Most kids enjoy paper mache projects. They are messy and fun and they get to create something they can be proud of. The materials for this project are inexpensive and easy to find and use. You will need a small beach ball, newspaper strips, paper mache paste, and paint. This project may take three to four sessions due to the dry time in between applications of the newspaper strips. Inflate the beach balls and then cover them with a layer of damp newspaper strips that have been coated with the paper mache paste. Place in a large bowl to dry, which will keep it from rolling around. Repeat this process until you have at least two layers of the newspaper strips applied and be sure to let it dry completely in between applications. When it is dry, have the students draw simple continent shapes and paint them green, then have them fill in the rest with blue paint.
To make an Earth string collage you will need some construction paper, blue and green yarn and some glue. Have the children draw a large circle on the construction paper and then draw in some simple continent shapes. Next, the children will need to glue the green yarn onto the continent shapes and fill the rest of the picture in with the blue yarn to represent the water.
Have students use green and blue markers to color a white, round Japanese paper lantern. The green marker is used to outline and color in the continents, while the rest of the lantern is colored in with the blue marker. When the lamp is then plugged in, the light will show through, providing each student with their own lighted globe.
To make an Earth-shaped window light catcher you will need a piece of thick, flat, transparent plastic, blue and green permanent markers, a printed picture of the Earth, a hole punch, string or yarn and scissors. Place the clear plastic over the earth printout and trace an outline of the Earth. Color the continents in green and then fill in the rest of the area with the blue. Cut out the Earth shape and punch a hole in the top of it. Use a small piece of string or yarn to hang it in a window.