Activity:
Scandinavian Tiles
These paper Scandinavian tiles are simple to create, and they make a beautiful, unique keepsake. Plus, they give your child a chance to learn about Rosemaling—a popular form of folk art from Norway and Sweden, which focuses on the delicate curving lines of flowers. You'll keep your child entertained as she explores Scandinavian history and experiments with color and patterning.
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What You Need:
- White drawing paper
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Tempera paint
- Paintbrushes
What You Do:
- Start by looking at examples of Rosemaling online; point out the curving lines that the artists use, which is very traditional to Scandinavian tiles. You may want to print out an example for her to use as inspiration while she's working.
- Help your child get started by using a ruler to measure and then cut a 4" x 4" square of white paper. Encourage her to use a pencil to lightly sketch out some simple flower shapes, designs, and swirls.
- Once she's completed her sketch, urge her to select three of her favorite colors of tempera paint to use to decorate the paper Scandinavian tile.
- Then, she can begin painting the tile. Encourage her to work slowly and think carefully about her color placement within the painting, so that no two colors are right next to each other.
- After the paint has dried, she can add accents and outlines to the painting using a small fine brush and black tempera paint.
Once she's finished, she can create more Rosemaling tiles! If she wants a unique room decoration, consider making color copies of her paper tiles (or use the real thing), and place them around her room as a pretty border.
