Mini Monets and Mommies: Kids' Process Art: Explore Mixed-Media and Materials

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Kids' Process Art: Explore Mixed-Media and Materials

Process art allows your child to explore, experiment and make her own discoveries. It helps your little artist to get hands-on, build critical-thinking skills and flex her creative muscle.  If you’re looking for a project in which your child will make “something” specific, stop reading now. Yes, I know it’s probably not smart to tell my readers to actually stop reading, but this is pure process and abstract experimentation. If you’re in desperate need of a Mother’s Day craft, piece of animal art or a crafty letter-learning project I have plenty. They just aren’t this one.

Process art
 
I used to teach art classes in the Children’s Studio of my local museum. I had this thing that I did whenever I could justify it (we had themes to stick to, so sometimes it really didn’t make sense). I made a buffet style line-up of various art materials. I included everything that I could think of (or at least that was age-appropriate) and let the kids go. No rules (other than don’t eat it and don’t throw it at someone else). They got the chance to explore a variety of processes while making an abstract mixed-media masterpiece.

So, I set up a buffet on my dining room table. I used a large piece of foam core board under the paint and glue, but I highly recommend lining the table with cardboard or flattened garbage bags.

Painting for children
I added an array of different art materials.

Process art
 
Process art
 
I cut the front off of a cereal box. Cardboard is heavy enough to support the weight of several different materials at once. Construction paper is not.

Then I let my son take over. In all honesty he’s way past the preschool years, but he actually wanted to make a messy abstract artwork (and he never wants to make art anymore). So, I couldn’t say no.

He finger painted with clay. Kids can press it onto the cardboard and it will stick. They can also mix and blend the colors.

Clay art
 
He painted.

Art materials
 
He squeezed out clear drying school glue and then sprinkled on craft sand.

Craft sand
 
He sprinkled on glitter. Now it’s everywhere – on the table, the floor and somehow, my hair.

Sparkle project
 
He added Model Magic (coloring it first with markers).

Process activity
 
He glued crumpled tissue paper on. It adds texture!

Kids' art
 
Nope, it doesn’t look like “something”, but it sure was fun to make.

Kids' class
 
You can pick other materials to use, adding as many as your child wants to try. Think out of the box and consider other “non-art” items such as flowers. The kiddos can glue them on, use them with paint to print or rub the color off onto the paper.


Follow Erica Loop's board Process Art for Kids on Pinterest.

25 comments:

  1. Thanks for the reminder to let them freely explore! I need to be better about letting my kiddos use more than one or two materials when we craft.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the idea of an art "buffet"! Kids love having the chance to explore freely-- you really get a sense of their creativity, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Mama, Congratulations! I nominated you for the LIEBSTER AWARD. To find out more details about this award please check: http://coralberryh3art.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/thank-you-for-this-award-♡/
    Amor y Aloha,
    Lizzie-Beth

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the textures!! Great effects :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this! I think my kids will, too! I may have to do this sometime. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the creativity of this art project! Totally something I would love to do :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. So great! Featuring this tomorrow on Family Fun Friday at www.africatoamerica.org. Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really love this abstract idea of not creating anything specific and using all different materials like glitter, paint, clay, and.tissue paper at the same time :) im actually a little bit envious. I miss doing art but my tot would eat it all lol guess I gotta come back to that post about painting with fruit- pretty sure that was you... and cross my fingers it.doesnt get in the carpet ;) I LOVE your art blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. How fun!! You had me chuckling at "no-holds-bared art assault" :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Giving a lot of choice for kids to create a new form of arts will give them more confidence and proud. I love what you mention as Art Buffet. Thank you very much for sharing. I enjoy it a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  11. One of the best ways to do art with kids!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday linkup. Love your creative ideas, my kids love art and I can always use new ways to keep them entertained on rainy days. Pinning to our linky board.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love using cereal boxes as canvases too - they're so much sturdier than construction paper! This is such an awesome open-ended art idea!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The biggest problem for both students and students is that not everyone can write essays, and to write off this is a big risk to the reputation, but I solved this problem easily by finding this site https://grademiners.com/ on which not only essays but also other written works are made

    ReplyDelete
  15. other organized gadgets just as to and fro to the web. survival kit supplier A regular WiFi switch can associate the same number of gadgets as they have transmission capacity to endure. Ordinarily,

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello! That was really interesting to read! Thank you so much for this information, dear author. I hope that you will enjoy my link https://jetwriting.com/order-research-paper/ as well!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The tire is an assembly of numerous components that are built up on a drum and then cured in a press under heat and pressure.
    tyre machine manufacturer

    ReplyDelete
  18. The biggest problem for both students and students is that not everyone can write essays, and to write off this is a big risk to the reputation, but I solved this problem easily by finding this site https://www.cheapestessay.com on which not only essays but also other written works are made.

    Coursework Writing Services

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kids love these types of activities and enjoy so much, kids who love arts are humble in nature. We should not pressurize our kids for their studies and give them the choice of what they want to do. Yu can also get help from Essay Experts for your children assignments

    ReplyDelete
  20. 123dic เข้าสู่ระบบ Very helpful information I got very good information Thanks for sharing great. https://www.123dic.live/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the reminder to let them freely explore! I am Kaitlyn Cooke. I compose and write thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels and i suggest best cheap essays for college students.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have had a lot of passion for painting since I was a child, which is why I had so many new paint brands in my house. I registered with an ebook writing company and had a simple show of my pants where my painting is very much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Our borrowers can enjoy the same convenience as usual but now get a Loans Guaranteed Approval with terms flexible enough to accommodate what most may need.

    ReplyDelete
  24. At our best painting company in Dubai , we are more than just painters; we are storytellers. With every stroke of our brushes, we weave tales of beauty, elegance, and style, leaving behind a trail of awe-inspiring creations that captivate the senses. Our team of talented artists possesses an innate understanding of the power of color, texture, and design, infusing your walls with a touch of magic.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Digi Marketing offers a comprehensive range of digital marketing services to assist businesses of all sizes in their online success digimarketinginc.com . Our team of experts has particular expertise in mobile app development, graphic design, social media marketing, and augmented reality services. Below are brief descriptions of each of these services.

    ReplyDelete