String Art

Let's make some COOL, COLORFUL string art! Note: You can make this a two-week/two-day event if you choose!

Get the men in your church involved in your children's ministry! Believe me, they ALWAYS enjoy building projects!

 

Speak with your men's group about your project...they may handle all the prep work for you.

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If not, visit Lowe's, Home Depot, or any other building supply company in your area. They normally have scrap lumber and will often cut it to size if you explain what you are doing.

 

Prepwork:

For this event, you will need a 1" X 10" (approximately) piece of thick (1") scrap lumber per child,

plus approximately 12 nails (depending on your design).

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Cut the boards to size, allow the children to paint their boards. Allow them to dry and then trace out a cross (or whatever design you choose) in the center of the board. Nail hammer) the nails into the board at each point.

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Provide colorful string...crochet thread is the best option, but any string (even yarn) will work. Again, ask your church family for any rolls of crochet thread or yarn that need a new home!

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Tie one end of the thread to any nail and let the children create their string art however they choose. Children may choose to wrap their string around the edges of the cross or crisscross their string from side to side. Allow them to create their own design. No right or wrong! Simply wrap the string around a nail and proceed to another nail.

 

When they finish their design, tie off the end by wrapping it around a nail and tying a knot.

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To make this a two-day/two-week project, allow the children paint their boards on day/week one.

 

On day two, trace a cross onto the artword and pound in the nails (one at each point). Then tie one end of your string to a nail and let the fun begin.

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Children will string the thread around one nail and then proceed to the next. They will then circle the nail with the string and proceed to the next nail. 

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If they run out of thread, simply tie another piece to the end (knot and clip) and proceed. You can switch colors in the same manner.

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Have extra painted boards available on week two for those who were not present on week one. You may

want to ask a few children to paint these for you on day one.

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Note:

• You can use any design you choose; it does not have to be a cross.

• Random nails tacked around the board make for an interesting piece as we.. No rhyme or reason!

• If you are working with younger children, you may want to start the nails for them and then allow them to hit them a time or two with the hammer.

• Harbor Freight carries "tack" hammers, which are short and more suitable for children.

• A good lesson for the evening might be Rahab and the Spies...The Scarlet Cord.

• Colorful "Air heads" would make a great treat!