Printmaking is one of my favorite processes with kids because its just so simple and fun. Since Lego’s come in so many shapes and sizes they lend themselves perfectly to printmaking! This Lego craft is a natural Prep work is slim since all you have to do is head over to the Lego bin and grab some black paint!
Let’s make robots….
Since the subject of these prints is robots we started by reading the book Bitty Bot by Tim Mcanna. As we read we talked about how all of the robots in the book are created by adding together simple shapes. Small squares printed close to one another create larger shapes, and so on. We talked about some of the features that were common to the different robots in the book and how we might create shapes like these with Legos. This book was also great to assist in a quick review of a past lesson of warm and cool colors!
But honestly, this Lego craft would be just as fun without a predetermined subject. I love giving kids an idea to start with but room to follow their own inspiration. If they make something other than a robot- it’s okay! Let them follow their vision!
Lego craft supply list….
You will need some paint, (tempera or acrylic,) craft foam or paper, some Legos, and markers. Yay for easy, already have it kind of projects!
When doing this in a classroom setting I always use tempera because it is washable. I don’t like giving materials to other people’s small children that I know may ruin their clothes if they get it on them. It takes the fun right out of creating to have to be so careful! Tempera will produce fine results. as long as it is a quality tempera paint. This is our favorite tempera. for all kinds of artistic needs.
With my own children I use acrylic paint with abandon. This is our favorite acrylic paint. Acrylic paints comes in tons of interesting colors and is super affordable. Throw some old clothes on your kids when using this kind of paint!
Why craft foam?
We did printed on craft foam for this Lego craft because the foam has just the right amount of “squish” to make the details of each brick really show up. This 10 pack of 9 x 12 white foam sheets is perfect!
If you have foam leftover from this Lego craft check out this printmaking project to use up your scraps!
I did a couple of test runs on paper and the results were not bad at all! Stack up a couple layers of newsprint so your paper has a little give. If you get ready to do this project and realize you only have paper or just don’t want the added expense of the foam- keep going! This Lego craft is still totally worth doing on paper!
Let’s print…
Since we had already talked about shapes and layering of small shapes to create larger shapes while reading Bitty Bot by the time the kids got their Legos and foam they were ready to print! This LEgo craft actually uses very little paint. Spreading a thin layer of black paint on a small plastic plate. That way your young artists would have to work very hard to get more than a little paint on each block. (Some did work, very, very hard at this.)
When printmaking is done the Lego’s wash right off if you throw ’em in some water while you’re doing the rest of the clean up. And don’t ask me why I know this but DO NOT let any Lego’s go down your garbage disposal while scrubbing them.
Adding color to your Lego craft….
The beauty of using one color of paint for printmaking is ease of prep work and clean up!
But kids do love color and now we’re going to add some! And it doesn’t get any easier than this!
Crayola washable markers are the easiest way to fill in all of those lovely openings. This 40 piece Ultra Clean Crayola Washable Broad Line Marker set gives plenty of color choices for a family or small class setting.
Color away, kids! I had a few kids that were unhappy with how many smears and smudges they had on their white background. In that case we cut those babies out and mounted them on a bright, new background.
