It’s so stressful each year to think of the perfect Christmas gift for kids to make for their families! The perfect gift has to be kid-made, process-oriented, reasonably priced, easy to create and be adorable too. So much stress!! No worries, though. This Painted Canvas Gift that kids can make for their families is amazing.
Preschool Christmas Gifts for Parents
Even when students are making a gift, it’s important to remember the objective of the activity. What type of learning will take place? How much work does the teacher do? How much work does the child do? (Helpful hint: The children should work harder than the teacher. Always!)
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 this Painted Canvas Gift:
- 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!! Aren’t they gorgeous?!
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 painted canvas gift is unique and stunning.
Finishing Touches on the Painted Canvas Gift
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 final 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 gifts 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!