Kids art activity

Kids activity: magnificent maps

With Lauren Fry, Arts Educator

Maps can represent places we know well that give us a sense of warmth and security or they can show us the way in places unknown and guide us through untold adventures. Sometimes they may even lead to mystical buried treasure.

With a few simple art materials, a little time, and a heap of creativity you can create your own series of printmaking stamps to construct a magnificent map. Your design may be of somewhere familiar to you - like the local neighbourhood that surrounds your home - or an imaginary place with fantastical features and natural wonders.

Fact

Materials

Plain paper Cardboard Foam Sheet/ Polystyrene/Potato Paint Scissors Glue

Maps usually represent key features or structures in the landscape using simple shapes and patterns. Before you can start printing your map you need to design what features you want to include and how they are going to look – there may be man-made structures like houses and bridges as well as natural elements like rivers, mountains and beaches. To give my map an Isle of Wight feel I have included sailing boats bobbing in the waves and a castle high on the hillside.

Map Key

Printmaking is the process of printing shapes or patterns onto a surface using only ink or paint and some muscle power!

Note: For my stamps I have used a foam sheet from a craft store. However, you can use any materials you have available; the polystyrene base from a pizza is perfect, an unused sponge, or even have a go with a classic potato.

1. Draw and cut out your stamp shapes and stick them onto a piece of cardboard for strength. Don’t forget your stamps will print as a mirror images, so think carefully about how you want them to look.

3. My favourite thing about using stamps is that you can overlap the shapes to create interesting patterns and colours. 2. Time to decide on your colour palette and test out your super stamps. I am using these fabulous neon paint sticks, however most paints will work well for this technique.

4. Plan and develop your landscape. You can make it as accurate or fantastical as you like. Press down nice and firmly on your stamps to get a really good print.

5. Once you are happy with your magnificent map leave your artwork to dry. 6. Fold your design to make it feel like a map and you’re ready for an adventure!

Find out more about Lauren’s illustration work at studiowren.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @studio_wren