How to Make and Use Stencils
If you want to find new art activities for your child that move beyond basic drawing with crayons or markers, you can teach them how to make and use their own stencils. Stencils are pieces of paper or other material with holes cut into them of a specific shape, such as letters or numbers, animals or plants. Your children can use these stencils, along with craft paint, to create pictures you can proudly hang on your fridge.
Instructions
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Give your children paper and markers and have them draw some shapes. Tell them to make sure there is enough space between the shapes to cut them out separately.
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Give the children safety scissors they can use to cut out each shape, leaving a block or border around the shape. Then they should use the scissors to cut out the shapes they drew. They should discard the shapes. What they have left are stencils.
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Give each child some paint, a sponge brush and a sheet of construction paper. Have them place their stencils on the paper and then paint over the opening with the paint of their choice.
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Tips & Warnings
This same technique will work if you want stencils for your own use.
Xacto knives should not be used by children.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
