Colourful Meerkat Creations

Overview

This 60-minute art session for Reception children (ages 4-5) focuses on exploring colour mixing to create different shades inspired by meerkats’ fur. Children will then use their mixed colours creatively to make pop-up meerkat artworks using recycled materials. The lesson emphasises sensory engagement, creativity, and fine motor development, aligning with UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework outcomes.

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Learning Objectives (LO)

• To mix colours to make different shades
• To observe and replicate the natural colours and markings of meerkats
• To explore basic pop-up mechanisms and use them in artwork
• To experiment with recycled materials in construction, fostering creativity and environmental awareness

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Curriculum Links

• EYFS Expressive Arts and Design:
  • Creating with materials: Children safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.
  • Being imaginative and expressive: Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes.
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Developing confidence to try new activities and express ideas.
• Understanding the World: Learning about animals and their characteristics through observation.

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Resources

• Short video clip of meerkats popping up from burrows (to capture attention & context)
• Simple pop-up card mechanism demonstration (pre-made sample or brief video)
• Paint sets (red, yellow, blue, white, black) with palettes or paper plates for mixing
• Paintbrushes
• Paper sheets with meerkat outlines sketched lightly for painting
• Variety of recycled materials: cardboard boxes, egg cartons, yoghurt pots, cereal boxes, scrap paper, fabric scraps, pipe cleaners, glue sticks, child-safe scissors, tape
• Protective aprons/smocks
• Wet wipes/newspapers to manage mess
• Table space arranged for 2-3 children per station to encourage collaborative exploration

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Engagement (10 minutes)

• Gather children on the carpet and show the meerkats popping up video (1-2 minutes). Engage children with questions:
  • “What do you notice about the meerkats’ fur? What colours can you see?”
• Introduce the learning objective: “Today we’re going to mix colours like the meerkat’s fur and make our own pop-up meerkats!”
• Show a simple pop-up card mechanism or brief video demonstrating how something can pop up from a card. Explain how their meerkat will pop up similarly.

2. Colour Mixing Exploration (15 minutes)

• Demonstrate basic colour mixing:
  • Start with primary colours red, yellow, blue. Show how combining two primaries creates secondary colours (orange, green, purple).
  • Introduce adding white or black to make lighter or darker shades (tints and shades).
• Relate back to meerkat fur: encourage children to make browns, greys, creams by mixing colours.
• Each child experiments mixing paint on palettes to create their own distinctive fur colours. Provide paper for small colour tests.
• Teachers circulate, asking prompting questions:
  • “Can you make a light brown like the meerkat’s tummy fur?”
  • “What happens if you add a little bit of black?”

3. Meerkat Painting & Pop-Up Preparation (15 minutes)

• Distribute printed meerkat outlines for children to paint using their custom-mixed colours, focusing on capturing different fur shades.
• Encourage layered painting to show texture and detail.
• Once painting is underway, introduce recycled materials for the pop-up base/model:
  • Explain that their painted meerkat will “pop up” from a card or stand made from recycled cardboard.
  • Children start experimenting cutting, folding, gluing cardboard to create simple pop-up bases (e.g., folding a strip to push the meerkat upwards).
• Promote problem-solving and collaboration.

4. Meerkat Model Making & Free Exploration (15 minutes)

• Provide loose recycled materials for children to create 3D meerkat models or theatre props, encouraging imaginative play:
  • Use cereal boxes for bodies, pipe cleaners for tails and legs, fabric scraps for fur texture.
• Children can combine painted meerkats with these models or explore independently.
• Allow children to test pop-up mechanisms on their cards and adapt structures.

5. Reflection & Sharing (5 minutes)

• Gather children to share their pop-up meerkats and 3D models.
• Ask reflective questions:
  • “What colours did you make for your meerkat?”
  • “How did you make your meerkat pop up?”
  • “What did you like about using recycled materials?”
• Celebrate all creations with positive feedback and display art around the classroom for ongoing admiration.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe children’s ability to mix colours and articulate their choices.
• Note engagement with colour variations and connections to meerkat fur observation.
• Monitor use of materials and problem-solving during pop-up construction.
• Assess confidence in expressing ideas and collaborating with peers.

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Differentiation & Inclusion

• Provide extra adult support with scissors, mixing or structural challenges for children with fine motor needs.
• Offer visual mixing guides or colour cards for children requiring additional prompts.
• Supply pre-cut shapes for pop-up bases or cardboard if needed.
• Encourage verbal expression or storytelling around their meerkat model for children who find this medium more accessible.

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Extension & Home Learning

• Invite children to observe and draw another animal at home using colour mixing (e.g., pets, garden animals).
• Encourage bringing in clean recycled materials for future creative projects, reinforcing sustainable habits.

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Teacher’s Tips

• Prepare video and pop-up examples in advance to maximise creative time.
• Use expressive language highlighting colour names and descriptions to build vocabulary.
• Emphasise the link between observation (science) and creative expression (art) to foster a holistic curriculum approach.
• Capture photographs or videos of children’s work progress to discuss their learning journey and support teacher assessment.

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This creative, hands-on lesson combines foundational art skills with STEM-inspired pop-up engineering and environmental awareness, designed to inspireand engage young learners while adhering to UK EYFS guidelines.