Toddler Activity – Painting with Tape and Watercolors – Thanks to The Artful Parent

I finally got my new edition of The Artful Parent in the mail this weekend.  What a great book!  I had pre-ordered it months ago and am happy to say it was well worth the wait.  If you’re not familiar with Jean Van’t Hul and her amazing blog, definitely check it out.  Her new book is equally as amazing.  In addition to over 60 awesome projects for little ones, she dedicates a whole section to hosting toddler art groups.  I can’t wait to get one going this summer!

This project is directly from Jean’s book.  It was great for my almost two year old and I’m sure we will do it again as she gets older.  First I put a grid of washi tape on water color paper.  Then, Gigi “painted” the whole paper with water.  After, I got out the watercolors and Gigi went to town.  We set it aside to dry, which didn’t take long at all.  I hung her art on the wall at arms length to see if she would be interested in peeling the tape on her own.  She wasn’t, so I demonstrated for her and she freaked out and kept saying “no mama” over and over at the top of her lungs.  Ha, gotta love toddlers.  The next day when I got home from work I noticed she had peeled off some of the tape strips herself.  I asked her to show me but she didn’t want to pull anymore off.  So for now, it’s half taped.  The picture below is actually her putting back the tape I had peeled slightly.  Every time I pass it I have the urge to pull the tape off myself and then I say to myself “what’s wrong with you?  just leave it.”  Ha, gotta love mamas.

 

Second Grade Literacy Activity – Recycled Cardboard Mini Books

My 2nd graders recently finished the book Frindle, by Andrew Clements.  They absolutely loved it.  We have been learning about summaries, so Frindle created the perfect opportunity to practice this newly acquired skill.  First I cut up some left over cardboard boxes in different sizes and folded them into books.  Then we (the teachers) glued on contact paper to the front, back and inside.  This was a bit time consuming but worth the effort.  If we had had more time the kids could have done this part.  Each child picked their own book and went to work on their summary.  Once they were all edited, the kids went over them in Sharpie and worked on their covers and back flaps.

I brought in my washi tape collection and let the kids pick different designs for borders on each page.  One of the kids in my class is in Japan right now for Spring break.  Maybe he’ll bring back some washi!  I know not all teachers want to share their beloved washi collection with their class.  Understood.  You can easily use masking tape in different colors and widths or just leave this part out.  The last detail was a little felt and velcro to create a latch on each book.  It was a great final touch the kids really enjoyed.  Unfortunately, the velcro didn’t hold very well on some of the books.  Still figuring that one out.  I guess I can use a glue gun.

We asked two students to help create a Frindle poster for the center of the bulletin board.  It came out incredible and is hanging front and center outside our classroom.  So proud of these kids!

Go Car Go – Washi Tape Raceway for Toddlers

I made this washi tape raceway for Gigi in hopes it would lead to endless giggles and exclamations of “go car go!”  In reality it lead to this…

Oh well.  They can’t all be winners.

Washi Ribbon Wrap

 

 

DIY Design Journal

 

I wanted to say thank you in a special way for the amazing gifts my girls received the other day.  I am hoping this DIY Design Journal will do just the trick.

First, I folded five pieces of white card stock in half and washi taped the edges.  Then, I taped all five pages together along the seam.

Then, I stuffed five vellum envelopes with different materials like sequins, shiny gold ribbon, stickers and cut out letters.  I cut out washi tape heart stickers to decorate the envelopes.

Last, I added a little instruction tag.  I can’t wait to see what Frankie does with the journal.  I hope she uses it for her very best, most special ideas.

I have kept a journal since I’m 15.  They are my treasures. I still write in one almost everyday.

Washi Tape Feather Headdress

We took our duct tape headdresses a step further today with washi tape.  You can follow the directions here and then just add washi and gems.  This headdress is going to a special friend tomorrow!

My mom recently surprised me with the peacoat Gigi is wearing below.  It’s from when I was her age.  So cool.  Thanks Mama.

Washi Tape Heart Stickers

I used my UPS sticker paper again to make these heart stickers.  First I covered the sticker paper with different washi tape patterns.  Then, I cut out heart shapes big and small.

We gave them out to friends and family but still have a bunch of left overs from the day…hmm…what to do with them?

Maybe we’ll tag the city with love tomorrow.

Valentine’s Day Stickers

Happy Valentine’s Day everybody!  Gigi and I woke up to a whole lotta love this morning.  Little d slept through the night and all is right in the world.  Time to celebrate!  I found a stack of blank UPS stickers and cut them into different heart shapes.  I’m pretty sure these are still available for free from UPS.  If not, any sticker paper will do.  Then I stuck some washi tape over the hearts in different shapes.

After all the tape was down, Gigi and I used paint dots to cover the hearts.  If you don’t have these for your toddler, I highly recommend them.  No mess and super fun!

We covered the hearts with dots and let them dry.  It only took a few minutes.  Then, Gigi had fun peeling off the tape from the hearts.  I just started the peel for her a little.  Great for fine motor.

We stuck the hearts all over her.  And voila!  Happy Valentines.  May your day be filled with love, joy and good health.

DIY Placemats for Gifts

We’ve been churning out the placemats lately and it’s so much fun.  I talked about them here.  We gave these to Gigi’s friend, Eden, the other day.  Eden wanted to sleep with hers under her pillow! So cute.

I wrapped them in newspaper and made a washi tape bow for a special delivery.  Gigi was so excited to hand them over.  We are going to make a family one next.

Match Game for Toddlers

This is a toddler version of the original match game.  I made the backs match as well as the front so Gigi can match the pictures as well as the colors.  Mine got a little crazy with all the washi tape but you can do this with any kind of card stock.  You can even use an old deck of cards and glue the pics on the back.  I used a collage of instagram pics printed 2.5 x 2.5.  I cut the card stock 3 x 3.

Full disclosure, I ended up using a paper cutter because the scissor was too time consuming, but it would work fine if you don’t have a paper cutter.

Here are the steps:

1.  Print out photos you love 2.5 x 2.5.  Two of each.  I used 16 total.

2.  Cut out card stock squares 3 x 3.  Two of each color.

3.  Decorate the card stock with washi tape.  Trim the excess off the edges with a scissor or wrap the tape on the other side.  Do the same design on the matching colors.

4.  Glue the matching pics on the matching colors.

5.  Place all the cards picture side down and have your child try to match the pictures by turning them over.  They can also match the colors and designs.

Gigi liked sorting through the pile to find the matches.  It didn’t stay organized for long.  She’s only 20 months.   But still great for sorting, color recognition and fine motor.

I will probably end up laminating these at kinkos since Gigi’s hands are constantly dirty and I want them to last.

Everyone got in on the fun.