Wooden String Art

Supplies:

• Small piece of paper (same size as wood block)

• Pencil

• Ruler

• Small block of wood (pre-cut, approx. 15x15cm or similar)

• Small nails (short flat-head type)

• Hammer

• Embroidery thread or thin wool

• Scissors

• Optional: sandpaper to smooth wood edges

Steps:

1. Design Your Shape

   • Draw a simple hollow shape (heart, star, lightning bolt, etc.) on the paper.

   • Use a ruler to mark a dot every 2cm around the outside of your shape.

2. Prepare the Wood

   • Place the paper onto your wooden block and tape it lightly in place.

3. Add the Nails

   • Carefully hammer a nail into each dot on your paper (an adult can help younger kids with this part).

   • Leave about 1cm of the nail sticking out.

   • Once all nails are in, gently tear away and remove the paper.

4. Wrap the Thread

   • Tie one end of the embroidery thread to a nail.

   • Start wrapping the thread between the nails to fill the shape. You can go in a pattern or randomly cross the string for a cool effect.

   • When finished, tie off the thread and trim any excess.

Other Information:

• Encourage creativity: let kids choose their colours and shapes.

• For younger children, simpler shapes (like triangles or circles) are easier to complete.

• This activity helps build fine motor skills and is a great introduction to textile art and basic tool use.