# Galaxy Bookmarks
> Kids splatter, brush and blend liquid watercolors on thick watercolor paper, then add silver glitter. Once dry, the painting is cut in half, hole-punched and tied with sparkly string to make two galaxy bookmarks.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/kids-crafts-galaxy-bookmarks/
- Ages: 3–8 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: high
- Time: prep 5 min, activity 30 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class
- Skills: open-ended-art, color-mixing, fine-motor, creativity

## Materials (one batch)
- Liquid watercolors
- 1 sheet Thick watercolor paper (watercolor pad)
- 1 piece Toothbrushes (household)
- Paint brushes
- Silver glitter
- 1 piece Scissors (household)
- 1 piece Hole punch
- Sparkly string
- 1 piece Laminator (optional)
- Kraft paper or cardboard to cover the work surface (household)

## Safety
- Toothbrush splattering sends paint flying. Flick away from faces and other kids, and keep paint out of eyes.
- Liquid watercolors can stain skin, clothes and surfaces. Cover the work area, and dress kids in old clothes or smocks.
- Glitter is not for eyes or mouths. Supervise closely, especially with preschoolers, and wash hands afterward.
- Adult handles the scissors, and the laminator if used (it gets hot).
- Keep the painting toothbrushes for art only.

## Steps
1. Cover the work area with kraft paper. Set out sturdy watercolor paper, liquid watercolors, toothbrushes and paint brushes.
2. Dip a toothbrush in the liquid watercolor and splatter paint onto the paper.
3. Brush the colors over the splatters with a paint brush.
4. Blend the colors together. Swish the extra watercolor around the paper to move it and make patterns.
5. Sprinkle a good dose of silver glitter over the painting.
6. Let the paint dry completely.
7. Adult: cut the dried painting into two equal halves.
8. Optional, adult only: laminate the halves.
9. Punch a hole at the top of each bookmark and tie on a piece of sparkly string.

## Tips
- There is no right or wrong way to get the effect. It's basically free range watercolor painting.
- We didn't start off trying to make galaxy art. That's the great thing about open ended art projects. Set out the materials and let kids use them the way they choose.
- With older kids, look for ways to turn their open ended art into something you can keep. My 7 year old, a voracious reader, cannot get enough of these bookmarks.
- Splatter first, then brush the colors over, then blend them together.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2016)

Open ended art activities are such a great way for kids to explore and unleash their creativity. In this art project the kids loved splattering, splashing, pouring and blending liquid watercolors on to thick watercolor paper. We have enjoyed playing and painting with [**liquid watercolors**](https://www.funlittles.com/tag/liquid-water-colors/) as lot. You can see our [**watercolor art projects**](https://www.funlittles.com/tag/liquid-watercolors/) here. Activity Prep Time : 5 minutes Materials

- **[Sax Liquid Watercolors](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042SWTUU/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- **[Watercolor Pad](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027AGLM2/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- **[Silver Glitter](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV0ZE7C/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- **[Paint Brush Set](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IJBHOQ/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- **[Swingline Laminator](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FM76BK/?tag=blmemo-20)** {optional}
- **[Hole Punch](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IBK9/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- Tooth Brushes
- String



We did not start off trying to make any art galaxy themed kid art. That's the great thing about [**open ended art projects.**](https://www.funlittles.com/art-activities-for-kids-sand-paper-art13169/) Since my kids are now relatively older { 7 &5} I'm always looking for ways to turn their open ended art into something we can preserve. For this art project I simply set out sturdy watercolor paper, liquid watercolors, toothbrushes and paint brushes and the had the kids use the materials the way they chose.



The kids used the toothbrush and paint to splatter paint some gorgeous colors on the watercolor paper.



Watch for another post to see what we did with those splatter painted art pictured above. But this post is about what we did with this beauty right here. I could not take a lot of pictures of the actual process.



To get here, the kids simple splattered first and brushed the colors over. Finally my 7 year old blended them together. You can also swish the extra watercolor on the paper to move them around and make patterns. There is no right or wrong way to achieve the effect. It's basically free range watercolor painting.



A good dose of silver glitter was the final touch on this kids art project.



I cut the painted paper into two equal halves once the paint dried.



I holed punched two holes and tied a sparkly string around it to turn them into bookmarks. My 7 year old who is a voracious reader cannot get enough of these.



Tips :



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