At Home Activities
Make the best of our stay at home days with these four boredom busters, suitable for all ages! Each activity requires basic materials you might find around the house.
Leaf Prints
Supplies needed
- Real leaves
- Paper or fabric
- Paint brushes
- Poster Paint (for paper)
- Acrylic or fabric paint (for fabric)
- Rolling pin or rubber brayer
Steps
- Collect leaves from your garden of all different shapes and sizes. We recommend ones that are reasonably flat and have prominent vein textures.
- Protect your work surface by covering it with newspaper. Prepare the paint colours; add a touch of water so that the paint is spreadable but not runny.
- Using a paint brush paint the underside of the leaf until the entire surface is covered (you can use different colours on one leaf).
- Take the leaf and place it painted side down on your fabric or paper. Delicately place a piece of paper or towel on top. Use a rolling pin or rubber brayer to apply pressure as you roll across the paper.
- Remove the top piece of paper then carefully peel the leaf from the paper to reveal your print.
- Repeat the process using various colours and leaf shapes until your masterpiece is complete. Allow the paint to dry.
Leaf Rubbing
Supplies needed
- Real leaves
- Paper
- Crayons or oil pastels
Steps
- Collect leaves from your garden of various shapes and sizes.
- Position a leaf vein side up on a flat, hard surface.
- Place a sheet of plain paper over the leaf.
- Using the side of a crayon or oil pastel gently rub over the leaf. The image will slowly start to take shape as you continue over the entire leaf.
- Repeat the process using different colours and leaf shapes until your page is complete.
Homemade Play Dough
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- Food coloring of your choice
Method
- Combine the flour, cream of tartar and salt in a large bowl. Mix well.
- In a large pot combine the oil, food colouring and water. Add the dry ingredients to the pot and mix well.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the dough has thickened and begins to form into a ball. Remove from the heat and allow the dough to cool slightly.
- Once cool, remove the dough from the pot and knead vigorously for 5 minutes until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container.
Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Adventure into your backyard with our printable scavenger hunt. Want to get started on the hunt? Simply download the list here.
