Art on the patio

Here's a simple art activity that is very low cost.  Use nylons with runs already in them, the cheapest popcorn you can by, paper, paper plates and washable paint.  Cut legs off, put about a good handful of popcorn inside each section as you cup the foot section.  twist the hose, flip through, repeat a couple times.  All of the work is now done.

 Set up outside.   Put paint on plates with an additional plate by each color to hold the nylons after use. ( You may want something to weight the plate down if there is a breeze.) I gave a quick run done of the materials we were using and how I made the paint receptor. Then I  demonstrated how to dip the nylon in the paint and put it on the paper. I did ask that the nylon stay with the color paint it was used with so colors wouldn't be too mixed. Give the children paper and let them have fun.  Parents and children enjoyed this program.  We had participants  as young as one through about 9 year olds.  I think some parents even made a page.  here are some phots showing the textures.  I'm not sure it will show with the size so check our L drive folder if you want to see it better.

Stellaluna Bat craft

For our Stellaluna program this summer we made a toilet paper roll bat.  I think it looks a lot like a Bat at the Beach bat.  The templates can be found at DLTK's crafts for kids and can be printed in black and white or color.  We chose black and white to print on brown construction paper.  We also had a volunteer cut out the feet ahead of time as we thought the younger children might have trouble with these. Another volujnteer cut apart all the pieces and also cut out all of the pieces for the youngest children.  Most of the program attendees were toddler to preschool age but we did have a few older ones who cut everything on their own and  few younger ones who need everything cut.  We had have all the pieces clipped together so we could set them out ahead of time along with the paper roll.  http://www.dltk-kids.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/image/bbat.gif