Rainbow Printing

This idea is inspired by the amazing rainbows that I have seen put up in people’s windows to spread some cheer! This is a great activity to get creative for when the weather is not so nice! Instead of just painting a rainbow, I have aimed to make this activity a little different by using printing techniques. All you will need are some objects from around the house and some paint!  

What you will need:

-paint (you will need red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) 

(to make the colour orange, mix red and yellow, to make indigo mix blue with a dab of purple and a dab of black if you want it to be darker, and to make violet mix blue and red)

-6 different objects that you can use to print onto paper. Plastic toys that are textured like lego work well and also natural items like flowers and the parts of vegetables that get thrown away, like the stalks are also effective. 

(For my print I used a big lego brick, a dried flower, the end of a carrot, a bead, a smaller lego brick, my finger to create a print and a cotton bud)

1. First of all, you will need to collect together some objects from around the house that you can use to print with. 

2. Now start to mix your paint colours in a tray/pallet (old yoghurt pots or cut down milk cartons make good paint pots). Separate each of the 7 colours so the colours don't mix. To make sure that you create an even and clear pattern, spread out the paint using a paintbrush.

3. The next step is to lightly draw the outline of a rainbow onto your piece of paper. (I used an A1 sheet but you can use A4 or stick multiple sheets together to create one big piece of paper). 

4. Now you can start printing! Decide what object you will pair with  each colour. Dip the object into the paint and press onto the outlines on your paper. You can layer the patterns as many times as you want and eventually, once you have created all of the layers of the rainbow, you will see it come together.

5. Leave the picture to dry and then hang it up in the window for your street to see your masterpiece!

Extra suggestions:

- If you do not want to use objects you could also create this picture using just finger prints or handprints.

- If you have already created a rainbow and you want to use the same technique in a new piece of art, have a go at printing a sunshine to go next to your rainbow in the window!

Bug Hotel

This activity is a great chance to use up what is in the recycling bag and get outside! While the weather is still nice, you can search around the garden for items to make the perfect habitat for the mini beasts!

What you will need:

-sticks/twigs and bark

-grass cuttings 

-gravel/stones

-compost/soil

-leaves 

-one big box to contain everything (I have used a printer paper box, but a cereal box or anything of a similar size would work too)

-egg boxes or any other small boxes to divide up the hotel 

-loo/kitchen roll tubes 

(Cardboard recyclables are best for this rather than plastic)

1. Firstly, you will want to collect some dry leaves or grass and fill up the base of your main box. This will fill it out and give the hotel lots of layers for those creepy crawlies!

2. Now you want to collect the rest of your cardboard containers and place them on top of the first layer of grass/leaves inside the main box. If there are any gaps in between fill it up with some more leaves and grass. 

3. The next step is to collect sticks, twigs, stones and soil and fill up the containers. I filled up each container with different materials. 

4. Make sure to add more layers with any extra leaves and grass and fill any extra gaps with twigs as this will keep everything from falling out the box when it is placed upright. 

5. Finally, to make sure those bugs know where they are going, add a sign. I have written a label and have covered it in sellotape to make sure it stays waterproof. 

5. And there you have it, the perfect cosy habitat for the bugs! Make sure you place the box upright somewhere where it will not blow away in the wind! I have put mine between a gap in the hedge and have covered it with leaves to blend in with the natural environment. 

Extra suggestion:

Once you have built your bug hotel, take a look at this link which will tell you what types of bugs you may find come to stay in the hotel! 

click for guide to finding mini beasts

Pizza Bread

 This is the perfect activity for staying inside the house, and even better it tastes good too! This recipe is adaptable so although I have used part baked baguettes, you can use pitta breads, wraps or even make your own pizza dough.

Ingredients:
-bread of your choice ( I have used 3 part baked baguettes cut into halves, to serve 4 adults) 
-tomato passata or a tin of 
chopped tomatoes or tomato puree
-cheese of your choice (I have used grated cheddar) 
-toppings of your choice (I have used ham and pineapple)
-some examples of yummy toppings are: sweetcorn, baby tomatoes (cut into halves*), peppers, tuna, salami and mushrooms. 
     
1. Firstly, you will need to slice your
bread in half* and lightly brush the bread with water (so it does not dry out when it cooks). Once you have done this, place them on a baking tray and cook them for 5 minutes at 180c*. If you are using bread that is already fully cooked, you can skip this step. 

2. Once the bread has cooked, it's time to put on the toppings! First, spread the passata or puree onto the bread with a table knife or spatula. This does not have to be neat! 

3. Now sprinkle your cheese onto the bread and add the rest of your toppings.

4. Put the baking tray back in the oven for 3-5 mins*, you'll know when it has done if the cheese has melted!

5. Finally, the best step, enjoy! :)

* = Parent's supervision needed for this task 

Extra suggestion:
Now that the restaurants have closed, make your own restaurant at home with this menu linked below. 
Parents fill out what toppings you have at home and then get your children to fill out the menu and take orders like a waiter/waitress!

Click this link for menu