Plop, fold, and squish away to make these super not-scary monsters. While kids are working away they’re actually picking up a new art concept-symmetry!
Symmetry is a term your child will hear in math, art, and even in science class, so it’s a concept worth learning. This hands on, playful approach is sure to drive the concept home.
What is symmetry…
Symmetry is defined as the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or arranged around an axis. In this case we will be using reflective symmetry. What we see on one side of the fold we will see a mirror image on the other side of the fold. Easy, right? It is!
All you need…
This is an easy supply list, I promise. All you need is paint and paper. I used craft tempera because it’s inexpensive and comes in awesome colors. However, acyclic is not always washable so you gotta’ know your kids here. Tempera paint is also completely acceptable here, and totally washable!
Big paper is a plus. Squishing can get a little wild and using large paper helps keep those squishes on the paper, not on the table! We used this 18 x 24 drawing paper.
Step one…
Fold your paper in half. (Or papers. Make more than one monster or combine multiple symmetrical shapes into one monster!)
Folds can be lengthwise (the hotdog way) or width wise (the hamburger way.)
Step two…
Drip, plop, or smear a little paint on one side of the fold only. Fold paper and smooth over it with your fingertips. Do one color at a time and fold after each addition or plop several colors on and watch them mix. It’s up to you.
Set aside and let them dry. If you went heavy on the dripping this may take a bit! (Don’t ask how I know this.)
Step three…
Cut those symmetrical shapes out. This does a couple of things. One, it gets rid of any odd smears, or splotches. Because they happen. Two, it allows you to easily imagine what shapes look like when combined with other shapes. You are literally building your monster!
When you’re happy glue that baby down.
Monster symmetry magic…
Alone these shapes already look vaguely monster-ish but let’s add some details. I limited my construction paper selection to only black and white so our symmetry monsters still “popped.” Perfect circles for buttons eyes, etc. are made easy by these circle punches. They come in multiple sizes and I’m amazed how many uses we find for them!
More symmetrical fun, coming up…
If you liked the symmetry paint “squishes” take a look at these symmetry name creatures. This post also includes a free symmetry printable to help drive the concept home or to be a part of an art journal or notebook.
Share what you make. Reader’s pics make my day! Then share this post on your favorite social media. Every share helps me grow the Kitchen Table Classroom a bit and bring you more fun projects and helpful (free) printables!
[supsystic-gallery id=’28’]
