Ankle Biter Art: Silly Witch Heads

I was doing a google image search for witch faces to get a design inspiration for my pumpkin this year when I came across a painted lightbulb witch head. I thought it might be a fun project to do with my friends children for a Halloween, but I decided to do a more kid friendly version. Hmmm...something about easily shattering light bulbs in the rambunctious hands of young pre-schoolers just didn't jive with me as a safe idea. I didn't make my own to test it out beforehand, so it was an experimental project day with Sam and Molly. The photos I took are essentially before and after because this did require the helpful hands of adults...older kids (Elementary & Middle) could most definitely tackle this one on their own.

SUPPLIES:

Styrofoam balls (in size of your choice) - I had several white craft balls left over from the spider project, so I used and painted these, but you could also try the green floral foam balls (from any craft store) if you want an easy pre-greened face.
Acrylic paint & brush - I used green, but any color of your choice will do.
Witch hat - I found these in the doll making section of my craft store for little money, but you can craft your own out of black foam paper using the pattern below.
A length of ribbon (optional) - enough to wrap around the cone base of the witches hat
Button (optional) - for added hat decoration
Tacky glue - be careful if you wish to try hot glue...it can and most likely will melt your styrofoam. I used tacky glue (and requested patience from the kids while the witches dried) just to be safe.
Black Sharpie marker (Oh, how I LOVE the smell of a Sharpie!)
Red craft foam - for lips
Wiggly eyes - as many as you'd like
Black feathers - for hair
Tooth picks (2) - the prop your witch heads up for decoration OR (and I wish I had done this) ... with a needle and thread, knot and thread a length of fishing line or thread through the top of the witch hat and create a loop so you can hang your witch decoration. I imagine this being much easier than angling the toothpicks perfectly to keep your witch head from rolling around.

Found HERE

INSTRUCTIONS:

Paint your styrofoam ball. {{{TIP}}} Because the styrofoam has so many tiny holes, it kind of takes a little more effort to get full coverage. Use a stippling technique (like you would if you were stenciling a wall). Dot the bristles down onto the surface to help fill in the holes with paint. Swirling the brush in circular motions also helps. Allow to fully dry before you continue.

Have the children count out how many eyes they's like their witch to have and dot some tacky glue in place and add the wiggly eyes.

With the Sharpie, have children draw a nose and smile (or frown if they decide their witch is not a happy one).

Cut some lip shapes out of the red craft foam. If you want super easy lips....just cut out a small circle and then cut the circle in half. The two semi-circles can work for top and bottom lips. With the tacky glue, have the children glue them into place on the mouth they have drawn.

With your toothpicks, prop your witch heads so they can sit upright on their own and you can continue working on them without them rolling all around.

Like So...

With the tacky glue, adhere feathers to the underside of the hats brim (either the one that you bought or the one you made)...in a fashion that looks like crazy hair showing out of the hat. Try to leave a space without feathers...so you'll be able to see the facial features. Attach the witches hat (that now has feathery hair) to the styrofoam ball head...using the tacky glue.

Decorate the witch hats! Have the children glue the length of ribbon to the hat and embellish with buttons if they so desire.