SUMMER BANNERS

Summer Banners are easy and fun for kids to paint.  You can get the basic banner ready and kids can paint any summer design they choose or you can make a simple outline with a black marker and kids can paint the design.  Kids typically like a place to start and appreciate a design ready for them to paint.  You can create a variety of choices with themes like, fruit, flowers, sharks, crabs, beach huts, ocean and fish designs, and mountain scene with trees, bears, lake, tent and trails  You can write the word "summer" in simple text if that works. I have included some basic line drawings you can use for ideas.  If you are not comfortable drawing right on banner, you can make some basic patterns or templates to trace.  The shapes I used for these banners are all pretty simple.  Banner is cotton canvas, cut 11X14, with a basic 1/2" hem ,

12 "wooden dowel, and jute, ribbon, or string for hanging tie. 

Basic shape ideas ~

Acrylic paints work best but even then, the black marker lines will show through so it's okay to go over them.  The important thing is to remember that t is not important to make a perfect drawing as once it is all together and painted, it just works and kids will be happy.  Banner can be hung in kid's room or even better, on the front door.  A Fourth of July theme works well too. Just write "Happy 4th" and draw some firework bursts, a few rockets and some stars.

Materials ~
Canvas yardage cut in pieces 11"x14", from art store or fabric store.  You will need to sew a simple hem along top edge.  Fold top edge over about 1/2" and stitch, close to edge, leaving enough space to fit your dowel.
Gesso , assorted acrylic paints, brushes, black marker, 12" dowel (typically sold in packs at craft stores).  Twelve inches is a very common size so good to stick with that.


How To ~

Mark (11"x14") and cut banners and sew the top hem by folding edge over about 1/2".  No need to hem side and bottom edges, just trim loose threads.  Paint banners with a coat of Gesso so paint will flow easily. Gesso makes a good seal and base on canvas. 

After Gesso is dry, draw the designs.  You can make templates to trace or just draw, freehand, or have kids do their own designs.  If kids are doing their own designs, it's a good idea to have them do some sketches for ideas first.  Once the marker lines are on the canvas, they are there to stay!

Put some bright summer colors (acrylics) on paper plates and paint!  When dry, insert dowel, tie string and hang up to enjoy and announce summer.