One of my favorite things to do with my children when they were little were outdoors arts and crafts. Everyone can get messy and have fun all at the same time. It seems like the messier it is the more kids enjoy it anyway, right? So, here are some things I have done with my kids that I think you will enjoy doing with yours as well.
Colored bubble splash art
You will need:
Bottle of bubbles or make your own using ¼ cup liquid dish soap, 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of glycerin
Washable paint
variety of bubble blowers
white construction paper or butcher paper
Mix the bubbles, with as much paint as you want depending on how dark you want the bubble art to be (I usually use about 5-6 drops) Hang a piece of paper on the fence or picnic table then give your kids a bubble blower of their choosing and have them blow their bubbles at the paper. When the bubbles hit the paper they will splatter and make unique designs for mom to hang on the fridge.
Paper plate Jellyfish
You will need:
paper plate per child
crepe paper streamers (one color or a variety of colors)
Washable paints of all colors
googley eyes
washable glue or glue sticks
child safety scissors
hole punch
yarn
The first thing you or your child will do is cut about ½ inch off of the paper plate. Then have your child paint their plate in anyway they choose. (polka dots, stripes, solid, etc) After the paint has dried they can glue the eyes on to the top of the plate. Flip the plate over and glue 3-4 inches of crepe paper all across the back to make the tentacles. Put a hole in the top, run yarn through as long as you want it to be and hang up in your child’s room.
Toe Painting
washable paints/finger paints
long pieces of rolled butcher paper
Instead of finger painting take the flip flops off and let your children paint with their feet and toes to see what they come up with. Kids are amazingly creative and can come up with the coolest explanations of their art work. Then you can hand out prizes for most creative, messiest feet, things like that. Or invite the neighbors over and have an art show.
Painting with mud
This is another one where you could have a neighborhood art show.
You will needConstruction or plain white paper
“bucket” of dirt
water
Mix the dirt and water together until you have a paint like consistency then let the kids finger paint with the dirt.
FYI this can also be done with pudding for little kids who may want to eat the dirt.
Fourth of July fireworks
You will need
Washable paint
variety of paint brushes
paper
clothes pins or tape
glitter (optional)
Before you start this one if you would like to add a little sparkle to your child’s fireworks add some glitter to your washable paints.
Hang paper up on your fence or outdoor table. Give your child a paint brush and let them sling the paint on to the paper making lots of splatter designs that you can call fireworks. Then when it is time for your fourth of July party or cookout hang up as designs.
I hope you will try some of these arts and crafts out. I think you will find that it’s not just fun for the kids but you too!
