Kids' Art Activities to With Beans and Rice

Sock Sacks
A simple solution, for the mysteriously abandoned sock.
You’ll need :
Unmatched socks
Dried beans, lentils or rice

Simply fill the sock with about 1 cup of dry beans.
Tie the end and pull to tighten. 
There you go...it's a sock sack!
Combined with a large coffee can or waste basket 
you've got "basket sack" !
For out side fun, use a long tube sock 
and leave the "tail". 
You can use it to really fling your sack high 
into the atmosphere.

Squeeze Ball
(Not for children under 5)
Have you ever noticed that kids can sit for the 
longest time, fascinated by some new squishy or 
slimy toy. This activity is a home made version 
of a common toy for older kids.
As a matter of fact I keep one by my computer 
desk to exercise my hand.
You’ll need :
Latex Balloon (strong helium type is best)
Cornstarch

Blow up the balloon to stretch it, but do not 
tie the end! Use a funnel inside the opening of
the balloon to pour cornstarch inside . 
When it feels tight, w/o stretching the balloon 
too much, you have enough. 
Tie the balloon securely and you are done. 
The more the ball is squeezed, 
the softer it gets!
Kit's tip:
These make a great party favor 
and only cost about $3.00 for 
10 squeeze balls.

Colored Rice
A NON- TOXIC alternative to glitter and 
sand for the young artist. 
Use with white glue on paper as a collage 
medium or it can be glued on other surfaces 
to add texture. Teach your little ones their letters, 
by placing the rice onto a letter written in glue. 
After it dries, they can trace the letter with their 
finger tip.

You’ll need :
Uncooked white rice
Food color
Vinegar

Place 1/2 cup rice into a bowl. Add ~ 5 drops 
of coloring and 1/2 tsp. vinegar 
to set the color. Spread flat onto a baking sheet . 
Bake at 200 for 45 min to dry.
You may wish to make more colors at the same time. 
Be sure to keep them separate when baking. 
After they dry, they can be packed together.

Legume Mosaic-Great for Mothers Day!

Legumes come in a variety of beautiful colors and 
shapes.  Which makes them a natural medium for 
mosaic art. You can even write a mosaic message to someone you love.
You'll Need :
A variety of dry beans, peas, and lentils
Modeling clay
A firm surface on which to place your mosaic ex. 
glass jar, tile, or a wood board

First, decide whether you want to create a 
picture or a random design.  If you decide to make a 
picture, draw it on paper first and identify which 
objects you want where. It's a lot like making a 
paint by colors! The next step is to cover your surface 
with an even layer of modeling clay. 
With a pencil tip gently mark your design into 
the clay, to guide you while placing your objects. 
You are ready to begin the mosaic. 
Press the beans or dry peas into the clay 
in the design you have created. 

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