Originating in Mexico, pressed tin is an art form used to decorate lanterns, chandeliers, picture frames, and even light switch covers. Simple, elegant, and easy as pie to make, pressed tin ornaments make beautiful decorations to hang in your own home or give away as gifts.
What You Need:
- Poster board
- Tin foil
- Pencil
- Hole punch
What You Do:
- Help your child cut out a variety of shapes from the poster board. Some suggestions include: hearts, stars, trees, snowmen, and candy canes.
- Have him cut a piece of tin foil slightly larger than the poster board shape that he'll wrap first, and lay it flat, shiny side down.
- Place the shape on top of the foil and ask him to begin wrapping the foil around it firmly, covering the shape one side at a time.
- Help him snip the foil in any places where there are corners, or other irregular edges so it will fold flat.
- After the shape is completely wrapped in foil, flip it over. This will be the side that gets the design.
- Help him use the pencil to gently etch in designs and markings of his choice.
- Punch a hole in the top of the ornament to prepare it for hanging.
Each piece your child creates is a one-of-a-kind ornament that recipients are sure to treasure.
By Grier Cooper
Grier Cooper is a California-based writer, photographer and dancer. She writes fiction and non-fiction for both children and adults and has many years experience as a child educator and a mother.
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