Curious Creatures
The Set Up
Lay out a table that looks like a treasure hunt. Shiny foil, crunchy bubble wrap, scraps of fabric and ribbon, strips of cellophane that catch the light. Add beads, feathers, pipe cleaners, cardboard offcuts, and bottle lids. Pile it all up so children feel like they are diving into possibilities. Have scissors, glue, and paint sticks ready for whatever wild combinations appear.
For younger artists you can pre cut bug bodies, wings, and legs so they can mix and match easily. Older ones usually prefer to invent their own shapes.
The Making
Pick a shape to begin and then see where it leads. A pipe cleaner might twist into wings or legs, foil might crumple into an armour plate, or a feather might become the whole personality of the creature. At Smudge, I love when children wander over to our open shelves (a treasure trove of materials in my opinion!) and ask to pull something down to add just the right finishing touch. That extra sparkle, texture, or colour is what makes each creature feel completely unique.
Variations
Tuck your creatures into the Cardboard Garden installation so they peek out from giant flowers. Create a bug parade along the wall, or string them together into a colourful hanging that buzzes with life.
Materials
Shiny scraps: foil, cellophane, metallic paper
Textured favourites: bubble wrap, fabric offcuts, ribbon, felt
Loose parts: beads, feathers, bottle lids, buttons
Cardboard pieces (pre-painted or plain)
Pipe cleaners and wire for twisting and shaping
Paint sticks or markers for quick colour
Scissors and glue (PVA or glue sticks, depending on the age group)
Pre cut bug bodies, wings, and legs for younger children (optional)