Cardboard Creations

Our children are so creative! We placed a number of large pieces of cardboard for use during outdoor play and were amazed at the inventive ways the children used them!

The cardboard became....

...a large hat!

...a bed for sleeping!

...a superhero cape!

...a walking stick!

...a baby cradled in her Mother's arms!

...a bed!

...a pair of binoculars!

...a magnifying glass!

How many things would you turn the cardboard into?

Paper Sculptures

We read the book "Lines" at circle time. 

This book explores how lines can be different - curvy, straight, zigzag - and how artists use different lines in their work. 

We thought it would be fun to put various strips of paper at the art center and see what the children created. 

Children explain their sculptures!

Organizing Construction Paper

I was eager to help the kids organize construction paper for our art area in the basement. We purchased large accordian-style folders and a big bin. Each colour of paper was sorted into its own folder. Similar to when we organized our writing materials, organizing paper in this way offers lots of choice for children when they are creating as they consider what shade of the needed colour to use. It also reinforces math concepts since papers are sorted by colour. There is plenty of paper in this bin to last for months yet it only takes up a fraction of the space it did before it was organized! A neat and easy way to help children be responsible when creating art and in charge of their own learning materials. 

Creating with Cardboard

Mrs. Bombardier invited the children to explore an assortment of recycled cardboard at the art table. It was so interesting to see how they worked with the material and what they created.

Many children created parking garages and car ports for use at our building center.

There was lots of great math talk as the children explored how to make the structures stable and how to ensure that the supports were of equal lengths so the structures were level.

Working with the thick cardboard proved to be a challenging fine motor task for the children too! Great for strengthening hand strength!

It was wonderful to see the children helping each other out and co-creating structures together!

At the end of play time we encouraged the children who created at the art table to share their recycled structures with the rest of the class. What a great way to encourage creativity, cooperation, and recycling! Why don't you try this at home with your children over the holidays?

Paper Carton Stamping

We had a number of extra paper cartons in the classroom and invited the children to explore stamping and painting with them. We cut the cartons into fourths and the children chose what colours of paint to use.

The children were delighted to see that the cartons left equally spaced dots on their papers when stamped! 

Many children were interested in stamping in straight lines, some exploring patterning as well!

Other children were interested in swirling and layering the paint, using the cartons as mixing tools.

This created some interesting new colours and textures on the paper.

Other children decided to layer and sweep the paint on the paper with the cartons.

This left some very unusual prints on the top of the thickly painted paper. How neat!

Stamping Holiday Wrapping Paper

One of our favourite activities to do for the holiday season is to encourage the children to do some stamping with seasonal cookie cutters and paint. The piece of artwork can then be sent home and recycled as wrapping paper.  It's a great lesson on art, sharing, and recycling!

The cookie cutters and festive paint appealed to the children and many were eager to participate in the activity as soon as they saw it!

Children were invited to stamp their papers however they wanted. We love the jolly red snowman!

Every child made a sheet of printed paper. Why don't you invite your child to choose whose present gets wrapped in this special paper and encourage him or her to help you wrap? It would be great fine motor and hand-eye practice!