Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Art · The activity desk
Paper octopus arm collage
Arrange broad paper arms around an octopus picture.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A background sheet, colored paper, large child-appropriate crayons, and a non-toxic glue stick.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult prepares eight broad, short paper strips and draws a large octopus body on the background.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child, handle the glue, and remove small paper scraps.
Let's make it happen
- Arrange the paper strips around the drawn octopus body, counting them together.
- Ask an adult to add glue, then press each strip onto the background.
- Draw eyes and decorate the arms with colorful marks.
Make it simpler: Place two strips and draw the remaining arms together.
Clean up: Close the glue stick and recycle loose paper scraps.
Keep paper and glue out of mouths and supervise younger siblings.