Let the kids get dirty by creating a mud masterpiece!
Kids will love to get creative with mud right from your own yard ... and they'll probably be shocked if it's all your idea! To make a mud masterpiece, follow the instructions below.
(Note: Just find some dirt and add a bit of water to make a little mud, or bonus points if you find a puddle after a rainstorm!)
 Jessica Compton |
What you need:
- 3-4 containers to hold your mud/paint
- Mud (or dirt) collected from your yard
- Garden spade or old spoon to scoop mud or dirt
- Paintbrushes or foam brushes (Not a great craft for your best/professional brushes! Brushes designed for kid use or foam brushes work best.)
- A cup filled with water (to clean your brushes)
- Food coloring
- A canvas to paint on (Any canvas will do. Good examples include poster board, butcher paper, or printer paper)
 Jessica Compton |
What to do:
- Go outside to look for a puddle. Use your spade or spoon to scoop mud into your container. You don't need a large amount. Half a cup will do! You can play with the consistency by adding water, but mud will paint best if it is a little on the watery side. Thicker mud will peel off as it dries. If you can't find a puddle, scoop up about 1/4 cup of dirt. Add water to create your own mud.
- Divide mud into separate containers.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to each cup and mix. The creative part is you get to decide how much color to add!
- Use your colored mud to paint! Let dry before displaying.
Pro Tip: This is a great outside activity to keep the mud out of your house. If you do plan to paint indoors, cover the area with a plastic tablecloth to help keep the mess under control.
 Jessica Compton |
Julie Dikken is the publisher of Macaroni KID Evergreen and Macaroni KID Arvada, Colo.
