A couple of weeks ago, we all went to the library to pick up a couple of books about the planets. Then we came home & Ken coached the girls through painting the balls to look like the planets. They did a great job!
We figured out that it was easiest to paint the balls if we stuck them with a skewer (then their hands wouldn't get too covered in paint). Then we stuck the skewers in an egg carton to dry.
...and our solar system is awesome... but it remains in the egg carton ;) ...on my kitchen counter.
I'm still trying to figure out what to do with it. We thought of putting it in a box, painted black (with holes poked in it for stars- think fun with a flashlight ;), but that would take up a lot of space (like the egg carton is) and we want to keep it for a while. So, I thought of hanging them in the playroom, from fishing line... but I'm stuck at how to attach the fishing line to them.
Ideas?...
What a wonderful project! I think it would make an awesome mobile! If you have thin wire you could create eye pins to stick into the balls. I'll bet a little super glue would keep the wire in place.
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To hang them, try sticking a nail or screw (something with a "head" on it) into the top of them. This will give you something to tie the fishing line to. Then use thumbtacks in the ceiling. I don't think the thumbtacks will work on the planets, as I think you need something a little longer to push into the styrofoam.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, they look great!
We should have made a solar system, but we bought it :) They used thumb tacks in the ceiling, along with some of that Stick-Tac like stuff (that you'd use to hang a poster without tape or nails, you know?) between the pin and ceiling to keep it from sliding out. You should definitely hang it! They did a great job painting.
ReplyDeleteThis would make a great mobile. Fun project.
ReplyDeletewhat sweet memories. i love this idea. my little guy is so into outer space right now as well. he claims that he is going to be an astronaut when he grows up. :) blessings, my friend!
ReplyDeleteMaybe some thumb tacks and gorilla glue?
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of them as a mobile of sorts!
Very neat!
ReplyDeleteThey did a great job! Wonderful memories...I think using the screw.. tying the fishing line around it... that sounds like it should work! :)
ReplyDeleteCute little project! Love the pictures!
ReplyDeletewhat about a stick pin in the balls with the fishing line wrapped around it? hmmmmm.
ReplyDeletewhat a fun daddy/daughter project!
<3
I would poke a hole through the center of each with a bamboo skewer, thread the fishing line through, and tie a washer on the bottom so it lies flat to the bottom.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out lovely. Yes, I would agree that hanging it from the ceiling would look cool and save space. Perhaps you could make a type of mobile from criss-crossing two wire hangers and hanging the planets from them. I've never done that before but it just popped into my head.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I love the photo of them in the egg carton - very cool looking! But a mobile is a great way to free up space. I think the best way would be threading the fishing line through and tying a washer on the end (Carolyn's idea). This way you can be fairly confident that they won't eventually slip off and fall. Great project! My son is really into outer space, so we may try a 2-dimensional version of this. I love the idea of looking at pictures of the planets and really making each ball look just right!
ReplyDeleteLove how these turned out!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project! Love the pictures too :)
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to stop by my blog and share this at my For the Kids link party! Stop by and join in on the fun!!!
http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-kids-friday-9.html
Bet your children will remember this :) We used an eye hook and fishing line. Then attached them to the ceiling with a thumb tack.
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