Welcome to the Activities area! We have some tools and suggestions to make your Works of Ahhh...® and Paint the Wild® projects even more fun and cool.

DOWNLOAD OUR STENCIL DESIGN
Here are some fun designs that you can use for your painting projects. Just download and then print out to make into patterns for your wooden sculptures. You can also cut the designs carefully with a pair of scissors and trace the designs on your wood sculptures with a pencil.
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SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR PAINTING KITS
Specific guides are in the pamphlet included with each kit, here are some quick suggestions:
- Cover your work area with newspaper or waxed paper and wear old clothing while painting

- It is easier to paint if you cut the paint pots individually first with a pair of scissors and also have paper towel and a cup of water handy

- Some kits have sandpaper that allow you to smooth any rough edges

- Let the first coat of paint dry completely (5-10 minutes minimum) before applying additional color or patterns to the wood. Remember to wash off the paint from the brush and dry the brush with paper towel before applying the next color

- The acrylic paint is quite thick. If you want to use primarily one color paint to cover the wood, add a couple drops of water into the paint so you may cover a greater area and make your painting easier

- To write your name, it may be easier to use a permanent marker to write on after painting

- The great thing about acrylic paints is you can repaint over the first color, just make sure the first coat is dry and doesn't have any varnish applied on it yet (if your kit has varnish, the cap will be marked "VAR")

- You can glue leaves, beads, little jewels, stickers, buttons etc on the wooden box to make it extra special. Some kits come with a glue cup ("GL"), if not, you can use wood, craft or "super" glue.

- To make patterns, you can use your own rubber stamps or make a "vegetable stamp" using a carrot or potato. Make sure a grown-up helps you in cutting the carrot or potato. We love to make dots and stripes just by using the handle of your paintbrush.

- Another great simple tool is a piece of kitchen sponge. You can make some awesome effects by gently dipping it on a flat plate of paint (thin the paint with water first) then onto the wood. You can also cut the sponge into a heart, star, leaf, fish, moon, butterfly or some silly shapes.