Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Greek vase story design
Draw a story on a paper vase inspired by ancient Greek pottery.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A full sheet of paper and large child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Draw a large vase outline with a rounded body and two handles.
Adult's role: Explain that some ancient Greek potters decorated vessels with patterns and scenes. Invite your child to invent their own scene.
Let's make it happen
- Draw a band across the top and bottom of the vase. Fill each band with a repeating pattern.
- In the space between the bands, draw people, animals or an imaginary scene.
- Tell someone the story of your picture and give your vase a name.
Make it simpler: Fill the vase with repeating lines and dots instead of drawing a scene.
Clean up: Put the paper and crayons away.
Use intact crayons suitable for your child and stay nearby.