Unconventional Painting Method for Preschool

If you feel that your classroom painting process is getting old and uninspired, try this wonderful craft idea from Deborah J. Stewart at Teach Preschool. Your students will love it!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Recycled cardboard box
- Tempera paint in assorted colors
- Craft paper
- Golf ball, ping pong ball, or other round object
- Tape

Begin by lining the bottom of the cardboard box with a sheet of white craft or drawing paper. Choose several complimentary paint colors, placing a small drop of each in the center of the paper. Add a golf ball to the box, close the flaps (and tape the to make sure the “mess” stays inside the box), and hand it off to your students to push, kick, and move around the classroom. Not only will your students have fun with this unconventional painting method, they’ll be sure to burn off their extra energies so they can focus the rest of the day! And, of course, the results will be display-worthy!

For pictures and other great information be sure to check out the rest of Stewart’s blog!

Kick box painting with toddlers

Thinking Outside The Box for Classroom Paint Projects

Ever get tired of stocking your art stations with plain old paint brushes and plain old paint? (Ever wonder if your students are getting bored too?) Here are some great ways to “think outside the box” when it comes to painting in your classroom!

Unique Painting Tools

• Plastic straw
• Foam brush
• Paint pipette
• Paint roller
• Sponge
• Stamp made from fresh fruits & veggies (e.g. apples, potatoes, etc.)
• Paint scraper
• Wire brush
• Feather
• Spray bottle/small water gun
• Small toy cars
• Cake decorator bag (with very thick paint!)
  Read more

Lovely Dragonfly Craft

Bring the magic of nature into your classroom with these lovely dragonflies made from twigs and maple keys! Shanti, co-creator of the blog Twig and Toadstool, provides a great tutorial, but here are the basics!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Twigs
- Maple keys (four per dragonfly)
- Beads
- Glitter
- Low-temp glue gun
- Craft glue

Begin by going on a “treasure hunt” for twigs. It may be helpful to show your students pictures of these insects to refresh their memories on what they look like and give them an idea of what qualities they should be searching for in their twig (e.g. slender, could have slight bend, etc.). (Note: At this time of year you may have difficulty finding maple keys. Shanti recommends collecting them during the fall and storing them for use in projects year round.)
Read more

Texture Exploration + Sea Stars = Lots of Preschool Fun!

Playing with different textures can be an exciting sensory experience for your preschoolers and early ed students. Trish at Preschool Playbook shares a spectacular craft activity that provides some good old fashioned texture fun with an ocean twist!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Recycled cardboard or stiff card stock
- Sandpaper
- School glue
- Colored decorating sugar crystals/sprinkles
- Kids craft scissors
- Kids paint brushes
- Sticky tack

Begin by creating a starfish cut out from the recycled cardboard or card stock. If you’re working with younger students you may wish to create a starfish template before beginning the craft, but older students will enjoy the challenge of creating their own sea star! Provide your students with shallow dishes of school glue and a paint brush, instructing them to cover their starfish cut out with a thin layer of adhesive.
Read more

Tic-Tac-Toe Ocean Style!

Tic-Tac-Toe is a staple for many early childhood classroom game shelves. Kristin of Bunny Cakes blog recommends sprucing up your game boards and playing pieces to attract those kidders because it is around the “game table” that children learn valuable social skills, critical thinking, and problem solving!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Shells
- Orange or red tempera paint
- Craft glue
- Wiggle eyes
- Modeling clay

Begin by selecting five mid-sized scallop shells, ten small cone shells, and five sand dollars or other smooth, circular shells. The smooth, circular shells should be set aside as the first set of game pieces. The scallop and cone shells will be used together to create the other five crab game pieces.
Read more

Print Making in Preschool

Allison McDonald suggests thinking outside the box when painting with your preschoolers. Paint brushes are great and allow your students to practice properly holding a writing utensil as well as strengthen fine motor skills, but introducing new tools and styles will boost creativity and help them make connections between lesson concepts and the world! One of her favorite activities is print making with unconventional tools!

