissors and glue.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Either before beginning the activity with the children, or as a class, paint the inside of the box lids black.

Step 2.
Cut the paper into strips of different widths and lengths.

Step 3.
Using a paint brush, coat the inside of the box lid(s) with a paint brush.

Step 4.
Have the children roll up the sheets of paper like a scroll. Place the rolled up paper standing up inside the box lid(s).

Step 5.
Fill the entire inside of the box lid(s) with rolled up paper.

Step 6.
Allow the glue to dry, then display on a wall.

Furthermore:
Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian artist who was famous for his abstract works that made use of circle shapes. Research Kandinsky in the library or online to spark discussion on abstract art. The Kandinsky Circle activity does not involve painting, but the same ideas behind it could be applied to a painting activity. Provide the children with paper and paint and encourage them to create an abstract painting using circles and/or other shapes.

Products You May Need:

• Assorted Colors 12″ x 18″ Colorations® Heavyweight Construction Paper
• World Colors Multicultural Paper, 12″ x 18″ – 50 Sheets
• Assorted Colors 9″ x 12″ Colorations® Heavyweight Construction Paper
• Black BioColor® Paint, 16 oz.
• Embossed Foil Paper – 30 Sheets
• Colorations® Washable School Glue, Gallon
• Colorations® Best Value Plastic Handle Paint Brushes – Set of 30
• Bargain Variety Paper Pack – 7 lbs
• Colorations® Blunt Tip Scissors, 5″L – Set of 12
• World Paper Pack – 160 Sheets
• Colored Newsprint Paper – 500 Sheets
• Specialty Printed Paper Pack – 240 Sheets
• Amazing Animal Paper
• Colorations® Construction Paper Smart Pack – 600 Sheets
• Colorations® Bright Construction Paper Smart Pack – 600 Sheets

Flying Sharks

Submitted by: Chandra Reyer

Children make their own “flying” sharks!

Goals:

• To create a uniquely-designed flying shark
• To explore the concepts of aerodynamics and physics
• To explore cause and effect

Before You Start:
Gather materials needed: construction paper, markers, crayons, glitter or metallic glue, glue sticks, scissors and transparent tape. Also, find images of shark profiles online or from magazines for reference.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Fold a piece of construction paper in half the long way.

Step 2.
Using the reference images, draw an outline of a shark and cut out, except on the bottom. Add tape to the front end and to the tail end.

Step 3.
Using the construction paper scraps, fold and cut two triangle fin pieces at least two inches or longer. Tape to the outside of the shark on each side so that the fins are able to flap up and down.

Step 4.
Using more scraps, fold and cut a large triangular dorsal fin. Glue or tape to the inside of the top of the shark.

Step 5.
Decorate the shark as desired.

Step 6.
Take the shark for a test flight. Try to determine adjustments that can be made to make the shark fly farther.

Furthermore:
The sharks around South Africa’s Seal Island have developed the unique hunting technique of flying out of the water the catch prey. Find videos of these sharks online to encourage discussion about these and other types of sharks. Consider why these particular sharks have developed this method of hunting, which is different from how most other sharks hunt.

Products You May Need:

• 9″ x 12″ Colorations® Heavyweight Construction Paper
• Colorations® Super Washable Chubby Markers – Set of 8
• Colorations® Super Washable Chubby Markers – Set of 200
• Colorations® Regular Crayons – Set of 16
• Colorations® Glitter Glue – Set of 6
• Colorations® Washable Premium Glue Sticks – Set of 30, White
• Colorations® 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
• Tape Dispenser
• Best Value Tape
• Colorations® Regular Crayons – 16 Colors, Set of 800

Glittery Salt

Create bright, three-dimensional collages or fill glass jars with layers of sparkling color! Turn flat surfaces into imaginative, tactile, sparkly works of art, with salt as your main ingredient! Add rich, vibrant color, and great texture to any collage.

Goals:

• To observe cause and effect
• To have fun with a sensory art activity
• To develop fine motor skills

Before You Start:
Gather sand art bottles or recycle, small clean empty glass jars or bottles with lids from home. Set out funnels, rock salt or table salt, Liquid Watercolor™ paints, a 1/4 measuring cup, a tablespoon, BioColor® Shimmer Powder and paper towels.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Add 1 Tbsp. of Colorations® Liquid Watercolor to ¼ cup of regular table salt or rock salt, and mix.

Step 2.
Spread mixture out on a paper towel and microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Step 3.
Using fingers break up the dried pieces until the consistency is granular again.

Step 4.
Try adding baby oil or Metallic Powder for a shimmering effect. Adds rich, vibrant color, and great texture to any collage. (Does not work with gold, silver or white.)

Furthermore:
Salt teaches children about science. It’s very absorbent and reduces the freezing point of water. That’s why rock salt is sprinkled onto roads after a snowstorm: it lowers the freezing point of water and makes driving safer. It’s also used to make homemade ice cream. Think about it!

Products You May Need:

• Colorations® Liquid Watercolor Paint – 8 oz.
• Super Sand Art Bottles & Funnels – Set of 12

Tape Art

Submitted by: Alison Busby

Toddlers use tape to create amazing effects in their art.

Goals:

• To explore cause and effect
• To practice fine motor skills
• To participate in a hands-on sensory activity

Before You Start:
Gather materials needed: paint in multiple colors, masking or painter’s tape, cardstock or heavy painting paper, paint brushes.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Apply tape to the paper in the desired design.

Step 2.
Use fingers or painting tools to paint over the tape.

Step 3.
Carefully remove the tape from the paper.

Furthermore:
Try adding additional layers of colors. After painting with one color and removing the tape, put down more tape and paint a second color. What happens in the areas where the paint colors overlap?

Products You May Need:

• Regular Masking Tape
• Colorations® Best Value Plastic Handle Paint Brushes – Set of 30
• White Poster Board, 22″ x 28″ – Pack of 100
• BioColor® Paint, 16 oz.
• Glossy Finger Paint Paper
• Finger Paint Paper Roll – 100 Feet
• Economy Weight White Poster Board – 50 Sheets
• Colorations® Mini Art Trays – Set of 12

3-D Pyramid Ornament

Submitted by: Rhonda Pena

Create a decorative holiday ornament while reinforcing knowledge of geometric properties.

Goals:

• Create a decorative holiday ornament
• Identify the geometric properties of a 3-D square pyramid, including faces, edges and vertices

Before You Start:
Gather materials needed: Foam or tag board to cut the pyramid shapes from, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, ribbon, glue and tape.

Let’s Get Started!
Step 1.
Cut out a square and 4 identical triangles from the foam or tag board. The triangles should have a side that is the same length as the sides of the square. More-advanced students can try to create a “net” from a single piece of foam or tag board that will simply fold together to form the square pyramid.

Step 2.
Use glue or tape to put together the square pyramid. Hot glue may work best for this step, but be sure to do so carefully with adult supervision.

Step 3.
Decorate the ornaments using pipe cleaners along the edges, pom-poms at the vertices (corners) or anything else you like.

Step 4.
Attach a loop of ribbon and hang!

Furthermore:
As you are making your ornaments, discuss with the students the different attributes of a pyramid. Encourage them to discuss the attributes with their families after taking their ornament home.

Products You May Need:

• Colorwave Bright Tagboard, 9″ x 12″ – 100 Sheets
• Foam Sheet Super Pack- 100 Sheets
• Sparkle Stems
• Rick Rack Ribbon – 150 Feet
• Low-Temp Glue Gun
• Clear Glue Gun Refill Sticks – Set of 12
• Glitter Poms – 300 Pieces