Autumn

After living in Brisbane for so many years, we are all (children especially) enjoying the changing seasons in Canberra and the dropping of leaves. Crisp mornings, sunny days and streets lined with colourful trees.

outdoor cubby

The children spent a lovely Autumn morning under a tree tent I made for them by draping some sheets over the low branches and clipping them with pegs. 

Bookmarks

Finn has started reading chapter books before bed, and we can never find enough bookmarks around the house. So our solution was to make our own, and give any extras away as gifts.

I folded an A4 piece of paper four times and re-opened it. I asked Finn to draw separate images on the inside of each crease.

When he was finished we signed, named and dated the back of each image, cut them out and placed them through the laminating machine (I bought mine from the local newsagent for around $29). Finn also discovered if you can turn it into a puzzle by matching up the right parts of the drawing.

pre-pasted Paper

We used pre-pasted art paper today to create some interesting designs. Children only need to wet the paper with water, or lick the back of the shapes for them to stick down. It's great for traveling with small children as it is low-fuss and low mess.

cotton tips

As we are still unpacking after moving houses, I couldn't put my hands on any paint brushes, but then remembered how much children enjoy using cotton-tips to paint with. They are easy for them to handle and they create fine, delicate lines.

We used coloured dye for this activity, putting small amounts of dye (that I had mixed up from eticol dye powder) in glass jars. Food colouring drops mixed with a small amount of water would be just as effective.

For something different, Finn decided he wanted to use a sponge roller to dip in the dyes. It was much more difficult to handle, and the lines a lot chunkier- but it created an enjoyable painting experience for him.

mixed media collage

I offered a selection of different materials for the children to experiment with today, including Felt, buttons, and coloured paper to tear and cut. I also gave them some watered down PVA glue, and some large envelopes to paste onto.

When assisting children with their art- parents and carers should try to let them do as much as possible- this includes letting them glue for themselves. Children love to use glue, and will love experiencing it- even if there is nothing to stick on to it!

I make sure there are always textas, pens or pencils close by, so the children can add any detail to their artwork that they may not be able to create with the collage materials. Just remind them to wait until the glue is dry before working into it.

Outdoor car tracks

It has beautiful summer weather lately, so today I brought outside a collection of matchbox cars and trucks for F & E to play with outside in the shade. They made tracks, jumps and holes for the cars in the dirt and grass.

Fairy Garden

We started making our own fairy garden under a shady tree in the back yard. I found some appropriately tacky miniature garden figurines (on metal posts) from the Reject Shop . We found some little glass stone to make a path and scattered rose petals around. At Finn's preschool they had a gorgeous fairy garden in the playground with a little red painted door (on a wooden log) with a little brass knocker.

Big Box

My children get so much enjoyment out of empty cardboard boxes. We had a huge one left over from a new BBQ, so I cut a circular trap doors and square windows into it with a knife blade. I also attached a ramp from one of the top openings, so balls and toys can 'ride down a slide', and land into a basket at the bottom.

We didn't have any balls handy, so I made some from scrunched up newspaper and wrapped sticky tape around the outside. They were perfect for indoor play as they were light enough not to cause any damage.

Finn Turns 4

For Finn's 4th birthday party he requested an aquarium style cake.

I'm afraid it looked better than it tasted, but I've seen an easier alternative for the theme here:

http://www.nickjr.com/recipes/waldens-jelly-aquarium.jhtml

Painting

I gave Finn a quality sheet of A3 size paper, and a permanent black pen to start drawing his outline.

Then when he was satisfied I gave him a selection of block paints (already selected into colour themes- sans black). Found on the link below.

http://eshop.zartart.com.au/webstore/index.wsp?session01=b0051aa592d678ad&page01=category&category01=2238.583

He had a great time blending and mixing colours, and filling in his all his robot drawing parts. 

By giving children a black pen, they can create an outline, define their work and create more detail than they could by using paints alone. 

sticker fun

We are in the process of moving interstate, so our lives are chaotic and our possessions (and art supplies) are in boxes.

To keep the kids amused and creatively stimulated, you can't go wrong with a packet of dot stickers and a some coloured textas what ever your circumstances are...