Kids Activities

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Glue rick rack around several cardboard toilet tissue tubes. The strip should be glued all around the tubes in several rows. Let dry.
2. Make a paint blotter (see “Helpful Hints,” click here).

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Roll cardboard toilet tissue tube on paint blotter.
2. Roll cardboard tube on paper, creating a zigzag pattern.

Note: Make several rick rack tubes, and when the cardboard roll gets too wet, you can replace it.

KIDS AGE: 1–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To promote muscle development
• To practice various art forms

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using a cardboard tube, rick rack, tempera paint, and paper, the child will create zigzag lines.

MATERIALS:

• Toilet tissue tube or similar size tube
• Glue
• Rickrack (found in fabric stores)
• Tempera paint
• Dish soap
• Foam tray or plate
• Paper towel
• Paper

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Dilute black tempera paint with water to watercolor consistency.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Draw stripes on white paper with white wax candle or white crayon.
2. Paint over stripes with diluted black paint. Wax stripes will resist the paint and remain white.

Note: May be used as a math activity by drawing a specific number of stripes or creating a pattern by varying the thickness of stripes. Because this is a two-step activity, younger children require smaller pieces of paper to accommodate their shorter attention spans.

VARIATION:

For a pond or ocean unit, vary the medium by using green crayons and blue tempera paint.

KIDS AGE: 1–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To build creativity
• To increase muscle strength

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using paper, wax candle, and diluted tempera paint, the child will experience a new art form.

MATERIALS:

• White paper
• White wax candle or white crayon
• Black tempera paint
• Water

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Pour paint into foam trays. Mix with dish soap.
2. Put drop cloth on floor.
3. Put paper on drop cloth.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Dip yo-yo into paint.
2. Swing yo-yo across paper like a pendulum.
3. Repeat steps 1–2.

Note: This activity may be done outside or by placing the paper in a large box with high sides to help contain the swinging action.

KIDS AGE: 3–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To develop rhythm in movement
• To control and coordinate muscles

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using a yo-yo, tempera paint, and paper, the child will paint with a new tool.

MATERIALS:

• Yo-yo
• Tempera paint
• Dish soap
• Foam trays or plates
• Drop cloth
• Paper

 

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Spoon yogurt onto tray or plate.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Fingerpaint with yogurt on the tray or plate.
2. Lay paper on top of the fingerpainted design.
3. Press paper onto yogurt.
4. Remove paper and look at design.

VARIATIONS:

The child may fingerpaint directly onto the paper.

SAFETY PRECAUTION DURING ACTIVITY:

Child may try to eat the yogurt. If the yogurt has been placed on a clean individual plate, it should not cause the child any harm.

KIDS AGE: 2–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To express emotions through art
• To relieve stress and tension

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using yogurt and paper, the child will enjoy a sensory experience while painting.

MATERIALS:

• Flavored yogurt (dark-colored flavors work best)
• White paper
• Tray or plate
• Spoon

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Put tempera paint, mixed with dish soap, into small containers.
2. Tape one piece of paper across the keys of the xylophone.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Dip xylophone mallet into paint.
2. Hit paper-covered xylophone with painted mallet.
3. Move mallet around the xylophone to make additional paint marks, thus hearing different tones.

KIDS AGE: 3–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To delight in rhythm and music
• To create art in various forms

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using toy xylophone and mallet, tempera paint, and paper, the child will create musical tones while painting.

MATERIALS:

• Toy xylophone and mallet
• Tempera paint
• Dish soap
• Small containers
• Masking tape
• Paper

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Roll child’s sleeves up before beginning the activity, to prevent paint from coming off on sleeves if arms are dragged across the marked film during drawing.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

1. Child uses dry erase markers to draw on X-ray.
2. May be erased with damp cloth for next child to use.

VARIATIONS:

Mix two parts liquid dish soap and one part white tempera paint. Paint hand with mixture and press onto black paper to make an “X-ray.” Using more soap than paint makes the print look translucent.

KIDS AGE: 1–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To strengthen small muscles
• To improve eye-hand coordination

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using an X-ray and dry erase markers, the child will experience a new art form.

MATERIALS:

• Old X-rays (obtained from doctor or dentist)
• Dry erase markers
• Damp cloth

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Make a stamp pad (see “Helpful Hints,” click here).

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Press worm on stamp pad.
2. Press worm on paper, leaving print.
3. Repeat steps 1–2 to add other prints.

KIDS AGE: 2–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To increase creativity
• To develop eye-hand coordination

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using plastic worms, stamp pad, and paper, the child will create worm prints.

MATERIALS:

• Plastic worms
• Liquid watercolor
• Foam shoe insert
• Foam plate
• Paper

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Tape wax paper to the table.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Draw with water-based markers on wax paper.
2. Lay paper on top of wax paper drawing (with adult assistance, if necessary).
3. Carefully press the paper onto the wax paper drawing.
4. Lift paper to see the transfer of color.

Note: Use smaller pieces of wax paper for younger children to accommodate their shorter attention spans. Throw the wax paper away after each use.

KIDS AGE: 2–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To observe objects repelling water
• To encourage fine motor control

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using wax paper, water-based markers, tape, and paper, the child will use common materials in a new way.

MATERIALS:

• Wax paper (at least one piece for each child)
• Water-based markers
• Paper (light colors)
• Masking tape

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Remove paper from crayons.
2. Lay towel on table.
3. Place warming tray on towel (to prevent the tray from sliding).
4. Plug in warming tray.
5. Place a folded towel on each side of warming tray, so child can rest an arm on it without getting burned.
6. Place paper in center of warming tray.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Draw slowly on paper, observing the crayons melting as they are moved across the paper.

Note: If you do not have a warming tray, an electric skillet may be substituted.

SAFETY PRECAUTION DURING ACTIVITY:

This activity requires one-to-one supervision. The warming tray should be located in a safe spot where constant supervision is possible. Before beginning this activity, tell the child that the warming tray is hot. Be sure the child is wearing a child-size oven mitt before picking up a crayon. Tape the warming tray’s cord to the table with masking or duct tape so the tray will not be accidentally pulled off the table.

VARIATION:

The adult may place an aluminum muffin pan on the warming tray and place broken crayons, separated by color, into each muffin cup. After the crayons melt, the child may dip a cotton swab into the melted crayon mixture and draw on paper with the cotton swab.

KIDS AGE: 3–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To follow directions
• To develop small muscle coordination

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using a warming tray, crayons, towels, paper, aluminum foil, and a child-size oven mitt, the child will observe and draw with melting crayons.

MATERIALS:

• Warming tray (found in housewares department, thrift store, or garage sale)
• Crayons
• Three towels
• Paper or aluminum foil or wax paper
• Child-size oven mitt

ADULT (PREPARATION FOR KIDS ACTIVITY):

1. Cut wallpaper into desired shapes or size.
2. Lay towel on table. Place wallpaper pieces and the bowl of water on the towel.

PROCEDURES FOR KIDS ACTIVITY:

The kids will complete the following steps:

1. Dip wallpaper piece into water.
2. Press wallpaper piece onto paper or surface of large box.
3. Repeat until paper or box is covered.

Note: If prepasted wallpaper is not available, the child may brush diluted glue on the wallpaper piece before placing it on the box or paper.

KIDS AGE: 1–5

KIDS LEARNING FROM ACTIVITY:

• To develop eye-hand coordination
• To enact adult roles

CRAFT ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVE:

Using prepasted wallpaper, water, paper, or a large box, the child will experience a new art form.

MATERIALS:

• Prepasted wallpaper
• Bowl of water
• Large towel
• Paper or large box
• Scissors