Finger paint bunting is a simple way for toddlers to start crafting. Decorative bunting is great for parties, for decorating a child’s bedroom, or to tie in with a theme. This bunting activity has two free printables for different sized pennants. The finished bunting is double sided so you can hang it across a room as well as against a wall. This activity works equally well with individuals at home or for a group.

Stuff Needed to Prepare the Craft:

• Scissors.
• A long length of ribbon or string.
• Glue.
• Bunting template – printed. (You’ll want to make at least six pennants. There are two sizes of bunting: the smaller size has two per sheet). You can print the template onto any colour of paper or a mixture of colours. If you don’t have access to a printer, draw your own.

Click to download the small bunting template. Or here for the large bunting template.

Stuff Needed for Person doing the Craft:

• Paint for finger painting.
• Paper plates or small trays to put different colours of paint in.

Individual Crafts: You can make as many pennants as you want to decorate. With toddler crafts it’s good to let them keep creating as long as they want to as the repetition helps them master fine motor skills and they will, in time, learn to concentrate for longer periods. If they lose interest, don’t force it. You can always leave it set up out of reach and offer it again another day.

Group Crafts: Bunting is a good group craft as everyone can work on an individual piece of the whole. If you print enough sheets for everyone to do at least three pennants, you can make a whole chain to decorate your space and later you can cut it into segments to send home. If you do this, leave longer gaps in the string between clumps of three and write names on the front before you start!

Adult Preparation

1. Print the templates.
2. Either cut out the pennants or leave this until after painting and drying.
3. Set up paint for finger painting.

Toddler Activity

Decorate pennants using finger paint. If you’re using more than one colour, choose strategically. Use white and another colour (this works well on darker colours of paper) or stick to just warm colours or just cool colours. Leave the pennants to dry.

Completion

1. Once the paint is dry, cut out the individual pennants if you haven’t already.
2. Fold the pennants down the middle with the string or ribbon in the fold and glue shut.

Toddlers may like to help choose the order the pennants go on the string. They could also use a glue stick to add glue after a fold has been made. You only need enough glue to seal the string inside.

Alternatives

Any type of decoration works well on bunting. For example, you could use stickers, potato prints, or collage with paper scraps.