For very young children, making art is a sensory exploration activity. They enjoy the feeling of a crayon moving across paper and seeing a blob of colored paint grow larger. Kamii and DeVries (1993) suggested that exploring materials is very important because it is through exploration that children build a knowledge of the objects in the world around them. Therefore, it is critical to provide unique and "outside of the box" opportunities and methods for children to create and explore with.

Kentucky State University Extension agents from the West Regional Center created a quick art project for children to participate in while attending the Jackson's Orchard AppleFest. Agent Lindsay Heyvaert attended AppleFest for it's three-day duration providing instruction to attendees as well as supplies to make apple prints, alongside publications on apple growing and recipes utilizing apples. Over the course of three days we had around 264 diverse participants from a variety of backgrounds, and reached close to 500 indirect contacts. Being at this local business's event allowed us to bring awareness of our Extension Program to the Bowling Green community, while providing our programming content to stakeholders. Participants were able to dip a cut apple into paint, then press it to a piece of paper to create a variety of shapes, and explore what one can make with these shapes, such as a jack-o-lantern. This activity allowed youth to flex their decision making skills, as well as their fine motor skills in using these materials and determining the placement of prints and colors.

A variety of youth's projects drying on the table before being taken home.                Andrea explores creating different shapes from her apple prints.