Add a bit of sparkle to a shirt box or a mailing tube or make your own gift wrap out of kraft paper. Materials Paint (we went with red, but green, blue or silver would be lovely too!) Painter’s tape Paint brush Craft tray Smock Piece of paper Shirt box * *You could also use a mailing tube, kraft paper (purchased inexpensively at the post office) or the interior of a brown grocery bag. Directions Don your smock. Lay a piece of paper into your craft tray to catch your glitter. Lay the lid portion of your shirt box on top (folded down flat.) If you are using a brown grocery bag, cut up the side seam (have an adult help with this process), cut off the bottom and turn it inside out so you have a rectangular surface without print to paint on. You could also use kraft paper from the post office. Have an adult help you make diagonal lines with the painter’s tape. We went with alternating thin and think lines. When the tape overlaps the edges this helps keep the lines clean and hold it in place for painting. You could either rip the pieces off the roll or use scissors depending on what is easier for you. Paint the portions of the box not covered with tape. While the paint is wet, sprinkle some of the lines with glitter (we went with the thin ones). One technique that our daughter likes with glitter is to hold the container with one hand and tap it with a finger from her other hand. You could also use your pointer finger on your holding hand to do this. It just allows more control than shaking the container. Tip your box and tap off any excess glitter onto your sheet of paper to allow you to put it back into your container later (making the paper into a funnel shape). While the paint is wet (you don’t want the tape to stick too much or for too long as it may rip your surface), have an adult help you carefully remove the tape. Allow to dry overnight. Fill your box, add a ribbon and give it to someone special! * If you go with the craft tube option, stand it upright while painting and rotate it as you go. Have a friend hold it over the tray while you sprinkle the glitter or vice versa and then allow it to dry upright. Purpose Re-imagining items Discovering various ways to block paint (e.g., painter’s tape in this case) Recognizing various symbols, colours or patterns and their associations with certain holidays or celebrations Safety Notes Wash your hands after using glitter. Be sure to wear a smock and use a craft tray when using paint so as not to damage surfaces or clothing. Wash your paint brushes immediately following an activity as some products will cause stiffness of the bristles. Please like & share: Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Name* Email* Website Comment Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.
