Make a Collage~Summer Fun for Kids of All Ages
78Favorite Places ~ Seaside Collage
Kids of all ages love to use scissors and glue. Throw in some magazines and newspapers to cut up, add some pieces of ribbon or lace and a few photographs, collect some items from nature and you will have the makings of a fun day for everyone from preschoolers to teens. Actually, Mom and Dad might have fun with this project, too!
Collage ~ An Art Form for All Ages
Collage is an art form that can be created by kids of all ages and of every level of artistic ability. When my grandchildren were young, I had a tradition of holding craft days at my house for four of my grandchildren who lived close by. With a five year age difference between the oldest and the youngest, I tried to plan activities that would appeal to all. The summer that we did collage was a memorable one. Children with different artistic abilities and widely different interests can express themselves easily by choosing different kinds of pictures and decorations for their collages. I have to admit that I enjoyed making my own collage as much as they liked doing theirs.
Gather Material for the Collage Project
The first step to making collage is to collect materials.One of the best things about making a collage is that you can use whatever materials you have on hand. We did not purchase any special supplies except the glue and the Mod Podge used for a sealer. These are some of the materials that can be used:
- Poster board or cardboard for the base.
- Scissors (blunt edge for younger kids).
- Magazines. Nature magazines are great, but any magazines will have useful pictures.
- Travel guides, brochures, fliers, catalogs, maps and newspapers.
- Plastic cloth to protect work table.
- Glue. Younger kids do well with glue sticks, Using Mod Podge will give a smoother look,
- Photographs. While you may not want to cut up good photos, put out your discards. Kids can cut out pieces they like and add to their collages.
- Postcards, greeting cards, stamps, postmarks, envelopes, old maps.
- Tissue paper, white or in colors can be overlain on parts or all of the collage. It becomes translucent when painted with Mod Podge in the final step.
Optional Items:
- Pieces of fabric, lace, ribbon, buttons, sequins or other sewing scraps.
- Stickers
- Tickets, receipts, matchbook covers, menus, sheet music, labels, any paper mementos.
- Silk flowers can be taken apart and added.
- Dried flowers, leaves, shells or other small natural items can be added if you wish.Collecting these items could be another day’s project!
Cutting Out Pictures
Choosing and cutting out the pictures can be done anywhere, but spreading out on the floor in the middle of the family room or living room gives everyone plenty of room. Tip: Give each child a box or pan that they can use to keep their pictures together. If they stack them face up, it will be easier to find that special picture they know they had! They can also keep their unused pictures in it for another project.
Encourage the children to find and cut out pictures of things that interest them. Nature and sports magazines have great photographs, but almost any magazine will have some great pictures. Another good source is old travel brochures, visitor guides and advertising fliers. Newspapers are great for cutting out words to add to the mix.
Some kids might like to follow a theme while others will just want to cut out neat stuff or colors that appeal to them. Teens might add pictures or names of musicians they admire or fashions they like. Try not to micro-manage. Let each child express his/her individuality by developing his own ideas. When I did this with grandchildren, the kids cut out the whole page from the magazine first and stacked up several before cutting out individual pictures or shapes. That way, the magazine was be available for the other kids to look through. Cut-outs do not have to be precise as pictures will overlap and additional decorations can be added to cover unneeded areas.
Preserve Memories in a Postcard Collage
Theme Ideas
Themed collages are wonderful ways to express a special interest. By looking for pictures relating to a theme, kids will page through materials more carefully. They are sure to come up with some innovative ideas. Here are some themes that might inspire your kids:
- Animal faces
- Bugs
- Butterflies and flowers
- Camping
- Cars/trucks
- Cats
- Color themes like shades of blues or greens.
- Dogs
- Fashion
- Food
- Jewelry
- Postcards and letters
- Seashore
- Sports (figures and equipment)
- Summer vacation (could include actual photographs of the kids)
- Time (clocks and watches)
- Travel collages
Designing the Collage
Laying out and planning the collage works best on a worktable covered with a protective covering. Give each person a piece of cardboard or posterboard. Sizes can vary, but we found that a 9"x12" or 14” x 20” cardboard worked well.
