Toddler Fun: Tape Resist Art

A few weeks ago, we made a birthday card for one of Kiddo's little neighborhood friends who was turning the big 5. I learned this "tape resist" technique in an Elementary Art class in college, and it's great for a kid who only colors by scribbling. It takes a little work up front, but cutting and placing pieces of tape isn't all that difficult.

Kiddo did most of the coloring, but I did add in a little bit so the outline of the number would be clear.

This makes a great inexpensive and personalized card for family and friends. What grandparent wouldn't want a card complete with scribbles from their pride and joy? You could use letters (like the person's initials or H B for "happy birthday" ) instead of numbers for someone who would prefer not to broadcast their age.  You could even make a shape if you were being extra-ambitious. :)
One thing I would do differently with this card is to write the message with a marker instead of that stubby crayon. My writing would have been a lot neater.
After doing this project, I found that I had pinned some similar projects in my Preschool Activities board.

Source: Attack of the Twins

Source: Ten Kids and a Dog

Source: As Time Flies

Talk about being "pinspired" - there are so many possibilities!  It could easily be done with tempera or finger paint, or even fun shaped stickers in place of the tape. You'd just have to be careful that whatever you use isn't too sticky. Even the painter's tape did take a little bit of the construction paper with it.
Art like this would look so cute framed in a playroom or kid's bedroom. We may see a canvas like this displayed in our home soon!