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Art · The activity desk

Paper crab collage

Arrange paper shapes to make a crab beside the sea.

Let's play →

A little plan for play

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What you need

A background sheet, colored paper, a large child-appropriate crayon, and a non-toxic glue stick.

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: An adult prepares a large paper oval and several broad, short strips.

Adult's role: Stay beside the child, handle the glue, and remove small scraps.

Let's make it happen

  1. Place the oval on the background for the crab's body.
  2. Arrange broad strips on both sides for legs, then ask an adult to add glue.
  3. Press the shapes down and draw eyes, claws, and waves around the crab.

Make it simpler: Place the oval and draw the legs instead of using paper strips.

Clean up: Close the glue stick and recycle loose paper scraps.

Keep paper and glue out of mouths and supervise younger siblings.

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