Mrs Maker's Projects

We all know Leonardo da Vinci's (1503 – 1516) main works of art and inventions, but we don’t know what was his creative  modus operandi , or what went through his mind when he painted, for instance, Mona Lisa. Children are incredibly ingenious, cheerful and expressive when they are in a creative flow. This blog post is about our son Bob's (4 years, 8 months) reinterpretation of Mona Lisa. I hope you enjoy it, and that it inspires you do carry out similar art projects with your child.   "Leonardino da Vincino" is busy painting I have to say that the process of Bob painting the picture was far more fascinating than the actual finished painting. Children are born creative and expressive. The challenge is how to nurture and make the creativity and expressiveness last into adulthood and beyond. Day 1 We looked at a picture of Mona Lisa. First, Bob laid a large, stretched canvas (55 x 140 cm) on the floor and drew on it with a brown oilwax crayon. He was exhilarated when he

A few months ago my little men (aged 4 & 5) requested a robot. I had once seen a friend making a "static" robot out of milk cartons. As I always like to innovate and improve things, one day I worked hard all morning until there was a special robot. One with a beating heart and moving arms and head. I tried to make a boy robot, but somehow it turned out to be "Mrs. Doubtfire".   Anyway, here's how to make a shiny robot with a beating heart and moving arms and head. You need e.g. glue, duct tape, scissors, a sharp knife, pebbles (as weight for the feet), carton boxes, milk cartons, empty toilet and kitchen rolls,  tin foil, shiny packaging paper, red beating heart with led, plus other items for the facial features and deco. Make holes in the milk cartons. Place the pebbles on the glue. Some weight is needed to keep your robot in balance and standing up. You also need "tube" legs. You need to glue robot's "pelvis&q