Garden Art Craft for Kids

What you will need:
Slate, any size - cleaned and dried
Acrylic paints (these are not washable) assorted colors
Paint brushes different sizes
Bowl of water (for cleaning brushes)
Paper plates (for paint)
Clear Spray Paint
Newspaper
Paper towels, wet

First, get your child's work area ready. Cover the area the child will be working on with newspaper. Have the child wear a smock or other old clothing. Acrylic paint does not wash out of clothes. The wet paper towels are good for wiping messy hands.

Next, get the supplies set up. Place the slate on the work area for the child. Squirt a small amount of paint onto the paper plate(s). The paintbrushes, the water and the paints should all be within easy reach.

Now your child is ready to paint! Have the child clean the brush in the bowl of water before changing colors. Once the child has completed painting on the slate, set in the sun to dry. Once dry, on the back of the slate or on the bottom of the front of the painted side, use a thin permanent marker and write the child's name and the year.

Once the paint has completely dried, spray a light coating of clear spray paint. Spray completely over the painted area. Let the first coat dry, then apply a second coat.

Have the child give as a gift or have him (her) find a special place in the garden for their masterpiece.

Smooth rocks can be painted into bugs, and adding googly eyes from a local craft store will give their bugs a special touch. These make great paperweights.

For Father's Day, Teacher's Gift, or just to say I love you, to Grandmom or Mommy, these pieces of Garden Art will be treasured by all.