Hot-Air Balloon Festival

crayola supplies

Erasable Colored Pencils
Markers
Multicultural Markers
Washable Watercolors
Watercolor Brushes with Plastic Handle
No-Run School Glue
Pointed Tip Scissors
Construction Paper
Giant Marker and Watercolor Pad

household supplies

recycled newspaper
paper towels
cardboard
container(s) of water

Why

Launch your imagination along with these awesome inventions. You can soar across the sky amid hundreds of hot-air balloons!

Steps

1. Read a book, such as Fire and Silk: Flying in a Hot-Air Balloon, to find out about hot-air balloons. Attend a hot-air balloon festival if you can to see the sky filled with color!
2. Just dreaming? Bring your imagination to life with a hot-air balloon festival of your own. Cover your art area with newspaper. On watercolor paper, paint a sky with Crayola® Watercolors and Watercolor Brushes. If you get the paper wet first, the blues will blend beautifully. Use small areas of color to show small, light balloons in the distance if you wish. Dry.
3. On construction paper, sketch several hot-air balloons with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils. Make them different sizes. Use your imagination to decorate each one with Crayola Washable Markers. Think of all the bright colors and striking designs you've seen on hot-air balloons. Cut out the balloons with Crayola Scissors.
4. Attach the balloons to the sky with Crayola School Glue. For a 3-D effect, cut cardboard and place pieces behind one or two of the balloons. This will make the balloons look like they are closer to you than the others.
5. Draw rattan baskets hanging from the hot-air balloons with Crayola Multicultural Markers. Climb in and let your imagination soar!

When & Where

"This art project was a wonderful way to display the hot-air balloons that we saw at a festival. Everyone decorated their favorites."
- Payal C., mother of ages 6, 8, and 10.

"After we discussed the uses of hot-air balloons in science, we created a room-sized version of this art."
- Adam A., after-school assistant.

Interesting Info

Did you know that a typical hot air balloon has a volume of 65,000 to 105,000 cubic feet (1839 to 2971 cubic m), and may reach 70 feet (21 m) in height? The baskets are made of rattan and woven entirely by hand.

Safety Guidelines

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

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.