Start by laying out unglued pictures in an overlapping design. If there are a few very favorite pictures, place them on the top layer or in a central position. By doing this without glue, they will get ideas as they go along and may want to go back to hunt down some words to add to the mix or find another picture to fill in a space.
Cat Collage ~ Another Idea for a Collage
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Gluing the Collage
Glue sticks work really well for this part of the project for younger kids. For older kids, water soluble Mod Podge or rubber cement also works well. Rubber cement has an added advantage because glued items can be lifted and repositioned.
Start by applying glue to the back of each picture and gluing down the pictures closer to the top edge. By working from the top down, there is less chance of displacing the work that is already done. If there are blank areas, they can be filled in with plain colors or patterns. Remind the kids to save their best pictures for center stage.
We found it easier to glue down all the paper items before adding extras like leaves or silk flowers.
Once everything is glued down and the cardboard is basically covered, smooth out the pictures and let the glue dry for a half hour or so. While waiting for the glue to set, take a snack break or have the kids go back and clean up the room where all the cutting took place!
Before going on to the finishing step, take another look at the collage and glue down any curled edges. Sometimes the kids will want to add more detail or some whimsical words to their collages at this point.
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Finishing Ideas and Uses for Collage
- Finish and seal with Mod Podge. After the glue is set, the collage can be painted over with Mod Podge, a water soluable sealer, to give a glossy, finished look to the project. Doing this will also help keep everything together. Use a flat paint brush and gently paint over the whole surface. Let dry and paint on another coat if you wish.
- Frame in an inexpensive standard size frame, or mat with a colored pre-cut picture mat. It’s amazing how professional they will look! Be sure the top coat is completely dry before putting it under glass, though.
- Finish off the edges with colored tape after sealing. Glue a hanger on the back and hang in child’s room as a wall decoration.
- Laminate. Skip the sealer and have the collage laminated for use as a placemat. Wouldn’t it be fun for each child to make his own placemat? An 18" x 12" cardboard makes a nice size placemat.
You May Have Inspired the Next Picasso!
Even young children can come up with a collage that they will be proud to display. Remind the children that making a collage is not just a kindergartner’s project. Collage is an accepted form of modern art that is sometimes combined with other media like oil, acrylic, charcoal or watercolor. Some very famous artists have worked in collage including Pablo Picasso, Tom Wesselmann and Andy Warhol whose works can be seen in some of the finest museums of the world.
Older children might enjoy looking at the famous artists’ works on line and may even be inspired to design more elaborate and fantastic creations. Do keep all of the collage supplies together as the kids are sure to want to do it again, and will come up with many more creative ideas!
Have fun with this creative project!
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This article Copyright ©2011 by Stephanie Henkel
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Thanks, Gail! I put these together so that I'd have some pictures to illustrate my hub, but I kind of like the Outer Banks collage, too. I may finish it and hang it in my studio. :)
I have fond memories of doing many fun projects with my grandchildren. Now most of them are college age and one of my granddaughters is getting married! Time passes so quickly —I'm glad that I was able to do so many things with them when they were younger. Being a grandparent has many joys!
Thanks , Ms. Steph! It brings back memories where we usually make collage on anything we want to put on a frame of photograph. My elder sister encouraged me to do it.
Well, I'm starting to do it again. Most of my sisters and brother are married.
Only my mom, my deaf-mute sister and me are at the homestead.
It's time to liven up our sala (living room) with those old photographs in a collage.
Thanks for sharing!!!
I used to make collages all the time as a child and then with my own children. This is such a fun activity and art project. Your hub has got me thinking that I should do a few with photographs of my boys growing up. This would make a great idea for one of their Christmas presents. Thanks for the new inspiration.
