Pinterest Trials: Painting Fireworks With Flexi Straws

Fireworks

,I, like many of my friends have a Pinterest account that is full of ideas and creative imaginings that I have tucked away "to do when I have time". Ha ha ha ha.

I recently went through my account and reorganized it and was inspired to actually try some of the stuff that I have saved over the last few years. So I will introduce to you the first segment of the O'Brien household version of "Pinterest: Win? or Fail?
Note: There are clickable links to product on Amazon. If you click on these links it is possible that I may receive a small commission from the sale.

My first project to try was this seemingly easy craft to make fireworks using paint and flexi straws. I started off with a handful of straws and sat down to figure out how I wanted to put the straws together. I probably spent way to much time trying to figure out how I wanted to do it, but, eh... what's a little wasted time here or there.

I started with three straws and taped those together. I tried aligning all six of the straws I was using all at one time, but I could not hold them all in place, grab tape and get it wrapped around them without at least one of the straws falling out of place. So I started with three. I wrapped tape around the three and from there I added one straw at a time and taped it. This is what worked best for me. If you are able to hold them all at one time and tape them in one fell swoop, I envy you. (If you are not quite sure what in the world I am talking about, no worries. I created a Youtube video of this little experiment. I'll include it down below.)

Next, I put paint on a paper plate and showed my son how to dip the straws in the paint, swirl it around and then push it on to the paper. I originally started with black and white paper. I really wanted to use the black to represent the black sky you would see when watching fireworks, but had the white paper as back up in case the colors did not show up well on the black paper. I did tape the black paper to the white paper to have something to catch the overflow, but you can use recycled cardboard, paper bags, newspaper, etc. It just makes the clean up easier. I feel it is important to note that I have never had too much trouble getting the washable crayola finger paint off of my furniture. Some colors are harder to get out of clothes, but I try to be mindful of what my son is wearing before we get started on a project. If all else fails, he goes shirtless because his shirts are what catches the brunt of his splashes.

My son really did enjoy this project. As much as possible I always try to give him creative license with his art to foster independence and his own creativity. This means, I even allow him to choose which colors he wants to use and when. I also try my very hardest to allow him to help me with set up such as taping, pouring paint, etc. But that doesn't always happen depending on my level of patience for the day.

 The list of supplies I used are as follows:
1. Card stock. You can use any type of card stock. I typically have a lot on hand because I like to make my own cards.
​2. Crayola finger paint. The Dollar Tree Store also has finger paint, but full disclosure. I've never used them so I do not know how easily they clean up.
3. Tape. There is not a specific kind that I favor over another.
4. Flexi straws. You can grab these anywhere as well, but if you are quarantining as well and need to order them I added a link above.

I was a little skeptical of how this project would turn out. I did have to help my son some when he would press the straws with paint on to the paper because he would press too hard and it wouldn't do a complete circle. But once he got the hang of what he needed to do it took off and he did it on his own. Also, the length of the prep was acceptable for the amount of interest that was shown. So I am calling this craft a Pinterest win.