Face the Sun

crayola supplies

Model Magic®

household supplies

rolling pin (optional)
yarn (optional)
plastic dinnerware
bowl (plastic or paper)
plastic drinking straws (optional)

Why

The sun shines every day with this folk art sun face reproduction. Energize this solar-powered project that celebrates summer fun and ancient cultures.

Steps

1. With your fingers or a rolling pin, flatten a large chunk of yellow Crayola® Model Magic®.
2. Turn a plastic or paper cereal bowl upside down. Mold Model Magic around the mounded side to form a sun face, shaped like folk art from Mexican and other cultures.
3. Create facial features for your sun with more Model Magic. Use different colors, or shape and pull the flattened Model Magic.
4. With a plastic fork, press all around the edges to create a "pie shell" design for the sun's rays.
5. If you want to hang your sun face, poke a hole through the soft Model Magic with a plastic drinking straw. Dry.
6. Thread yarn through the hole to hang.

When & Where

"Our whole family was inspired to learn more about ancient Mexico and Egypt."
- Peter K., father of children ages 5 and 9.

"We displayed our sun faces at an Art in the Park fair. The kids were thrilled to see their work admired by others."
- Talia H., after-school art club advisor.

Interesting Info

The third largest pyramid in the world is the Pyramid of the Sun built around 100 BCE in Teotihuacan, Mexico. The ancient place once had many buildings all erected to coincide with the movement of the sun. The front of the Pyramid of the Sun faces the exact place on the horizon where the sun sets twice annually -- on the equinox days of May 19 and July 25.

Safety Guidelines

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Modeling Tools—Use the least dangerous point or edge sufficient to do the job. For example, craft sticks, plastic knives and forks, and cookie cutters can cut or carve modeling materials.

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.