Create nature themed art with the curious little critters in your life (including yourself!). Explore texture, colour, smells, and SMASHING plants to see what patterns or inks can be created.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS:
- Cardboard
- Canvas Gesso (no need for an expensive brand, we used Tri-Art Matte)
- Twigs, Plants, Flowers, Leaves, Stones
- Water Containers
- Twine
- Painter's Tape
- Optional: Eyelets, Fancy String (such as suede or ribbon) for hanging, Freezer Paper (or Butcher Paper, even Paper Towel will work), Critter Costumes (we used face paint to create the child's favourite animal) for fun!
Experimenting with how to best use our cardboard canvases
(I scrapped the use of pens or crayons but I still do enjoy the idea of it!)
No matter the age group we're programming for, butcher paper tablecloths are our friend! The toddlers were also set up for success with taping canvases down so that focus can be given to other aspects of activity (like using rocks to smash flowers, which, I'm happy to report, resulted in zero pinched fingers!).
Some highlights of the day include:
*asking some of the children who were going out for recess to look for more plants that they would like to try using
*one kiddo deciding to dip flower petals in water to then place on their canvas
*all participants pouring absolute waterfalls on their canvases and then using the 'natural' paint brushes (made by tying leaves around twigs) to move the water around the canvas
Paper towels (we used brown paper towels) are your friend when it comes to any water activity with littles. I also love to crochet so these Bernat Maker Home Dec Yarn baskets and doilies really helped with any spills (they also added to the decor of the table which I always appreciate). I was going to try to make a homemade gesso to cover the cardboard canvases in but I'm so glad that I visited my local art store instead where I was able to get advice and purchase a quality product. I was able to cover over 15 smallish canvases for less than $12 and the cardboard held up so well, no warping!
All that's missing are the Little Critters!
Did every plant create colour? Nope! Did we have fun smashing and smelling? Yes, why yes we did! Was I singing Teddy Bear's Picnic in my head the entire time? Of course!!
What would you add to this canvas?
