Bean Art Tiles

The snow is finally beginning to melt this week as our temperatures get above freezing, and it is actually feeling as if spring is in the air (I don't want to speak to soon). I've been busy ordering lots of seeds to grow yummy vegetables in the garden when we see it again, and the kids have started talking about what they would like to plant, despite all their discussions I think they are finalized on the same as last year, sunflowers, pole beans and pumpkins. 

As we pulled out the old seed packets the kids asked to use the ones I didn't want to make some art work. I decided to give them a bowl of dried beans too from the kitchen and rather than have them glue the seeds on to a picture I dug out some self hardening clay and had them use the seeds to create patterns in it. It was a simple project but I love how they turned out.

You will need:

Self hardening clay, for this we used the Crayola White self hardening clay 

A selection of dried beans and or seeds

Rolling Pin

Cookie cutter / knife

Step 1

To begin take the clay and roll it out until it is about 1/4 inch thick, then cut to the shape you want your tile to be, we used a cookie cutter to cut to a circle.

Step 2

Once you have your shape have your child press the beans (or seeds) into the wet clay. Ask them to think about a pattern, swirls or lines, maybe they want to create a shape out of the beans, a flower or the letter in their name, alternate beans etc.

D was very careful as he placed each bean,

Have your child fill in all the spaces,

Step 3

Once they have finished their design using the rolling pin have them roll over all the beans and clay again to create a flat surface. This will help ensure all beans are held on well and also create a smooth surface in the end result.

Step 4

Leave clay to dry for 2 to 3 days and once dry display or if you wish to use as a coaster seal surface with a clear sealant. 

Here are the finished tiles made by D and then his big sisters when they got home from school. So pretty and what a great use for dried beans.