The Imagination Tree

Creative play and learning for kids

Wire Coat Hanger Sculptures

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These are a fun project to add some art to outdoor play spaces using recycled and craft materials. 

 I bent some wire coat hangers by pulling the base down to make a point, creating a diamond shape. By placing two together and taping at the joins it becomes a three-dimensional structure, with the hooks at the top ready for hanging immediately!

 We took them into the garden along with a huge TubTrug full of the giant pipe cleaners (from Pop’s rainbow party) and some silky ribbons. Of course, before decorating the wire sculptures it was much more fun and important to play with the materials!

 They made great loops for chaining together!

 And the chain was super fun to run around with, trailing it behind in the wind!

 They are also pretty cool to dress up with. Little Pop is trying to put on everything at the moment!
                          
And then we started to attach some to the coat hanger structures. Cakie looped hers over and twisted once around, and I had a go at winding them around for a different effect.

 Between us we attached lots of them and then added some ribbons too. We bent another set of coat hangers into a circular shape and wove some ribbon through.

 She loved the one with the long, free hanging ribbon attached to it especially, as it kept catching in the wind and rippling.

We have hung these in a bush next to her little play garden and she likes to check on them and rearrange the pipe cleaners periodically. They look so bright and cheerful spinning in the wind and I’m enjoying watching them while I’m washing up!
This activity is good for:
* exploring the textures and properties of new materials
* free expression and creativity
* creating on a large scale
* outdoor play
* exploring sculptural art
* observing the effects of nature on materials (blowing in the wind) and developing questioning
* collaborative projects

Comments

  1. Rachele says

    As usual, what a fun and fabulous Idea! I’m a day behind on my favorites list for the week, and since I’m doing a garden theme, this will be included, because I’ll make it fit with the theme 🙂 Should be up on Messy Kids tomorrow!

  5. Anonymous says

    Wow! I never saw such wonderful pipe cleaners! Now I’m on a search and purchase mission.