Happy National STEM/STEAM Day!

Craft by @playbakecreate on Instagram

STEMulate Your Creativity!

November 8 is National STEM/STEAM Day, a day which celebrates science, technology, engineering, art, and math. These disciplines have been shown to cultivate problem-solving skills, encourage critical thinking, and foster innovation – all important skills for our OOLY artists, no matter your age!

We believe it’s never too early to get a jump start on some STEAM love so this National STEAM Day, we are celebrating with an easy craft for kids who are just getting started on their STEAM journey. This simple art and craft for kids is so easy to follow, and it incorporates our fun and surprising Switch-eroo Color Changing markers for a magical reveal that encourages engagement through play! Happy STEAM Day!

Time Duration: 15 minutes 

Skill Level: Beginner

OOLY Products Needed

Other Items Needed: 

  • Pencil

Directions: 

Sketchbook with turkey outline on table with colorful feathers

Step 1: Hey, it’s almost Thanksgiving so let’s get in the spirit! Using a pencil, draw or trace a turkey on a page from the OOLY White DIY Cover Sketchbook.

Sketchbook with drawing of turkey, pen, and colorful feathers on a table
Sketchbook with outlined turkey and colorful feathers on table

Step 2: Now that you have the basic shape, it’s time to really make it stand out. Outline it with OOLY’s The Ink Works Markers, giving the picture more definition.

Sketchbook with marker on top of an outlined turkey with colorful feathers

Step 3: Using the Switch-eroo Color Changing Markers, color in the turkey’s body, feet and face – don’t touch the feathers … yet!

White sketchbook with half colored turkey on white table with colorful feathers

Step 4: Still using the Switch-eroo Color Changing Markers, but this time the white tip, write numbers on each feather. Don’t worry if you don’t see them…that’s the whole point.

Hand holding red marker coloring in turkey feathers on white paper
Sketchbook with colored in turkey, markers, and colored feathers on table

Step 5: Now comes the fun part. Using any color of the Switch-eroo Color Changing Markers, have your little one color in each feather. As they color, they will see a number magically appear. Depending on where they are in their number recognition, you can either have them tell you what number they revealed (hello, number recognition!) or make it a game about what number they will reveal next (ahem, counting!). 

Sketchbook with colored turkey, stickers, markers, and colored feathers on white table

Step 6: Add Stickiville Rainbow Letter Stickers to spell out Turkey Reveal, Gobble-Gobble, or spell out their name on the picture!

Sketchbook with colorful turkey drawing and confetti stamp markers on white table

Ideas to extend the play:

  • Have the child dot the corresponding number using the white tip under the number for one-to-one counting with OOLY’s Confetti Stamp Double-Ended Markers
  • Use letters instead of numbers
  • Write in the child’s name to work on name recognition instead of numbers
Smiling child laying on floor with sketchbook on top of him with colored in turkey

These types of crafts for preschool kids that introduce counting and number recognition laying the foundation for STEAM skills far into the future. What better way is there to celebrate National STEM/STEAM Day than to kick start this journey for your little learner. Don’t be a turkey – let’s get your STEAM on!

We would love to see photos of your craft projects! Tag us on Instagram at @WeAreOOLY using #OOLYcreateyourhappy.

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