Apples Two Ways

I have to admit, the title of this post was inspired by Top Chef.  I love that show and noticed that often in the challenges a chef will take an ingredient and cook and present it in two ways. It always sounds fancier to say you've made something two ways.   Try it next time you host a party.

I wish the apples in this kids craft were edible, but alas, they are not.  With the weather finally turning a little cooler in Northern California, I was inspired to do some kids activities that  focused on the Fall.  I loved this fun idea I saw at The Picky Apple where they painted using wine corks.  We are not big wine drinkers and don't have any corks lying around, so I modified the project to use bottle caps.

Supplies you will need:

• bottle caps (the number depends on the number of colors you will be using)
• paint in Fall colors
• tray or plate for the paint
• construction paper for the background
• Brown construction paper cut into the shape of  a tree.

While the kids were napping, I drew and cut some trees from brown construction paper.  I am NOT an artist and think my tree looks sad like one of those Charlie Brown trees, but whatever.  I then glued the tree onto some construction paper to make a nice background for my Fall scene.  

Your child will be stamping some apples on the tree using the bottle caps and Fall colored painted.  How many colors you use is up to you.  I used yellow, orange, green, red and brown.  Make sure you have a bottle cap for each color of paint to keep the colors from mixing.

I explained to the girls how we were going to make apple trees and there might be some apples in the tree and some at the bottom of the tree.  I demonstrated how they can dip the caps in the paint and stamp them on their paper. Here are their interpretations.

"A" starts out with some green apples on her tree.

Lil C having fun.  This is a great preschooler activity, but also works well with toddlers.

                             

B starts out so well.  

Then she just starts stamping everywhere.  I asked her if she was making apples on the ground.  "No!"  I asked if she was making apples on the tree.  "No!"  Okay then B, you just keep doing what you are doing.  I like to think that B's tree was in the middle of a big storm and so apples were flying in every direction.  

I kinda like it.

C was similarly inspired

"A" was a little more restrained.  I love how even the simplest children's craft reveals so much of the artist's personality.

I love painting with things I have around the house.  You might remember in the past we painted with blocks and bottles.  I think bottle caps will be added to my list of "fun things to use with paint."  

So I just noticed that this post is pretty photo intensive.  I think I will save the second apple idea for tomorrow so as not to overwhelm you all.  If you liked this easy idea for kids art, check back in tomorrow for the the second way with apples.  The anticipation must be killing you.

Linking to - Thursday: Making it With Allie, It's Playtime, For the Kids Fridays, Creation Corner, Sautrday: Tatertots and Jello, Sunday: The Sunday Showcase, Link and Learn, Monday: Made by Little Hands Monday