TravelMan— Photo collages are great! The best part is getting out all the old pictures that bring back great memories. I'm sure you and your mom and sister will enjoy making making a photo collage as much as you'll enjoy viewing it on your living room wall. Once again, thanks for visiting my hub and for your comments!
Susan - Making a photo collage as a gift is a great idea! I'm sure that not only kids, but adults would like them. And wouldn't grandparents love one of their grandchild's growing up years? Have fun with it! Hmm... I may have to make one for myself. :) Thanks for your comments!
Great hub! Very detailed. I love crafty projects of all kinds and will definitely do things like this when I have my own kids.
Randomcreative - It's lots of fun to do projects like this with kids, but making a collage is also a great project for adults. The more artistically inclined can incorporate their own artwork as well as found objects to make their collage a true work of art. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
This is so timely for me, bcuz I just brought my 9 yr old grandaughter to AZ with me for 8 weeks. I see a craft moment coming soon!!!
Hi Estelle, 9 years old is a perfect age for a project like this! I'm sure you'll both have a lot of fun with it and probably won't be able to stop at one collage. How lovely that you can have your granddaughter for 8 whole weeks! With all of the kids' activities, we sometimes have trouble scheduling a week or two. Have a wonderful time! If you do a collage, post a picture on FB - I'd love to see it!
Fantastic idea! This would have been a great addition to my rainy day hub, wish I would have thought of it! Our kindergarten and first grade classrooms use a lot of collages to teach letters. This is one I will definately be doing this summer with my kids, thanks!
Hi Cardelean, Collage is a great rainy day activity to do with kids, and I'm sure they'll have many ideas for different themes. I like the idea of using a collage to teach letters. Although most of my grandchildren are college age, the youngest is only 6. Maybe it would be fun to do a collage of things beginning with the letters in her name? Thanks for the idea and thanks for your comments!
I LOVED making collages when I was a kid! My cousin and I would mix and match models' bodies from catalogues and magazines. It was hilarious. Voted up!!
Hi Simone - I should have known we could count on you to come up with a hilarious theme for making collages! It sounds like a great idea! Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Stephanie, I absolutely love this hub! It sounds like you have inspired a lot of people, and now I am included in that bunch. This inspires me to try this with my nieces, and even just by myself, for relaxation.
I have used collages in the classroom, for different assignments, but they tended to be a bit haphazard sometimes. These give some real fresh idea for making collage. I also love your idea of reminding kids that it's not just a kindergarten project (so that they respect the process.) Thank you for this. I am definitely bookmarking this. It's brilliant!
Prairieprincess - I'm glad this gave you some fresh ideas for making collages. Collage can be whatever the creator makes of it, from a fun craft project to a work of art. I find it interesting that so many teachers here use collage as a teaching tool-that opens up a whole new list of possibilities! Thank you for visiting my hub and thanks so much for your kind comments!
Hi Stephanie, thanks for all the great ideas and information and loved all your cool collage pictures !
Vote up !!!
I will do this one with my grand kids. We have so many pictures laying around that we could make several to hang in their bedrooms and to give to their other grand parents. Thanks for the ideas and you did a good job on the writing.
Thank you for your comments Roshall! Doing a college with grandkids is the most fun, especially if you have lots of photographs they can use. Have a wonderful time with it!
Oh, what a great idea! I bet my 9-year-old granddaughter would love this! (Not sure about the 3-year-old though...) ;-)
The teenage boys, proably not..but I have other projects for them, such as pulling weeds hahaha.
Danced all over your buttons!
Hi MsLizzy, Your 3 year-old might like pasting pictures -- if you're up to it! :) Teen boys, well, depends on the kid. They might like doing photo collages of their friends and family or a collage of hot cars... Thanks for your comments and votes!
Hi Stephanie, I always use to love making a collage, this hub has bought back lovely memories, this is definitely on the agenda when I have my granddaughter next, she'll love doing this! many thanks
I love your cat collage...such a cute idea. I think I'll do one for each of my cats. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Movie Master - This is such a great project to do with grandkids, and is easily adaptable to the ability of almost any age. Have fun!
