Craft Time – Contact Paper Pictures
I’m sure you’ve heard that play is the best way for young children to learn. If you’ve read my previous posts, then you definitely have. I’m a huge fan of using fun ways to learn. But there’s another way that I have discovered works well for little ones…
Crafts!
Name crafts. Letter crafts. Self-portraits. Finger painting. Coloring. You get the idea. Crafts are fun, messy, and can be done together. They can be as simple as placing stickers on a piece of paper or so difficult the adult ends up doing most of the work. Yes, I have had a few of those that I learned after doing all the prep work that it was beyond the kiddos’ ability. It happens.
Here is a fun one that might be somewhat difficult to prepare, but it’s easy for the kids to do. Plus it involves sticky contact paper. What child wouldn’t love to play with that? It’s simply called:
Contact Paper Pictures
I’ve always been a crafty person. Painting, drawing, coloring. With the exception of anything made with a needle, I would probably enjoy trying any artsy thing someone suggests. However, I never once thought about using contact paper for art until I became a nanny. In my research for toddler-appropriate craft projects, I found several ideas using the sticky, clear paper. I provide instructions for one of my creations here.
Materials
Full sheets of paper (I used construction paper just to add a colorful background, but plain printer paper or cardstock would work as well)
Contact paper
Pencil (pens do not show up as well on the contact paper)
Scissors
Tape (can be clear, decorative, or whatever tape you have on hand)
Small paper scraps (I used cut up tissue paper)
Options
What the finished product looks like is up to you and your child. We made Easter crosses the first time. You can also do simple shapes, a stained-glass look with crisscrossed tape sections, or any picture you’d like. Use your imagination or let your kids choose something and have fun with it. Just remember that you have to cut the picture out from the contact paper and place tape around the edges.
Instructions
1. Lay some contact paper out flat and draw the shape(s) you want.
2. Cut out the shape(s). I found it easier to cut off a section of the paper, flatten it, and then cut around the actual shape.
3. Place the contact paper on top of the full sheet of paper with the sticky side up.
4. Tape around the edges of the contact paper to hold it in place.
5. Set the project and the small paper scraps in front of your child and let them have fun sticking the scraps down! It’s okay if the pieces stick up some as long as enough is attached to not let it fall off. I checked for this by holding it upright and giving it a shake. Then we re-stuck the pieces that came off.
6. Display it! Hang it on the fridge. Tape it to a window. Stick it to a wall. Kids love to show their creations off.
I hope you and your children enjoy this craft. Don’t forget to share your pictures in the comments below! Or, if you have any other suggestions using contact paper, post that, too!
