Q-Tip Skeleton

This craft is a great way to introduce bones and the importance of taking care of our bones through good nutrition (thin...

This craft is a great way to introduce bones and the importance of taking care of our bones through good nutrition (think: drinking our milk and eating our greens). Kids will love the mess factor in this activity because it involves painting your whole hand and arm! 

🦴Did you know? The human hand has about 54 bones? 

Mess Alert! The activity can get messy! Make sure you have a damp cloth nearby to help your child wipe the paint off their arm. 

🥦 Eat your greens! This is a great way to start a conversation about the importance of eating vegetables. Dark, leafy greens help build strong bones!

Step 1

The first step is arguably the most fun - give your child a paintbrush and have them paint from their fingertips to their elbow with white paint. 

Step 2

Once completely painted, help them place their arm and hand on the black paper and press firmly making sure not to move around too much.

Step 3

Let the outline of their hand and arm dry for a while.

Step 4

Next, set out some q-tips (some full q-tips and some smaller ones cut in half) and have your child place the q-tips where they think their bones are using white glue.

Step 5

Once all of the bones are in place let it dry overnight. In the morning you’ll have a super spooky skeleton arm!

️ For older preschoolers:  This is a great way to have younger children start exploring parts of the body- bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, you name it!

️ For younger toddlers: Younger children will need a bit more assistance putting the q-tips down on their skeleton, they may put them horizontal or diagonal, and that’s ok! Embrace the uniqueness!

How many bones did you add for your fingers?

How many bones do you have in your hands?

Can you feel the bones in your body?

Why is it important to have strong bones?

Do you know what bones are made of?

Emotional

Autonomy