Decorating Forms

(Art And Craft — Decoration)

Hello! These notes show simple ways to decorate forms. A "form" is any 3D or flat thing you can decorate. Examples: boxes, cards, bowls, masks and dolls. We use safe, easy materials you can find in Kenya.

What you need (Materials)

• Paper and cardboard (old boxes or cereal boxes)
• Glue (school glue), paste or tape
• Scissors (ask an adult for help)
• Paints, crayons or markers
• Colourful cloth scraps (kitenge or plain fabric)
• Beads, buttons, seeds, shells or bottle caps
• Leaves and flowers (e.g., bougainvillea petals) for patterns

Easy steps to decorate a form

1. Choose a form: card, box, bowl, or mask.
2. Clean the surface. Make sure it is dry.
3. Plan your design: draw simple shapes first.
4. Glue cloth or paper to add colour and texture.
5. Add small items: beads, seeds or buttons for detail.
6. Paint patterns or lines to finish.
7. Let it dry well before playing with it.

Simple decorating ideas (fun and Kenyan!)

• Wrap a small box with kitenge scraps and glue on beads for a special gift box.
• Glue colourful seeds in lines to make a pattern on a card.
• Use banana fibre or sisal threads to make fringe on a small basket or jar.
• Make a mask and stick leaves and petals for a festival or school play.
• Decorate a plastic bottle: paint stripes and glue bottle caps as flowers.

Activity 1 — Decorate a Card (15–20 minutes)

Make a card for your friend or parent.

1. Fold a piece of paper in half.
2. Glue a small rectangle of kitenge on the front.
3. Draw a big flower with crayons.
4. Glue a button or bead in the flower centre.
5. Write "Asante" or "Happy" inside. Give it with a smile!

Activity 2 — Mask for Dress-Up (20–30 minutes)

1. Cut an oval from cardboard (ask for help with scissors).
2. Cut two eye holes.
3. Paint the mask or stick coloured paper.
4. Glue leaves, shells or beads for decoration.
5. Attach string to wear the mask.

Safety tips

• Always ask an adult to help with scissors or hot glue.
• Do not put small beads or seeds in your mouth.
• Work on an old newspaper to keep your table clean.

Think and draw

Can you draw a design for a decorated bowl? Try making stripes, dots or a flower. Use colours you see at home or at the market.

Well done! Try one activity today. Bring your decorated form to class and share how you made it.