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Sandpaper and Fabric Art

Jan 8, 20156,654 views
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by TurkeyMom in Art Projects

Ages3–6 yrs
Prep20 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class

Press felt, chunky yarn, lace, tulle and scrap fabric onto sandpaper, where they stick without glue, to build an open-ended collage scene. Kids can also test which fabrics stick and talk about why.

⚠️ Safety first

  • Sandpaper is rough and can scratch skin if rubbed hard. Remind kids to press pieces on gently.
  • Small felt shapes and fabric bits are a choking hazard for children who still mouth objects. Supervise closely.
  • If kids cut their own felt or fabric, use child-safe scissors with an adult nearby.

Before the kids arrive

  • Gather your scrap fabric stash: felt, lace, tulle, yarn and any other fabric pieces.
  • Cut felt and larger fabric into strips and shapes the kids can work with.

Steps

  1. Set out the felt, yarn, lace, tulle and fabric scraps where everyone can reach them.

  2. Give each child a sheet of sandpaper, rough side up.

  3. Picture a scene you want to make.

  4. Start with the background: press big felt pieces onto the sandpaper.

  5. Layer on more fabric, lace and tulle, pressing each piece so it sticks.

  6. Stretch out the chunky yarn like a net and press it on.

  7. Finish with the details: felt bugs, flowers and animals.

  8. Prop up your sandpaper to show off your art.

Tips

  • I had just 2 colors of felt on hand. Luckily they worked out great!from the author
  • The chunky yarn separates into strands and looks like a net. I really love the look of it spread out on sandpaper.from the author
  • Tulle and other net or lace-like materials were great choices. They adhere pretty well.from the author
  • Have kids envision a scene, start with a background, then work their way up layering and finish with the details.from the author
  • Expect different approaches. The 6-year-old built a scene around the blue felt, while the 4-year-old's goal was to explore every single fabric on the table.from the author
  • Depending on the materials used, you can prop up your sandpaper and the art will not fall off.from the author

Make it your own

  • Turn it into a science exercise: test which fabrics stick to the sandpaper and which don't, and have kids come up with reasons why.
  • Have kids chart their observations and describe each fabric's physical characteristics, or do it all orally.
  • Free exploration: let kids stretch, pull and pinch every piece to see what adheres, without planning a scene.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · January 2015
materials for sandpaper art
Simple art activities for kids using sandpaper and fabric. Materials: sandpaper, felt, chunky yarn and any scrap fabric that adheres to sandpaper. For details I had a bunch of felt bugs and other animals.
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Sandpaper and Fabric Art: the original post

Simple art activities for kids using sand paper and fabric. Use yarn, fabric and felt pieces to create beautiful art.

{More sandpaper art we have done in the past }

materials for sandpaper art

Materials

yarn for art

I had just 2 colors of felt on hand. Luckily they worked out great! I also had a roll of chunky yarn I got at the craft store. They are not like your usual yarn but they kind of separate into strands and look like a net. I’m sure there is a name for this kind of yarn. Then I threw some regular white yarn and lace materials. Tulle material also adheres pretty well. I’d go throw your scrap fabric stash if you have them and do a fun exercise with the kids and see which fabric sticks well to the sand paper and which ones don’t. Then you can even have the kids come up with reasons as to why some do and some don’t. They can also chart their observations and describe the physical characteristics of each fabric. All this can be done simply orally. For details I had a bunch of felt bugs and other animals.

I had my children envision a scene and start with a background. I had them slowly work their way up layering and finally finish with the details. I think the 6 year old had a decent grasp of the concept and was off creating her art. She really wanted to use the blue felt so her art centered around the blue.

kids art on sandpaper with fabric

My 4 year old’s goal was to explore every single fabric on the table.

kids art with fabric and sand paper

She was the one who tried all the pieces, stretching, pulling and pinching every piece to see if they will adhere to the sandpaper. I adore watching the kids take a stab at the same art activities rom different angles.

I really love the look of the spread out chunky yarn on sand paper. What a fun and open ended kids art project!

art for kids with sand paper and felt and yarn

There were a few tulle and other net/lace like materials that were great choices for this sandpaper art.

kids art with fabric

My 6 year old completed this simple sand paper art with all the added details of felt bugs, flowers and others.

felt art for kids

My 4 year on a mission to use everything fabric up was completely enamored by the chunky yarn enjoyed spreading it like a net. So much fine motor workout.

art with fabric and sandpaper for kids

Depending on the materials used you can also prop up your sandpaper and the art will not fall off. What do you think?

Will you try this simple art activity with your kids? Talk to us in the comments on our Facebook Page.

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