Mini Monets and Mommies: 10 Awesome Indoor Art Activities for Crafty Kids

“Mommy, I’m bored!!!!” How many of us have heard this over and over again? The weather’s too wintery to play outside, it’s school break or you just haven’t planned anything ‘special’ for the day (you can’t be the on-it-mom 24-7 after all). What’s the solution? A few kids’ artsy adventures to the rescue!

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Ok, so you aren’t exactly the crafty kind. Maybe you don’t have an extra few hours in your day to plan out Pinterest-worthy art projects or you just aren’t exactly sure what to do? If you’re looking for a solution to your child’s boredom woes, these art activities don’t require a PhD in arts education to set up, are super-fun for the kids and even include a lesson or two.

1. Slime. Yeah, so it’s not technically ‘art’. But, it’s ooey, gooey and your child can add an artistic element to it. We’ve added glitter and even craft feathers to this glue-based recipe.

2. Bubble Painting. You could probably do without yet another sink-load of dirty dishes. That said, you’ve stocked your kitchen closet with something that looks like a soap buffet. Take some of that soap, add a pinch of paint and get ready for a bubbly good time!

3. Craft Sand and Tape. Like glitter, craft sand is messy to the billionth degree. We know this, but we still use it. Why? It’s colorful and a super sensory experience for the kiddos. Typically your child would use glue to hold the sandy stuff in place. This, of course, adds to the mess. Using double-sided tape gives you the same look, but does cut down on the mess factor. I’m not saying this activity is neat and tidy. But, it’s a bit easier to control.

3. Frozen Glitter Paint. It’s icy outside. And now it’s icy inside too! Capture the sparkles in a cube, combine science and art and try this frozen indoor activity.

4. Chalk Paint. Make it yourself!

5. Star Wars Art. You know you’ve got a ratty, old paintbrush hanging out in the bottom junk drawer. Add some kitchen foil, spill out a pool of paint and make some lightsaber art.

6. Blue Raspberry Playdough. It smells good enough to eat. Well, technically you could – but, it won’t taste very good.

7. Clay Finger Paint. Less mess, and possibly even more fun. I started doing this one when I had to teach a group of 10 3 and 4-year-olds art. Did I mention that we were making art in an art gallery, in a museum? So, we couldn’t get the Monet’s and Van Gogh’s messy. That meant no paints. Swap in the clay and you’ll see just how much it mimics finger paints.

8. Finger Paint Fun. Let’s say your little artist doesn’t want to stop at the clay paint. Now what? Add in these extra-special mixers and get to the art-making.