Early Childhood Umbrella Art Activity
A Spring or Weather Themed Project for Preschoolers
Apr 15, 2009
This activity uses the collage process to accomplish the lesson plan goals. Teachers should feel free to modify the lesson steps in order to meet the needs of the specific classroom. This may include making the activity easier or more challenging based on the general age found in the classroom. Additionally, extensions into other curricular areas will be given.
Umbrella Art Activity Lesson Objectives
- Increase fine motor abilities.
- Develop aesthetic awareness.
- Color and shape recognition.
- Explore art materials and processes.
- Develop an art vocabulary.
- Explore the environment, seasons, and weather.
Grade/ Age Level
Ages three through six years old.
Materials Needed to Create Umbrella Art
- Construction paper (8 X 11 sheets)
- Construction paper half circles
- Glue
- Yarn
- Tissue paper (blue)
- Scissors
- Optional: crayons, markers, glitter, stamps and ink pads, or tempera paints
Steps to Create Umbrella Art
Pre-planning:
There is minimal prep work to be done prior to beginning this art activity. The first step is to create the umbrella tops by cutting out half circles from the construction paper. The easiest way to do this may be to trace a circle shaped object (such as an upside down bowl) onto the paper. Cut the circle out, then cut in half. Each child will need one half. Additionally, the yarn will need to be cut. This will be used to create umbrella handles. Cut according to the size of the half circles.
It may be beneficial to start a discussion on weather and the seasons (i.e., spring) before starting the art making process. Talk about where rain comes from, or read non-fiction books about the subject.
Process Steps:
- Have each child glue one half circle onto a sheet of construction paper. Make sure to discuss which way to glue the circle (so that the umbrella is not upside down), and how high up to place the half circle (leaving room for the handle).
- Invite the children to add a handle to the umbrella. This will be accomplished by drawing the letter J with school glue, then placing a piece of yarn over the glue.
- Add rain. Ask the children to tear or cut (depending on age) pieces of blue tissue paper. They can then glue the pieces of small tissue paper around the umbrella.
- Optional: Decorate the umbrella. This can be done by drawing with crayons or markers, adding glitter, stamping with stampers and ink pads, or painting with tempera paints.
Umbrella Art Activity Wrap Up
After the umbrella art has dried, have an art show and share. Ask the children to tell you (and their classmates) about how the umbrella was made. Discuss what parts of the activity were the most fun, and what was difficult.
Umbrella Art Enrichment Activities
- Alphabet: Encourage letter and sound recognition. Remind the children that umbrella starts with the letter U. Ask them to find and trace (with markers or paint) the letter U on the umbrella (the edge of the half circle). Additionally, discuss the handle being a letter J.
- Self-concept: Ask the children when they have used umbrellas. Invite the children to bring in an umbrella from home for a show and share.
- Nature/environment: Discuss weather and how rain affects the natural world. Talk about plants, flowers, and the growing cycle.
Making paper umbrellas in the classroom is a simple activity that can be altered to easily fit specific lesson planning needs. Keep it simple and only work with paper and glue, or get adventurous and use glitter and paint to add special embellishments.
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