Activity

Decorative Light Switch Covers

Have a budding decorator on your hands? One quick and inexpensive way to update your child's room is to decorate the switchplate, the removable plate that goes over the light switch. There's nothing to buy and when your child wants a new design, you simply make another! It's a great way to personalize a room, or coordinate with the theme of the room.

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Grade

Preschool

Subject

Arts & crafts Painting & Drawing

What You Need:

A screwdriver
White paper
Scissors
A pencil
Water-soluble glue
Tape
Markers, stickers, glitter glue, etc.

What You Do:

Unscrew the switchplate from the wall. Set the screws aside, and make sure to tell your child not to touch the light switch until the switchplate is screwed back on.
Put the switchplate on the paper and trace it with a pencil.
Cut out the shape and leave an extra inch around each side.
Help your child glue the paper to the front of the switchplate, then tuck the extra inches of paper behind the back and tape it down. Let the glue dry.
Now for the fun part! Hand your child the markers, glitter glue, and stickers and let her decorate the switchplate in any way she wants, whether it's pirates, dinosaurs, or hearts and glitter! When she's finished, let the glitter glue dry.
Screw the switchplate back in place, and be sure no little fingers are anywhere near the light switch.
Then admire the useful artwork! When your child wants a new design or the picture fades from frequent use, remove the switchplate, peel off the paper, and soak it in warm water until the glue comes off. Then make a new design--the possibilities are endless!