Raindrops on My Umbrella

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why

Who says rain can’t be fun? Make a glistening umbrella and raindrop mobile to chase away the gloominess of a rainy day.

Steps

  1. 1. Tear or cut the shape of several small umbrellas with handles from Crayola Color Wonder™ Paper. Pull the red pegs from the tubes of your Color Wonder Glitter Paint and discard. Use the sparkling colors to decorate your umbrellas. Make stripes dots, swirls, or any decorations you like—you are the designer.
  2. 2. Create a stand with a cardboard tube and a cardboard square. Attach Color Wonder Paper to the tube and base with Crayola School Glue. Decorate them with glitter paint. Glue tube to base. Air-dry.
  3. 3. Tear a large cloud. Paint it to look like a cloud. Glue your cloud to the top of the tube. Hang your umbrellas from the cloud by taping them with string or ribbon.
  4. 4. Attach craft jewel raindrops with glue. To make grass for the base, use green Glitter Paint on Color Wonder Paper. Rip the grass into small pieces and glue onto base.
  5. 5. Wow, you made a beautiful rainy day scene! Place it on a table whenever it rains to remind you of the fun you had making it.

When & Where

"This was a fun rainy day activity for the whole family. It makes a great centerpiece!"
- Marissa T., mother of 5- and 9-year-olds.

"My daughter chose the word umbrella at nursery school. This project worked well to illustrate it. She and her dad worked on the project. She was very proud when she took it to school."
- Candy B., mother of a 6-year-old.

Interesting Info

The umbrella was originally used for protection against the sun in China and Egypt. It was often an emblem of high rank. During the Middle Ages the umbrella became almost extinct in Europe. Its usefulness was rediscovered in the late 16th century, when it was introduced as the parapluie in France.

Safety Guidelines

Color Wonder™—Wash hands well with soap and water after use.

Recycled Cardboard Tubes—Use paper towel tubes, gift-wrap tubes, or long cardboard tubes that can be cut to any length. Health professionals caution against using recycled toilet paper tubes for arts & crafts projects because of the potential fecal contamination.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

© 2000 - 2006 Binney & Smith, Inc.