This project just might scare the monsters away, for good. Break out the brushes, pens, and paint and let your children's imagination run loose. A relaxing scene that induces sleep and sweet dreams is always good, but if they have monsters under the bed or in the closet, tell them to come up with something that will keep the monsters at bay. Your children will learn fine motor skills as the canvas is quite small, and since it is actually an original painting or drawing, it will look beautiful whether the night light is on or not. Their creation will be a source of pride, day or night.
What you need:
Plug-in night light with exposed bulb and removable plastic decorative cover plate (available at the Dollar Tree)
or Decorate your own night light kit by Darice ($2.99 at Joann etc.)
Itty-bitty mini canvas, 3x3 or 2x4 ($1.99 at Joann etc.)
Hot glue gun
Exacto knife
Cutting mat
Paint or markers
How to do it:
Prepare the canvas, paints and fine brushes or markers on a work table for your kids. Smocks on the kids and an old vinyl shower curtain on the work area will lessen your clean-up later. Since it's such a small canvas, give them a controlled choice by giving them 3-5 colors to work with. Consider the color of the night light plug as well when choosing a palette. 1 to 2 coats should be enough or it will become muddy and the light might not shine through.
If you are using the night light kit, skip the next step and mount the canvas per manufacturer's instructions.
While the kids are busy with step 1, carefully remove the decorative cover plate off the night light. (The bracket will be reused to mount your painting.) Lay flat, face down on the cutting mat. Score with the exacto knife and a straight edge/ruler as close as you can to the bracket. The scoring will help snap off the plastic cleanly. Once you have as little of the face plate on the bracket left, turn over and rough up the remaining surface by scoring lightly across the entire area with your exacto knife. This will help adhere the hot glue to your canvas frame. Reattach the bracket to the night light plug and set aside.
Once the kids' paintings are dry, place face down on smooth work surface. Center the night light and bracket on the bottom of the frame, making sure bracket is not visible. Mark in place with pencil. Apply hot glue to only one of the surfaces (the bracket or the canvas frame) then press the bracket and night light plug firmly down on marked area. Let dry.
Sweet dreams.
Visit your local Joann etc or Joann Fabric and Craft for all your craft needs and ideas. Their kids' classes and kids' camp will keep your child's creative genius busy for the rest of the summer. 21001 N Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050 at Desert Ridge or www.joann.com for more information or to find a store near you.
Crafting on a shoestring? The Dollar Tree will get your creative juices flowing and stretch that dollar at the same time. They have enough art, craft and school supplies, home decor, and party supplies with which you can keep the kids busy, not to mention, pantry supplies to make edible craft as well. 818 E Union Hills Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85024 or www.dollartree.com for more information or to find a store near you.
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