Fiona - What a good idea to do one for each cat! The one I did was just a quickie for demonstration purposes, but now I'm thinking it would be fun to make one that more resembles my cat. Thanks for the idea and for visiting my hub!
Stephanie - Wow! Aren't you just the crafty woman! These collages are amazing, especially the cat collage, I love that one the most. I'll have to try this project out with my daughter, it seems like a lot of fun. Great advice and I'll be using it this summer, thanks!
Thanks Kitty, Have fun with the project! It's always more fun when you can do it with the kids-- one of the reasons I always used to love the summers!
Very nice collage ideas. thank you very much Stephanie. Children of 9 years love this collage. i ll also organize one.
Clintonb - Thanks for your comments! I hope your children enjoy making a collage!
Obviously you are a terrific grandmother who has created some great memories for your grandchildren and now just THINK! of all the other people that you will be inspiring with this hub! Making collages would be a great girl or boy scout project as well. Hmmm...you've made me think of what I might wish to try... Up and useful votes!
Congratulations on making Hub of the Day! This is another worthy and timely hub that deserves that recognition. Whoever decides these things made a good choice.
Great Hub and what fun with the kids and adults. Great way to fill on the time on a hot summer day and enjoy each others company. Very informative and voted up...
Thank you, Peggy! I love being a grandmother, and certainly enjoyed doing all the arts and crafts projects with my grandchildren when they were younger. I appreciate your nice comments and your votes!
Thank you Gail! I was surprised, but very pleased, to see that my hub was Hub of the Day today! Thank you for your very nice note!
Marellen - Thanks for your comments and for your votes! Do visit again!
Look at you getting the hub of the day! Nice going!
Thanks, Kitty! I was surprised!
Awesome hub, Stephanie. This is a great idea! and one I have not yet participated in with my older grandkids. Very cool. Voted it up, awesome.
And, a hearty congratulations to you! First the 'featured story' of the week and then, the featured hub of the day! Great job.
Thanks so much Denise! I always love hearing from you, and appreciate your kind comments and your votes! I've been thinking about you lately -- hope all is well.
Thanks Stephanie--two more weeks to countdown. My deadline date is July 13th-to find a job in the system or be terminated. :( Been busy doing my best to avoid that, so I haven't been writing much.
I'm glad I ran across this beautifully written hub. The collages were icing on the cake. Thank you for the great pointers - you've given this old activity a refreshed look!
Kudos on having the hub of the day - I like the way you out the HTML for us to vote at the bottom.
I gave it a up and useful
This is absolutely the hub of the day. It is great and well written and a lot of tips. Thank you.
C-bless - Thanks for your nice comments about my collage hub. I really enjoyed doing it as much as I have enjoyed creating collages.
Hello Manthy and Thelma, Thank you both for visiting my hub and for your kind comments. I was so pleased when this was chosen hub of the day. One of the reasons I love writing for HubPages is the great support provided by HubPages staff and fellow writers.
thank u Stephanie, I just love collages.
Thanks for stopping by, Vitocesare. Hope to see you again!
Stephanie, just wanted to congratulate you on getting hub of the day. How exciting, and well-deserved!
Thank you, PrairiePrincess, and thanks for your well wishes and vote of confidence! I was pleased and surprised. I've had a little dry spell with my writing, but I think that gave me some inspiration.
Hi Stephanie...I have an eight year old daughter and I am a mother that never really did a lot of creative things with mine. So at times, I have guilt for not coming up with fun things to do with my daughter. I enjoyed thoroughly your hub. I really need to read specifics on craft ideas. Thanks...useful/ Up :)
Hello RandomThoughts, Mothers have always been such busy people that it isn't always easy to find time to just play, but there are some fun activities that only require an hour or two to create lasting memories. I hope that making a collage will be something you and your daughter will enjoy together. Thanks for reading my hub and for your comments and votes!
