Maker Monday: kids can make monogram “splatter art”

This fun Maker Monday project lets kids easily create a piece of art celebrating their initials. The result will be beautiful enough to hang up and enjoy. It’s a cool project for a range of ages, with smaller kids needing just a bit more guidance.

As with all Maker Monday projects, kids can make this with items you may have around the house or can pick up at a dollar store.

Just follow the step-by-step instructions below, reading all the way through before you begin. A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project. And always be careful when using tools of any kind, including scissors.

Maker Monday materials:

• canvas board or poster board (available at dollar stores)
• masking tape or painters tape
• paint
• paintbrushes

Maker Monday instructions:

STEP 1: Pick a place to do this project and prepare the space. Some paint may splatter off the canvas board, so put out something to protect the table where you’re working. (An old sheet or pieces of newspaper work well.)

STEP 2: Begin by making your initial with tape on the board (see below). Make sure the tape is securely attached. Depending on how large you want the letter to be, you can do just your first initial or include your first and last.

STEP 3: Choose a few paint colors you want to use. Then, beginning with one color at a time, splatter paint over the canvas. You can gently shake the paint brush over the canvas or use the paint brush to add blobs of color in random spots, or do a mix of both.

NOTE: Allow the paint to dry in between colors to prevent muddying the shades. (We used a hair dryer set on cool to help the drying process move along more quickly.)

Some kids will want to splatter on lots of paint in different colors, completely covering the board. But others may prefer to leave a bit of the background unpainted. Either way is great. And if you have a few boards available, kids could do one version for their first initial and a different version for their last.

STEP 5: Once the final color is applied and all of the paint is dry, gently peel off the tape (see above). You’re left with a solid, unpainted monogram surrounded by beautiful colors!

Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here.

Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.