Earth Craft for Kids: Puffy Paint Earth

In search of a fun Earth Craft for Kids? This Puffy Paint Earth is perfect as an Earth Day craft or anytime you want to teach your kids about the wonderful planet we live on!

Earth Craft for Kids

If your children love science projects, they can also learn how to make rock candy. Be sure to check out all our activities for kids!

Is it just my kids, or is puffy paint so much cooler than regular paint? The fluffiness of the paint as you make the craft, and then when it dries to create a 3-D effect that pops off your canvas. Kids love to finger paint with this puffy paint, but you can use it more structured projects too.

We recently decided to do a neat Earth craft for kids using puffy paint. It can be done for Earth Day (April 22nd), but it’s a great science art project too. Anytime you are talking about our planet, the oceans, or continents, you could have your children use puffy paint to create the globe, or any planet. Add in some books for Earth Day and you can make a whole lesson out of this activity. If you’d prefer a less messy Earth Day craft for kids, head on over to The Inspiration Edit.

For this project, you can do one paper plate using the map outline we have provided down in the supplies list. We decided to do two plates, however, so we could have bigger continents. 

Puffy Paint Earth Craft

The recommended supplies are below for a basic Earth painting. You can also add glitter or sequins to the paint for a more jazzy look. Essential oils can give your painting project a wonderful scent. Keep it a simple art project or make it more educational by having your kids name or label the continents and oceans. And you don’t have to confine yourself to a paper plate; you could make a creative shaving cream painting on card stock or poster board too.

Have fun with it!

Supplies:

• 1 cup glue
• 1 to 2 cups shaving cream (not gel), depending on how fluffy you want the paint
• Food coloring (for color), optional
• Essential oils (for fragrance), optional
• Glitter (for sparkle), optional
• Construction paper, cardstock or paper plate
• Map outline, if desired (Pictured: freehanded drawing)

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together glue and shaving cream until combined.

If desired, add food coloring, essential oil, or glitter and stir to distribute. We used small cups for each different color, to avoid too much waste and mess. 

Trace the map on a paper plate or encourage the children to free-hand the map.

Allow child to paint with paint brushes, sponges, or cotton swabs. Sprinkle the paint with additional glitter and allow to dry.

Puffy Paint Earth Craft

Print

Materials

• 1 cup glue
• 1 to 2 cups shaving cream (not gel), depending on how fluffy you want the paint
• Food coloring (for color), optional
• Essential oils (for fragrance), optional
• Glitter (for sparkle), optional
• Construction paper, cardstock or paper plate
• Map outline, from blog post (Pictured: freehanded drawing)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together glue and shaving cream until combined.
2. If desired, add food coloring, essential oil, or glitter and stir to distribute. We used small cups for each different color, to avoid too much waste and mess.
3. Trace the map on a paper plate or encourage the children to free-hand the map.
4. Allow child to paint with paint brushes, sponges, or cotton swabs. Sprinkle the paint with additional glitter and allow to dry.
   
   

Notes

Optional: Have additional paper and scissors available for children to add landforms or to label the map. Or, encourage children to decorate their creations with pom poms, gems, sequins, etc.