This art project is one that my kids loved doing and the finished products were fantastic. It was inexpensive to do and easy to adapt for kids of different ages.
Cut pieces of different shapes and sizes in cardboard. This is something that older children can do themselves, but for younger children, you will want to have the pieces cut ahead of time. You can use cardboard in a variety of thicknesses.
Provide glue (hot glue sticks work best but to use these, they will need to be supervised) and paint.
Have the kids layer pieces of cardboard to create the look they want. It’s a good idea to show them pictures of actual African masks to give them ideas.
When the pieces are layered and glued on the way things want them to be, provide the kids with paint and have them use their imaginations to create the masks the way they want them.
This craft is also great to tie in to a homeschool lesson about Africa. There are many books and Internet sites that can aid you in this lesson and the craft can be a fun way to finish off and to add a hands-on aspect.
Extras.
Writing letters is a great way for children to practise their writing skills and penmanship in a practical and fun way. Sending them (by “snail mail”) instead of e-mail is especially fun. Below are some suggestions for fun and creative mail they can send.
Building Suspense – One idea that can improve your child’s creative writing abilities as well as their desire is to have them write a story and send a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend one chapter at a time. The recipient will want to know how the story ends and will phone or write to ask the child, who will then feel encouraged in their writing and be spurred on to finish that story and to write others as well.
