Wood Art Activity for Kids

by Andrea Mulder-Slater

An Imagination Station Activity from KinderArt

Age: Four and up
Time: An hour or more
Type of Activity: Arts and Crafts

Do you have a stack of scrap wood piling up in your basement, garage, or garden shed? Well then, you and your kids should do something creative with it! Simply gather scrap pieces of wood, glue, screws and a screwdriver, nails and a hammer (optional), tempera paint (or other water-based paint -- powdered or liquid), paintbrushes and sponges, water and water containers, empty yogurt or margarine containers, found objects like beads, buttons, and bits of wire and some paint smocks or old shirts to keep clean.

What to do:

Ready, set, go and lay out a pile of wood scraps on the floor. As you and your child move the wood pieces around, you'll begin to see shapes and creatures appearing. Great! Now it's time to start putting the pieces together in an interesting shape. Younger children should be encouraged to work with glue. With adult help, they can use screws to fit the wood together. Older artists can use nails and hammers to build up their sculptures. Once all the pieces are together, let your scrap wood sculpture dry and then decorate it with paint, markers, found objects, and fabric. The sky's the limit!

FACTS:
Did you know you can make your own wood stain that's safe and non-toxic? You can! Simply gather powdered or liquid tempera water, several jars or containers, and a stick or paintbrush for mixing. Great! Now, place a small amount of tempera paint in a container. Add water (about 1 part paint to 3 parts water) and using a stick or paintbrush, mix the paint and water thoroughly. Once you think you have the right consistency, apply some of the tempera wood stain to a scrap piece of wood. Too light? Add more paint. Too dark? Add more water. Store the stain in containers with lids. You will have to mix the stain up before you use it as the paint will have a tendency to settle at the bottom.

Now you know.

©Andrea Mulder-Slater | KinderArt | http://www.kinderart.com
Illustration© Geoffrey David Slater