A Classroom Art Project for Decoupage

You can mix equal parts of white glue and water to make a decoupage medium for class art projects.

Grade school teachers look for ways to make their students gel and work together as a team. Classroom projects accomplish this through an activity children do as a group. Students enjoy working on art projects, learning to work with others, and learning to plan and organize in a step-by-step process for more-involved projects. Decoupage projects are easy and inexpensive and develop fine motor skills in children, which helps them with writing. Several decoupage project ideas will give educators a choice of ideas for their students.

Decoupage Tips

For decoupage, buy a prepared product, if desired. Most brands come in a glossy or matte finish, depending on the look you want. You also can make your own decoupage medium by mixing equal parts children's white glue and water. The trick to working with decoupage is applying it in thin coats. If you apply each layer too thickly, they will not dry well. While you can use a traditional paintbrush, foam brushes are ideal for this project as you can just toss them out when you finish.

Table

Find a used, wood coffee or bedside table from a thrift store or yard sale. Children can decorate this in several ways. Each one can dip their hands in the acrylic paint color of their choice and make prints all over the table. They also can make their own design on a small square from stickers, die cuts and patterned paper. Adhere each square to the table with a thin coat of decoupage. Allow them to dry and then apply a decoupage topcoat. Reapply one or two more layers, leaving plenty of drying time between coats.

Framed Mirror

Items with wooden frames also work well for decoupage. You can use a framed mirror with the frame already painted. Write a verse on the mirror frame. Have each child add their name. They also can make creations such as butterflies, caterpillars or flowers from thumbprint art. A volunteer, older student or one of the mom's can help with this for younger students and add names or details to the thumbprint art. Put up the mirror in the classroom or auction it off at the end of the year in a fundraiser.

Framed Art

Buy a large frame and a piece of chipboard or heavy cardboard that fits inside. Divide the chipboard into sections, enough for each child in the class. Each child will have his own area to decorate. It's easier to have the child decorate directly onto a a piece of card stock and then decoupage each piece onto the chipboard. If there is extra space, write additional information, such as the classroom, teacher and year.