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Cool Creatures | Kids' Painting Ideas

Cool Creatures

Total Time Needed: 1-2 Hours

Don't just throw away those take-out tubs you get at the deli or supermarket. Instead, let your kids use them as canvases for reverse painting, a style that calls for painting in layers - from the details out - on the inside of a clear container.

Materials

  • Clean, see-through plastic container
  • Acrylic paint and brush
  • Craft foam
  • Scissors
  • Tacky glue
  • Markers
  • Googly eyes

Instructions

On the inside of the container, paint the first layer of detail, such as the black spots on the ladybug, the teardrops on the turtle shell, or the swirls on the butterfly wings (we trimmed our butterfly container first to resemble wings). Let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes or until the paint no longer smudges.

Add as many more layers as you wish -- each in a different color -- by painting right over the original design. Just be sure to leave some plastic exposed if you plan to apply another coat and allow each layer to dry before moving on to the next.

Use the container as a guide to cut a body from craft foam. Glue on or draw details such as eyes and antennae, then glue the craft foam to the painted shell.

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