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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Contact Paper Shape Art

    Published: Nov 25, 2013 · Modified: May 10, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    We do contact paper activities a lot at our house. Contact paper is perfect for art projects, sensory play, and general exploration. Today I will be sharing a Contact Paper Shape Art activity. This is a great way to review shapes and create a unique work of art at the same time. If you are looking for more contact paper activities, you'll find them on 20+ Ways to Use Contact Paper with Kids.

    Contact Paper Shape Art - Using contact paper, canvas and paint, kids can create this one of a kind art work and learn about shapes at the same time.

    You will need:

    • Contact paper
    • Scissors
    • Acrylic paints
    • Permanent marker
    • Paint brushes or paint sponge
    • Canvas board (you can use whatever size you wish, we used 8 x 10)

    We started off with a review of shapes. I had the kids tell me some shapes they knew and we talked about how many sides they had, what they looked like, etc... I then used a permanent marker to draw them on the contact paper and after, I cut them out.

    contact paper shapes

    I poured some acrylic paint on a paint palette (you can use a paper plate if you don't have one).

    paint on a palette

    I gave my kids an 8x10 canvas and an assortment of contact paper shapes. They placed them where they wanted, and when they were satisfied, we peeled off the backing and stuck them on the canvas. This is a part where an adult's help comes in handy. I used the end of a paint brush to rub the stickers after they had been stuck on the canvas. If you skip this step, the contact paper may roll up and paint will bleed underneath.

    child with paint canvas

    Once the shapes have been stuck down, your child can begin painting.

    child painting canvas

    They will be painting over the entire canvas, even the contact paper shapes.

    kids painting

    This is a messy project, so you will want to be sure to wear smocks.

    children's painting canvas

    My kids decided to paint their canvases in a variety of colors. You can use one color or colors that are specific to the decor in their room.

    child painting a canvas

    When we were done painting, we let the art dry overnight.

    kids art

    In the morning we peeled off the contact paper to reveal our shape art. We you are done with this craft, learn how to make your own scratch art paper..

    paint resist with contact paper

    It might also be fun to arrange the contact paper shapes to form a picture on the canvas. You could use a square and triangle for a house and a circle for the sun. My kids did not do that this time, but maybe they will be inspired to next time we create contact paper shape art.

    For more fun contact paper activities, check out:

    DIY Shape Stickers                         
                       

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicky

      May 22, 2023 at 11:08 am

      That would work fine. We just happened to have canvas.

    2. Meghan

      May 18, 2023 at 11:27 am

      Could you do this on cardstock instead of a canvas?

    3. Michelle

      October 26, 2020 at 6:09 pm

      Is it possible to use contact paper on a canvas so that it DOESN’T come off? Perhaps if I used spray adhesive?

    4. Annie

      July 19, 2017 at 11:29 pm

      Looks like the kids had fun making this shapes craft. I just put up a shape monsters craft on my blog.

    5. Vicky

      March 30, 2016 at 2:16 pm

      I think it would get too stuck and tear the paper.

    6. Janay

      March 30, 2016 at 7:50 am

      Does contact paper work on watercolor paper or would it get too stuck?

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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