COLOR IT FUN!
As a Grandma, I try to keep a stash of rainy day projects on hand for those days when outdoor play is not an option for the grandkids. You may have seen painting/coloring kits for kids in the crafting aisles at your local stores that usually sell for $2.99-5.99 each, depending on size and materials included. I was able to create the 3 sample 6"x 6" packaged coloring kits for $1.98 each. I could have added paint pods, mini markers, mini pencils or party crayons for .50 more, but I have plenty of coloring media on hand here in my studio for the kids to choose from. We all know kids can't sit still for long periods of time so plan projects accordingly! Toddlers need very simple art and materials which make crayons or color pencils an ideal choice. Older kids can handle more challenging art and materials and though their attention span is better than a toddler's, they usually can't handle projects that take more than 30 minutes to successfully complete. So let's get started making up these awesome little canvas art kits so the kids can color them FUN!
PRINTING ART FROM .PDF FILES
I chose 3 different images to work with for this step by step tutorial. I suggest you first choose your canvas size and then select a lineart image to fit the canvas dimensions. Best canvas panel sizes for kids 4"x 6", 6"x 6", 5"X 7" and 8"x 10". All kids love choices so I let them browse through some of my .pdf lineart pattern books to select favorite character images they would like to paint on their canvas panels!
Next, we'll need to transfer the printed pattern art onto the canvas. Here's what you'll need to finish the canvas art and package your kits...
We'll need to prepare the printed art and then transfer it to our canvas panel. Cut out the transfer paper to fit your canvas. I only needed one 6"x 6" square to transfer lineart to all 3 of my projects. Cut around the printed design so it's easier to handle. If you'd like to include the color sample guide image with the kit, go ahead and cut that out, too!
Need bulk supplies to make your kits? Here's some links to resources I use for necessary coloring kit items for kids.
Canvas 12 packs
4"x6" .66 each
6"x6" .83 each
5"x7" .66 each
8"x10" .99 each
Transfer paper 8.5"x11", 60 sheets .09 per sheet
Empty paint pot containers, 45 pots .24 each
Kid paint brushes 24 set .18 each
Mini kids watercolor sets with brushes, 24 set .45 each
I buy small packages of crayons at the local Dollar Store (.25 each)
and black paint pens for about $2 each when on sale locally!
Happy project day!