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Found Objects Collage

April 18, 2016 by Barbara Rucci 4 Comments

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Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

I love these collages because they are so personal. Each child took home their painted “small things collectors” (egg cartons) and collected for a week. When they came back to art class seven days later, they had so many stories to tell! One child collected leaves and flowers from her garden with her grandmother. She remembered the name of each flora and fauna. Another child brought in some old jewelry from her mom and we cut the string and she glued the beads onto her collage. And then the twins each brought in an extra bag of “stuff” because their collectors couldn’t fit it all. They brought in little dolls, shoes, seashells from the “real” beach, and lots of old ribbon. (I think their mom was happy to clean out the toy area!)

These “found object” collages can be done at home or in the classroom. The cereal boxes are not hard to prep. Read on to find out all the details…

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

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Supplies needed:

~ Cereal box

~ Scissors

~ Colored duct tape

~ Collage papers (scrapbooking, colored, old art)

~ Other collage materials like pom-poms and straws (optional)

~ White school glue

~ Collected small objects from home and/or from nature

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

The process:

~ Cut the front (or back) off of a cereal box. Tape the sides with colored duct tape.

~ Gather lots of collage papers, like scrapbooking papers, old art, or colored paper. Let the children use their scissors and their glue to cover the bottom of the cereal box.

~ Now just let them glue on their found objects. Anything goes! I brought out a few extra goodies, like straws and pom-poms.

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

Children collect small things from their homes to make a collage.

I love that they look like shadow-boxes. And that they each have a story to tell.

xo, Bar

PS: Here is my Beginner Art Supply list, and my Favorite Craft Supply list, if you need help knowing what to buy to fill your kids’ art area.

PSS: Follow me on Instagram to see what I’m up to at the moment, and Facebook for tons more creative and artsy ideas.

 

Filed Under: Process Art, Recycled, Art for Toddlers Tagged With: collected, found objects, small things, cereal box, collage

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Danielle

    April 19, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    I love how this can encourage a child to enjoy colors and shapes. Beauty seen through the eyes of a little one is always worth remembering.

    Reply
    • Barbara Rucci

      April 23, 2016 at 4:50 pm

      i love the way you said that! so true. thank you Danielle! xo Bar

      Reply
  2. Lorinda

    June 4, 2016 at 3:42 pm

    Makes me happy to browse your site. I love love love art with children. It is a beautiful thing, and messy and lovely. Thanks for a wealth of great ideas. Glad it found this!

    Reply
    • Barbara Rucci

      June 9, 2016 at 10:43 am

      You are so welcome, Lorinda. I’m really happy you found my blog, and thank you for leaving a comment! Art with children really is a beautiful thing. xo Bar

      Reply

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All content on this blog is copyright and owned by Art Bar Blog unless otherise stated. I would be flattered if you wanted to use an image from one of my posts! But please, ask me first. I would also ask that if it involves DIY instructions with a list of supplies that you don't repost any of that stuff because then nobody would have a reason to click back to my original post!

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