3 Art Projects for Kids Using the Power of the Sun
Art projects are an easy way to bond with your child and give them the opportunity to show their creative side. Even cooler are the art projects your child can create using the power of the sun. Plus, outdoor art projects mean less clutter.
In addition to making their creative juices flow, doing art projects using the energy of the sun gives you the opportunity to explain (and show) your child how amazing the sun is. You can combine a short science lesson with a fun art project.
Cyanotype
Cyanotype (as shown in the photo above) uses the sun’s rays to trigger a chemical reaction that turns treated fabric or paper into a deep blue. Any areas that you shadow or cover with household items remain white or blue. It only takes about 5 minutes to convert, or less if you want lighter shades of blue.
Difficulty : low. This project is very simple and suitable for children from the age of four.
Accessories : Cyanotype chemicals (you can touch them, but don’t let the child swallow them), objects that cast shadows, and a bucket of water with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide (to stop the development and set the colors).
Household items such as strainers, crockery, blocks, plant leaves, or your hand can all give a crisp outline on paper or fabric. You can buy chemicals online ( here’s the kit on Amazon ) or at your local art store. You can also get pre-processed paper from Amazon , for example. You should hang your cyanotype designs to dry and they will be ready to install in a few hours.
Your child will need to calmly leave their items on paper or cloth, so if he is impatient you should distract him by setting up the next cyanotype while the other develops.
Wax molds
This project is a great way to use up broken or worn out crayons or old candles. You can save the broken bits in a container for reuse in this project.
Difficulty : medium. You will need enough wax to fill the mold and your child will need enough patience for the wax to melt (four to six hours). Suitable for children aged five and over.
Accessories : crayons or wax candles, cookie cutters and meat paper to protect your table.
Spread out a couple of layers of paper on an open surface that will be well lit by sunlight. Have your child remove the crayon wrappers and fill the cookie cutter with flowers they like. Step out into the sun and drop in at the end of the day to see how their waxy forms came about. If the crayons or pieces of candles are too large, they can be shattered by placing them in a plastic bag and crushing them with a hammer.
Shadow contours
You only need a few common supplies to do this, so it’s perfect for a last-minute project.
Difficulty : low. Suitable for any child who can hold a pencil.
Consumables : paper, pen or pencil, household items to cast a shadow.
Use the sun to cast shadows that your child can trace to create their own piece of art. Spread out the paper and place an object (tall toys such as figurines or animals will work) on the edge of the paper. Ask them to trace the object’s shadow. If you want to expand on this project, have them color in the outline.