The first activity is to make a collaborative memory game, in which each kid will get the chance to paint their own chips! Recycle cardboard, bottle caps or even small rocks to make this fun game that will last for ages.
Kids will also learn how to paint a loose and vibrant rainbow poster and a funny pop-up card to gift a friend or family member.
Activity 1: "My favourite things" Memory Game
We've seen the memory games sold at stores, they have generic animals or items that most kids don't feel identified with. A pair of cows and a pair of ducks are fun... but how about inviting your kids to paint their own chips with characters and objects they love?
- Cardboard (can be rocks, wood slices, bottle or jar caps)
- 3mm Special Colours Paint pens
- Black pen for linework, optional
- Ruler
- Pencil and Eraser
- Cutter or scissors
- White acrylic to prime - recommended
- Masking tape - optional
Instructions
Parents can help make this step quicker, by preparing the tiles upfront
Step 1: Prime the cardboard with white acrylic, it's of course optional but recommended! Go a step further and prime the back too
Step 2: Mark the tiles on the cardboard,depending on the age of the children and the cardboard you're going to be using, figure out an appropriate size and amount of tiles. For younger children, 4 tiles for each kid, of around 5 or 6 centimeters. With older children, teens or adult helpers, you can make more tiles of a smaller size.
Tip: Cut a stripe for each participant, without separating the squares so it's easier for kids to draw on them.
Step 3: Hand out the kids their stripe and let them choose a background colour. It doesn't matter if they have the same taste in characters and hobbies, because each kid will have it's own background colour.
Step 4: Sketch your favourite characters and objects in pairs. There should be a pair of each design since this is a memory game, and each kid, teen or adult taking part will be painting their own fun pairs!
If two kids want the same character, they can each do their version and use a different background.
When run out of ideas, use a motif from the same character or object in a different position or size! For example two car tires, two crowns, two doggy collars, etc.
Step 5: Colour using paint pens
Start applying layers using the 3mm paint pens and let it dry before painting above the previous layer. Since acrylic paint pens are opaque, you can layer light colors above bright colours (white over red).
It doesn't matter if they look perfect, it's all about having a game we made ourselves, with our favourite people, our favourite colours and characters!
The time you take drawing the tiles is also part of the fun, so if the kids get a bit tired or bored, consider removing some pairs of unfinished tiles so they can start playing sooner.
Step 6: Colour the backgroundsusing the colour you got or chose.
Step 7: When its all dry, make the lineart using the 1mm black paint pen. You can also add highlights using the 1mm white paint pen.
Step 8: PARENTS: Protect the set and cut the tiles
Parents: you can spray a coat to protect the game (use a layer of acrylic varnish or modge podge). Quick drying is best so there's no waiting involved!
Cut the tiles and start playing!
How to play
Place all the tiles on the table or the carpet with the drawing facing down making clear rows and columns. This will be important to help each player remember where each drawing is, memory games encourage kids since a very young age to use and train their visual memory, short term memory and attention to detail
The first player takes two tiles at random and flips them, so the drawings are visible to everyone.
If the tiles have the same drawing, the player can take them off the board.
If the tiles have different drawings, the player has to put each tile back in its place with the drawing facing down.
The next player does the same steps after the previous one either took their pair or put the mismatched tiles on the respective spots. Since it's a game about remembering where the tiles were, it's not cheating if the next player uses the information to make themselves a pair in their own turn.
The game ends when no tiles are on the table, and whoever has the most pairs wins!
ACTIVITY 2: SILKY RAINBOW
By making this fun Silky rainbow, kids will learn how to blend and create a vibrant piece of art to hang on their rooms, or gift a friend!
Materials
- Life of Colour Silky Paint Stix
- Life of Colour Special Colours paint pens
- Mixed media paper
Step 1: Grab your mixed media paper and your Stix, and start your rainbow by making the inner stripe with a half-circle shape in the bottom of the page.
In this case, we started with our bright red, then added orange, yellow, green, blues and purples.
Art by Tammy Klingner
Step 2: Blend each stripe with the next to create a beautiful gradient and an intermediate colour between two stripes.
Step 3: Wait for the Silky Stix layer to dry. Life of Colour Stix are made of quick drying solid poster paint, so you'll be able to blend beautifully while they're still silky - and after they dry, you'll have a smooth layer over which you can layer with other art materials.
Step 4: Use your 1mm and 3mm Special Colours paint pens to turn the rainbow into a mandala!
Make borders, dots, doodles, paisleys, tiny flowers and more. Use a contrasting colour, so this layer of your design really pops against the rainbow background.
Step 5: To finish it off, flick a bit of paint to make spotted details over the whole rainbow.
Activity 3: Kiss the frog popup card
What's better than a handmade card? A card that blows you a frog kiss when you open it!
Materials
- Cardstock, white if possible
- Black pen
- Life of Colour Silky Paint Stix
- Life of Colour Special Colours paint pens
- Scissors
- Glue
Instructions
Step 1: Copy this funky frog design, or print it and then trace it with a black pen.
Step 2: Fold down the middle line
Step 3: Use the scissors very carefully to make the frogs mouth
Step 4: Pinch and fold the top lip following the middle line you already folded, and create a triangular shape to give volume to the mouth. Then pinch and fold the bottom lip the same way. This will make your frog blow the kiss each time the card is opened!
Step 5: Secure the mouth moving bits by closing the card and pressing the folds.
Step 6: Now it's time to have fun. Round up your greens from the Silky Paint Stix and the Special Colours paint pens and paint the frog! Add as much or as little details as you wish
Step 7: Use pink to paint the eyes and the pouty mouth
Step 8: Place the inside of the card onto coloured cardstock and use glue to paste it together so the tiny whole of the mouth isn't seeing from outside and the frog's kiss surprises whoever receives it!
While you're at it, use your Silky Paint Stix to paint your own funky design for the outside of the card!
