Magnet Stencils
MAGNET STENCILS: An Easy Drawing Activity for Fine Motor Fun
Materials for Magnet Stencils:
- Stencils: we used Zoo Animals Stencils
- Magnets (We used Magnet Tape
)
- Crayons
- Hole Punch
- String (optional)
- Paper
- Glue (If you are gluing the magnets on rather than using magnet tape.)
With the magnets on the stencils, you can use them on any magnetic surface. This will help keep the stencils in place. When you put them on a vertical surface like the refrigerator you naturally force the child’s hand and arm to be held in a proper writing position. That is why having young kids draw on easels is a great way to introduce drawing and writing.
By putting the magnet stencils on the refrigerator you are literally enticing children to keep busy drawing while you are busy cooking or cleaning. It gives a whole new meaning to the term “Refrigerator Art”.
Instructions for Magnet Stencils:
You can cut out your own stencils from a stiff piece of cardstock. We found a great pack of stencils from the dollar store so we used those.
We used magnet tape and taped it onto the back of the stencils but you can use any magnets that you have available and glue them on the back of the stencil.
Since this easy drawing activity is designed for busy parents I punched a hole through the stencils and tied a crayon to the stencil. I also taped the ribbon on for extra security. That way tots can’t take the crayons and color on the wall as soon as mom or dad’s back is turned.
Simply take a piece of paper, hold it on to a magnetic surface. Put the stencil on top of the paper and it’s ready for the budding artists.
Extending this easy drawing activity:
- Have the child tell stories about their picture.
- Use some stencils of simple shapes and have them combine the shapes to make simple pictures.
- Use stencils of letters and matching pictures. For example, have a “D” stencil and a dog stencil paired together.
