ART SCRAPBOOK

Art scrapbooks are a great way to help to provide a fun, creative diversion for kids when they need to be still and are not able to run around, but are awake and alert enough to know it! It's especially difficult for little ones around ages 2 to 5 as sitting still is not what they are about.  Young kids who have to spend time in the hospital, or need to be confined to bed or quiet time due to illness or other challenges can receive many positive benefits from engaging in easy, inviting, arts and crafts projects.  Art  projects can provide hours of hands on fun and learning as well as a break from technology.  

 

Of course kids love coloring books and other simple art materials but with a little effort you can put together fun projects like an artsy scrapbook or even a collage done on a large sheet of tag board or cardboard.  Art scrapbooks and journals are fun for all kids starting around age 2, not just those dealing with challenges. It can be fun for kids who are older and able to write, to include notes here and there about their art, their day,  places and activities.  Event tickets, photos, napkins, invitations, menus, cards, photos etc can be cut up and turned into something creative.

 

A scrapbook can easily be created with 2 pieces of cardboard, tag board, heavy poster board etc for front and back and several pages of colored paper, white paper, whatever you like, for filler pages.  Filler pages should not be too light, construction paper, poster board, and other good weight papers will work best.  Punch holes in cover and back and filler pages and tie book together with ribbon or string.  You can also add more pages when book is full.  You can even purchase an inexpensive scrapbook but it's not necessary.  Any size will do, the book for Paige  is about 9x12, with 8.5x11 filler pages.  

 

Materials and Tips ~

 

Scrapbook, scissors, markers, glue stick, school glue, assortment of papers and materials for gluing to pages..

 

Put together a good selection of colored papers, fabrics, felt, ribbon, lace, trims, stickers, stars, pom poms, envelopes for secret stuff, and different shapes cut out of sticky back sheets of foam which come in a several  colors as well as glitter colors.  Pictures from magazines and newspapers, photos, little drawings or notes, and just about anything that can be glued down.   For young kids especially, they will be more interested if you take the time to cut out a lot of interesting shapes they can use in several creative ways.  Provide cut out squares, circles, swirls, strips, and zigzag strips that can be used for creating designs, patterns or houses, boats, and cities.  Having markers makes it possible to add details and different parts to designs.  A lot of kids respond positively to a bit of help getting started.  Providing simple shapes like butterflies, rockets, flowers, mountain shapes, trees, houses, and robots helps get things rolling and kids can then add their own special details with all of the available materials.  I also often find interesting items to use at 99 cents stores, you just have to use your imagination, and your scissors.  Ask kids what they would like, favorite colors etc.

 

Bring scrap book and the materials to child and tell them to have fun.  It's always good to offer a few suggestions while letting them know whatever they want to do is fine. If child is especially young you can add their name on the cover for them or you can cut out letters and let them do it,  Sticky back foam works well for the name.  Let them put anything they like on the cover.

 

Art scrapbooks take a little time and effort to put together but are well worth it, especially for kids in need of a little creative diversion as well as time away from their phones and screens. 

 

    

PAPER MACHE FOOD TRUCK

Paper mache food truck is a fun, easy craft for kids to make and paint.  Truck can be any size you like, ours was made from a 6x4x4 inch box and cardboard scraps for wheels and front piece.

There is no need to be overly precise as that is part of the charm of paper mache.  
Materials ~
Cardboard box, rectangle shape such as 6x4x4 and cardboard scraps for front piece and wheels.
Knife and scissors for cutting, glue and tape.
Liquid starch and torn newspaper strips.
White acrylic paint or Gesso for undercoat and acrylic paints in assorted colors.
Clear gloss acrylic top coat, optional.  

Tape box together and make truck front piece which is basically a flat sort of box with a slanted top, like a truck.  You will need to adjust the sides of the piece with slants to fit the slanted top piece.  See picture.  Cut 6 circles for wheels and glue to truck.
After truck is taped and glued together, cover with paper mache.  I prefer liquid starch (found at larger markets and Smart and Final) and newspaper strips but you can use a different recipe if you prefer.  I think liquid starch is the easiest and it dries with the best surface.
After paper mache is dry, paint an undercoat of white acrylic or Gesso and when that is dry, truck is ready to paint.  

An adult can do all of the steps above and give to a child to paint along with an assortment of acrylic paints.  The truck can also be created by kids with a little help.  Sometimes when you are working with kids, depending on the space and time situation, it's not possible to do the paper mache part so it's just easier to bring project, and paints, ready to go.
Encourage kids to have fun and paint their truck any way they choose. For a shiny finish and to add strength, add a coat of clear, gloss, acrylic top coat. 

WATERCOLOR PAINTING KIT FOR KIDS ~

ROBOTS, SHARKS, AND DINOSAURS

 Watercolor painting is fun and easy for kids of all ages.  Kids should be encouraged to choose colors they prefer, and to paint any way they choose, just as long as they remember to use lots of water.  Paints will flow easily with water and results will have that wonderful watercolor quality.  Kids should also know they can paint in the lines or outside the lines, their choice.  Kids should enjoy  experimenting and mixing colors as well as letting colors flow together as that is part of the beauty of watercolors.

Watercolor Kit contains ~ 6 watercolor pages (fine quality 140lb weight paper) with pre-printed designs, 8.5x11.  Designs include 2 sheets with dinosaurs greeting, 1 sheet with dinosaurs at the swimming hole, 1 sheet with sharks, and 2 robot sheets.  Watercolor paint set, 12 colors, semi moist fine quality, non-toxic, paint brush and tips.

To order Watercolor Painting Kits, go to etsy.com/littleislandcompany