Kids Art Activities

Nothing stimulates children as much as art: From finger painting to gluing leaves and flowers on paper, from making objects with clay to drawing with chalk on the sidewalk, art helps children grow creatively and provides for tons of fun.

Art is about the imagination & curiosity, and should be challenged & valued. It is also about independence, so, let the child do it! Allow children to experience and explore art on their own. -Variety is key as well, therefore provide a variety of materials, tools & projects, and everyone will have a great time.

What are some materials that you can use for art?
You don't need to spend a fortune to offer an exciting art experience. Get some good, basic materials, then look around and see if you can find any other objects and tools.

Here are some basic art supplies you should have:
crayons, colored chalk, colored pencils, markers (washable), powdered tempera, watercolors, water-soluble ink, scissors, hole-punch, stapler, tape, glue (paste), paint brushes, paper clips (brads), newsprint, construction paper, copy paper, butcher paper, poster board, fingerprint paper, and tissue paper.

Great to have are also: buttons, yarn, string, sponges, ribbon or lace scraps, lunch sacks or groceries bags, tubes from toilet paper, cotton balls & Q-tips, straws, old beads & jewelry, feathers, pipe cleaners, wood scraps, clothespins, empty spray bottles, wallpaper scraps, fabric scraps, dried beans, rice, pasta, old magazines, newspapers, paper plates, paper cups, shoe boxes, juice cans, aluminum foil or wax paper, wrapping paper or tissue paper, paper scraps, Cake paper liners, cardboard boxes, coffee cans, plastic milk jugs, envelopes, and popsicle sticks.

Most of the art projects I suggest here are open-ended to encourage creativity, and most are made from simple materials that are readily available. Be creative and adapt these ideas to the age and ability of your children, or to the party theme or holiday you are celebrating.

Here are our suggestions for great kids art activities:

Crayon Rubbings:
Crayons are widely accessible, inexpensive, and don't make a mess. Add a little variety with these new projects and techniques.
You will need:
Crayons, paper, textured objects such as coins, combs, etc (adapt to your theme or holiday).
Directions:
Tear off outer paper from crayon. Place paper over textured object. Carefully rub the side of the crayon in one direction to make the image appear.

Crayon Resist:
You’ll need:
Crayons, heavy paper, diluted tempera paint
Directions:
Draw a picture with crayons, press hard. “Wash” over the entire page with paint. The areas covered by the crayon will resist the paint. Variations: Color underwater pictures or sky pictures and “wash” with blue; make spooky Halloween pictures and "wash" with black.

Here are more kids art activities:

Body Art:
You’ll need:
Crayons, butcher paper, scissors
Directions:
Spread paper out on the floor. Have child lay down. Trace around child's body with crayons. Child then colors and cuts out body. Hang around the room were taping chairs, or, cut body into pieces to make a puzzle.

Half & Half:
You’ll need:
Crayons, paper, glue paste, old magazines
Directions:
Take a magazine picture or a large object and cut it in half. You'll want to have on one side of a sheet of paper, now, the other half with your crayons.

Folded Art:
You’ll need:
Paper, crayons
Directions:
Take a sheet of paper and fold it several times. Now open it up. Trace over the creases with a black crayon. Color in each shape with a different color, design, or pattern. As a variation, close your eyes and scribble with a black crayon, then fill in sections with crayons.

Here are more kids art activities:

Pass it on!
You’ll need:
Crayons, paper
Directions:
Give everyone in the room a sheet of paper. He or she draws for two minutes, folds it back so the next person can’t see the drawing; and then passes it on to the next person, and so on. Stop and share pictures after 15-20 minutes.

Sponge Painting:
You’ll need:
Sponges cut up, tempera paint, paper, shallow container
Directions:
Dip end of sponge in paint and you're ready to create. I suggest you use styrofoam meat trays for paint, and then just throw away when you're finished. Variations: Cut sponges into geometric shapes; cut sponges into Holiday Shapes or Party Theme Shapes and sponge paint cards and wrapping paper.

Here are more kids art activities:

Q-tip Art:
You’ll need:
Q-tips, paint, paper
Directions:
Dip end of cotton swab in paint. Use a different swap for each color. Variations: Mix food coloring in a small amount of water and paint with Q-tip on paper towel.

Gadget Painting:
You’ll need:
Feathers, forks, spoons, toys, holiday items, party theme items etc., paint, shallow container, paper
Directions:
Dip end of object or gadget in paint and applied to paper. Variations: Dip wheels of toy cars and trucks in paint and “drive” them across the paper.

Here are more kids art activities:

String Painting:
You’ll need:
String or yarn cut in 12 inches or 18 inches pieces, paint, paper
Directions:
Hold yarn by one end and dip other end in paint. Lay on top of paper to make a design. Variations: Fold paper in half on top of string with paint then pull out string.

Straw Painting:
You’ll need:
Drinking straws, paint, paper, spoon
Directions:
Put a spoonful of paint on the paper. Take the straw and blow a design. Variations: Drop several different colors and blow to make “fireworks”; and the details to your design with crayons or markers or pencils.

I hope you enjoyed our ideas for kids art activities. Keep checking back with us as I am constantly adding more.

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