4th of July
CraftsPreschoolers28 Comments
Make spin art streamers for 4th of July! It's a timeless craft that kids love to create!
I was in the mood for a 4th of July craft – something classic and timeless. Immediately, I thought about streamers.
I loved making and decorating with streamers for holidays and special occasions as a kid!
Classic 4th of July Spin Art Streamers Craft for Kids
But creating streamers as a 4th of July craft was the last thing on Henry’s mind. I tried for many days and many approaches to create these.
Sometimes I just don’t win.
Okay, a lot of times.
Then, I saw a neat idea from the Come Together Kids. Leveled up streamers that added a dash of spin art to the mix.
Perfect!
We’ve never done spin art before and my salad spinner was just begging to be put to good, crafty use! I seized the opportunity to make a cool craft with Henry.
Find 30 more classic summer crafts for kids to make!
To make your own streamers, you’ll need:
- Salad spinner
- Red and blue paint
- Coffee filers
- Sticks – craft sticks or natural sticks
- Yarn (optional)
Sharing Classic Spin Art with My Kids
I brought the salad spinner outside. Beside it, I set out some watered down red and blue paint, spoons and coffee filters.
I enticed Henry to come check it out. Mostly, I just shared that I was going to do a messy painting project and did he want to help.
First, place a flattened out coffee filter into the bottom of the salad spinner. Drip a little of each color paint onto the coffee filter.
We used a spoon, but you use use a medicine dropper or a syringe. Or fingers.
Then the fun part!
Spinning!
You can also drip one color, spin, and then drip the other color and spin.
Check out those creations!
Henry was in complete awe of them.
Sometimes it takes a couple of times to get enough coverage. If that happens, add a little bit more paint and spin again until you get the result you’re looking for.
Turning Spin Art Into Streamers
I could have left them alone. Just by themselves, they were very beautiful and fun spin art!
However, I was looking for a 4th of July craft to do. So, we made them into spin art streamers!
After letting the coffee filters dry for a little bit, I cut them in swirls.
This could have been a great fine motor skill and cutting activity if Henry was to that stage in cutting. But he’s still getting the hang of cutting a straight line, let alone in circles close together.
So I cut it this time! You could freehand the swirl cut or follow a lightly drawn pencil line if you’d like it to be more perfect.
I asked Henry to grab me four sticks that were still floating around in his sandbox after we created the Tin Can Forest.
He grabbed me exactly four.
No questions asked, no other help needed. I’m a very proud mom.
I tied the cut coffee filters onto each stick. Looking back, I should have used yarn to tie them on.
Hand them over to your preschooler, and you have super safe “sparklers” for the 4th of July!
My boys ran, jumped, and played with their spin art streamers all day long!
What are your favorite 4th of July crafts for kids to make? We’d love to see your creative ideas!
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More 4th of July crafts made with coffee filters:
- Super simple coffee filter fireworks found at No Time For Flash Cards.
- A red, white & blue coffee filter bunting for your porch, the tutorial is at Sunshine and Hurricanes.
- Crafts by Amanda makes patriotic coffee filter flowers.
- Little Wonders Days’ made a pop rocket with a coffee filter and toilet paper tube!
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Dorothy W. says
Yay! Finally a craft we haven’t done with coffee filters! Also, the holes in the outside of your salad spinner are for using it in the sink, so the water drains right out!
Jamie Reimer says
Yay!!!! The reason for the holes… that’s been bugging me forever. That makes sense!
Leah says
Love this idea! Found you on pinterest. Hope you will stop by sometime. I am definitely making these with my 4 year old because he will Love it!
Jamie Reimer says
Thanks Leah! Hope you guys will enjoy making them too!
OneMommy says
Cute! Wish I had seen these a few days ago! (Got to check my email more often!) But now I have a use for all those coffee filters we no longer need…..
Art For Little Hands says
That is so fun. I sometimes have a hard time getting my kids to do an art project I want as well. They prefer to make their own fun. This was a great way to get him excited. you should play music and let him dance with his streamer! Thanks for sharing at art4littlehands.com
Becky says
These are awesome! I am definitely going to try to find time in the next two days to make these :) Thanks for the great idea and for linking it up at Rub Some Dirt On It!
Larri @ Seams Inspired says
These are great! I think even my 8yo would enjoy this craft. I can already see her running through the yard with one. ☺
Visiting from RSDOI and the 'Happiness Is' hop. Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower who is looking forward to reading your posts. Happy Thursday! ☺
Anna @ The Imagination Tree says
gorgeous! (and it IS odd about the holes in the outside of your spinner, haha!)
Char says
What a great idea. I think I may have to borrow my mom's salad spinner. : )
Messy Kids says
Great idea Jamie!
Jodi Whisenhunt / Magical Mouse Schoolhouse says
This is great! Mind if I link to you for my 4th of July activity on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse next Monday? It's perfect!Thanks!Jodi where Disney IS school
Jenny @ Adventures of the Smith Family says
So glad Henry enjoyed the spin art! Thanks for linking back to me!
Amanda @ Gratefully Growing in Grace says
Those are cute! We just made coffee filter fireworks with the magic marker trick but the spin art looks great, too.
Lindsay says
I love how these turned out! I need to get a salad spinner they make some super cute crafts!