Whether you’re teaching about faith to “move a mountain,” or geology and mountain land forms — this Torn Paper Mountain Landscape Art Tutorial will help you create unique and memorable visuals to help kids better remember and apply the lesson.
Our family is pretty “normal” — sibling rivalry, messy bedrooms, exhausted parents, way too much sugar and screentime. But we know our flaws and do our best to forgive, learn and grow. One of the ways we try to end the day with peace in our home is by reading the scriptures and praying together before bedtime every night (or almost every night!). And then at least once a week we try to go deeper with a family night lesson or activity.
It’s a constant juggling act, and even with our best intentions, the lessons and discussions don’t always go well. But sometimes they do. And sometimes they’re worth sharing!
Family Lesson on Having the Faith to Move a Mountain
We’ve been studying the New Testament and were talking about Matthew 17:20 and having the faith to move mountains.
- We read this quote: “I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith, I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaces with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope. and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.” (Richard C. Edgley)
- And then talked, “What are some mountains in our lives (or family) that need to be moved?” (contention, anger, sugar addiction, doing chores with a bad attitude, etc.)
Next we created a visual reminder of our personal “mountains” with torn painted paper. I LOVE how these torn paper mountain landscapes turned out. And I LOVE the discussion we were able to have around the table while hands were busy! Here’s how we made them:
Torn Paper Mountain Landscape Art Tutorial
SUPPLIES FOR TORN PAPER MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE ART:
- white card stock
- tempera paint
- paint brushes
- gray or light blue card stock
- glue sticks
- pencil or marker
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TORN PAPER MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE ART:
1. Begin by painting several sheets of card stock with various colors of paint. This is a good activity to do ahead of time since the papers will take a while to dry. Sometimes we keep a stash of painted papers for projects, but this time I had my kids paint the papers while I made dinner.
SEE ALSO: HOW TO MAKE PAINTED PAPER
2. When painted paper is dry, turn the paper to the unpainted side and draw a large “mountain” shape with the pencil or marker (this step is optional, but easier for younger ones). Then tear along the sketched line to create a mountain shape. We’re not going with perfection here, we’re just using that line as a guide.
3. Repeat until you have several “mountain” layers. Arrange the torn paper layers on the gray/blue background paper to create a mountain landscape scene.
ADD THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO YOUR TORN PAPER MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE ART
4. To finish the mountain landscape project, glue the layers in the order you’d like. Cut mini triangle trees or add other details — like a sun, if desired.
HERE ARE SOME BOOKS YOU MAY WANT TO READ ALONG WITH THIS PROJECT:
Looking for more simple (and creative) projects and books for kids? Be sure you’re hanging out in our Facebook community: Keeping Life Creative with Books.