MONSTERS By Laura Marschel

About – Monochrome is a term used to describe a painting, drawing or other work of art that is done in only one color- or in shades of that color. It is a perfect term to explore with children of mixed ages because even very young children can grasp the concept of "all blue" versus red, blue and green.

Monochrome Monsters

Supplies -

• 1 large white poster board • 1 large tube of colored washable

finger paint • Smaller amounts of black and/or

white paint • Scissors • Black and red construction paper

• A black marker  • 2 paper plates for each child  • Paper towels or baby wipes to

clean hands and spills  • Plastic table cloth or tarp to

protect the floor if you are doing it indoors.  

 

Prep Work - Before you rally the troops, prepare your poster board by drawing the outline of a monster body using a marker. Next take one paper plate and trim off about 3/4 or the rim. Cut a 3 inch circle from the black construction paper and a 5 inch crescent shaped mouth from the red construction paper. Glue the black circle onto the prepared paper plate to make the eye. ©

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Prep Work {cont.}

When you are ready to get started, use the heavy tape to tape the poster board to a fence or other vertical surface- be sure to consider if the tape will damage your surface before you tape it on! Squirt a generous portion of the colored paint onto the remaining paper plates and add varying amounts of white and/or black paint to all but one {so that one is the original shade}.

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Directions -

1. Give each child one plate and instruct them to make handprints or fingerprints using their paint to color in the monster. Ask your child to mix the paints until they are combined.

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Extensions -

Keep the fun going! Why stop with one? If your kids enjoy this, you could have them each do their own in different colors- one shade of paint for each hand. If you would prefer something less messy or smaller scale, you can still explore the term monochrome. Instead of the poster board, draw the monster on white construction paper and use fingers, cotton swabs, pencil erasers or paintbrushes to paint. To introduce another term you could discuss pointillism. Show how the smaller marks can be seen when you look closely, but from far away they blend together to make a deep complex hue. Be sure to talk about this art project on your next visit to the art museum!

Directions {cont.}

2. Be sure any arms and legs are painted too, and let the kids make handprints where the hands would go.

3. Once done, use the glue or

glue stick to add the eye and mouth. Ta-da! Your masterpiece is complete!

About – This fun and easy science experiment uses common household items to demonstrate concepts of airflow and friction. Personalize it to make it look like a floating, hovering monster!

Floating Monster Science

Supplies –

• 1 CD for each child • 1 Sport cap lid or dish soap lid with

a valve • Duct tape or hot glue gun • Balloon

• Sharpie marker • {Optional} Yarn  • {Optional} Crepe paper streamers  • {Optional} Tape  

     

Prep Work - Before your kids join you, you might want to assemble the hovercraft to be familiar with how it works. Older kids might enjoy doing the assembly on their own.

Directions -

1. Place the sport lid in the center of the CD.

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Directions {cont.}

2. Place 4 pieces of duct tape around the cap in a # formation, pressing and squeezing all the tape down to ensure a full seal. For a permanent hovercraft you could use hot glue to attach it instead.

3. When you are ready to decorate your Floating Monsters, close the valve of the

sport lid, blow up the balloon and while pinching it shut, slide the open end of the balloon over the valve.

4. Use Sharpie Markers decorate the balloon to look like a Monster. Note: Sharpies are permanent markers and may get on hands.

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Directions {cont.}

5. {Optional} Tape pieces of yarn, crepe paper streamers and other lightweight materials to the CD as tentacles or fur.

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6. When you are ready to

float the monsters, click open the valve and give the CD a slight push across a flat surface. A smooth floor or large smooth table works well. Be ready to blow up the balloons several times or to teach your child how to inflate one!

 

Extensions -

Want to do more? Try out other flat discs {vinyl records, paper or plastic plates}. Which ones work? Which ones don't? What surfaces work best? Do you have a room with tile or an uneven surface? Does the monster float better or worse there? You could attempt to tape decorations on the balloons too. Be prepared for it to not work very well! Does the addition of decorations on the balloon or the disc impact how well the monster floats? Talk about the science behind this. How is the monster able to float? The force of the air coming from the valve creates a cushion of air that reduces the friction of the disc against the table.

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About – Math involves a lot of facts that kids just need to practice and memorize but there are so many ways to make it fun! These Math Monsters take boring old flash cards and turn them into a personalized, portable, positively playful paper wheel- otherwise known as a volvelle!

Math Monsters

Supplies -

• 2 White paper plates • Tempera paint • Paintbrush • Googley eyes

• Scissors  • Black and red marker  • Metal brad {easy nose option}  • 2 colored buttons {colorful nose option}  

     

Prep Work - Before you get the kids involved you will probably want to create the Math Monster from start to finish. This includes deciding what math equations you plan to write in your Math Monster. Older kids may enjoy making them but remember that paint will need to dry during the process.

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Note: If you do not wish to paint a white paper plate, you could use a colored paper plate instead.  

