ARE YOU A RAINBOW, A SNOWFLAKE, OR A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH?

 

Rainbows and snowflakes are true contrasts of nature. To best experience the splendor of a rainbow, we must pause, step back, and gaze from a distance. A snowflake, on the other hand, implores us to draw close. We must capture the fleeting beauty of winter’s masterpiece as it quickly blends into a snowdrift.

In many ways we are a blend of both rainbows and snowflakes. Some of our qualities are rainbow bold, easily noticed by others. However, each of us also possesses wonderful talents that can be easily missed. Like a quietly drifting snowflake, these talents implore others to draw closer to truly appreciate the traits that make each of us a unique snowflake.

As you and your child create today’s activity, take time to explore how wonderfully unique you are.

ARE YOU A RAINBOW OR A SNOWFLAKE, OR A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH?

SECONDARY RAINBOW SHOWN

 

Today’s activity is a colorful spin on the traditional silhouette-perfect fun for those rainy days waiting inside for the rainbow to signify the rain has come to an end.

Age range: Fun for all

Time to complete: 45-60 minutes

MATERIALS:
Thick drawing paper or card stock
White paper
Bright light source for silhouette creation
Pencil
7 cotton balls
Colored pencils* (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

Scissors

Repositionable adhesive

*This activity can also be completed with crayons or tempera paints.

INSTRUCTIONS: **

**Some of the instructions are intended for completion by an adult. Those steps will have a ** prior to the step.

1. ** Using a bright light against a white wall, trace the silhouette of your child.

            a. Tape a piece of white copy paper to the wall directly behind where your child is sitting.

            b. Shine the light on the profile of your child and trace the shadow formed by the bright light.

2. **Make a copy of the drawing to use for the project and cut out the copy. (You will use the silhouette for the project.)

3. Create the paper snowflake:

            a. Trace and cut a circle that is 4 inches in diameter out of white paper.
            b. Fold the paper in half, as shown.
            c. Fold the half circle into thirds, creating 6 sections.
            d. Draw and cut a decorative V shape at the curved edge. You will leave at least 1" edge not cut, to form the snowflake stencil.
            e. Open and flatten the paper snowflake. (You will use the outside portion of the snowflake for the project.

4. Prepare the materials for the coloring portion of the activity.
            a. Draw a heavy block of each color on a white sheet of paper. This will be used for the cotton ball ‘painting’.

            b. Load the color onto the cotton balls by rubbing the cotton balls back and forth across the colored blocks. You may have to reload from time to time.

5.**Spread a thin layer of repositionable adhesive to the back of the silhouette.

6.**Attach the silhouette to a blank sheet of heavy paper.

7. Beginning with either the red or the violet colors, rub the cotton balls onto the paper, around the edges. Complete these in order to create either a primary rainbow or a secondary rainbow. A secondary rainbow was used for this activity.

8.**When all seven colors have been used, carefully remove the paper silhouette.

 

9. Repeat steps 5, 6, and 7 for the snowflake, placing the snowflake inside the silhouette.

Hint: If you plan to use paint for the project, allow the paint to dry thoroughly before removing the silhouette and snowflake.

For additional rainbow and snowflake-related activities, please check out my activity book posted below. The book is available on Amazon.