Seeing Swimmers

crayola supplies

Paint Brushes
Crayons
Washable Watercolors
Giant Marker and Watercolor Pad

household supplies

recycled newspaper
paper towels
container(s) of water

Why

These crayon-resist swimmers are cool in the pool! Paint your underwater adventure at a camp, water park, or at a swim meet.

Steps

1. Swimming started out as a survival skill. Now it is a popular recreational and competitive sport. Swimming strokes include the crawl, breaststroke, and sidestroke. The butterfly stroke is the most recent. Do you know how these various strokes are performed? Check out a book or video to see what the swimmer's arms, legs, and head do while in the water.
2. Using Crayola®Crayons, draw one or more swimmers in the water. Show which body parts are above water (face and arms) and below (legs). Design colorful swimsuits! Make a thick layer of crayon so the colors are brilliant.
3. Cover your art area with newspaper. With Crayola Washable Watercolors and Brushes, paint the water line across the swimmer's body. The waxy crayon resists the paint, giving your scene a watery look. Mix colors to create the water the swimmer is immersed in, such as a pool, ocean, or lake, in the foreground.
4. For the background, paint a pool wall, sky, or trees, depending upon where you're Seeing Swimmers. Add lane markers, diving platforms, or other details if you're showing a competitive event.

When & Where

"Swimsuit designs have really changed. We drew swimmers from long ago up until today."
- Robin S., summer camp rec leader.

"After watching competitive swimmers on TV and making these paintings, my kids are far more eager to get in the water."
- Trudy W., mom of 4- and 6-year-olds.

Interesting Info

Who swam the English Channel? The first confirmed crossing was made (1875) by Matthew Webb of England; Gertrude Ederle of the United States was the first woman to perform (1926) this feat.

Safety Guidelines

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.