Ah, the lazy days of summer. A time to relax, rejuvenate and unwind before the craziness of another school year descends upon us. Unfortunately, the peace and quiet that summer offers is often short-lived, soon to be replaced with the all-too-familiar, "I'm boooorreeed...I don't have ANYTHING to dooooo!" What's a mom to do in order to keep that battle cry to a minimum? The answer comes in two simple words that offer a multitude of options - canvas art. With a quick trip to your local craft store you will have everything you need to keep busy minds occupied.
All large craft stores - and some of the discount department stores - sell pre-stretched canvas in a variety of sizes and shapes. The easiest one for little hands to manage is a square piece, usually 12 x 12". Pick up a few of those, and some of the individual supplies listed below, and you are well on your way to a plethora of projects.
Scrapbook on Your Wall
Before you head to the craft store, allow your child to look through some of your old photographs and choose a few to turn into a scrapbook wall hanging (a possible theme could be a family vacation or special holiday). Paint the canvas in a favorite color of acrylic craft paint and allow it to dry for a few hours. From there you can make it as simple or ornate as you (and your budding artist) wish, adding scrapbook embellishments to their hearts desire. You can even try stenciling, stamping, or hand lettering a title. Glue all the pieces in place with craft clue and viola! A scrapbook page your child can hang on his or her bedroom wall!
Celebrity Collage
If you are the lucky parent of a "tween age" girl you are most likely very familiar with the fan magazines filled with pictures and articles of her favorite stars. When the piles of magazines begin to take over the house, this project offers a great way to eliminate the clutter while allowing your daughter to save pictures of her "faves". Again, paint the canvas with acrylic paint and allow it to dry. In the mean time, have your daughter cut out pictures of her favorite stars. Use decorative-edged scissors if you have them; if not, a twist of the wrist does nicely! The pictures are then glued onto the canvas, overlapping each other as the artist chooses. Embellish with glitter, jewels, stickers - the possibilities are endless! Finish with decoupage glue in order to seal the project. Your daughter can create a collage of all her "faves", or individual tributes for each one. They will last a lot longer than individually cut out pictures, and will look much nicer on her wall!
Bas Relief Painting
Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians were just a few societies to experiment with this "low relief" form of 3-D painting, and now your budding artist may too! Simply paint the canvas in a favorite color, and then glue lightweight 3-Dimensional objects on the canvas. One option that lends itself easily to this project is a bas relief solar system. Using a sponge, "stamp" paint on the canvas in different shades of blue, and allow it to dry. Cut foam balls of various sizes in half, and paint them to look like planets and moons. When they dry, glue them to your canvas. Your child will have the universe on his wall. Other objects work well with this type of project, including letters (for a monogram piece of art) and small wooden cut outs. Allow your child to create a bas relief masterpiece that is a reflection of him!
Just Paint It
Of course, there's nothing wrong with just grabbing a canvas and some craft paint (or even finger paint) and going for it! With this option your child can be as abstract as Picasso or as deliberate as Seurat! For the smaller artists in your family, finger paints also work well. Add some sponge shapes for extra, easy, fun. The resulting masterpieces from this option can be a wonderful memory for you to hang on your own wall!
The options mentioned here are just the beginnings of all the possibilities that bloom from a simple, stretched canvas. Try these or create your own, and you're sure to keep the "nothing to do" battle cry at a minimum this summer!
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Arts and crafts activities are a great way for young children to reinforce the ideas they have learned as well as creatively explore new concepts. Art time is very enjoyable to most children, especially toddlers and preschoolers. An art activity by itself can open a number of teaching opportunities on a variety of topics. These yummy projects can be part of a lesson on nutrition or as fun activities that initiate discussions on healthy eating and good nutrition.
My Own Food Pyramid
On a large piece of poster board, draw a large triangle and divide it into a standard food pyramid with all five food groups and the fats and sweets portion. Label each section with the food group name as well as the recommended number of daily servings. Let your child cut or tear pictures of food from magazines and sales papers or use food stickers. Glue the food pictures into the correct groups.
You can use real food to make art projects too! Some are safe to eat, while others are just to look at.
Cereal Necklace
String round cereal like Cheerios or Fruit Loops onto a piece of yarn. This activity is great for building fine motor skills in toddlers and can also serve as a fun and healthy snack!