Directions -

1. Place one plate face up on the table. Using a black marker, draw a 2 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch mouth at the bottom center of the flat part of the plate. Teeth are optional. Be sure to make the tongue fairly squared off so there is not a large gap between the tongue and the edge of the mouth.

2. Cut out the empty space of the mouth so that the tongue can be folded down and up.

3. Using a red marker, color the front

and back of the tongue red.

4. Paint the monster any color you wish, allow to dry.

5. Add googley eyes.

6. Find the center of the plate and use scissors to poke a small hole.

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Directions {cont.}

7. Place the monster plate on top of the second plate to use it to mark the center of the second plate. Remove the monster plate and poke a hole in the second plate.

8. Place the second plate face DOWN and the monster plate face UP on top of it, aligning the center holes. Place a button on each side and feed the pipe cleaner through to fasten them together.

9. Fold the tongue down and use the black marker to write a math equation at

the top of the mouth. Then write the correct answer where the tongue will cover it. Turn the bottom plate JUST enough to cover the first equation and write your next equation. Repeat until you get back to the first one.

10. Once your monster is finished, invite your child to practice math facts with it. Show him how to check his answers by pulling down the monster tongue.

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Extensions - The bottom plate can be changed out to work on a new set of math skills. You can start with younger children, drawing dots at the top of the mouth and the correct number under the tongue. Work up through addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems depending on the level of your kids.

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About – This is a great craft to do with kids of mixed ages because you can adapt it easily. Older kids can cut out their own monsters, paint them and add elaborate hair, while younger kids might stick with just the painting. You can also adapt this to the supplies you have on hand and you can add more materials if you want to occupy more time.

Paper Plate Monsters

Supplies -

• 1 Paper plate per child • Paint and paintbrushes • Markers or crayons • Scissors

• {Optional} Yarn, ribbon, pipe cleaners or rainbow loom supplies for hair, fur or tentacles, googley eyes, hole punch  

 

Prep Work - Depending on the capabilities of your kids and how much time you would like the craft to take, you can opt to prep or not. You could cut out the monsters ahead of time, punch holes if you want the kids to add hair by tying or lacing, or draw cutting lines for your kids if they will be doing the cutting.

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Directions -

1. Using scissors, cut out your monsters. A monster with 1 head, 2 arms and 2 legs can be made cutting 5 V shapes from the plate, as shown. Cut additional heads, arms and legs as desired.

2. Invite your kids to decorate their monsters using crayons, markers or paint. You can add googley eyes before or after decorating.

3. If you have not already, add googley eyes or draw eyes along with a nose and mouth...if your monster has one!

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Directions -

4. Add hair, fur and tentacles as described below if desired.

Extensions - Optional hair ideas: have your child use scissors to cut lines for the hair {like the blue monster} punch holes and lace a pipe cleaner {like the green monster} or punch holes and tie yarn {like the pink and purple monster}. You could also invite the kids to snip pieces of yarn to glue on as fur. If your kids are rainbow loom fans, they could add some silly tentacles! After they are dry you could crease the arms at the armpits and show the kids how they can use the monsters arms to pick up small items. They could have relay races using the monsters to carry items across the room. You could also ask the kids to name their monsters and give them each a unique scary sound to make.

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About –

This is based on a very versatile recipe that is great as a special treat, every day snack and even when you are trying to introduce a new food to your kids. No-bake bites can be made so many ways that you could probably raid your pantry and find plenty of great ingredients without going to the store. Check out the base recipe as well as the optional mix-ins & "decoration" ideas to create a batch of your own!

Mix N Munch Monsters

Supplies –

{Makes 4 to 6 monsters}

• ½ cup uncooked oats • 2 tablespoons peanut butter {or

substitute of your choice} • ½ cup baby carrots • ½ cup dried fruits {dates, prunes,

raisins, etc.} • 2 tablespoons sweetened flaked

coconut plus ¼ cup reserved • 1 tablespoon chocolate chips • 1 teaspoon chia seeds • {Optional} 1 to 2 tablespoons of

walnuts or other nut

Ingredients for decorating the monsters {use whatever you have on hand}:

o Eyes: chocolate chips, small raisins or small candy

o Mouth: thinly sliced red apple, or red vine licorice

o Arms, legs and tentacles: thin baby carrots, shredded carrot, shredded zucchini, pretzels, black licorice

 

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Directions -

1. Using a small food processor {mini prep} or blender, combine the carrots, oats and peanut butter. Blend until the carrots have been chopped into pea-sized pieces.

2. Add all other base ingredients and optional mix-in ingredients. Blend until coarse and combined, not completely smooth.

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Prep Work- Before your kids join you, gather your ingredients. Thinking of your kids' abilities and enjoyment levels, decide whether you will measure and mix the base recipe together or if you should blend it ahead of time.

Directions {cont.}

3. Form the mix into 1-2 inch balls. Ingredients vary by brand so if the mix is too dry to stick together add additional dried fruits, peanut butter or a bit of honey and blend to mix.

