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Rainbow Animal Mask {Craft Tutorial with Elmer’s Early Learners Academy}

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I was recently invited to take part in a Pinterest craft by Elmer’s Early Learners Academy. We love gettin’ crafty around here so we gladly accepted. You should have seen my daughter’s face when the box of craft supplies arrived. Not only was it packed with fun supplies, but the box was screaming to be decorated. We looked through all of the craft materials and I asked my daughter, “What do you think we should make with these supplies!?” and her eyes lit up. “I know mommy! A RAINBOW KITTY CAT MASK!” Ok, then. She is obsessed with everything rainbows right now so we set to work. I wasn’t sure how we’d get there but we would find a way to make it. Have you let your child lead a craft idea? It’s often a challenge but always a fun one! (See suggested supply list and basic instructions below the graphic – and don’t be afraid to use your own creative spirit to change things up!)

Pin to WIN!

I’m happy to share that of the fifteen bloggers to participate in the Elmer’s Early Learner’s Academy Pinterest event, the blogger with the most repins on Pinterest will win an Elmer’s prize pack for a lucky reader. So please – pin this craft, tagging @ElmersProducts and the hashtag #ElmersAcademy and help us win the chance for YOU to win too!

Elmers_RainbowKittyMask_text

Pre-school Lessons:

  • Shape recognition
  • Color recognition
  • Animal recognition
  • Small motor skills
  • Dramatic play
  • and of course creative crafting fun!

Basic Supplies:

  • Paper plate or thin card stock (let the kids get creative with different shapes to lead an animal choice)
  • Elmer’s Early Learner’s glue
  • Popsicle stick
  • Crayons or markers
  • Tissue paper
  • Face embellishments could include: buttons, googly eyes, pom poms, construction paper, pipe cleaners, feathers, glitter, dry noodles, leaves, etc.
  1. Take your face shape and encourage your child/student to think of an animal. Maybe your mask connects to a favorite book or a theme week in your classroom.
  2. Talk about the colors of the rainbow and encourage your child/student to color a rainbow pattern (optional) around the plate. We did a pattern from red to purple from the inside out and from the outside in.
  3. For added texture apply glue to the entire surface (we did one color at a time) and adhere cut up tissue paper over each color. We wrinkled our tissue paper first. My daughter struggles with things needing to be perfect (gee I wonder where she gets that?) and this helps us both get a bit messy.
  4. Next they create the face. Give them a stack of supplies and let them go crazy. My daughter wanted a kitty mask so we cut a jumbo pipe cleaner in half and bent it into a triangle (note: I tried applying these with a stapler thinking it would be more stable but it didn’t make it through the plate. Don’t make my mistake. Go right for the Elmer’s glue. It held tight and was much easier.). We used pom poms with googly eyes. We used a shape button for a nose and feathers for whiskers.
  5. Glue popsicle stick to the back of your mask for a secure hold while playing later. I added a piece of tape to hold the stick in place while drying.
  6. Glitter. Optional. I thought we were choosing not to use it but my daughter disagreed. What was I thinking? haha. After letting our masks dry overnight she discovered the glitter in our craft box and insisted we add some sparkle. Well of course. We dabbed some glue all over her mask and applied the glitter to her mask – and my kitchen floor – and maybe even a bit on the dog.
  7. HAVE FUN and let those imaginations run wild!

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Disclosure: I received an Elmer’s Early Learner’s Academy craft kit for the purpose of this craft tutorial. Craft tutorial and all thoughts remain my own.

34 Comments

  1. How fun!! I remember doing stuff like this with my kids when they were younger. We always had a supply of Elmers glue …my daughter was always creating something.

  2. That is a fantastic idea! I am usually overwhelmed with 2 little boys and crafting ideas are the last thing I think about, but I might try this with them. Thank you!

  3. That is so cute and looks like so much fun to make..would be a great project for the cold winter days coming soon

  4. i think when my daughter is a little older she would love doing this. they are super easy and lots of fun. and those are easy items to keep in the house. thanks for the idea!

  5. It is so wonderful you spend so much time with the kids doing crafts. My parents never did and none of us have any craft talent at all. This is awesome!

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