Styrofoam Head Sculptures for Kids

I’m often asked how I come up with ideas for children’s activities. The answer is simple and complex as I find inspiration everywhere. From the colorful flowers in a field, to famous artists, interior designers, my childhood and pictures from other people’s classrooms. So how did I come up with this crazy idea for Styrofoam Head Sculptures for Kids? I saw this awesome sensory table idea from Teacher Tom and my wacky imagination took it from there. I thought this activity was a perfect way to explore the book I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!

WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE STYROFOAM HEAD SCUPTURES FOR KIDS

styrofoam head
paint- we used acrylic paints
paint brushes
pipe cleaners
painting palettes
pony beads

HOW TO MAKE THE STYROFOAM HEAD SCULPTURES FOR KIDS

Prior to introducing this awesome project I set up the table with the styrofoam heads (such a funny sight), paint, palettes, brushes, pipe cleaners and beads.

After reading I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! I told the kids we were going to pretend that these crazy heads had spent the day painting. What would they look like? Laughing my kids looked at me and exclaimed, “COVERED IN PAINT!” “Well, we better get started.” And with a wink, they began.

After we painted the heads (ha!) we let them dry. Next came the crazy hair. I set up an assortment of pipe cleaners and beads. It was a little tricky at first for my girls (age 5) to push the pipe cleaners into the head so I showed them how to hold the pipe cleaner with thumb and pointer finger and push it into the head (ha!).