Print Making

Print making is a wonderful art concept that will help you teach your students about precision and accuracy, as well as textures and relationships. As just one example of how you can incorporate printing into your curriculum, McDonald suggests having your students make prints of various cups and jars during your unit on circles.
Read more

Jackson Pollock Inspired Splatter Painting!

It’s never too early to introduce your children or students to the beauty of fine art and the inspirational work of famous artists. Allie of No Time For Flash Cards suggests taking a field trip to an actual art museum then re-creating some of the childrens’ favorite works! An easy style to adapt to your kids’ or students’ differing ability levels is inspired by Jackson Pollock’s splatter paint.

Supplies You’ll Need
- Cardboard, heavy art paper, or canvas
- Craft paint in assorted colors
- Kid’s paint brushes

Before beginning the activity, transfer your paint into shallow containers and thin it out with a few drops of water. Also, designate an area of the classroom or schoolyard for this project, prepping the area with drop cloths or old sheets to minimize messes. In the week leading up to the craft, it may be prudent to inform parents of your project intentions so they can send a set of old clothes.
Read more

Homemade Binoculars

Equip your children for an adventure around the house or schoolyard with these toilet paper roll binoculars! Posted by Merryn at Crafty-Crafted.com, this project is perfect for encouraging pretend play at home and school.

Supplies You’ll Need
- 2 empty toilet paper rolls
- Black tempera paint
- Aluminum foil
- School craft glue
- Spring clothespin
- Black heavyweight construction paper
- Black cord or yarn
- Colored cellophane (optional)
Read more

Encountering New Concepts in Art

You don’t have to put in a lot of time and effort to provide your students with a new art experience. As Jean, creator of The Artful Parent blog, suggests, simply cut a hole in the day’s art paper, provide an abundance of graphic art tools, and observe the new techniques, art processes, and progression that takes place! She proposes beginning with a single, centered hole, then introducing an off-centered hole, several small holes, or a smattering of different sized holes. Once your students have become tired of circles appeal to their imagination and artistic creativity through squares, triangles, and the other shapes!
Read more

Ping Pong Ball Obstacle Course & Track

Many moms and teachers save craft items they think they’ll use at the time, then find they have an overflowing art cabinet at the end of the year full of mismatched recyclables and art bits. Michelle, creator of the blog Scribbit, offers a great project that will clean out your supply of extra craft rolls!

The supply list is simple. All you need are the empty wrapping paper, paper towel, and toilet paper rolls you’ve stashed away, kid scissors, adhesive-backed magnet strips, and ping pong balls. With these simple supplies in hand you’re ready to create a fantastic ping pong ball obstacle course and race track!
Read more

Dandelions & Art

Dandelions. An ugly eyesore or the key to a beautiful creation? The latter, according to Lisa at the 5 Orange Potatoes blog!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Dandelions
- Black construction paper
- Crayola® oil pastels
- School glue (watered down)

First, take your students on a walk around the schoolyard instructing them to pick three or four dandelions. Note: The time frame for this project is important as the dandelion petals must already be replaced by the ‘fluffy’ white seedlings. Once everyone has collected their art materials, return to a preselected spot outside to begin creating! Note: Since the dandelion seeds cannot be completely controlled, this project is best completed outside where errant seeds can blow in the wind (and not onto bookshelves or other classroom fixtures!).
Read more

Beach-Themed Preschool Activities

A great way to infuse summer into your preschool lessons is with beach-themed literature, games, and activities.

“Who Lives in the Ocean?” Matching Game

Search online for colorful pictures of sea life. You’ll need about 20 different pairs so brainstorm before you hit the net. Animals you may wish to include:

• Rainbow Fish
• Octopus
• Squid
• Jellyfish
• Star Fish
• Sea Horse
• Shark
• Whale
• Clam
• Sea Turtle
• Coral

And the list could go on and on. Print the pictures onto 3″ x 5″ pieces of card stock and laminate them to protect against wear and tear. Not only will your students learn about the different creatures that live in the ocean, they’ll be testing their working memory as they try to make matches during the game. If you don’t have the time to make your own card game, you could also purchase a pre-made set of cards.
Read more

Spin Art Fun!

