Preschool Picasso: Outer Space

I was browsing my Pinterest board on all things related to the library, and came across quite a few good craft ideas I pinned on outer space. So became our theme.

After reading quite a few space picture books, I decided to read Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob by Simon Bartram. I chose this one because it covered the space theme rather well and because I had planned to use a moon craft. I also liked the illustrations and the book wasn't too short or too long.

Adding a book to read during both Preschool Picasso and Toddler Art has been a good thing, and not just for the obvious reason of encouraging reading. I find that I am having to explain how to do the crafts less and less to those who come in a little later because they are usually here by the time the story ends. 

After reading our book, we went on to our first craft. We made the sun using a variety of paint colors and plastic wrap. This was a win-win for everyone. The kids enjoyed the craft and cleanup was not bad at all. 

Each were given black construction paper that had a white circle glued on it with red, yellow, and orange paint squirted onto it. The kids had to use the plastic wrap on top to squish the paint all over the white circle to make the sun. We talked about how hot the sun is, how the paint feels under the plastic wrap, and how the different colors blended. We used q-tips to make sun beams coming out and some used them to spread their paint on the circle. 

I also had enough supplies for the parents to do this one and they enjoyed it as well. It also encouraged their kids to work on their own while mimicking their parent.

For our second craft, it was time to make the moon using white paint and water bottles. The group liked this one just as much, but really enjoyed the stickers to put in the background. Lay out a bunch of stickers and don't expect any strays after a program because kids LOVE stickers! Despite the sticker excitement, everyone shared so sweetly!

To make the moon, black construction paper was handed out that had a circle drawn on it with white crayon. They had to use the white paint to paint the moon and then added craters using the tops of water bottles and stampers. The white paint had flour added to it to add a different texture to it and make the moon look more 3D.  

To infinity and beyond!