www.craftsforkids.com

Hands on Crafts For Kids is the resource for kids craft projects and instructions for kids 6-12 and parents, teachers and other group leaders. It includes school and curriculum based projects,  multi cultural projects, and every day, holiday and seasonal ideas.

It is  the online home of the public television program Hands On Crafts for Kids.

When you see the “helping hand” symbol on a project, it means you may need adult supervision to do the project.

Always cover your work surface with a mat or some type of protective covering like wax paper or plastic.

Age Range: 7 to 12

Grade Range: 2 to 6

Skill Level: Moderate to Advanced

Appropriate for:
Outdoor Activity

Supports Subject Area(s) of:
Language Arts – e.g. step by step instructions
Mathematics - measuring
Visual Arts

Approximate time needed for project:
3-4  hours

Growing every day: Topiary animals, formal gardens and huge animals made of flowers by artist Jeff Koons are examples of visual forms related to plants. At one point landscaping was counted as one of the essential arts along with music, poetry, literature and fine arts.

Create Garden Art
Materials Needed:
Faber-Castell Eco Colored Pencils or Connector Pens (for original design)
Twine
Flour
Flower Seeds
Canson®: XL Multimedia drawing paper, tracing paper

Directions:
Create a garden patch that will be either of a geometric or an image design. Establish the size of your plot; perhaps 4’ x 4’. On a piece of paper, sketch out the design, keeping it simple and bold. Select flowers or leafy plants (different colored lettuce or grass e.g.) that have definite contrast….light green and red e.g. Grid the drawing to help transfer the image to the larger plot. Prepare the plot and with string establish a grid to match your drawing’s grid. Sprinkle flour over the string to create a visual grid on the dirt. Using a stick and in reference to your gridded drawing, sketch out the shapes and lines of your drawing to plan the plantings. You can use seeds and watch the colors and shapes grow and develop or use plantings already started.

Additional Resources:
http://www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/jeff-koons-split-rocker
http://www.likep.com/2011/08/stan-herd-uses-crop-fields-as-canvases.html
http://www.gardening-forums.com/threads/topiary-designs.2955/
http://youbentmywookie.com/wtf/rice-paddy-crop-art-more-awesome-than-crop-circles-6506

http://www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/jeff-koons-split-rocker

  
Sandusky, Ohio

http://www.likep.com/2011/08/stan-herd-uses-crop-fields-as-canvases.html

http://www.gardening-forums.com/threads/topiary-designs.2955/

http://youbentmywookie.com/wtf/rice-paddy-crop-art-more-awesome-than-crop-circles-6506