Create a mobile by exploring shape and repetition using everyday items around your home.
Below is our instructional guide for hosting your own Drop-In Experience activity.
Materials
Paper plates
Yarn or String
Drawing utensils
Miscellaneous items for tracing
Hole puncher
Scissors
Glue
Instructions
01. EXPLORE SHAPES
Search inside your home for interesting shapes you can trace, such as game board pieces, earrings, or kitchen utensils. Be sure to collect an assortment of items so your shapes will vary in size.
02. MAKE PATTERNS
Identify your workspace inside and lay out your materials. One by one, trace shapes onto paper plates. Cut out each shape and lay them out across your workspace to create patterns.
03. CREATE MOBILE STRUCTURE
Cut out the center of one paper plate and hole punch 4 equally spaced holes along the edge of the plate. Cut four, equally long pieces of yarn or string. Tie one end of each string into each hole in your paper plate. Then, tie the four loose ends together to create the hanging point of your mobile structure.
04. CREATE HANGING PATTERN
Using your drawing utensils, decorate your mobile structure and your shapes. Next, cut four long pieces of yarn or string. Place one piece of string between two shapes and glue the two paper shapes back to back, securing the string in between. Repeat with each piece of string, creating patterns by pasting 2–3 complete shapes on each. Be sure to leave one end available to attach to your mobile structure.
05. COMPLETE MOBILE
Tie the loose end of each hanging pattern to a punched hole in your mobile structure—one string for each hole. Test your mobile by holding it up by the hanging point, allowing your shapes to fall towards the floor. Adjust the length or location of your hanging patterns as needed to complete your design.
06. BONUS ROUND
Add found objects to your mobile using small items around your home, such as buttons, flowers, pompoms.
Take a picture of your shape and pattern mobile and share your images with CAMH by tagging us. #MuseumFromHome #ConnectWithCAMH @camhouston
About Virtual Drop-In Experiences
CAMH’s Virtual Drop-In Experiences feature instructions for pop-up activities you can do at home. Each hands-on activity provides creative opportunities to experience current exhibitions from a distance in a unique and meaningful way.
Led by our FAQ Team (Frequently Asked Questions), a group of artists and historians who assist with contextualizing CAMH’s dynamic exhibitions for diverse audiences. Virtual Drop-In Experiences are released on our website at 1PM every Saturday. All ages, always free.