26 April,2026 11:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Ananya Tomcy
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It's that time of the year - incessant sweating, rushing to air conditioned places for refuge and just hoping and praying that the summer comes to an end. It always makes me lazy, and I just never want to leave my house. Staying at home also means that I'm always looking for something to do, so here's three activities that you can do, especially in the sun.
Cyanotype is a safe and simple photographic process from the 19th-century, which involves the use of UV light to create a unique and distinctive Prussian blue print. And the fun thing is, it is easy to do in the comfort of your home! English scientist Sir John Herschel first discovered this in 1842 and though he might have been an inventor, Anna Atkins, who was a British scientist, brought the process to the world of photography. This led her to be regarded as the first woman photographer. You can create these prints on a range of surfaces that are absorbent, ranging from watercolour paper, cotton fabric, or even wood. Digital pictures once printed as cyanotypes also work as a great gift idea! It's easy, sweet, and totally cool.
Things you need:
. Cyanotype Chemicals: Potassium Ferricyanide and Ferric Ammonium Citrate
. Heavy-weight watercolor paper or natural fabrics
. A foam brush or sponge
. Exposure Tools: A sheet of glass or acrylic and binder clips to hold your design flat.
. Design Elements: Flat objects (leaves, flowers, lace) or digital negatives printed on transparency film.
. Rubber gloves
. Protective apron
Looking for something that you can do with materials you can easily find at home? Sunscreen art is the solution. If you happen to have kids who hate to put on sunscreen, then this experiment is a fun way to teach them about the importance of sunscreen. This experiment is a must-try, and so easy to do with only a few steps, which involve using sunscreen just like you would paint!
Things you need
. Sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher
. Dark colored construction paper
. Paintbrush
Take advantage of this energy sucking summer heat to create this fun crayon art project. It is just hot enough outside to melt crayons! All the supplies needed for this are supplies you probably already have at home. It is a part science, part art project and also works as a really cool display!
Things you need
. Canvas
. Crayons
. Hot glue gun
. A scrap piece of cardboard, wider than your canvas
