Short Films and Resources

When the CAST building closed to the public in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, learning specialist Lucy Grant produced downloadable resources to share some of her most loved ‘Think and Make’ ideas. She taught herself the rudiments of stop-frame animation, turning some of her popular making sessions into short videos to inspire young minds. Musician, composer and performer Seamas Carey made the music that accompanies the films.

Lucy’s films demonstrate simple techniques – the main ingredient is time to get into the flow of creative thinking and making. They concentrate on materials that are available in most homes, but there are always alternatives.

Activities include a double-sided ‘January mood mask’, a decorated egg ‘Spring Thing’, gardens made from paper and pipe cleaners, printing with different household objects, colourful paper-cut patterns, and yarn and paper Christmas decorations.

Colourful paper shapes making up a face

January Mood Mask

Janus is the Roman god who gave his name to the month of January. He was the god of doors, gates, and transitions, who oversaw seasonal changes including the new year. Janus is always portrayed with two faces—one facing the past, and one facing the future. Lucy Grant has designed this simple creative make that…

An egg being decorated with confetti

Spring Thing

For egg decoration try tearing up colourful pieces from newspapers or magazines instead of tissue paper, or use sweet wrappers or delicate fabric. For Easter bunnies sew pieces from a shrunken jumper or sock instead of felt and use cotton wool or tissue instead of wool tops for stuffing and tails. Or why not try…

Flower made from willow, starkly lit

Plants and Flowers

Take a look in your garden or out in the wild, what different shaped leaves and petals can you see? What interesting different materials could you find around the house to make a plant or flower? Can you think of some other ways of making a plant? How much variety can you get into your…

A stylised printed hand pointing to the right

Print

What interesting different objects could you find around the house to use to print with? Are there any with shapes that might look like something in particular? How does the paper you choose and the colour of the paint change the feel of your pictures? Think and Makes are starting point ideas to get little…

Colourful paper cut-outs on a wooden table spelling out 'Paper cuts' next to some scissors

Paper Cuts

Lucy Grant’s Paper Cut animation features some of the many different traditions of this art form from around the world. If you would like to have a go at some of designs featured you can download and print a free PDF with instructions and templates to get you started here. Think and Makes are starting point…

Visual instructions depicting how to make a paper star

Christmas Makes

Lucy Grant has produced instructions for three different creative makes to try at home, all tried, tested and lovely: folded paper stars to decorate your windows, yarn stars for the Christmas tree, and tiny tomtens to hide amongst the greenery. Click on the images below to enlarge them.        Think and Makes are…

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