The other day, I set up this drawing and tracing activity for my toddlers and preschoolers, which they really enjoyed. It got me thinking up more activities that we could do as a fun way to help develop our early writing skills, and this one popped into my mind.
I hadn’t thought of this drawing activity in years, but it was one of my favourites when I was a kid. My friends and I spent hours, sprawled out on the rec. room floor with a stack of magazines and a box of crayons, performing something we called magazine make-overs.
We were quite a bit older than the hooligans are. We were just starting to take an interest in make-up and fashion, and we would practically pounce on any magazine that our moms cast aside, pouring over it, and pulling out any cover-girl photos that we’d come across. 
We would then transform the models with our crayons, adding eye-shadow, lipstick and blush, and adding jewellery and embellishments to the models’ clothing.
When I presented this activity to the hooligans today, I set out Sharpies instead of crayons, and instead of adding “make-up”, I encouraged them to add things like moustaches, freckles and eye-glasses, and suggested that they transform their models into pirates or animals or super-heroes.
Whether they took my advice or not didn’t matter. I just wanted to throw some ideas out there to spark their imaginations.
And I think it worked. They really loved this activity.
They spent about 45 minutes carefully and methodically decorating their pages.
I love how each child has his or her own distinct style.
One added very bold, geometric designs to her pictures, and I think they’re really interesting.
Another child took a more laid-back, loose, artistic approach.
This is a really simple activity way for your child to have fun while expressing himself artistically. And it can be done almost anywhere with very little prep!
More Drawing and Pre-Writing Activities for Kids:
Erasable Drawing Activity with Homemade Reusable Drawing Sheets
Magna Doodle Drawing Activities
DIY Salt Tray Writing Activity for Preschoolers
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Anna
What a great idea! Doing that “now-now” (like South Africans like to say!)