How to Paint a Birdhouse for Kids Parties
One challenge when planning kids' parties is how to keep them entertained. Since most kids love to paint, painting birdhouses is a great activity for children 4 and up. Tie this in with a bird, nature or art theme for the party or make it a stand-alone activity. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Table
- Vinyl tablecloth
- Old T-shirts
- Permanent marker
- Unpainted birdhouses, 1 per guest
- Washable acrylic paints
- Paintbrushes
- Plastic cups
- Wire, cut into 3-foot lengths
Instructions
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Set Up
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1
Find an appropriate table. You can use a large picnic table outside or a low coffee table for younger children.
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2
Cover the table. Use an easily cleaned vinyl tablecloth to protect the table. It will look more festive than newspaper and will stay put better as well.
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3
Set up paints, brushes and plastic cups of water. Have at least two areas for artists to work at the table so that they won't get in each other's way. Store old T-shirts to use as smocks under the table.
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4
Assign an adult to remain at the table to help kids with painting.
The Process
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5
Put on a smock. Even if the children are wearing play clothes and you're using washable paint, it's nice to have the option of using smocks.
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6
Label the birdhouses. If kids are under 8 or so, have the adult at the table write each kid's name on her birdhouse. Older children can write their own names.
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7
Paint the birdhouses. You can hang pictures of birdhouses, or actual birdhouse examples, to inspire the kids while they paint. Suggest that they can paint their birdhouse all one color, or paint each section (roof, sides, perch) a different color.
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8
Let it dry. If the table is large enough, you can use one side for drying. If not, lay out newspapers for drying.
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9
Send them home. As each guest leaves, give him his birdhouse and a length of wire for hanging it up.
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Tips & Warnings
Many hobby and craft stores, such as Michael's, sell unfinished birdhouses.
Do this activity at the beginning of the party so the paint can dry in time for guests to take the birdhouses home.