Spaghetti is Good for Me
Dip cotton balls into brown paint and dry on wax paper while you cook, drain, and cool spaghetti noodles. Glue the cooled noodles onto a Styrofoam plate. Paint sauce on the spaghetti with red paint. When the paint dries, glue on the cotton meatballs. Do not eat this project and throw it out after 2 to 3 days to prevent mold.
Fruit and Veggie Painting
Slice a variety of fruits and vegetables into chunks and thick circles. Potatoes, apples, carrots, and radishes are good for this project. Get creative and include celery pieces and various shaped pepper pieces. Prepare paper on a child sized art easel. Dip the veggie pieces into paint and stamp them onto the paper.
Bugs on a Log
Spread a celery stalk with peanut butter and top with raisins for a healthy afternoon snack.
Colorful Toast
Mix a small amount of milk with food coloring and let your child paint a piece of bread with a small brush, taking care not to get the bread too wet. Toast the bread, top with butter, and let your little one enjoy her masterpiece.
There are also lots of fun food crafts you and your child can make from paper and other simple art supplies that encourage nutrition education.
My Favorite Pizza
Paint a paper plate red and let it dry. Provide your child with a selection of pizza toppings like yellow yarn pieces for cheese, red circles for pepperoni, small brown pom-poms for sausage, and green paper strips for green pepper. Spread glue over the plate and let your child glue on her favorite toppings. You may even sprinkle with oregano for a realistic smell.
A Healthy Breakfast
Cut apart an egg container and make bacon and toast out of brown construction paper. Provide you child with dry cereal as well and glue her glue the components of a healthy breakfast onto a paper plate. Glue the egg container sections on for eggs and consider a paper cup with orange or white construction paper in it for juice or milk. Glue on the bacon, toast, and cereal as well.
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Kids love opening "real" presents-don't resort to offering a gift card for your next birthday gift. You can offer a fun present that your child (or a friend) will enjoy playing with, and get some other real benefits as well. Choose outdoor toys to encourage physical activity, or an art set to get the creative juices flowing. Consider bringing one of the following "girl" gifts to your next party:
1. Barbie with clothing: If you are at all crafty, you can knit, crochet, or sew a unique, one of a kind Barbie wardrobe. Looks for scraps of sparkly and embroidered fabrics or yarns to make your child's Barbie the best dressed on the block.
2. Sewing Machine: Choose a basic "grown up" sewing machine equipped with a simple zigzag and straight stitch for an older girl. Girls under 9 may prefer a child sized machine with the same functions. Include a basic sewing book and some fabrics to get her started. This is an "old fashioned" gift, but learning to sew and craft at an early age promotes both creativity and manual dexterity.
3. Salon Trip: Plan a mini salon day, including a haircut and style, and a simple manicure and pedicure. This is a great way to spend some one on one time with your daughter, no matter how old she is.
4. Sports Equipment: Sports are not just for boys! Most little girls will enjoy a t-ball set or similar item, and girls of all ages can play basketball or soccer. Playing sports builds confidence and fitness, and a child that enjoys sports will develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
5. Play House or Kitchen Set: Even young toddlers enjoy pretend play. If you provide your daughter with a pretend house or kitchen, you are providing her with the opportunity to play "pretend", and role play as well.
6. Bicycle, Skates, or Skateboard: Provide a fun way to get around, and add a matching helmet and safety gear as needed.
7. Cooking or baking set: Depending on your child's age, you can provide a "real" set of cooking utensils, and possibly some cooking lessons. If your child is interested, you can seek out classes in cake decorating, artisan breads, or other specialty items. This gift is not limited to girls-many boys enjoy cooking as well!
8. Art set: Assemble your own art set using a tackle box and basic art supplies. Include paint and brushes, paper, pastels, canvas, scissors, and other fine art supplies. You can also include a collapsible easel for your budding artist to work on.
9. Scrapbook Set: Select or make a scrapbooking kit, including an album, specialty papers, scissors, punches and stickers. Include an inexpensive camera, and your child can scrapbook using her own photos.
10. Petting Zoo party: If your child is the birthday girl, rent a petting zoo for the big day- hire a travel petting zoo for the day. These small businesses will set up in your backyard, and bring along a variety of kid-friendly animals for your child to meet and learn about. The best travel zoos include an "animal talk" as well, and let your child and her guests meet and learn about animals right in your own backyard.
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