Colors and Shapes (Brownie Try-it)

Please add ways to customize the Colors and Shapes the World Try-it activities here, and include useful resources below.

As with all Brownie Try-its, scouts need to complete 4 activities to earn the badge.

Artists use colors, lines and shapes to make art. How would you like to make your own? Try out your own creativity with these activities.

Stencil Stampers
You can make your own stamps to use over and over. Use these designs to create your own greeting cards or wrapping paper.

You will need:


 * Sponges
 * Scissors
 * Tempera paint
 * Pans to hold the paint (pie tins or baking bans are good)
 * Paper to paint on
 * Water for cleanup
 * Construction paper
 * Shelf paper


 * 1) Cut the sponges into shapes you want.
 * 2) Pour small amounts of paint into each pan.
 * 3) Dip a sponge shape into one of the pans. Place it where you want on the paper and press. you can use the same shape over and over or you can add the other shapes. try other colors too.

More to try: Try the Adinkra cloth activity on pages 91-92.

Colors and Shapes Mobile
A mobile is a work of art that can move. Try making your own simple mobile.

You will need:


 * Long plastic drinking straws
 * Large needle
 * Thick thread
 * Cardboard
 * Paints
 * Crayons or markers


 * 1) Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end. (Take care using the needle).
 * 2) Poke the needle through the straws to attach them. Use 3 - 5 straws.
 * 3) Tie a knot in the the thread near the straws.
 * 4) Cut the thread, leaving enough for you to hand the mobile.
 * 5) Add colored shapes, which you can cut from the cardboard and paint, to your mobile by attaching them to the straws with a needle and thread. Hang them at different lengths.
 * 6) Your mobile may tell a story or be on a subject that interests you.
 * 7) Have someone help you balance your mobile.

Making Dough Shapes
You can mold and hsape dough you make yourself.

You will need:


 * 1 cup cornstarch
 * 1 cup salt
 * 1.5 cups flour
 * Water
 * Mixing Bowl
 * Spoon


 * 1) Add cornstarch, salt, and flour to the bow.
 * 2) Stir
 * 3) Add 1.5 cups of water and mix.
 * 4) If the dough is too stiff and dry, add a spoonful or two of water at a time and mix with your hands until soft.
 * 5) You can make something with your dough after it is mixed, or you can save it for about two days in a sealed plastic bag stored in the refrigerator.
 * 6) Make something with your dough. Here are some ideas:
 * 7) * Roll pieces of the dough into little balls of different sizes. Put the balls together to make things. Rub a little water on the balls to make them stick.
 * 8) * Start with a ball the size of a lemon, and pull and pinch the clay to make a shape, an animal or a building for example.
 * 9) * Roll the dough into a ball that fits into your hand. Press your thumbs into the middle of the ball. Press the hole to make it bigger with one thumb while you turn the dough with the other hand. Keep doing this until the dough forms a pot or bowl shape.

Weaving Color Patterns
You will need:


 * Sheets of different colored paper
 * Scissor
 * Ruler
 * Clear tape
 * Pencil


 * 1) Use the width of the ruler to trace strips on the colored paper.
 * 2) Cut out the strips along the lines you traced.
 * 3) Lay 8 (or more strips) of the same color paper, spaced evenly, vertically next to each other.
 * 4) Tape them together near the very top.
 * 5) Take 8 strips of another color.
 * 6) One at a time, horizontally weave each strip over and under the taped vertical strips.
 * 7) If you started on the top of the first row of weaving, start at the bottom of the next one and continue alternating until all strips are woven.
 * 8) After you have woven all the strips, cut the extra edges and tape them together.
 * 9) Turn your finished weaving over to see how it looks without the tape showing.