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Art is something each child knows of and at least when they’re younger, loves. There’s not a wrong way to do it and it can be fascinating to a young child to watch colors mix and create something new. Today is all about chameleons and colors with these fun books and kid’s shaving cream art project.
How much do you know about chameleons? They are kind of freaky but fascinating creatures. Here are some quick fun facts that your child is bound to love and get them ready for today’s art project.
- Their eyes can move independently of each other. (Freaky right?)
- While most chameleons can mimic the colors of surrounding objects, they can’t mimic polka dots or plaid patterns. They also tend to use their color-changing ability to “talk” to other chameleons. (Similar to how we “talk” with our facial expressions.)
- They can shoot their tongues out of their mouths with an insane amount of force and speed! Faster than a sports car and harder than a sucker punch. Not only that, but their spit is also crazy sticky to aid in their insect hunting.
Chameleons have been on the Earth since about the time that dinosaurs became extinct! These are just a few facts on a long list of crazy information regarding these unique animals. Let us know what you find is the coolest feature of chameleons in the comments below!
What Color Should I Be by Betty Ann Schwartz
Having the ability to change colors makes it hard for one little chameleon to decide what color he wants to be. Talking with each of his friends, Chameleon tries out many colors until he finds his perfect fit.
This book features something I haven’t seen in a book so far and which I think is very clever. It has a plastic see-through chameleon that pulls through each page as you turn it. Which makes it possible to see the chameleon actually change colors from page to page. Such a fun and unique feature of this book!
The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
A chameleon spends his day wishing he was as smart, beautiful, and funny as the animals around him. With each new wish, he becomes something new until eventually, you can’t recognize him as a wonderful little chameleon anymore.
The premise of this book is great and something I think all kids should realize, but the illustrations were a little weird for me. That being said, most kids would probably get a kick over the changes in Chameleon’s look.
Chameleon Shaving Cream Art
Ready to make a chameleon of your own? This craft is so fun, simple, and the options for colors are endless! Let’s grab just a couple of materials and get started.
Supplies:
- A Cookie Sheet
- Shaving Cream
- Food Dye
- Chameleon Template
- Gloves *optional
Instructions:
1. Grab a cookie sheet and fill it with shaving cream.
2. Drip food dye in random spots of the shaving cream. (Whatever colors, wherever you want!) Slightly mix the colors into the shaving cream using a butter knife or popsicle stick.
3. Choose a colored spot of shaving cream and lay the chameleon paper into the shaving cream.
4. Let set for a few minutes and then wipe the excess shaving cream off of the chameleon.
5. Cut out your chameleon. (Notice the new texture of the paper? How fun is that?)
Chameleons are interesting creatures with which kids tend to be fascinated. Not only that, but they are an easy topic to help teach your little one about colors. How did your chameleon art project go? Let us know in the comments below!
What a fun project-and simple too! Chameleons are certainly interesting. I like how, because they are slow, they were created with eyes and a tongue to help them survive. Another fun book about color is White Rabbit’s Color Book.