4th of July Fireworks Art
- June 30th, 2009
- Posted in Craft Ideas
Celebrations on the 4th of July are commonplace all over the country. From picnics to fairs to fireworks, you can enjoy the festivities just about anywhere you turn. Even though there are laws in some communities banning the use of regular fireworks, your child can still have their own fireworks display – in art.
Your child can easily create fireworks artwork or decorations without having to worry about legal issues. Why not take the time to break out the craft supplies and get creative. The artwork they create can help them celebrate July 4th whether they have real fireworks or not.
While you may use the following craft ideas for the 4th of July, you can also use them for New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, and even for Chinese New Year. The following items are needed for the first craft:
* Black or other dark construction paper
* Glitter
* A straw, toothpicks, or paintbrushes
* White glue
* Old newspapers
Spread out the newspaper to work on. Place a small amount of glue on the construction paper. Geometric shapes can be made on the paper by blowing gently through the straw on the glue. Your child can also use toothpicks or paintbrushes to create designs on the paper.
Once all of your glue has been blown into shapes, sprinkle some glitter over the top of the glue. Carefully pick up the piece of construction paper and gently slide the excess glitter back into the bottle.
If you want to, you can repeat the glue and glitter process with different colors. Let the glue dry between colors.
Another craft to consider making with your little ones is another display of fireworks on paper. This one, however, is quite different. You will need:
* Smocks to cover the kids’ clothes
* Aluminium foil
* Washable acrylic paint
* Black craft paper
* Sponge
* Flowers (dandelions or mums work best)
Start by getting all your materials together. Put a smock on each child making this craft with you.
Let the kids choose the colors of paint they want to use for their project. Using a folded piece of the aluminium foil, create a color palette for each child with the colors they chose. The best colors to show up on dark paper are gold, silver, red, blue or green. If possible, try to get the metallic paints.
Give each child a piece of sponge or a flower for each color of paint, showing them how to ‘load’ it with the paint. Dandelions and mums work best because of the many crevices they have.
Show the children how to gently dab their dark paper with their sponge to make imitation fireworks. By dabbing the paper gently and quickly, your children will be able to achieve fantastic looking fireworks to fill the “night sky” without having to leave the house.
These two fireworks art projects are sure to please your children. Make sure to share your children’s masterpieces with everyone after the paint dries. Let them sign their artwork before giving it away, including the date. Take any 4th of July fireworks pictures that remain and use them to celebrate the holiday at any time of the year.
FOR MORE FANTASTIC 4TH OF JULY CRAFT IDEAS
