Fun for a Buck: Watercolor Alphabet Letters
We are staying home for preschool this year…We’re taking a pretty relaxed/informal approach to learning kindergarten skills. I figure they have their entire lives to do worksheets and homework, right? Instead we’ve been taking our own “field trips”, and doing other hands on learning activities. Every now and then we throw in a worksheet to help them practice writing their letters, or to help reinforce a reading readiness skill.
We try to keep it FUN and frugal with activities like this one:
I came across a similar Watercolor Initials Activity on… you guessed it… Pinterest a while back, and I decided to simplify it even further for my crafty-challenged brain and my young learners.
For This Watercolor Alphabet Letter Activity You’ll Need:
- Construction Paper or Card Stock (You can use regular paper but it may wrinkle)
- Watercolor Paints (Check clearance racks from Back to School leftovers – we scored these for .30 a piece!)
- Painter’s Tape
- Paint Brushes
- Cup of Water
Instructions for Watercolor Alphabet Letters:
1. Use Painter’s Tape to make your child’s initial or the letter of the week on the construction paper or card stock.
2. Have you child paint around their initial with the watercolors. Be sure to cover the outside of the painter’s tape well with paint to outline the letter.While they are painting, you can name things that begin with their letter sound.
3. Allow the paint to dry completely.
4. Carefully remove the Painter’s Tape to reveal the letter underneath.
Fun + Learning + Frugal = Winning!
What a great idea! I love it! One question… Did the painter’s tape peel off ok or did you lose half the paper too?
It peeled off nicely as long as you were careful and slow. A slicker paper would probably work even better, but I’m not sure how the paint would do… Maybe I’ll experiment next time!
Um, this is the greatest idea… The results you have showing could turn into great decorations for the right room. Maybe a playroom with their initials or your last name or something! Filed away for the future!
I really would like to frame them….they turned out so cute. Maybe I could think of a fun word to do for the playroom for next time!
This look like fantastic fun! I just might have to try this one with my toddler! I’m sure he would love it!.
Pinterest looks like a fascinating site.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Grady! Hope it’s an enjoyable activity for you both as well! Happy to pass it along!
as a prek teacher, i can say this is how MOST kids learn best! especially boys. keep thier bodies involved and moving – they’ll learn TONS!
That’s sooooo good to hear, Christa! I just want them to be able to be KIDS and BOYS. =) Love how their brains soak up so much through experiencing life!
Cool! You know you could do lots of other things with that idea! For instance, instead of paint you could use glitter glue, or instead of letters you could use portrait silhouettes. You could also decorate t shirts somehow or place mats! The possibilities are endless!
That is such a cute idea and I love the idea of doing it outdoors where you don’t have to worry so much about the mess. We are just now putting our two boys (4 and 2) in the same bedroom, I think I might let them do this project and frame each of theirs above their bed. Thanks for the great idea!
I know you’re not quite to the school stage yet, but just wanted to say that homeschooling is one of the best decisions we’ve made for our family. I know it sounds kind of crazy and overwhelming, but it’s really not. In a lot of ways, it just means that the fun you’re having now creating with them and watching them learn doesn’t have to end. You would be AWESOME teaching them (in fact, you’re much more creative than I am, so maybe I should send my kiddos to you!). And, it’s an incredible privelege to walk them through life, leading them to Jesus.
Love your blog when I have time to peek at it. You guys do an amazing job of honoring Jesus!!
I love this idea! I love crafts that are fun/easy and then look great when they’re done.