Paint Cut Paste blog creator recently posted a wonderful project that combines vibrant color and fine/gross motor skills. What is it? Spin art! While she and her daughter used a spinner machine to create fantastic prints, rest assured, this project can be completed without ‘expensive’ tools.

Supplies You’ll Need
- Cheap salad spinner
- Card stock
- Craft paint in assorted colors
- Pencil
- Kids craft scissors

Before beginning the project, remove the plastic basket from your inexpensive salad spinner and trace the bottom onto a piece of card stock. Photocopy this pattern onto assorted colors of card stock and cut them out. A stack of these prefabricated papers should be placed at each ‘spinning station’.
Read more

Independence Day Odds and Ends

Searching through the archives of projects, posts, and inspiration, I realized that there were several 4th of July crafts I didn’t have a chance to publish before the holiday. In case you’d like to plan ahead for next year, or use these crafts for another patriotic holiday or purpose, I decided to compile them in a short post for your perusal.

CHILDHOOD MAGIC: Star Lantern Tutorial

Feedback for this craft is usually great, although I wouldn’t expect it to be a hit with young children. The directions can be somewhat tedious to follow making these star lanterns a bit more challenging, but the end product is superb for household decoration, cookout props, and much more!

Casa Camacho: Handprint Fireworks…!

If you’re looking for a project that appeals to all ages, these handprint fireworks are sure to do the trick! The directions are simple, you only need five items, and the finished product looks great tacked to the wall, hung from the ceiling, or strung together to create a festive garland!
Read more

Patriotic Bug Repellent

This craft from Brenda Ponnay at Alphamom can serve many purposes. First, it will provide your older kids with a fun task to complete. Second, these cute candles will provide great patriotic decorations for your 4th of July celebration (or other such holidays!). Third, they serve as festive bug repellent. And fourth, if you wish, they make great gifts for your party guests!

Patriotic Citronella Candles

1. Visit Ponnay’s full post at Alphamom for a list of supplies and tips on where to find them.
2. Making sure that your canning jars are well washed and fully dried, place a dab of hot glue inside the jar at the center of the bottom. Carefully, place the wick tip into the glue (pressing down with the end of a pencil), wrap it around a standard pencil when dry, then cut it off any excess and secure the cut end to the pencil with tape.
   Read more

Confetti Popper Rockets For The Fourth

These confetti popper rockets from Brenda Ponnay at Alphamom are sure to be a hit at your 4th of July celebrations this year! Not only do they provide festive decorations, they’re interactive, safe, and fun for the kids!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Recycled toilet paper or paper towel rolls
- Patriotic crafting paper
- Card stock
- Art tissue paper (in red, white, and/or blue)
- Ribbon (in red, white, and blue)
- Glitter glue pens, stickers, markers, etc. for decoration
- Confetti
- String
- Craft needle
- Craft glue
- Beads
- Tape
- Kids craft scissors
- Stapler
- Paper punch

In preparation for the craft, cut small squares from the art tissue paper (big enough to cover the end of the recycled tube), as well as pieces of string measuring approximately two and one-half inches each. Additionally, trace the end of your recycled rocket tube onto a piece of card stock and make circle cut outs. You’ll need enough of these prefabricated supplies for each of the children completing the craft.
Read more

Festive 4th of July Sparklers

Looking for a simple yet festive 4th of July craft? Marie from Make and Takes provides just the craft!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Red and blue chenille stems
- White sparkle stems

For each individual sparkler you’ll need 2 blue chenille stems, 2 red chenille stems, and 4 white sparkle stems so plan accordingly. Explain to your students that the white sparkle stems will create the “fire” of the sparkler and that the red/blue chenille stems will create the “handle”, instructing them to separate their stems into two piles.
Read more

Blasting Off This July 4th!

