Children's Art Projects: Paint & String Flowers

Gain inspiration from nature and create flower crafts.

Children get inspiration from the great outdoors and create one-of-a-kind paint and string flowers. Celebrate the vibrant colors of nature by crafting these unique works of art for a class activity or as a simple at-home project. Kids of all ages will enjoy experimenting with this paint dip process while making decorative designs and cool creations.

Art Materials

Common sense would tell us that this project involves two materials: paint and string. In reality, your child (or students) will need added arts and crafts items to complete the activity. Use a washable paint that you can easily pour into a pool or puddle shape such as tempera and a thick string or yarn. Additional materials necessary to create paint and string flowers include construction or drawing paper, a paint palette or washable art tray and scissors. Optional items to create a special flare or unique look may include glitter or sequins. Make sure that all materials in use for this craft are non-toxic, child-safe and age-appropriate. Always consult the manufacturer's label for instructions and warnings.

Basic Flowers

Create a basic flower by dipping the string or yarn into paint and pressing it against construction paper. Ask the child what type of flower she would like to make. Look at real life examples of roses, daisies, tulips and more for inspiration. It may be helpful for the first attempt to draw a light pencil outline sketch of the flower on the paper. This will help with the string placement. Cut a 6-inch or longer piece of yarn for the stem, and a 12-inch piece or longer for the petals. Pour green and other colors of paint onto a palette or washable tray. Make pools or puddles that are at least hand-sized. Dip the stem string into the green paint, coating it entirely. Press the green string onto the construction paper to create a print. Repeat with another color, or colors, for the petals. Wrap the petal string in looping patterns for a realistic effect.

Double Prints

Create a mirror image flower using a basic paint printing technique. Begin by folding a piece of light colored construction or drawing paper in half like a card or book. Dip cut string into paint with green for the stem and another color for the petals or top of the flower. Open the paper and press the strings onto the middle of one side. Fold the paper together, book-style, and press the outside firmly over the yarn. You will be able to feel where the yarn is when pressing your hand against the folded paper. After a few presses, open the folded paper and gently pull the string off to reveal two separate flower images.

Extra Additions

Kids can make their paint and string flowers extra special by adding some sparkle with glitter or sequins. After the paint is completely dry, trace the stem, petals or create leaves with glue lines. Clear drying, non-toxic school glue is the easiest adhesive to use for this type of project. While the glue is still wet, sprinkle pinches of glitter over top or add rows of sequins. Shake excess glitter onto another piece of paper for reuse, and set aside to dry. Do not shake the paper if you are using sequins. This will cause them to fall off or move out of place.

References

• Artists Helping Children: String Art Crafts for Kids