I used to make collages all the time as a child. Great hub by the way... Thanks!
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my hub, Troy!
Such a great Hub!!! Perfect for anyone looking for a craft, or for inspiration to start a collage. I used to make these all the time, and it comes out in me every one in a while when I scrapbook :) Thanks!
Hi Glassvisage, So many scrapbookers make mini-collages with their photographs and other additions on their scrapbook pages - the crafts are very much alike except that the ones I do are poster sized. I've though it would be fun to make micro-collages for notecards, too. Readers have given me so many new ideas! Glad you enjoyed my hub - thank you for your comments!
This Hub is full of great ideas for kids as well as adults. Also, laminating placemats can definitely be a fun project. I would recommend being cautious if using a hot laminator around kids though. (For obvious reasons.)
Hi Jeff, Yes, children should be carefully supervised if using a hot laminator on the placemats. Clear, sticky backed shelf paper can also be used to protect the collages and make them easy to keep clean. Thanks for stopping by to read my hub and to comment!
Very impressive! I've created collages but I picked up a few more pointers from this hub. You are a very creative person. Kudos to you Stephanie!
Thanks for stopping by, Sunshine. Making your own collage is so much fun -- I'm glad that you picked up some pointers from my hub. Thanks so much for your comments.
By the way congrats on having this article as Hub Of The Day! I like your accolade! Can I borrow it someday?!? :))
Thanks, Sunshine! I'm sure you'll have your own accolades really soon - your hubs are great!
Just checked in with this hub again...it is still a great one! I definitely agree that collages are wonderful projects for adults as well.
This is the time of year when I start looking for projects to do for Christmas, and I'm thinking that a photo collage would make a great gift for some of the people on my Christmas list. Glad you came back for a second look!
What a great hub - it is making me itch to make a collage myself! Great step by step directions and tips to make the project a successful one. I saw one recently on canvas that included painting as well. I would love to do a family heritage one. This is well deserving of hub of the day.
I always loved this hub, Stephanie--it is timeless! Still voting it way up. :)
Thanks, Denise! Actually, re-reading it made me think it would be fun to do a collage of pictures of my grandchildren. I have boxes and boxes of pre-digital photographs that make the project a lot of fun.
Stephanie Henkel thanks for your interesting hub. You have certainly brought back some old memories :)
Reves-diary - Glad you enjoyed my hub about making a collage. It's something most of us have done as kids and a fun project for kids or adults.
Great idea! Indeed its a great project for kids and adults alike and not only in the summer time! It's a nice way to keep souvenirs alive and have fun at the same time!
Kidscrafts - I've had a lot of fun making collages with my grandchildren, and I've even made some fun photo and postcard collages myself. It is a nice project for all levels of ability. Thanks for stopping in to comment!
Hi Stephanie, I don't know how I just now read this great hub of yours. I love the ideas you offered here. I will try the cat collage with my boys this summer! Shared! Take care, Kelley
oh, reading this hub brings back so many memories of me in Cubscouts...So much fun! Parents and kids definitely love doing this together. It is always a great way to bond with one another :)
Great Hub, yet again, Stephanie!
-KD
Kelleyward - I'm glad you got some good ideas for collages to make with your boys this summer - making collages with kids is so much fun!
KDuBarry03 - Making a collage is fun for all ages, isn't it? It must have been a great Cub Scout project! Thanks for stopping in to comment, KD!
Happyboomernurse Level 8 Commenter 11 months ago
This is a great idea and I love the way you gave step by step directions with photo examples! The Outer Banks Collage was my favorite and the Cat Collage was also awesome.
I also liked the idea that when your grandchildren were young, you made a tradition of holding craft days at your house for four of them who lived close by. I'd wager that they still have fond memories of that tradition.
Thanks for sharing this great hub. I have a feeling it will be featured on Hub Pages this summer.