Here’s a fun craft from Kelly at Little Wonders’ Days that would be perfect for Memorial Day, Independence Day, or any other patriotic holiday!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Recycled toilet paper roll
- Small coffee filter
- Red, white, and blue star stickers
- Blue and white card stock
- Red streamers
- Craft glue
- Double-sided tape
- Kids craft scissors
- Confetti
Read more

Mr. E. Takes Art to a Whole New Level of Fun!

Art was always one of my favorite subjects in school. When I was younger I took some art classes outside of school that I really enjoyed, and it gave me an even greater appreciation for art. I think art is one of the greatest ways to bring out a child’s imagination and creativity. With art there really is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s not like math or other subjects in school where there is a definite right or wrong answer.
Read more

Marionettes For The Classroom

Looking for a way to spice up your classroom toy cabinet? Here are some great tutorials on making marionettes!

Made by Joel: Marionette

Refurbish some of the old wooden odds and ends you keep finding in the classroom and around the house with this contemporary marionette from Made By Joel. BONUS: Your students will enjoy the dancing puppet video! To spark their creativity, bring in a video camera and CD player and invite your students to make their own productions!

TLC Family “Marionette Puppet

With a supply list and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, your students will be able to create their very own puppet in no time! Partner this craft with a favorite classroom story or poem, assign a particular scene or section of the story to groups of students, and encourage them to create a script, along with cues and props, to present to the class.
Read more

Story Time with Eric Carle

Learning about bugs in your classroom? Here are some great Eric Carle books and activities that will make a great addition to your lesson plans!

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

As you read,

• Invite your students to feel the textured pages.
• Talk with your students about webs; how they are designed, types of lines, why spiders build webs, etc.

After you read,

• Help children make their own webs with string, liquid starch, glitter, and wax paper. When dried, the web can be peeled away from the paper.
• Assist children in making hand print spiders to be cut out and placed on their newly created webs.

Read more

Ancient History Blends with Art in These Cave Style Paintings

Expose your students to ancient cave paintings with these great projects from ARTolazzi and Lines, Dots, and Doodles. One site decided to explore the first-ever cave paintings found in Lascaux, France incorporating world history and art, while the other site focused on the cave paintings of the Anasazi Indians, incorporating U.S. history and art. However you prefer to do the project, they’re sure to make great classroom decorations and learning aids.

Supplies You’ll Need
- Gray drawing paper
- Crayola pastels
- Paper chalk
- Craft Paint
- Sponge
- Card stock
- Spray bottle
- Water
Read more

Oyster: Egg Carton Sea Creatures Series

Pining for the ocean? Give your students this beach-worthy oyster craft to work on from Sherri Osborn at About.com!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Egg carton
- Gray craft paint
- Kids paint brush
- Wiggle eyes
- Pink felt sheet
- White pom pom
- Masking or utility tape
- Craft glue
- Kids craft scissors
Read more

Octopus: Egg Carton Sea Creatures Series

Pining for the ocean? Give your students this beach-worthy octopus craft to work on from Sherri Osborn at About.com!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Egg carton
- Purple craft paint
- Kids paint brush
- Purple felt sheet
- White or light purple beads
- Craft glue
- Wiggle eyes
- Kids scissors

Begin by separating each individual cup from the egg carton. Use craft scissors to trim the edge of each cup to create a smooth edge. Prepare enough cups so that each student completing the craft has one.
Read more

Star Fish: Egg Carton Sea Creatures Series

Pining for the ocean? Give your students this beach-worthy star fish craft to work on from Sherri Osborn at About.com!

Supplies You’ll Need
- Egg carton
- Yellow craft paint
- Kids paint brush
- Craft glue
- Wiggle eyes
- Kids craft scissors
- Yellow beads

Cut each individual egg cup from the carton in advance, using scissors to shape it into a star. You’ll need a star cup for each child completing the craft. From this point on, the tasks are simple. This can be great for younger children, but if you have older children completing the project you may want to opt to have them cut the star shape themselves.
Read more

Next Page »