Styrofoam Tray Printmaking!

We did Styrofoam tray Printmaking for our Make-It & Take-It craft today. This was a pretty easy and fun craft for all ages, younger children will need help with their drawings.

Here is a brief description of how to do it:
1. Grab a spare (clean) Styrofoam tray and cut out a rectangle.
2. Using non-brush-end of a smaller paintbrush (or dull pencil) draw your picture on the tray.
     HINT: when writing names or words WRITE THEM BACKWARDS, because the child's name will be backwards if you write it the right way (mirror effect).
3. When your drawing is done, roll a brayer in paint so that it is completely covered. Then roll the brayer on the tray, completely covering that too.
4. Take the paint-covered-tray and put it face down on construction paper. Press or rub it so that way the paint spreads evenly.
5. Remove the tray and voilà! You have just made your first Printmaking painting!

So much fun, and you can do it repeatedly. Also, use primary colors (red, yellow, blue) so you can mix other colors too or just overlap the colors! Oh, and do not forget to lay down newspaper for an easy clean up. Enjoy!

Newspaper Pots!

Biodegradable newspaper pots are easy to make and great for little ones wanting to see their own seeds sprout up before their eyes. Not only are they very simple to make, but once your seedling grows big enough, you can plant the newspaper pot directly into the ground or into a bigger pot. Directions are below!

1. Spread out a full sheet of newspaper and cut it (or rip it, it doesn't need to be exact) right down the middle. Do this again so that you are left with four divided quarters of newspaper. 

2. Take a quarter of the newspaper and fold the bottom edge over about an inch. 

 3. Take a jar (mason jars work well!) and wrap the newspaper around it, leaving the folded edge at the bottom.

 4. Fold the newspaper into the base of the jar (sometimes a little tape helps!)

 5. And voila! You have a perfect newspaper pot, ideal for filling with seeds and soil!