Not only will your child enjoy this art project, but also you will get a keep-for-a-lifetime piece of art; and that is what does it for me. You get to have fun with your child, and at the same time make a memory. After reading the instructions below about how to do this art project, take your child's age into consideration. Plan accordingly as to how much of this project he can do. Just let him do as much as he can and it will turn out to be a precious keepsake.

Materials Needed:

poster board
pencil
scissors
Exacto knife or single edge blade for parent's use only

canvas (size determined by what size keepsake you want)
acrylic paints of a variety of colors
2" paintbrush
old cup or dish
stiff bristled paintbrush or old toothbrush
old shirts-one for you and one for your child
old newspapers

Ask your child to hold up each of the items from the above list, except for the sharp instruments, as you read aloud. This adds to the excitement and gives your child a feeling of ownership in the project.

Before starting, have all materials gathered in one place. There is nothing that shouts disappointment louder than to get excited, and have to stop the project. That goes for time allotment, too, so be sure to leave enough time for completion.

The first thing to do is find a game or kitchen table to use, and cover it with several layers of newspaper. Next, lay the canvas on top of the newspaper. Place inside an old, small cup or dish about two tablespoons of a light color of yellow. Any choice of color will work. Dilute the paint with water so that you have a very weak solution of the color. With the paintbrush, cover the entire canvas, top and sides, with the diluted color.
By coloring the entire visible surface of the canvas, you will not need to purchase a frame for the canvas; that is, unless you want to do so. Let the canvas dry overnight before placing the poster board on top; otherwise, the two will stick together. A hair dryer will lessen the length of time you need for drying, if someone should get in a hurry.

Next, take the piece of poster board and have your child put both hands palm down, with fingers slightly apart, on top of the poster board. Note: Your child's hands should be near the middle of the poster board, thumbs not touching one another. While your child stays perfectly still, trace around each finger with a pencil until you have all the fingers, thumbs and about an inch of the wrists.

Use the Exacto

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Great crafts ideas to do with your children?
We want to hear your view. Write now!