This isn’t going to be one of those picture perfect scrap paper art DIY posts you find on Pinterest. I’m OK with that because, as much as I love Pinterest, life isn’t typically Pinterest-y, especially not inside my dark cave of a home with poor natural lighting.
This caveat aside, I wanted to write about this on-the-fly scrap paper art project I created with my daughter to prove that creativity needn’t be reserved for the parent who has a neat craft closet full of supplies.
Alexa recently had some time off school. In an effort to keep her creativity sparked and to keep myself from coloring book boredom, I busted out a few random art supplies and put Alexa to work.
Scrap Paper Art Supplies
- Scissors
- 2 pieces of scrap paper, already drawn or colored on
- Elmer’s glue (or Modpodge)
- Washable paint
- Paint brush
- A strong sense of humor
First, we removed one of the aforementioned coloring book pages and ripped it to shreds. Just joking. We carefully cut it into tiny pieces. This is good practice for a preschooler who is working on cutting with safety scissors.
Next we found another piece of paper. This could be a plain piece of white paper, or perhaps a piece of paper you have already drawn a really creepy-looking Mickey Mouse-type character on. Artist’s choice.
Then haphazardly glue on several scrap pieces. The less precise, the better. In fact, I fully encourage you to just draw a mad spiral with the glue, grab a handful of scrap paper, and make it rain.
At this point you will have a pile of geometric scrap paper and glue hanging out all over the place. So what’s next? Paint the entire canvas. This is the messiest, happiest, bestest (yes, bestest) part of the entire project. The glue will mix with the paint will mix with the markers or crayons underneath. It will be a rainbow of colors and textures. Your kid will love this part.
You will, too.
Really tap your inner Pollock for this one.
When it dries, the texture of the scrap paper comes out, and a cool watercolor effect will emerge. It will almost mayyyybe look like you made this masterpiece on purpose.
Don’t forget to give your art a title.
I call this one Meeska Mooska Mickey Mouse:
Lastly, if you’re fancy you could frame the scrap paper art and hang it in your grand hall.
Or you could tape it up on the wall above your kid’s play kitchen so she can admire it while she stir-fries eggs, grapes and tofu on the stovetop with a plastic knife.
What’s the best-worst piece of art you’ve ever made (past or present)? Do tell in the comments.
