This is about as low mess you can get and still end up with a fun sparkly craft. Contact paper takes the place of glue and even though we used felt and buttons for differing textures you could add just about anything you have on hand .
- Gather your materials. You will need some contact paper, a sheet of construction paper, crayon, scissors, felt, buttons, and googly eyes.
- Start by drawing the outline of a fish on the construction paper.
- Cut the fish out so you are left with a frame.
- Cut a piece of contact almost as large as the full sheet of construction paper , peel the backing off and stick on .
- Cut your felt into small pieces.
- Invite your child to the table .
If you were me yesterday go into long negotiations with your Batman costumed child over doing or not doing a craft with gloves that belong to his grandmother on… which then turned into ” You always boss me around, I hate fish, I won’t do your baby craft.” Inspired by techniques discussed in our Parenting Book Club Book “Playful Parenting” I resisted the urge to give a lecture about talking back and instead pretended to call Batman himself for help and listened to “Batman’s” suggestions. So we added some gems from our art closet , he took one glove off and we had a fun time together which is the whole point . - Add your eyes and collage materials.
- Hang up in your window – no need to wait for anything to dry.
Today I really wondered for a few minutes if maybe my wee man was actually done with craft time. If he is I will be sad because I love our time creating but only when he loves it too. His play is almost entirely pretend play and he loves making anything that goes with his favorite theme du jour so we’ll see… either way I think I better start saving for his law school, this kid can negotiate!
Book
Barry the Fish with Fingers
Susie says
I have a difficult time getting my four year old to do crafts and activities with me sometimes, too. She is all about pretend play, and will play with her toys alone for hours if I let her. Either than or she just wants to draw.
Jenae {I Can Teach My Child!} says
Adorable! I love using contact paper…make’s things so much easier!
Becca says
I love the negotiating. Well played, Mama! 😉
I have to ask a “character” or a “toy” for help ALL THE TIME with my 4 year old. If I need the room cleaned up, I can’t ask my son – nothing would ever get done. I have to ask whatever toy he is currently entertained with. Usually it works pretty well. 🙂
I’m glad Batman had fun with your craft 😉
Natalie says
Tell me about minds of “big kids” who are 4.5! My daughter does NOT like crafting – at least not in the afternoons. She is only interested if the craft has some sort of purpose – a toy or a present. On the positive note, your daughter is almost ready to do all those fantastic toddler crafts from a couple years back.
admin says
Thanks – to tell you the truth I was really nervous about posting about his reluctance and our negotiation. I never want to do a craft/activity JUST for the blog. I am a mama first and foremost and even though I brainstorm ideas for NTFFC many many don’t ever see the light of day because I have no takers.
The only reason I bothered to negotiate was because he’d asked to do it, helped me set up then backed out and at almost 4.5 it’s time for him to practice follow through. We are big on doing what we say we are going to do in our family and this just happened to be the vehicle to learn that yesterday.
If he resists there might be time for me to finally re record all my songs. There is always a positive to every situation.
Irene says
OH exciting! We are headed to the beach this weekend, so I have been getting all my Ocean items out for craft projects. This will be a fun one- I have mini seashells I might use that we picked up last time we were at Seaside.
admin says
Seaside Oregon?
JDaniel4's Mom says
I love his eyes! This book looks wonderful!
Stephanie says
I love it!! We are doing a beach theme next week so it will be perfect!! And like you, I’m loving the book club book!! I have put it to practice WAY more than I thought I would. It actually does make things easier and more fun. Thanks for all you do!!
Pumpkinbear says
I LOVE contact paper! Sometimes I’ll tape a giant sheet of it, sticky side out, to the window so that my girlies can make a giant suncatcher artwork and enjoy it at the same tme.
Jeni / the messy mama says
Stumbled across this while my littlest was sleeping/nursing, love the craft idea – and totally felt you when you said about wondering if your boy was done with crafting! Going through that with my oldest (3.5 now). He prefers painting but only with his feet or outside, the bigger the better. Otherwise he’s off pretending to be buzz lightyear or a tiger and playing with his cars and like yours, my boy can negotiate!!! A year on, how are you getting on with your boy, with regards crafting?
admin says
I have a negotiator too. He is into crafts again but we don’t do as many because his school hours have increased, we build legos a lot while my daughter is sleeping. I am glad I didn’t push it though because I think if I did he’d react even more negatively.