Tuesday, May 28, 2013

The Story of the Three Bears

My kids love recycling. They've heard about it so many times in kindergarten, so now they won't let me throw away anything... Plastic bottles we throw to the recycling bins, of course, but this time we decided to give them new lives instead. Three bottles, in different sizes and shapes, turned happily into three bears that helped us tell the story of Goldilocks (who's not so goldi in our case, more like Brownilocks...) and the Three Bears.

Want to have them too? It's super easy (and fun!)

3 bottles, different sizes
newspaper
white glue
water
wallpaper paste
paint (acrylic, gouache)


using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears


Take three bottles, all in different sizes.
using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears


Cut away their top third
using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears

Now we'll make the glue that we'll use for the papier-mache:
Thoroughly mix 1 tbsp. wallpaper paste with 1 cup water. Add 1 tbsp. white glue, and let rest for 10-15 min.
using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears

Meanwhile cut newspaper strips...
using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears


Then start to glue the strips to the bottles, try to make it even (although when I work with the kids, I try to avoid helping them. I just explain what to do, and then let them try themselves).
using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears

using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears


Don't forget the ears!

using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears

Wait till it's completely dry (took us 24 hours or so on a hot sunny day), then paint and play!

using papier-mache to turn three bottles into three bears



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15 comments:

  1. Looks like your kiddo had fun making those bears :)It's a cute idea, and a great way to teach them to recycle too. :)

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  2. She had a blast!
    The only downside was to clean the dining room afterward... Next time we'll do it outside...

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  3. Paper mache is the BEST! What a fun activity!

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  4. Fun! I love it! Great way to upcycle!! Thanks for sharing at the Summer Bucket List Party =) Marcy @ day2day SuperMom

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  5. Cute idea! As an elementary teacher I love story retelling! Thanks for sharing at our Summer Bucket List Party!

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  6. What a fun activity for the kids. Thank you so much for linking up.

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  7. Thanks for stopping by! I visited you and shared it at your party!

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  8. How fun! Awesome idea!

    Thanks so much for sharing at A Peek Into My Paradise TGIF Link Party.

    I hope you will come party with us next week and see if you were featured! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/

    Have a great week!

    Hugs! Cathy

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    1. Thanks Cathy! I'll definitely stop by next week :)

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  9. What a great project - this is something I could do with my youngest granddaughter -- sometimes it is hard to know what to do to entertain them and I try to teach them at the same time. She will love making the bears and afterward we will read the Three Bears Story

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    1. That's what we did, she was 4 at the time, and she really enjoyed it.

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