It’s so stressful each year to think of the perfect Christmas gift for kids to make for their families! It has to be kid-made, reasonably priced, easy to create, and be adorable too. So much stress!! No worries, though. This Painted Canvas Christmas Gift that kids can make for their families is amazing.
Even when students are making a gift, it’s important to remember the objective of the activity. Parents do not want a gift that the teacher made. They will not remember a teacher-made keepsake fondly for years and years. Parents want something that is 100% made by their child!
Supplies Needed for these Painted Canvas Gifts:
- gift bows (Buy a big bag at the dollar store or check out the post-season clearance bins and save them for the next year!)
- craft sticks (We like the wide tongue depressor type.)
- acrylic paint (This is our favorite brand.)
- large economy canvases (These are available in bulk at the craft store. Canvases often go on sale and can be as low as 10 for $10. They’re also available HERE.) Any size canvas will work, but we favor a big, bold 11″ x 17″ canvas!
Watch how carefully the students work on their paintings. Notice how they make prints, how they observe the paint when it drips, how they negotiate the space and supplies with each other. The children take so much pride in their work.
All the big heart eyes for these colors!!
Allow students the time and space to have full creative license over this process art! They might want to stamp the paint, brush it, drip it, or swirl it. Give them the freedom to explore and change their work as they go along.
Aren’t these beautiful?! Each canvas is unique and stunning.
When the artists are finished creating, allow the canvases to dry. Be sure to print the child’s name and date on the back of the canvas for posterity.
Tempera paints would also work, but we love acrylics for this project. The colors are much more vibrant and the thickness of the paint leaves a gorgeous texture on the canvas.
For a finishing touch, wrap the canvas with a wide, colorful holiday ribbon. Have the children select a (clean, unpainted) gift bow to stick to their canvas gifts. Students will be so excited to take these home. Then, they will continue to beam with pride when they see them proudly displayed like the gorgeous piece of art that they are. It’s a gift that is sure to become a treasured keepsake!
For more process art ideas, click HERE:
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