We created these adorable Crayola crafts as part of a sponsored campaign for Collective Bias and its client. #ColorfulCreations
My kids are amazing. I love them like crazy, but sometimes they need a little help to get them to do what they are supposed to. I am not one for strict punishments, and I am a firm believer that making things fun motivates them much better than rigid boundaries and “or else” ultimatums. I have been trying to think of a way to help them transition to different activities and tasks during the day with a positive outlook and came up with the idea to turn their favorite stuffed animals into “schedule buddies” using chalkboard paint and Crayola sidewalk chalk. Aren’t they just TOO cute?! Read on for a step by step, plus learn how we also made some fun place mats with foam sheets, Crayola washable paint, and crayons!
To make a schedule buddy you will need a small t-shirt, a stuffed animal, chalkboard paint, painter’s tape, a stencil of your choice and Crayola sidewalk chalk. Before you begin, slide a piece of cardboard inside your shirt to give yourself a smooth surface. Next, place your stencil on and tape it down. If you don’t want to use a stencil just tape off a square box. Paint a layer inside your lines with chalkboard paint. *If you are using a stencil like my bird one, use a light hand so you don’t get any bleed from your paint.
Let it dry. You may need to do a second coat, but that is up to you. Carefully peel the tape/stencil off, and check out your awesome design!
Next put your shirt on your child’s favorite stuffed animal and voila, you have a schedule buddy! Write words on them for older kids, or draw pictures for the younger ones. These are fantastic learning tools – besides being great help for schedules you can also explore feelings, conquer fears, memorize numbers and letters and SO much more!
My kids love drawing on their buddies, but Kaia hogs all the chalk!
Are you ready for our next craft? This one is a really fun and super easy DIY placemat craft for kids that takes their paintings and turns them into a functional piece of forever art! And what’s even better? You can pick up everything you need on a quick trip to Walmart!
Here is what you need:
- Large foam sheets
- Crayola crayons
- Crayola Washable Kids’ Paint
- paint brushes
- non-toxic spray sealant or stick on laminating paper
Before you start, prep your foam sheets. I like to tape off a border and fill in the middle with white paint so they have a nice bright surface. When it is time to create, set your kids up at a large table with plenty of crayons, paint options and brushes, and let them do their thing!
When everyone is finished set the paintings aside to dry and wash off whatever stray paint got where it wasn’t supposed to. After they dry, seal the designs with a nontoxic spray finisher or stick on laminating sheets. *Make sure you do this step yourself*. Now you have adorable placemats that the kids will love using at meal times! (Note: don’t put food directly on mats) Check out Judah’s cool robot stencil mat:
You can also make chalkboard mats with different scenes on them for the kids to color on, I made a rocket ship mat with my leftover chalkboard paint.
Want more great #ColorfulCreations ideas? Check out Crayola on Facebook. #CollectiveBias
