Have you ever thought about turning those colorful cupcake liners lying around into something super creative and fun? Well, I’ve got the perfect craft idea for you—making a Cupcake Liner Umbrella and Rain Craft with the kids. It’s not just a blast to do, but it also gets those little hands working on their fine motor skills. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to teach about weather patterns in a super interactive way.
What’s great about this craft is how simple yet engaging it is. You’ll need just a few supplies: some cupcake liners (any color will do, but blues and greys make perfect rainy skies), washable markers, and a spray bottle filled with water. Kids get to draw and color their rainy day scenes, then top it off with the adorable umbrella made from a cupcake liner. The real magic happens when they use the spray bottle—it’s like making it rain right there on their artwork!
This activity not only sparks creativity but also lets kids experiment with cause and effect as they see how the sprayed water spreads the marker colors, mimicking real rain. It’s a beautiful blend of art, science, and fine motor practice. Next time you’re stuck indoors on a rainy day, whip out this craft. It’s a surefire way to turn a dreary day into an opportunity for learning and fun. Plus, it’s always rewarding to watch the little ones marvel at their own creations, isn’t it? Let’s grab those materials and get started!
Cupcake Liner Umbrella and Rain Craft
Material List:
- White cardstock
- Blue washable marker
- Black Sharpie
- Small cupcake liner
- Paper straws
- Glue
- Spray bottle with water
Directions:
- Create Your Umbrella: Start by folding your cupcake liner in half and gluing it near the bottom of your white cardstock to form the top of the umbrella.
- Add the Umbrella Handle: Cut a paper straw in half and glue one piece under the cupcake liner as the umbrella’s handle. Make sure it’s aligned and looks like it’s holding up the umbrella.
- Draw the Clouds: Use a black Sharpie to draw clouds at the top of your cardstock. They can be fluffy and big!
- Color the Clouds: With your blue washable marker, color inside the clouds.
- Make It Rain: Add small dots falling from the clouds with the same blue marker to represent raindrops.
- Set Up for Rain: Place your cardstock in a tray to contain any mess. Lean the page on a bottle or jar so it stands upright. Or you can take it to a wall. Make sure to add a tray or paper towel to catch the drops as the flow down.
- Let It Rain: Take your spray bottle filled with water and gently spray the cloud areas. Watch as the “rain” or blue washable marker begins to drip down over your scene, just like a real rain shower!
Tips for Success:
- When spraying the water, start with a light mist to see how the paper and marker react. You can always add more!
- Practice drawing and coloring your clouds on a separate piece of paper first to get just the look you want.
Share Your Crafting Moments:
Did your umbrella keep the rain away? Show us how your Cupcake Umbrella Rain Craft turned out by sharing your pictures and stories on our blog or social media. It’s always a splash seeing your creativity!
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.
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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
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.
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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.
Cupcake Liner Umbrella Rain Craft
Materials
- White cardstock
- Blue washable marker
- Black Sharpie
- Small cupcake liner
- Paper straws
- Glue
- Spray bottle with water
Instructions
- Create Your Umbrella: Start by folding your cupcake liner in half and gluing it near the bottom of your white cardstock to form the top of the umbrella.
- Add the Umbrella Handle: Cut a paper straw in half and glue one piece under the cupcake liner as the umbrella’s handle. Make sure it’s aligned and looks like it’s holding up the umbrella.
- Draw the Clouds: Use a black Sharpie to draw clouds at the top of your cardstock. They can be fluffy and big!
- Color the Clouds: With your blue washable marker, color inside the clouds, adding a little extra blue below them to mimic rain-heavy clouds.
- Make It Rain: Add small dots falling from the clouds with the same blue marker to represent raindrops.
- Set Up for Rain: Place your cardstock in a tray to contain any mess. Lean the page on a bottle or jar so it stands upright.
- Let It Rain: Take your spray bottle filled with water and gently spray the cloud areas. Watch as the “rain” begins to drip down over your scene, just like a real rain shower!
