Add texture by glueing something weird to your artwork
Create a textured collage by safely gluing unusual materials like feathers, pasta, fabric scraps, and foil onto artwork to explore texture and design.
About this activity
Create a textured collage by safely gluing unusual materials like feathers, pasta, fabric scraps, and foil onto artwork to explore texture and design.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials from the list and bring them to a clear table or workspace.
- 2
Step 2
Place your paper or cardboard flat on the table so it is ready to hold your collage.
- 3
Step 3
Choose a fun theme or simple picture you want to make like a garden or a silly monster.
- 4
Step 4
Lightly draw your design on the paper with a pencil or colouring materials.
- 5
Step 5
Mark small spots where you want to add texture by drawing tiny dots or Xs.
- 6
Step 6
Tear or cut fabric scraps and foil into small pieces you will use as textured bits.
- 7
Step 7
Put a small dab of glue onto one marked spot using the glue bottle or brush.
- 8
Step 8
Press one texture item like a feather pasta piece or fabric scrap onto the glue and hold it for a few seconds.
- 9
Step 9
Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to add different materials across your design until you like how it looks.
- 10
Step 10
Let your collage dry completely before moving it.
- 11
Step 11
Share your finished textured collage on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make a textured collage by gluing unusual materials onto artwork?
Set up a protected workspace with newspaper or a craft mat. Choose a sturdy base (cardstock or cardboard). Plan your layout, then apply glue in small sections. Press unusual materials—feathers, dried pasta, fabric scraps, foil—firmly into the glue. Layer for depth and let each layer dry before adding more. Trim loose edges and consider a low‑odour sealant for durability. Supervise younger kids and encourage experimentation with textures and patterns.
What materials do I need for a textured collage using feathers, pasta, fabric scraps, and foil?
You'll need a sturdy base (cardstock, heavy paper, or cardboard), white school glue and/or tacky glue for heavier items, a glue stick for lightweight pieces, brushes or craft sticks for spreading glue, scissors, and a protective surface. Gather unusual materials like feathers, dried pasta, fabric scraps, aluminum foil, sequins, and textured paper. Keep wet wipes, a container for small items, and an optional clear acrylic spray or decoupage medium to seal finished collages.
What ages is this textured collage activity suitable for?
This activity suits kids aged about 3 and up with adult supervision. Toddlers (3–4) enjoy exploring large, safe pieces and practicing sensory touch; use pre‑applied glue dots or child‑safe glue. Preschoolers (4–6) can arrange pieces and practice fine motor skills. School‑age children (7+) can design complex compositions and try stronger adhesives with supervision. Always avoid choking hazards for young children and adjust materials to individual ability and attention span.
What are the benefits and safety tips for gluing unusual materials onto artwork?
Making textured collages builds fine motor skills, sensory awareness, creative problem‑solving, and vocabulary (describing rough, soft, shiny). It encourages planning and patience while giving a tangible, multisensory art result. For safety, use non‑toxic, washable glues and avoid small choking hazards for young children. Check materials for sharp edges or allergy risks, supervise hot‑glue use, and let pieces dry fully before handling to prevent mess and accidental ingestion.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have feathers or pasta pieces listed for the textured bits?
If you don't have feathers or pasta pieces for Step 8, use cotton balls, cereal shapes, buttons, crumpled tissue, or small pebbles as alternative textured bits.
Why are my textured pieces falling off and how do I fix it?
If pieces keep falling off after Step 8, press each item onto the glue for a few seconds as instructed, switch to a stronger craft glue or PVA instead of a glue stick, and follow Step 9 by letting the collage dry completely on a flat surface.
How can I adapt the activity for different ages?
For preschoolers, simplify Steps 4–8 by pre-drawing bold designs and pre-tearing large fabric/foil pieces and using a non-toxic glue stick, while older kids can add fine pencil details in Step 4 and layer small textured bits from Step 6 for complexity.
How can we make the collage more special or long-lasting?
To enhance the project, paint a background before Step 4, stitch or hot-glue heavier items after Step 9 for durability, add glitter or a title, and photograph the finished piece to share on DIY.org in Step 10.