Monthly contributor post from Kristen at Celebrate Every Day with Me:

Hi friends!

I am SO excited that summer break is nearly here!  Being free from school work and schedule, and getting tons of time to play outside.  Are you ready?

At the new house, we have lots of woods, tons of dirt and too much poison ivy.  But there are also cool rocks, a seasonal creek, little creatures and plenty of room for imagination.

For this activity, we’re making a 3D artwork bucket your kids will love filling with great finds from their outdoor adventures . . . or you may choose to keep it inside and use it to help with family organizing.

Here is What You’ll Need:

• Plastic container with labels removed (I used an Aldi pretzel rod container.)
• Permanent marker
• Hot glue gun
• Spray paint
• Acrylic paint
• Little paint brush
• Paper towel
• Spray acrylic sealer
• Jute and/or ribbon

With a permanent marker, have your child draw on the container.  He can write his name, draw a scene or make a cool design.  Work in outlines; no filling in any of the drawings.

With your hot glue gun, draw (glue) over your child’s drawing.  Allow the glue to dry completely.

Then, blast a coat of spray paint over the bucket.

To add dimension blot acrylic paint over the spray paint.

Here is what it will look like:

Then, with a little paint brush, paint over the 3D raised artwork.  This will make the drawings stand out and add more depth.

Spray the bucket with a coat of acrylic sealer and then move on to trim and a strap.

Warm up the hot glue gun once again and glue jute or ribbon around the rim.

Next, create your strap.  We braided jute and ribbon (3 pieces of each) for a fun look.

Hot glue your strap to the bucket.  If you are able to punch holes in your container, that is ideal.  However, my plastic was too hard.

Notice that my knot is below the jute trim so I had more surface area to glue and secure the knot and a portion of strap to the bucket.

All that is left is to send your child and 3D artwork bucket outside to collect treasures.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

 

Kristen of Celebrate Every Day With Me is a fun-loving mom to two kids who keep her busy and laughing. Add her great husband and the Lord to the mix and her life is one fantastic (and sometimes crazy) adventure. She is a former youth leader, professional wedding and event planner and has a degree in Christian Thought/Christian Ministry. She loves long lists, diet soda and playing jokes on her husband.

Kristen is the author of Teach Me To Serve:  99 Ways Preschoolers Can Learn To Serve & Bless Others.  On her blog, you’ll find fun ideas for children’s activities, creating memorable moments and party planning.