If you find yourself with a lot of extra cardboard lying around and are trying to come up with a use for it, check out this creative cardboard collage idea featured by Alejandra over at Art Lessons for Kids! It's super simple and is a great way to introduce your Kindergarteners to the concept of creating a collage. If you don't happen to have a surplus of cardboard, try your local supermarket - they may be willing to part with their empty boxes free of charge!

Cardboard Collage

Provide each student with a large rectangle of cardboard (approximatetly 12" x 18"). Allow them to choose an assortment of smaller cardboard pieces to use and instruct them to place the pieces onto their blank 'canvas'. Emphasize that the result can be abstract - it does not have to turn into an actual picture. Then have the students glue their pieces into place.

Once the pieces have been glued down and have had time to dry, have students paint their collages.

Allow students to use as many paint colors as they choose, but be sure they know to paint at least two layers. It may be fun to encourage your kiddos to try splatter painting! It really does create a unique effect on the collages:

Check out a few of the finished projects from Alejandra's Kindergarten class. Impressive!!