Back to School: Bookmark with Balloon Painting

Encourage your child to read by making a new bookmark for the upcoming school year.  

Materials

• Smock
• Craft tray
• Balloons (to be blown up by an adult)
• Paint
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Paper cutter (optional: you could use a ruler and scissors)
• Single hole punch
• Cardstock
• Contact paper or laminating supplies (optional)

Directions

• Don your smock.

• Put your cardstock into your craft tray.

• Have an adult blow up a balloon for you only to a small size (as shown).

•  Dip the end (opposite of the balloon tie) of the balloon into various colours of paint. Apply it to the paper.  (It is quite fun as it sort of bounces off the page a bit!)

• Allow it to dry overnight.

• We used a paper cutter where the blade is not accessible when the ruler portion is put down.  If you feel comfortable with your child using this equipment (based on her/his age and abilities), be sure to review its safe use prior to.

•  Cut out strips of paper approximately 2-3 inches/ 5-7.5 centimetres in width and 10-15 centimetres/4-6 inches in length.

•  Punch a hole in one end.  You can laminate your book mark or sandwich it between 2 pieces of contact paper (sticky sides facing each other).  Re-punch your hole at this point.

•  Cut a length of ribbon and make a loop as shown in the photograph.  Put the ends up through the hole and go through the loop you made on the top.  Pull tight.

•  Enjoy reading with your new bookmark!

•  You can use any artwork to make your bookmark.  Have fun!

Purpose

• Exploring different painting techniques, tools.
• Getting excited about reading.

Safety Notes

• Have an adult use a paper cutter (particularly if it is the style with the large blade that comes down).  If your child uses one similar to the one shown, make sure it is with direct supervision/guidance.
• Balloons should be blown up by an adult as they pose a choking hazard if inhaled.