Put your kids' paintbrushes away and try an offbeat and zany art project using an unlikely tool: a child's record player! Here's how:
(Adult supervision is required for this activity.)Use a child's old record player that is no longer used to play records. If you don't have one stashed away in the back of the toy chest, look for one at a garage sale.
Set a round white paper plate on the turntable of a child's record player. Poke the spindle through the center of the plate to hold it firmly in place. Turn the record player on LOW speed. Press a colored felt marking pen on the plate. As the plate goes around, hold the pen steady as it creates a circular design. Slightly move the pen and see what happens. Then, try to move the pen toward the edge of the plate to create an interesting and intricate design. Use several pens in different colors, too. When finished, turn off the turntable and remove the plate.
For a variation, use puffy paints in squeeze bottles. Gently release the paint out of a bottle over the plate as it goes around. Once you get used to the technique, move the paint bottle back and forth to create a ring design on the plate. Turn off the turntable and carefully remove the plate. Set aside to dry.
Hang your plate on the wall for decoration or use it to frame your school picture! Simply cut out a rectangle in the middle of the plate (use the spindle hole as a guide) slightly smaller than your picture. Affix the picture with glue to the back of the plate.