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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Crafts for Preschool Kids #42: Painted Macaroni Butterfly Shadow Box

KIDS CRAFTS PROJECT #42: Painted Macaroni Butterfly Shadow Box
Crafts for all abilities!   
for Ages 3 Years and Up    
 

Supplies Needed:
  • Painted Macaroni
  • Butterfly Shape Cut Our from Poster Board (or paper plate etc)
  • Shallow Box - We used the bottom of a jigsaw puzzle box
  • White Glue
  • Foam Brush
  • Sensory Rice (optional)
  • Bright Color Sheet of foam or Construction Paper
  • 2 Googly Eyes
  • 1 Black Pipe Cleaner
  • Newspaper To Keep The Work Area Clean
Time Needed:  
  • 30 Minutes plus drying time
What To Do: 
  1. Have some newspaper on your work area and some extra at the ready so you can tip the box over and let the unstuck pieces fall off onto it after each macaroni is added.
  2. Glue the sheet of foam to the back "wall" of your box.
    HINT: If you cut it (adult) to fit exactly, you won't need to use the sensory rice filler.
  3. Glue your butterfly shape onto the foam sheet.
    I had 2 heart templates left over from
    Valentine's Day that I used to make my butterfly shape.

  4. Pour some white glue into a craft bowl.
  5. Start by painting some white glue along the center of your butterfly and pour some purple macaroni onto this area. This will be his body.
    HINT:     Be liberal in applying glue on this project.
  6. Press down firmly with hands and then wait 30 seconds.
  7. Tip box over onto newspaper. Let the loose pieces fall.
  8. To decorate the wings you can paint a circle > add new color macaroni > press down > wait > tip over > repeat for next circle.
    HINT:     For a symmetrical butterfly you will put the circle in the same spot on each wing and use the same color and type of macaroni.

  9. Once you are satisfied with the circles you've decorated you need to fill in the rest of the butterfly. Add a liberal amount of glue to the undecorated butterfly areas > add a new color macaroni > press down > wait > tip over. Now your entire butterfly should be complete.

  10. Add 2 googly eyes onto your butterfly with the glue.

  11. Form the antennae with a small piece of black pipe cleaner. 
  12. Apply a liberal amount of glue for it to stay upright on your butterfly.
  13. If you have any box cardboard showing you can fill that in with sensory rice! Just add glue and do the same thing with the rice as you did with the macaroni.

  14. Let dry completely!
  15. ENJOY! You're done! Show it off by hanging your 3D masterpiece on the wall, or stand it up on a shelf!
  16. Don't Forget to Take a photo and share it with us! You are automatically entered into our WEEKLY GIVEAWAY on our Facebook Page when you post a photo of your finished project and "Like" Us ! Giveaway is randomly selected.

    With sensory rice background.

    Without sensory rice background.
Why We Love Crafts for Preschool Kids: 
Art develops creative thinking, provides means of communication and self expression, increases self understanding, strengthens self concepts and confidence, serves as an emotional release, provides decision-making opportunities, develops appreciation for the individuality of others, aids physical coordination, develops work habits and a sense of responsibility, heightens aesthetic awareness and sensitivity, and generates joy!
 
For Children with Special Needs: 
Assist your child as much as needed - but allow it to be his project.  Art projects are great for fine motor exercise, and using creativity.

If you child has a limited attention span, have all supplies ready before having him begin the project.
This opportunity for hands-on learning with no wrong choices is ideal to foster self esteem as well. Let him choose which colors to use in every step of this project.
If your child enjoys sensory activities let him have some fun with the macaroni. It feels cool, has nice color, makes a sound when poured and mixed, and feels interesting in the hands. Give him a deep bin, some cups, a spoon or scoop and let him just enjoy it!

For Older Children: An older child will certainly enjoy this project just as is. He will just have the ability to be more precise in his application of the macaroni and sensory rice.

A fun BOOK to read in conjunction with this craft is "I Wish I Were a Butterfly" by James Howe. A beautifully illustrated story with an important message: Don't let someones hurtful criticism stop you from playing your music! When the cricket is told that he is ugly he no longer wants to play his music. He just wishes he could be a beautiful butterfly. A great lesson about how we are all unique and special in our own way. Also, a nice lesson about friendship :)

FAMILY PROJECT "Our Family is Unique"
(Adapted from a Scholastic lesson plan about "I Wish I Were A Butterfly" )
  • Get your family together. 
  • Put a large piece of poster board on the wall that says at the top "Our Family Is Unique".  
  • Give each child a different color of construction paper and have them draw their own face a few times. Cut them out in circles. 
  • Then, ask each person how every other person in the family is unique or special. For example, "What's unique or special about Mommy?" Write down or draw a depiction of that on your poster board and stick Mommy's picture next to that one. Fill up the whole board making sure you have several comments for each member of the family.

Check out these FREE Butterfly Printables from the TwistyNoodle

PLEASE POST IN COMMENTS your opinion of this preschool kids craft and tell us if you enjoyed it and any other ideas that may be similar or could improve it!
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