- Family
- Nat Geo Family Camp
Week two: Create an underwater world
Most camps have a lake in which children can discover another world below the water’s surface. At home, use this fun bubble-paint craft to help them create a different kind of underwater world.
CREATING AN UNDERWATER SCENE
Life skill: Creativity
Step 1: Make the bubble paint.
—In a small container, mix:
• 2 tablespoons child-safe washable finger- or tempera paint
• 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
• 1 tablespoon water
—Repeat the process with different colors.
Step 2: Paint with bubbles
—Place construction paper, watercolor paper, butcher paper, or computer paper on a flat surface.
—Have your child place one end of a straw into the paint mixture. Churn up the paint by gently blowing into the straw until the paint starts bubbling up. Pull the straw out of the paint and use it to scrape or scoop the bubbles onto the paper.
—Repeat the process with the same color, or use different colors until your child is happy with the image. If they want a bigger underwater scene, use more paper!
—Let the picture dry on a flat surface. The bubbles will pop as the paint dries, resulting in a wavy, watery-looking image.
Step 3: Create the scene
—Have kids use their imagination to think about what shapes of underwater animals and plants the bubble paint has made. Think about different watery habitats: lakes, coral reefs, deep sea, etc.
—Use markers to add details and transform paint blobs into an underwater scene. For example, add big eyes, a mouth, and legs to create a diving frog.
—If your kid has made more than one picture, tape the art together to create a giant underwater world.
Blow paint bubbles with a straw.
