MINI MAKERS: WATERCOLOR FISH HATS WITH THE WILD

You guys! I’m so excited to share this fun project I got to dream up for my brother in-law, Mark, and the “School of Salmon” program a group of kids put together based on his film The Wild. The idea of SOS is to bring awareness to the planets last wild salmon run (which is in danger) by watching a 5 minute video then sharing their thoughts on the subject and in the end, challenging another school to do the same.

If you want to participate at home, you can find more info here and then follow along with the fish hat DIY below!

YOU’LL NEED:

• water color paints + brushes
• white matte (not glossy) pasteboard, cut into 4-inch strips
• pencil + ruler + scissors/razor (or a large cutting board)
• scissors
• white or neutral colored crayons
• colored card stock or construction paper (for fins and lips)
• googly eyes
• glue stick

HERE’S HOW:

1. Cut poster board into 4 x 36″ strips (using the longest edge of the poster).
2. Doodle or make a pattern using a white crayon, then paint over using watercolors. You should be able to see your crayon marks underneath… it’s called resistance painting!
3. While drying, cut fins (we used a triangle shape) and fold one corner down about 1/2-inch. Then cut lips (fold scrap of paper in half and cut a “B” shape).
4. Once dry, glue eyes, fins (along folded edge) and one side of the lips to your poster board strip.
5. Finish by closing the headband; measure the size of child’s head. Where the paper overlaps, cut a 2-inch slit at the top of one side and at the bottom on the other side. Fit the slits together so they crisscross and look like tail fins. Cut fringe or a shape to the “tail” if desired!

Such a fun way to play and support and ultimately start a conversation so we all feel empowered enough to save the things in this world that we love so much… No doubt we’re raising a generation of activists and world changers!

For all my local friends, Uncle Mark and a group of kids (including Tilly + Griffin) will be on King 5 at 7am this morning if you want to check it out!?

xo, Rae