Looking for a festive art project for July 4, using minimal materials? Making fireworks prints with cardboard tubes is fun, easy and has plenty of room for creativity with awesome results. Here’s how:
SUPPLIES
Cardboard tubes or pipe cleaners
Scissors
Cardstock in black, blue or white
Washable tempera paints (assorted colors)
Cotton swabs
Optional: Glitter glue
DIRECTIONS
- Cover your workspace with a large paper bag, placemat or plastic cloth.
- Flatten cardboard tubes (one for each color you want to use) and make one-inch cuts (about 1/2-inch wide) on one end. Unfold and reform the circle. Press the cut ends open.
- Dip the “fringed” end of the tube into paint and press onto the paper. Repeat with other colors.
- Add dots around the fireworks with a cotton swab dipped in paint.
- Allow each fireworks print to dry if you want to add another color on top of it.
- Optional: Add sparkle with dabs of glitter glue.
- Hang to decorate and enjoy!
Image 1: using cardboard tubes Image 2: using pipe cleaners
OTHER IDEAS:
- To use pipe cleaners instead of cardboard tubes: Cut pipe cleaners in half (one for each color). Bend one end into a loop and the other end into an “L” shape. Dip the “L” end of the pipe cleaner into paint and then press it onto the paper, repeat this process in a spiral pattern to create fireworks as shown in Image 2. Repeat this process as many times as you like (and/or with other colors) to create desired image.
- Use 4”x 6” or 5”x 7” cardstock to create greating cards or a decorative bunting.
- Experiment with different background colors or images by painting the paper before creating the fireworks prints.
Alyssa Navapanich is an award-winning art educator who teaches art to elementary school kids in East San Diego County.
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