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If your little artists are itching for a craft that mixes a little mystery with a lot of wow, then crayon resist henna art is about to become the new favorite at your crafting table! This hands-on activity not only lets kids play with patterns and designs but also reveals their artwork in the most dramatic way, as colors pop and crayon lines resist, much like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

The beauty of henna designs has captivated people for centuries, with its intricate, flowing patterns that tell stories of culture, celebrations, and milestones. Translating this art form into a crayon resist craft gives kids a chance to dabble in design and learn about traditional motifs. They’ll get the thrill of secret messages coming to life on paper as they brush over their drawings with a bold wash of color. So, sharpen those crayons and get your watercolors ready—we’re about to combine the ancient art of henna with some modern craft magic that’s perfect for kids (and grown-ups!) of all ages.

What is Henna?

Imagine you have a pen that instead of ink has a kind of natural paint made from a plant. When you draw on your skin with it, it leaves a reddish-brown stain that looks like a tattoo, but it’s not permanent—it washes off after a week or two.

That’s what henna is! It’s a special kind of paste made from crushing the leaves of the henna plant. People use it to create temporary designs on their skin. It’s like having a pretend tattoo that fades away after a while.

In many parts of the world, especially in countries like India, Pakistan, and in some Middle Eastern and African cultures, henna is used for celebrations such as Diwali or before a wedding. Think of it as a way to decorate your skin with beautiful patterns for special occasions, like a birthday party for your hands and feet! It’s been used for a very long time, and each design can have different meanings, or sometimes, people just choose designs because they think they’re pretty.

Materials You’ll Need for Crayon Resist Henna Art

White paper, preferably thick so it can hold up to paint
White crayon (a candle can work too if you’re in a pinch!)
Watercolor paints
A paintbrush
A small cup of water
Paper towels for spills
Henna design templates or pictures for inspiration

Step-by-Step Guide

Design Time: Start by looking at some henna design patterns with your kids. Notice the shapes, lines, and how they flow together. This craft is not only about creating a pretty picture but also about understanding and appreciating a cultural art form.
Handprint: Trace your child’s hand and arm on the white paper. Cut it out.
Drawing Secret Patterns: Using a white crayon, draw your henna design onto the handprint. It’s like making invisible ink; you won’t be able to see much at this stage, and that’s part of the fun!

Color Magic: Now it’s time for the big reveal. Have your child paint over the paper with watercolors. Watch their delight as the designs resist the paint and emerge in crisp, bold lines against the colored background.
Dry & Display: Once the masterpiece is dry, it’s ready to be displayed. These pieces make for vibrant art to decorate the fridge, a child’s room, or even to be given as a gift to family and friends.

Educational Twist

As you guide your kids through creating their crayon resist henna designs, engage with them about the history and significance of henna art. It’s a great opportunity for a mini-lesson on geography, cultural traditions, and art history—all while they’re having a blast with colors.

Cleanup Tips

Crayon resist painting is surprisingly tidy, but it’s still a good idea to cover your workspace with newspaper or a craft sheet. Keep a roll of paper towels or a cloth nearby to quickly wipe up any watercolor splashes.

This crayon resist henna craft is more than just an activity; it’s a colorful conversation starter and a unique way for children to engage with a form of expression that’s been cherished for generations. It’s all about the joy of creating, discovering, and learning something new. So let those creative spirits soar, and who knows—this might just be the beginning of a lifelong love for art and culture. Happy crafting!

Age Suitability

This activity is good for toddlers aged children 2 years old and up with adult assistance.

Mess Level

The mess level for this activity is low.

Difficulty to Create

Easy.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!

These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.

Find out more and grab your copy here.

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.

350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.

TV Show: Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.

The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids

Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.

Our Sensory Play Kits are some fun and easy ways to keep your child engaged while at the same time using sensory play to nurture their mind!

Shop our ready made play kits here.