Mini Monets and Mommies: Spring Flower Kids' Art Actvity, with Monet

The weather’s warming up, and you’ve got spring on the brain. Kids’ flower art activities may just be the answer! This one focuses on Claude Monet’s famous Impressionist painting – Water Lilies.

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Obviously I’m all in for Monet themed art. Water Lilies is one of my favorite works for art-viewing experiences. When I worked as a museum educator, I always enjoyed taking the kids (even children as young as 3-years) to look at this painting. Recently we did a DIY chalk finger paint activity with this artwork. I’ve also done a clay finger paint and shaving cream art.

This spring art activity includes a few different processes (water color painting and collage), while getting into concepts such as color, shape and texture. Start out with a look at the real thing. If you don’t happen to have one of Monet’s Water Lilies on hand (and why would you?), here’s a photo to use:

No, your child won’t get to see the complete texture of the work. But, she can take a look and tell you what she sees. If she’s not sure where to begin, ask a few open ended questions such as:

· What do you see?

· Why do you think the artist painting this?

· What do you think the artist used to create this?

· What time of the year do you think this is, and why?

· What season do you think this is, and why?

Now let’s get to the art-making…

Here’s What You’ll Need:

· White card stock paper

· Water color paint

· 2 paintbrushes (a regular bristle type brush and a spongy one work best)

· Clear-drying school glue

· Tissue paper

· Scissors

Here’s What to Do:

1. Dot a few dabs of water color paint on the paper. Brush over it with water to make a light color wash of blue (this will become the pond’s water). Your child can also experiment with pouring small amounts of water directly on to the paint. Yes, this is messy. But, it’s also tons of fun! Let her pour the water on the paint, and then brush it across the paper.

2. Cut green tissue paper out into lily pad shapes. Cut others colors of tissue out into slightly irregular circles to make flowers.

3. Squeeze glue across the paper. Brush the glue over the paint.

4. Press the lily pads onto the paper.

5. Pinch the flower paper in the center (your child can also layer two together to make multi-colored flowers). Press it onto the lily pads. You may need to add more glue to make the paper stick.