Category Archives: Themes

How to Make a Color-Resist Watercolor Spider Web

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Watercolor resist spider web

Eek! I just saw a spider. Oh wait…. it’s just today’s art project. Today’s project is a color-resist watercolor spider web. Color-resist is so much fun, because there’s a hidden surprise that your child finds once they start painting. And who doesn’t love a surprise?!

Before beginning to paint, we read the story “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle. I love when I can pair a book with an activity! Ben really enjoyed this story. He loved all of the animals and the spider web. He said that the spider web looks like a maze (one of his current obsessions).

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Watercolor supplies
The Very Busy Spider

SUPPLIES

White Watercolor Paper

White Crayon

Liquid Watercolor Paints (or whatever watercolor paint that you have)

Paintbrushes

Paint Pallet (or a paper plate)

Water Cup (I use one of Ben’s old snack cups, because I like the rubber bottom and handles)

Salt (optional)

Watercolor supplies
Preschool watercolor

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Draw Spider Web

First, use a white (or another light color) crayon to draw a spider web on a white piece of watercolor paper. I recommend using watercolor paper versus other paper because it can handle a lot of water. If your child is like mine, more water ends up on the paper than actual paint.

2. Prepare Paint Pallet

Next, I set up a paint pallet with different color liquid watercolor paints and a cup of water. I gave him many primary colors for this project, because he has enjoy mixing colors to make secondary colors. You can use whatever colors that you want. I love this simple plastic pallet, because it is the perfect size for Ben and it is easy to clean. It has held up well through many projects. If you do not have a pallet, you can use a paper plate.

3. Paint

Lastly, let your kid paint. No other instructions. As they paint, the hidden spiderweb will reveal itself. Surprise!

4. Add Salt (Optional)

In addition, you can sprinkle salt onto the painting while it is still wet. It will make the paint look splotchy. This is an optional step.

Preschool watercolor
Watercolor Spider Web Toddler art

Ben loves mixing the colors together to see what they will turn. We have been practicing which primary colors make secondary colors. He definitely knows that red and yellow make his favorite color orange.

Revealing the spider web. So exciting!

Watercolor Spider Web

Somehow Ben always finds a way to incorporate cars into whatever activity that we are doing. LOL Can we say car obsessed?! He had fun chasing the car around his painting with the paintbrush while saying, “Catch me.”

Watercolor Spider Web
Watercolor Spider Web
Watercolor Spider Web

Since Ben loves to mix all of his colors together, most of his projects turn out some shade of brown. Today’s project turned out to be shades of dark green. I guess he used mainly blue and yellow paints. I will say that the darker paint colors made the web more visible.

Ben had so much fun that he asked to paint more spiderwebs. Of course, he added his cars from the start this time. On one of his paintings, we added salt. He loved sprinkling it on. However, he eventually just started to dump it on. Haha!

Watercolor Spider Web
Watercolor Spider Web
Watercolor Spider Web

What do you think? I would love to hear from you when you try this with your children. Happy Halloween!

For more Halloween fun, check out these blog posts:

Watercolor Spider Web

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All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children. As your child’s parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family. I always encourage contacting your child’s pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies). Observe caution and safety at all times. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.

DIY Colorful Monster Play Dough Kit

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Monster Play Dough Kit

Can you believe that Halloween is less than a week away? To get in the spooky spirit, I decided to make a colorful monster play dough kit. I was inspired by the book “Never Touch a Monster!” It is one of our favorite books. I like the flow of the book, because it is easy to read. Ben loves the bright colors and being able to feel the different textures.

On a side note, I still need to make Ben’s costume. He wants to be a ghost. Since, we are big fans of Charlie Brown in our house, I used “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as inspiration. Therefore, his costume is going to be a simple white sheet.

Monster Play Dough Kit

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Never Touch a Monster!

SUPPLIES FOR MONSTER PLAY DOUGH TRAY

Play Dough (green, purple, and orange)

Googly Eyes

Vampire Fangs

Colorful Beads

Bright Colored Popsicle Sticks

Colorful Pipe Cleaners

Play Knife

Play Scissors

Rolling Pin

Divided Tray

I purchased all of the materials, except the scissors and the rolling pin, at our local Dollar Tree. The rolling pin and scissors were purchased on Amazon.

For this play dough kit, I decided to use play dough that I bought at the dollar store. However, if you would like to make homemade play dough, check out this recipe.

Just a reminder to use your judgment on what items are age appropriate for your child. Some of these items may be choking hazards.

Monster Play Dough Kit

After I assembled this play dough kit, I left it on the counter for Ben to discover. He was so excited when he saw it and wanted to play immediately. All I had to tell him was that he was supposed to make a monster. That was the only direction that he needed.

I did end up cutting the vampire fangs in half, because they were easier to use that way. I also showed Ben how to twist the pipe cleaners.

Creating Monsters

We are working on scissor skills. Ben needs help with where to put his fingers and to keep the thumb side up when cutting. This was good practice.

Play dough kits are great for sensory play and developing fine motor skills.

Practicing Scissor Skills

Ben came up with the idea of making monster pizzas with the play dough. I love watching his imagination run wild! He used the rolling pins to roll out the dough, then he added the different items to create his monster. After creating his pizza, he cut slices with his plastic knife. Then he pretended to eat the pizza saying, “Yummy!”

Monster Play Dough Pizza
Monster Play Dough Pizza
Monster Play Dough Pizza

Ben had a great time making monsters! I kept the kit on the counter, and he has played with it multiple times this week. I hope that you try this with your little ones.

For another monster craft, check out my blog post, “How to Make a Recycled Cardboard Monster.” Or if you are already for Christmas, check out my blog post “DIY Frosty Snowman Play Dough Tray.” Happy Halloween!

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All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children. As your child’s parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family. I always encourage contacting your child’s pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies). Observe caution and safety at all times. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.

Easy to Make Cooked Play Dough Recipe

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We love play dough in our household! My son, Ben, could play with it everyday! We were first introduced to this cooked play dough recipe from his preschool teacher, and I wanted to share it with you. We have made it multiple times. Ben not only enjoys playing with it, but he also loves to help make it.

One thing that I love about this cooked play dough recipe is how easy it is to use. Also, I am able to change the color and even add spices for scent. I use this recipe as the base of the play dough kits that I put together for Ben. This play dough recipe is Ben-approved, and I know your child would love it too!

Easy to Make Cooked Play Dough Recipe

COOKED PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Flour

1 cup Water

1/2 cup Salt

2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar

1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil (or another neutral cooking oil)

A few drops of food coloring (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a medium to large pot.

2. Add in water, vegetable oil, and food coloring (optional) and stir until combined.

3. Cook over medium heat stirring often until the dough forms a ball and loses most of its stickiness.

4. Dump the dough onto the counter. Let it cool until safe to touch. Knead the dough for a few minutes to improve its texture. Let it cool completely before using.

Just a reminder that an adult should use the stove to cook the play dough.

I recommend storing the play dough in an air tight container either at room temperature or in the fridge. It should last for a few weeks to months, if stored properly.

Homemade play dough is great to use for sensory play. Check out some of my blog posts for inspiration: “DIY Colorful Monster Play Dough Kit” and “DIY Frosty Snowman Play Dough Tray.” Finally, you can also see how I adapted this recipe to make white play dough in my blog post, “How to Make Homemade White Play Dough.”

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Find us on: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children. As your child’s parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family. I always encourage contacting your child’s pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies). Observe caution and safety at all times. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.