String-Painted Basket

Spring into the season with a project that strings along children's imaginations. Get a handle on holidays from Easter, to Passover, to May Day with this versatile basket idea.

1. Spread recycled newspaper over your work area. Pour two tablespoons of several bright colors of Crayola® Washable Kid's Paint into recycled foam produce trays.

2. With Crayola Scissors cut a short piece of string or yarn for every color of paint. Dip the string into paint and then drag, twirl, or dot on a large sheet of heavy, white construction paper to create designs. Dry.

3. Make a handle for your basket by cutting a narrow strip from another piece of construction paper. String paint the handle if you like. Dry.

4. Turn the basket paper upside down, with the unpainted side facing out. Cut slits at all four corners of the paper about 1/2 of the way in. Fold the ends into the middle of each side and staple to create a basket. Staple the handle to the sides of the basket.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Sharp Point— CAUTION: Contains a functional sharp point and should not be used by children under 4 years. Close adult supervision is required and adult assistance may be needed.

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

Recycled Foam Produce Trays—Wash in hot, soapy water. No meat or poultry trays should be used.

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.

Birthday Cupcake Place Card Holders

Napkin Holder

Personal Pencil Topper

Crafts

crayola supplies

• Washable Kid's Paint
• Blunt-Tip Scissors
• Construction Paper

household supplies

• recycled newspaper
• stapler and staples
• string
• paper towels
• yarn (optional)
• recycled foam produce trays
• container(s) of water

"The children created string-painted lovely Matzoh boxes for our Passover Play."
Shoshanna H, religious education teacher.

"Students filled their baskets with flowers and goodies and gave them to school staff for May Day."
Carrie F., PTA after-school volunteer.

Anthropologist Franz Boas was the first to report on the ancient and worldwide custom of creating figures and patterns by manipulating strings with hands and other body parts. Boas published instructions on how to make Eskimo string figures in 1888. Since then, more than 2,000 string patterns such as Jacob's Ladder and Crow's Feet have been documented.