Materials
Black construction paper
Small paintbrushes
Glow-in-the-dark paint
Glitter glue or paint
Star stickers of various sizes
Moon stickers
Instructions
1. Printing with everyday objects makes the most surprising designs!2. Fabric paint spots are permanent so make sure the children wear paint smocks.Also cover the work area (including the carpet or floor) with newspaper.3. Pour a puddle of fabric paint onto a small paint tray.4. Arrange a second tray with printing objects.5. Give each child a T-shirt. Show the children how to place their T-shirt flat onthe work surface with a few layers of newspaper inside so the paint doesn'tsoak through to the back of the shirt.6. Demonstrate how to press the flat part of a selected printing object into thepaint, and then press it onto the T-shirt.7. Encourage the children to make prints on their shirts until they are satisfiedwith the design.8. Allow the shirts to dry completely overnight. If desired, put each shirt into aclothes dryer by itself for four minutes to set the color, or follow theinstructions on the fabric paint box.Hints and Tips: The biggest challenge with printing T-shirts is for adults to letgo of the idea that these shirts must be perfect! Let the children experimenton plain paper with washable paint to get the idea of "printing" before usingpermanent fabric paint. Place a small sponge or folded paper towel in thepaint tray for easier prints. Young artists will invent and explore many methodsof printing this is to be expected and enjoyed.More to doEncourage the children to draw with fabric crayons on a piece of paper. Thenplace the drawing on a T-shirt and iron (adult only). This will transfer the drawingonto the shirt.Instead of dipping the print item into paint, encourage the children to paint witha brush directly on the item.Make prints on other items, such as aprons, pillowcases, sheets, quilt pieces, atablecloth, a table runner, or fabric napkins.
