Landscape Layers Collage

Dig deeper with this multi-layered project that helps children grasp perspective and geography. Kids artfully create a detailed scene above and under ground.

1. Look out your window or at pictures for landscape ideas—sand dunes, mountains, rolling hills, treeless plains. Think about what you see far away and nearby, and what you don't see that could lie underneath the Earth's surface.

2. On white construction paper, outline a scene with Crayola® Markers. Draw three levels: background (far away), foreground (nearby), and underground. (Objects look smaller and farther away when they are in the background, while those in front look closer and larger.)

3. Fill in the background with objects you can see. Imagine then draw underground areas. Press firmly with Crayola Crayons when drawing your scenes.

4. Cut tiny pieces of construction paper with Crayola Scissors, or tear paper for uneven edges. With a Crayola Glue Stick, attach paper bits in a mosaic pattern to the foreground (the "nearby" parts of your scene). This creates texture and depth, so underground objects appear to be below your above-ground scene.

5. Spread newspaper over your work area. Create a sense of visual depth by brushing Crayola Washable Kid's Paint over the crayon drawings. Crayon resists paint and shines through. Dry flat.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

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.

Ribbons, Rosettes, & Medals

Color Wonder™ Fingerprint Peacock

Here Kitty, Kitty! Pet Portraits

Crafts

crayola supplies

• Crayons
• Markers
• Washable Kid's Paint
• Glue Sticks
• Blunt-Tip Scissors
• Construction Paper

household supplies

• recycled newspaper
• paper towels
• container(s) of water

"We talked about the layers of the earth's crust. Kids drew underground scenes for the area of their choice."
Molly M., after-school club mentor.

"The mosaic layers made these pictures unique. Some kids created layered city scenes, while others chose the country, the desert, or the mountains."
Irene B., family child care provider.

Artists create perspective and size in a picture by the creative use of space and design. One technique that makes objects seem farther away is to draw or paint them slightly blurry. The more clarity an object has, the closer it appears.