Easter Decorations for Your Budding Modern Artist

Let’s face it, when the giddy fun of dying, admiring, and hiding Easter eggs is all over there is one not-so-fun thing families are left with quite a few of: Egg cartons. But are these seemingly innocuous little brown containers as boring as they seem? Sure you could throw them away or recycle them, but with a pair of sturdy scissors, some craft glue, and a little paint you can turn those cartons into wild abstract bunnies that would make Jackson Pollock proud!

Materials

• Empty egg cartons (as many as you have or want to use)
• Tempera paint and paintbrushes
• Sturdy scissors
• Craft glue
• Googly eyes, puff balls (optional)

Start by painting the egg cartons until all surfaces are covered. Don’t be limited by traditional “bunny colors.” The more wildly vibrant the paint job, the more beautiful the bunnies! When the cartons have dried, mom or dad should carefully cut the carton into smaller pieces. The cartons can be “deconstructed” in any way you choose. You can simply cut out each individual “cup,” or you can cut the cups and the lid into even smaller pieces. Once the egg cartons are completely disassembled you are ready to begin putting together your bunnies.

Let your child’s imagination run wild. Which parts of the carton could look like ears? Which part most resembles a belly? The idea is not to churn out a perfect rabbit replica, but to expand your child’s creativity through the hands-on process of creating abstract found art! And if your child turns out to side more with the Realist movement, she can always add some googly eyes and a puffball tail to her creation. And with that, you’re done! Do-it-yourself Easter decorations worthy of a spot at the Smithsonian!