Hands On

Han in Around

Get ready to welcome autumn with this creative mobile project.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE BOGAN

Celebrate the approach of fall with

this fun project from the creative minds at Northwest Portland’s Art World School. Making this mobile gives kids a great, low-stakes way to practice patience and develop fine motor skills. Plus, it provides a new way for kids to experiment with different kinds of art. You’ll like it because it only takes a few materials and doesn’t make much of a mess! Pro tip: You can find wooden rings at craft-supply stores and dollar stores, or on Amazon.

Materials

Paper or card stock Markers or colored pencils Scissors

Gold foil paper (optional) Glue

Ruler

Wooden ring Free leaf template link at pdxparent.com/leaf-mobile Ribbon, in fall colors

Twine

1. Draw leaves or use the free leaf download. 2. Color both sides of the leaves with markers or colored pencils. 3. Apply the gold foil paper (optional). 4. Cut the leaves out. 5. Cut four pieces of ribbon, each 36 inches long. 6. Fold one piece of ribbon in half and loop on the wooden ring. Repeat with the remaining ribbon. 7. To keep the ribbon from moving on the ring, secure each piece by tying one knot on each of the looped ribbons. Do this to each of the four ribbons. 8. Space the ribbons evenly around the ring. 9. Cut twine to 12 inches long and tie it onto the wooden ring. This is to hang the mobile when it’s done. 10. For each hanging ribbon, take one strand and use a dab of glue to attach one leaf. 11. Let the ribbons and leaves dry. 12. Hang the mobile by the twine loop.

Instructions

Christine Bogan is a teacher at Art World School’s after-school program in Portland and Beaverton. (Find out more at artworldschool.com.) She has a Bachelor of Arts in communication and fine arts with a master’s degree in counseling. Christine teaches 5 to 7 year olds in fine art, clay, mixed medium, calligraphy and 3D sculpture.