This project will remind you of the sidewalk art created by Dick Van Dkye's character in the movie "Mary Poppins." As the rain poured, the sidewalk art blurred and became faded. Use chalk to draw a picture on white construction paper. Then paint over the picture with liquid starch. The colors fade and run together, creating a softened effect.
One of the best things about puppets is that they serve two purposes. Creating them is a fun, relaxing art process and once finished, preschoolers can use the puppets to act out stories. Glue or sew buttons, pipe cleaners, ribbon or bits of felt onto an old sock to create fairy tale characters or simple puppets. Make puppets out of paper bags, cardboard tubes or even paper plates with a craft stick attached to the back. Keep the design simple so preschoolers can participate.
Preschoolers love the sensory experience of working with clay or play dough, and mixing up a batch of play dough at home costs pennies. Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 2 tsp. cream of tartar in a saucepan. Add 2 cups water, 2 tbsp. vegetable oil and a few drops of food coloring. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Allow it to cool for five minutes, and then knead it until it is soft. Make bird nests, snakes, bowls or people out of the play dough. Try salt dough, which can be painted, with your preschooler.
Keep a preschooler occupied with stringing beads. Keep some wooden or plastic beads in your art box along with some craft lace for instant jewelry, or make your own. String cereal or pasta onto string, or make some beads out of old magazines. Cut colorful pages into strips 1 inch wide by 12 inches long. Paint the strips with glue and wrap them tightly around a straw. When the glue is dry, cut the straws into 1 inch pieces and string the "beads" to make necklaces or bracelets.