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4. Place the reserved coconut

on a plate and roll the balls through the coconut to coat.

5. Invite your children to use

the decoration ingredients to create their monsters. Enjoy!

 

Extensions -

Make a few batches using different mix-ins to find your favorite combination. Optional mix-ins {choose 1-2 at most per batch}:

• 1/4 cup raw zucchini • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar • 1 tablespoon ground flax seed • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice • 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin • 2 tablespoons sweet potato or butternut squash • 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Give each batch a different set of eyes and legs! Try a blind smell and taste test to see if the kids can tell which ingredients were used. {Offer individual ingredients for smell and taste testing as a comparison}.

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About – Monster Hunt is a super easy, super fun outdoor activity that can be repeated over and over with any number of kids!

Monster Hunt

Supplies -

• Monsters! Gather as many monsters, whether they are toys, drawings or the ones you

Prep Work - The first time you play, head out to the back yard by yourself and hide all the monsters around the back yard. Directions -

1. Tell the kids there are monsters hidden in the back yard and you need help hunting them down!

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Directions {cont}

2. Let the kids into the back yard and find the monsters.

3. Repeat as many times as you wish! Have one child do the hiding next time while the others close their eyes. The next time, let another child hide them.

Extensions - Want to make this game more complex? Add colored hula hoops or sheets of construction paper! Lay the hoops or paper on the ground and have the kids run the monsters to the matching colored spot when they find them. Add a stop watch! Have each child take turns finding all the monsters as fast as possible. Time each child and see who can do it the fastest! Have the kids think of more ways to play!

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Extensions {cont} Make a sheet of paper for each kid with a tick chart of various colors or body parts. Instruct the kids to check off the colors or body parts as they find them. How many eyes can they find? How many blue monsters?

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Recommended Books

The Monster At the End of This Book

By Jon Stone The Monster at the End of This Book features furry, lovable Grover in a giggle-inducing interactive book. It has a follow up book that includes Elmo and now there is even an app available to add to the fun. There is a reason why they have spun off this book- it is as fun for kids as it is for adults!

The Gruffalo By Julia Donaldson In this classic picture book, a quick thinking mouse tells tale of a fearsome creature in order to scare away forest creatures who want to eat him. The story offers fun rhymes, suspense and a lot of opportunities to ask- "What do you think will happen next?!"

The Tickle Monster By Josie Bissett If you are looking for a funny monster book that will encourage laughter and quality time for the whole family, this one is for you! About a monster whose mission is to spread joy and laughter, the Tickle Monster is sure to become a family favorite!

Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Weirdos By Ed Emberley If you have a budding artist in your family, this book illustrates easy techniques for drawing monsters, ghouls and other funny beings. Perfect for some quiet art practice alone or try the techniques as a group on a poster board with the kids taking turns following the steps to complete the drawing!

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If You’re A Monster and You Know It

By Ed and Rebecca Emberley This book injects a silly monster twist into the classic song, If You're Happy and You Know It. When you need something to get the kids active, this would be a fun way to get the wiggles out together!

My Mama Monster Loves Me So By Laura Leuck My Monster Mama Loves Me So is a sweet, cute look at all the things a mama does to show she cares.

I Can Save the Earth: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle By Alison Inches I Can Save the Earth is all about the little things that each of us can do to make a difference. Not just for Earth Day, books like this make it fun to talk about protecting the earth!

The Monstrous Book of Monsters By Libby Hamilton The Monstrous Book of Monsters is one of those amazing pop-up books that will probably amaze you as much as it will the kids! It's gruesome monsters and numerous pop ups mean that is NOT intended for younger readers but if you want a book that older kids can spend hours looking through, this one won't disappoint!

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Everything I Know About Monsters: A Collection of Made-up Facts, Educated Guesses and Silly Pictures About Creatures of Creepiness

By Tom Lichtenheld This book is meant to look like a non-fiction resource on Monsters. Full of hilarious facts and vivid pictures, Everything I know About Monsters will arm your kids for any chance encounters with nearby monsters!

Will Allen and the Great Monster Detective By Jason Edwards Older kids will be gripped by this series of chapter books about a 5th grader conquering his own monsters! The books do deal with real emotions and somewhat scary monsters but the outcomes help the hero- and the readers- learn to deal with them in a positive way.

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Monster Munch {Laly Mom} Monster Spray Freebie {Paging Supermoms} Monster Sensory Tub {I Can Teach My Child} Pom Pom Love Monsters {Sugar Bee Crafts} Monster Finger Puppets {I Can Teach My Child} How to Make Glove Monsters {Craftaholics Anonymous} Build a Monster {I Can Teach My Child} Monsters Inc. Inspired Slime Recipe {123 Homeschool 4 Me} Mini Monster Fruit Pizza {I Can Teach My Child} Messy Monster Craft {No Time for Flashcards} Magnetic Monsters {I Can Teach My Child}