April means rain and we’ve been learning all about the water cycle, rain, and thunderstorms, so this was a fun spring-themed umbrella art project.
You’ll Need . . .
- 8.5 x 11 white or gray card stock
- scraps of patterned paper
- strip of brown card stock
- glue stick or white liquid glue
- black marker
- washable tempera paint (we used black, white, purple and blue)
- paintbrushes
- fork
Paint the Background Paper
We used black, white, purple, and blue tempera paint to completely cover a piece of card stock. It’s easiest if you can squirt a bit of each color of paint directly on the card stock, and then encourage kids to mix the paint colors in swirling motions, imitating dark rain clouds.
Once the paper is covered with paint, use a fork to add some swirly texture by creating circular motions with the tongs of the fork.
Then set the painted swirled paper aside to dry.
Directed Drawing Umbrella Art
Let the kids choose a piece of patterned paper for their umbrella. Show them how to make the umbrella by drawing a large “U” on the paper. I emphasized that mine isn’t perfect, so they shouldn’t worry about theirs being perfect either.
Then top the large “U” with connecting little “u”s. Before we started, my least-art-enthusiastic child was hesitant about drawing an umbrella, but I think seeing it broken down into simple directed drawing steps makes a project less intimidating for kids (and maybe adults too?!).
We’re practicing scissor skills, so I had the kids draw the umbrella shapes on the patterned-side of the paper, and then cut inside the black lines so the lines wouldn’t show on the umbrella’s front. You could always skip this step by having the kids draw the non-patterned-side of the paper.
Then, draw the handle on the strip of brown card stock by drawing a “bubble letter J,” and cut it out.
Glue the Umbrella
Assemble by gluing the handle underneath the umbrella, with a little peaking out the top, if possible. If the kids haven’t made their “J” handles tall enough, have them glue another small piece of card stock to the top of the umbrella (on the underside).
When the painted paper is dry, glue the umbrella on the center of the paper, and embellish the umbrella art with a black marker by drawing lines along the edges.
Ann @ Such a Mama says
How cute is this! Thanks for Sharing at Learn Through Play.
Pinning for my kiddos!
Leah says
This looks like fun! I think my son will love making it. Thanks for sharing at the Learn through play hop.
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
Those are adorable! I have a stack of scrapbook paper waiting for use. 🙂
pameladonnis says
That was my thinking on the scrapbook paper too! I think I’ve hoarded it for too long though, because I’m not loving some of those patterns so much anymore!
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
What a super sweet project.
I love the use of materials (the fork… how clever is that)?
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Karyn says
What a fun project!! I just found you from the Blogging homeschoolers Facebook group! Glad to discover your site! 🙂
pameladonnis says
Thanks so much for visiting! I’m so happy to have found the group and get to know you all!
xoxo
Missy @ Dot-to-Dot Connections says
I love how you made the swirly patterns in the paint with a fork! My kids will love trying that! Thanks for the great idea!
Meredith says
These are so adorable, Pam!