Arts and Crafts

Recycle Craft

This is a super easy craft; it is easy to do, does not require many items, and the kids can do most of the work themselves.   I saved a clear, plastic to-go container (mine was from a chicken wrap from Chick Fil A, but any will work) and washed it.  After it had time to dry we took it outside and opened it out flat in the grass (put down papers if you prefer).  Lillian used a can of spray paint we had here at home and sprayed both the top and bottom.  I had to show her the first time how you keep pushing the button and the can moving, but she soon got the hang of it.  Obviously, you don't want to do this activity outside on a windy day!  After the paint had time to dry we flipped the container over and she painted the inside.  We used a spray paint that gives a "Hammer" effect.  I thought this might stick better to the plastic.  Thus far there hasn't been any peeling or flaking of paint.  After that coat dried she decorated her box.  She used some of the self stick cut out foam shapes, jems, glitter, etc.  This would be perfect for Earth Day as your reusing an item and making it into something new or would be an easy Mothers Day gift to make! 

Vivid Color "Paintings"

I used a coupon for Joanns (you can find them in the paper all the time; don't pay full price!) and bought a tie dye kit.  After I added water in the provided squirt bottles we headed outside.  I already had some large pieces of poster board here at home (wouldn't you hate to see where I keep all this STUFF!!) and we took that out too, but those are the only two items you need!  I gave each of the kids a few pieces of posterboard and they layed them on the ground.  I made sure the SHINY SLICK SIDE WAS DOWN.  Then the kids went at it.  The prints really turned out great becasue the colors are so vivid.  It didn't take long at all for the art work to dry.   I did make sure all three of us had on old clothes before we started the project.  The dye is just that, dye, and will not wash out of clothes.  We were also in an open area of the yard and had water near by they could rinse off in afterwards.  They really enjoyed this activity a lot and even their dad commented on how good the pictures turned out.

Another Reusing Plastic Idea!

This actvitiy requires the plastic containers you buy strawberries, blackberries, red rasberries, and such in; they have the small holes in them.  I also use some of the TV dinner trays that set inside the bowl so the item inside is steamed, but any container with small holes in it is going to work fine.  One tip, you can not use runny paint for this activity, it has to be a little thicker.  With the container opened, we put one color in the bottom portion and a second color in the lid. The kids manipulated the container around so that the paint dropped out in splats on their paper!  Definately an outside activity.  This is a good opportunity to  use two primary colors that mix to make a secondary color when they blend too.