Summer is all about fun, creativity, and stepping out in style. What better way to combine all three than by making your own customized Sharpie shoes? This easy DIY project lets you turn ordinary white canvas shoes into vibrant, one-of-a-kind creations. Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to practice AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) words and phrases while having a blast!
Materials Needed:
– White Canvas Shoes: Affordable and easily found at stores like Michaels, Walmart, or any shoe retailer.
– Colorful Sharpies: Choose a variety of colors for a vibrant design.
– Rubbing Alcohol: Helps to blend and create a watercolor effect.
– Spray Bottle: For applying the rubbing alcohol.
– Masking Tape (Optional): To protect the rubber soles from getting stained.
Steps to Create Your Own Sharpie Shoes:
1. Prepare Your Shoes:
– Start by applying masking tape to the rubber soles of the shoes. This will ensure that the marker colors stay on the canvas and don’t bleed onto the rubber parts.
– AAC Words to Model: “Shoes,” “Put on tape.”
2. Get Creative with Sharpies:
– Use the Sharpies to draw your desired designs on the shoes. You can create patterns, doodles, or even write your name. The possibilities are endless!
– AAC Words to Model: “Color,” “Draw,” “Pick out,” “Design.”
3. Blend the Colors with Rubbing Alcohol:
– Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and lightly spray the shoes. The alcohol will cause the colors to blend and create a cool, watercolor effect. Be sure not to over-saturate the shoes.
– AAC Words to Model: “Spray,” “Wet,” “Blend.”
4. Allow the Shoes to Dry:
– Let the shoes dry completely. This may take a few hours, so be patient. Once dry, the colors will be set and the shoes will be ready to wear.
– AAC Words to Model: “Dry,” “Wait,” “Ready.”
5. Remove the Masking Tape:
– Carefully peel off the masking tape from the rubber soles. Your shoes should now have clean, crisp edges.
– AAC Words to Model: “Take off tape,” “Look.”
6. Step Out in Style:
– Put on your new Sharpie shoes and show them off! Each pair is a unique work of art that reflects your personal style.
– AAC Words to Model: “Put on,” “Wear,” “Shoes,” “Walk.”
Using AAC During This Activity
This project is perfect for incorporating AAC words into a hands-on, creative activity. Here are some AAC words and phrases to model during the Sharpie shoes project:
– Pick out: Choosing colors or patterns.
– Color: Referring to the Sharpies and the colors they create.
– Shoes: Talking about the canvas shoes.
– Put on: Applying the masking tape or putting on the finished shoes.
– Spray: Using the spray bottle with rubbing alcohol.
– Wet: Describing the effect of the alcohol on the marker.
– Draw: Creating designs on the shoes.
– Wait, Dry: Waiting for the shoes to dry after spraying.
– Look: Checking out the final design once it’s done.
– Ready: The shoes are ready to wear.
Why This Activity is Great for AAC Users
Creating Sharpie shoes is not just a fun summer project; it’s also a fantastic way to encourage communication and language development. Here’s why it’s beneficial:
– Engaging and Interactive: This activity involves multiple steps, providing plenty of opportunities for interaction and modeling new words.
– Sensory Experience: From feeling the canvas to spraying and watching colors blend, it’s a rich sensory activity.
– Promotes Creativity: It encourages self-expression through art, allowing AAC users to communicate their personal style.
– Builds Vocabulary: Words related to colors, actions, and materials are naturally integrated into the activity.
Ready to Create Your Own?
Grab your materials and get started on your Sharpie shoes! Whether you’re doodling hearts, drawing stars, or blending colors into a tie-dye effect, this project is sure to bring joy and a sense of accomplishment. Plus, every time you wear your customized shoes, you’ll have a colorful reminder of a fun summer AACtivity.
Share your creations with us and let us know how you incorporate AAC into your crafting adventures!
Happy crafting!