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Quick & Easy Kid Craft: Shape Monsters

2yo Lily's shape monster

These shape monsters are super simple and super easy to make – and they were such a hit with my kids that I think we’ll make some as part of Emma’s craft-themed birthday party next month!

I gave each kid a sheet of construction paper, a bunch of shape foam stickers, and googly eyes, and set them free! I love the individuality of each creation! Two-year-old Lily’s (above) I find especially charming in its wonkiness!

4yo Johnny's shape monster

Four-year-old Johnny loves symmetry, and it shows in his artwork! I like that he came and asked for extra eyes after I gave each kid only two to start with. He had a vision of what he wanted to create! Johnny is very into both snowmen and robots right now, and I think his monster reflects both of those interests!

5yo Emma's shape monster

Five-year-old Emma has been making little guys like this out of paper for a couple weeks now! I think they are cute, and this one feels a bit wistful to me somehow.

I keep a stash of fun craft supplies for emergencies – times when we need to keep the kids busy in a peaceful way – and foam stickers are always a popular choice for the kids! They love the texture, and it takes a little bit longer for them to peel the backings off – buying me a little bit of extra time! This was our first time using peel-and-stick googly eyes. Normally we just glue them on, and in many cases I think that’s the better option. I had to peel the backings off of these, even for Emma.

What are your favorite emergency craft supplies? Do you have a favorite quick and easy kid craft to share?

Sharing with Red Ted Art

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

18 thoughts on “Quick & Easy Kid Craft: Shape Monsters”

  1. So unique and special, especially given that they reflect each of your children’s interests. I really enjoying giving each of my children the same supplies and seeing what they come up with – invariably, Blakie can turn anything into a dog :)

    Stickers and wrapping paper featuring pictures are two supplies I have on hand for “emergency” times. My children like to use some stickers to incorporate into a drawing. Wrapping paper with different pictures is excellent to because they can cut out an image from it, glue (or tape) it onto a sheet of paper and also use this to inspire a drawing.

  2. These are adorable and look like lots of fun. They remind me of some shape monster cards we did a while back and my son ADORED doing those.

    Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy

  3. I love that you used foam pieces for this! We do this craft with peel and stick felt sometimes. It is such a great no-mess activity. I can’t wait to try it with the foam. One of my favorite emergency craft supplies is food coloring. It makes great watercolor paint in a pinch. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled out the watercolor trays, only to discover they are too murky to save.

  4. Elisa | blissfulE

    Love these, and the explanation of each child’s inspiration/creativity behind them. Glad you’re feeling better, and that you have emergency craft supplies on hand! :) Now if only those sticker backings would unpeel themselves…

  5. Nice, no mess craft and so cut, I mean SCARY!!! We do lots of plain old drawing to pass the time – We go through so much paper it’s crazy! I love the idea of the sticker foam shapes – thanks for the tip!

  6. Love these! So simple and so artsy looking! I have a big tub of ‘collage materials’- shapes, foam, felt, pom poms (really just left overs from other projects) that the girls use to make collages when the inspiration comes. I find that calling a project a collage allows my eldest to shake her perfectionism- it’s always right if it’s a collage!

  7. Princess makes those same paper guys, and carries them everywhere!

    Have you read the book “Spookley the Square Pumpkin?” This activity goes great with that book.

  8. Each monster is just as unique as the kiddos that made them. Very cool!

    We have never used foam stickers. I cant wait to see what my kiddos would come up with.

    Thanks for sharing all your creative crafts MaryAnne!

    P.S. How are you feeling today?

    1. I started feeling better yesterday, and am down to just feeling pregnant today. Huge improvement!!! Thanks for asking =)

      Foam stickers are a lot of fun. They can be hard to get off of some surfaces though – like our well-loved dining room table…

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