Looking to teach your child about the art element of form without the usual mess of sculpture? This art project is a great way to recycle used paper rolls and give your child a hands-on construction experience.
The art element of form is one of the most enjoyable art elements to teach tactile learners. There is something so magical about working in
three-dimensions, isn’t there?
This art project is a budget-friendly, low-prep, less-mess way to teach the element of form while giving your kids the tactile experiences they love so much. For your kiddos who gravitate to engineering activities, this will be right up their alley.
Constructive play (like what you will find in this activity) develops an understanding of spatial organization as your child works to build an object that can stand on its own. Additionally, open-ended projects like this one develop flexible thinking skills and imagination.
Here’s how you can do this sculpture activity at home.
Supplies:
- Toilet paper or paper towel rolls
- Hole punch
- Straws
Directions:
- Use a hole punch to create holes in your toilet paper or paper towel rolls. It works best to vary the height and placement of these holes.
- Set out straws alongside the paper rolls.
- To build a structure, insert the end of a straw into one of the holes of the paper rolls. Then insert the other end of the straw into a different roll.
- Continue inserting straws to construct a sculpture.
While your child works on their sculpture, you can ask them how they got their sculpture to stand up on their own or where they got their idea for what they are building. I find that worktime is a beautiful time to engage your child in casual conversation about the process and gain a better understanding of how they are working.
Looking for an easy clay project to do with your child to further explore the art element of form? Check out this lesson plan on Pinch Pots inspired by the artist Maria Martinez.
Needing another STEAM activity to do at home? Read this blog post for a painting project that uses the magic of magnets.
