Ages: 2-6+
Materials: Markers/pencils, paper and rubber bands
Drawing is something that takes place in our house on a daily basis.
The freedom, creativity, therapy, exploration and skills found within free drawing make it appealing on every level.
Every now and again I like to mix things up and let Maddie explore a different way of drawing that she hadn't thought of yet. Today, it's 'Drawing in Bunches'.
I provided some markers already in a "bunch" to demonstrate the new technique of drawing that we were trying today.
Maddie's first move was to attempt to make her own bunch.
This was tricky so she moved on to the pre-prepared bunch and practiced different techniques
Swirling
Dotting
and Striping
The most challenging part was using her fine motor skills and hand, eye coordination to bunch the textas together.
Handy Tips:
- Simplify this activity by providing the markers already in bunches. Allow your child to pick the colour combinations and demonstrate to them how you tie them together with a rubber band. You could also use much smaller rubber bands or hair ties that need to be looped less times
- Extend this activity by having your child make up the bunches themselves. Encourage them to think about colour choice and combinations. Look at the different effects you can get depending on the number of different markers in your bunch
- Teach your child the method of using rubber bands. Loop, pull, twist, loop, pull, twist, loop... etc.
- Challenge your child to come up with a pattern that they can use to decorate an entire piece of paper with. Use this design for homemade wrapping paper etc.Talk to them about what makes a pattern.
- Change the writing or drawing
materials to see the differences it makes to their design and creativity
- Listen to your child talk as they go through their
experiences. This will help you determine where they are at with their
learning, knowledge and understanding and help you to develop the activity (or
future activities) to their level and interests.
Happy playing,
Debs :)
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That looks like a lot of fun. We will give it a go.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved doing this. The first time a child tried it, there is always that moment of delight and surprise when they see the effect it produces.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me want to be a kid again. It is a simple idea, but I've never tried it with my preschooler. I bet he would enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI like that you used a rubber band.
ReplyDeleteI like this - it looks so easy to do and quick to set up as well.
ReplyDeletesuch a fun approach to liven up everyday markers! i think it's adorable that she wanted to make her own :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! We may have to try:-) FSPDT
ReplyDeleteMust remember this one when I need an activity - fast!
ReplyDeleteLooks like great fun! I bet my kids would love this!
ReplyDeleteSuch fun! I remember drawing like that as a child. I'll have to give it a go with my boys. I think my oldest would especially love it.
ReplyDeleteWe tried this with two markers but not with a bunch.Looks fun!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a lot of fun. It would be easier for my guy to grip more than one marker at a time.
ReplyDeleteWe tried this a few weeks ago, the kids enjoyed it, but I had trouble getting all the pens in the same place!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! My kids loved it when we did it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to make pens a bit more interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis is my kind of activity =) looks like a lot of fun .
ReplyDeleteI love this- simple, and sure to please any toddler :)
ReplyDeleteWe tried this the other week but I just had R hold the pens in his hand which he found a bit tricky. Will have to try again with a rubber band like this.
ReplyDeleteWe tried this but taped the pens to a toy car as I thought my wee boy would like pushing the car to make patterns but he went mental! The pens where in no way allowed to be grouped together haha strange the things kids react to!
ReplyDelete