5 easy Pokemon GO art projects for kids of creativity
Today we examine a collection of awesome ways in which Pokemon GO fans are making the most of the game offline. Without needing Niantic to do an update to Pokemon GO, without waiting for an event to occur, these intrepid artists have turned the physical world of Pokemon GO into an awesome opportunity for sharing artwork. That's what we're focusing on today – sharing outside the game using the game as a map!
1. Tiny PokePortraits
Most craft stores have what's called a "Mini Canvas" that's around the size of a business card. These little monsters can be purchased for around $1.50 – they cost closer to a dollar at a craft store. Each one of these 3-inch by 5-inch canvasses is perfect for painting Pokemon and Pokemon-related subject matter for the masses.
How to Art Drop in Pokemon GO:
1. Paint tiny Pokemon Portraits.
2. Walk to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms
3. Leave Pokemon Portraits for other Trainers to find
4. Return to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms to collect any portraits that weren't found or collected within a few days time.
Like the rest of the items on our list, the Tiny PokePortrait is meant to be left at a Pokestop in Pokemon GO. We recommend finding Pokestops in parks for this activity. Place the artwork in an easy-to-find location, preferably a place that's covered so it won't be ruined by rain. As you can imagine, leaving artworks at Pokestops doesn't work as well in the winter.
2. Origami Pikachu
One of the simplest origami projects in the Pokemon universe is Origami Pikachu. Thanks to artist PeachPiku we have this simple 6-step chart which shows how the simplest Pokemon is made. While you can use any sort of paper, there is a sort of paper made specifically for origami called Washi Paper. You'll likely have just as much luck looking for "Origami Paper" – it's so common you'll be able to find it at a Target store.
How to Drop Origami in Pokemon GO:
1. Create Origami Pikachu.
2. Walk to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms
3. Leave Origami Pikachu for other Trainers to find (weighted down so Pikachu doesn't end up learning Gust!)
4. Return to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms to collect any art that wasn't found or collected within a few days time.
This same shape can be used for a wide variety of Pokemon. If you ignore the rules of Origami, you can also bust out a scissors and modify the ears to make this into one of several round-eared Pokemon. For more complicated instructions, head over to Origami Me for lots of Pokemon with massive amounts of folds.
3. Knitted Pokebits
While knitting isn't exactly child's play, it's an awesome skill to have for any sort of person. What you're seeing here is a pile of Pokemon and Pokeballs made by Nichole's Nerdy Knots. Nichole became PokeFamous last year when she knitted a bunch of these sorts of cuties and left them for people to find at Pokestops throughout her city.
How to Drop Knits in Pokemon GO:
1. Create PokeKnits.
2. Walk to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms
3. Leave PokeKnits for other Trainers to find
4. Return to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms to collect any art that wasn't found or collected within a few days time.
Because Nichole gets donations from the public for her fine work, she publishes patterns for the public for free! You can have a peek at all of her PokePatterns (and other pop-culture patterns) for knitting at Ravelry right now.
4. Sculptural Doh-Mon
The easiest way to make some brightly-colored sculpture Pokemon is to buy a bunch of Play-Doh brand doh and just HAVE AT it. But for those that wish to make their own, the process is fairly simple. The ingredients are likely in your cupboard right this minute, as well.
To create DIY doh for sculptures that are both bio-degradable and edible (albeit relatively tasteless), the following ingredients should do fine. The instructions below this set of ingredients are sourced from blogger Sarah Lipoff.
• 4 Cups Flour
• 1 Cups Salt
• 2 TBSP Vegetable Oil
• 2 Cups Water
• Food Coloring (for color, so much color)
Add flour and salt into mixing bowl, stir just a bit. Bring water to boil, then pour water into mixing bowl with the flour and salt mixture. Add the vegetable oil, and stir like a maniac. More flour makes things tougher, more water makes the concoction more pliable. You can add food coloring at any point – or wait until you've sculpted some Pokemon, let it all dry, then break out the paint.
How to Drop Sculptures in Pokemon GO:
1. Create Dough Monsters.
2. Walk to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms
3. Leave Dough Monsters for other Trainers to find
4. Return to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms to collect any art that wasn't found or collected within a few days time.
5. Painted Pokerocks
The simplest and perhaps most viable option for Pokemon GO Art Drops for most parents and PokePeople of all sorts is the painting of rocks. Rocks are everywhere – there's probably a few right outside your back door right this minute. Rocks are free – unless they're taken from the wrong rock garden – and plain ol' acrylic paint sticks to most rocks pretty easily.
The image above comes from Reddit's Adis296.
To be extra kind to the environment, parents and artists alike may want to paint with Sidewalk Paint. To make your own DIY sidewalk paint, collect the following ingredients:
• Containers for various paints (whatever you like)
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Food Coloring
Cornstarch and Water create liquid that catches and keeps the color inserted into it. Start mixing with cold water, and adjust as you see fit. Food coloring is then added as needed. Paints like these apply to lots of rocks – and adding chalk to the mix works on SOME rocks, as well.
How to Drop Sculptures in Pokemon GO:
1. Paint some Pokerocks.
2. Walk to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms
3. Leave Pokerocks for other Trainers to find
4. Return to PokeStops and Pokemon Gyms to collect any Pokerocks that weren't found or collected within a few days time.
Wrap-up
This is just one of a variety of ways in which Pokemon GO is fanning out into the world in new and interesting ways. Have a peek at our article about knocking down Pokemon Gyms for kids to see another excellent way to make the world of Pokemon GO a fun place to be for people of all ages. Let us know if you've discovered any fun and/or interesting ways in which Pokemon GO is being interacted with – ways that Niantic never suspected!