 Since this has been such a cold and seemingly long winter, I’m sure that spring is on all our minds this March. Let’s get into the spirit of spring by “planting” a few crafts. Flowers, birds and bugs are all signs that spring is on its way. Use some of these ideas to help get you started on decorating your own flower pot.
For this craft you will need a clay pot the size that you want to paint and a variety of colors of paints. The clay pots come very tiny to very large so think about what your use will be for the pot first. Small pots make great pencil, hair rubber bands or silly bands holders. A large pot is great for a front entrance or back porch.
Next determine the colors that you want to use. You can paint your design right on the pot or paint the whole pot a color first. For painting the whole pot, I find spray paint covers faster but must dry between coats so the paint doesn’t run. If you are painting several pots at once, squirt some of each color paint on a paper plate for your very own color palate. Acrylic paint works well for full coverage and seems to give the pots a thicker paint look. Lighter colors work better for full coverage of the pot--then the darker, accent colors show up better.
After you have chosen your colors, plan out your design. For preschoolers this step may entail asking them what they want on their pot and drawing an outline for them to paint inside. A large heart or flower is an easy design for them to paint inside. A frog or lizard is a great idea for a little boy. Preschoolers can also pick several colors and use a piece of kitchen sponge to sponge their pots. Foam brushes are also easy for little hands to dip in the paint and press on the pot.
You can make this pot as decorative or easy as your children want. A coat of pink paint on the whole pot and then white polka dots on the pot is an easier way to go. You can also make thumbprint animals like bees, frogs, caterpillars, butterflies or any combination for a garden scene. Drawing the details on the pot like the caterpillar’s antennas or the frog’s face really makes your pot come alive. Check out a thumbprint or handprint idea book from the library to help get you started or look online.
You can make some “handsome” flowers by painting your child’s hand and then pressing on the pot in the middle. Then draw or paint a stem from the hand to the bottom for any easy flower. You can make a pattern of color handprint flowers around the pot or let each of your children make their own flower around the pot. Painting the rim around the pot a different coordinating color really adds to the design of the pot, too.
Another idea is an ocean. Paint the whole pot a light blue and then paint waves around the rim in a darker blue. Draw or freehand paint a boat or pirate ship. Larger stencils can also be taped on the pot while you paint them.
Make sure that you seal your pot with a clear sealant spray after your paint dries. This will help hold the colors on the pot during the next rain. These pots make great gifts for grandmas, neighbors or someone special in your family.
This is also a great activity for a garden birthday party or craft day for several friends. Invite a few friends over to paint and plant. While the pots are drying you can have a snack of “dirt pudding”. The recipe requires instant chocolate pudding, milk to stir in per directions on the box, several oreos to be crushed and gummy worms for everyone. Mix the instant chocolate pudding with the milk and then pour into clear cups. Stir a gummy worm in and let set in the refrigerator until firm. Then crush several Oreos and sprinkle on top before you serve. Garnish with a fake flower stem on top.
Once your pot has been painted and sealed you are ready to plant. Choose a spring flower from your local plant nursery and plant in some soil. Or plant a few seeds to watch them grow. Planting grass seed in your pot will give you the look of tall hair. Your pot can be painted to look like a face, and it’s fun to watch the hair grow in. Getting crafty with painted pots and plants will really get you in the mood for SPRING!
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