I love DIY and fun, unusual creations. When I saw Victorias cloud that she had created for her classroom in Hoyland Common Primary School, I just couldn't wait to share it with you! The potential for this to bring to life many areas of your setting is so exciting! From Small World areas, Water Tray Tables and Reading Areas, making your very own cloud is sure to bring a WOW factor to your setting!!!
I am Victoria from England, West Yorkshire. I am currently an NQT at a Primary School in Barnsley teaching children aged 4-5 years old in Reception.
I am always working hard to create a fun and interesting learning environment and today I want to share with you the cloud we created for our class.
You will need
10 to 15 balloons depending on how big you would like your cloud.
Masking tape.
Lots of newspaper
Paper mâché paste
Polyester filler (buy bulks on Amazon that are cheap)
Optional- white paint, finishing wire, laminating pouches and blue glitter.
Step by step instructions-
1) Blow the balloons up, different sizes to give the cloud effect.
2) Join balloons together how you would like the cloud to form with masking tape.
3) Shred lots of newspaper up, you will probably need 20+ papers
4) Mix the paper mâché paste together and dip the shreds of paper in the paste to apply to the balloons.
This is the messiest part - once a layer is applied over all the balloons, leave to dry for approximately 24 hours.
5) Repeat step 4 another 4 times depending on how firm you would like your cloud to be
6) Once you are happy with the base of your cloud you can apply a layer of white paint (this gives a better effect as you cannot see the newspaper print underneath the polyester filler). Once it is all painted you can apply a coat of PVA glue and add chunks of polyester filler.
7) Keep applying polyester filler until you are happy with the fluffiness of the cloud.
Raindrops-
Sprinkle glitter between a laminating pouch, once laminated cut of a rain drop shape, hole punch the raindrop, thread fishing wire through and attach to cloud with sellotape.
Fishing wire was used to hang the cloud to the ceiling.
It is quite a process to make this cloud, but well worth it to see the excitement of children's faces and the amount of talk it creates in the classroom. The children would also love being involved in the process! There are lots of opportunity to create with this activity and may possibly offer some new materials and sensory experiences for them.
Our cloud is currently above our water tray table and it looks so effective! During winter you can change the raindrops for snowflakes.
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