Mini Monets and Mommies: How Can You Create Art Activities for Kids?

Friday, March 25, 2016

How Can You Create Art Activities for Kids?

Where do all of my kids’ art activities come from? My head. Of course. But, what’s my process? Okay, I’ll share it with you!

Kids art


(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure statement for more information).

When I first started teaching children’s art classes I kind of didn’t know where to begin. I knew about child development. I knew about art processes. But, I didn’t really know how to create a ‘lesson’ (at least, not past mix these three colors together and let’s see what happens).

I remember kind of freaking out the first time that I taught summer art camp. During the school year the museum where I worked had some extremely solid programs that came with already-created lesson plans. I was in luck. Then the summer rolled around, and my boss handed out a ‘theme’ focus. Taking the topic and creating five days’ worth of activities for preschoolers wasn’t exactly easy. Even a decade later, it still isn’t easy.

Every time a friend or a parent comes to me with, “I just couldn’t come up with my own art activities for the kids. It’s just not something I’m good at.” I think about that very first summer. I think about how I tried (and totally failed) so many times to design thoughtful, developmentally appropriate, amazingly awesome art activities. I wanted to engage the littles, get them thinking, help them to explore art and most of all (hopefully) help them to learn a thing or two.

So, you say you want to start creating your own kids’ art activities? Whether it’s for the preschool class that you teach, your neighborhood playgroup or your own kids at home, you need to come up with your own process. For some (and I started out this way), it’s easiest to take an existing activity and make it your own. Add another few steps, swap out one material for another, change the size, add a texture, switch up the subject matter, use different colors, go from 2D to 3D or figure out some other way to make it slightly different, using the original as inspiration.

Okay, so you want to start totally from scratch. How? Well, we try to teach our kids using a hands-on approach. And, that’s what you can do – right now. Get hands-on, playing with art materials. Experiment with processes, let yourself be a kid again. Not only is this a great way to start thinking up some pretty exciting art projects, but it’s also majorly relaxing. Think about it, you get to take a break from work and stop stressing about your adult life. Playing with art (as an adult) reminds you of what it was like to be a carefree kid. So, take your time and enjoy it.

Here’s what I like to do when creating new activities…

I start with the materials. Sometimes just one or two that I want to focus on. Sometimes I spread out a buffet of materials, just to get myself thinking.

Process art
 
Occasionally I just sit in an open space (usually on the floor) with my favorite scrap foam core board. I use it as a mess barrier. But, now it’s so colorful it kind of inspires me.
Lesson planning
 

If I’m planning on a paint project I start mixing colors.

Paint process
 
Or, if I want to use another material, I just start exploring. I might spread some clay out on paper.
Clay activity
 


Tear up paper.

Collage paper


Pour out some glitter and glue.
Sparkle crafts

Pour some craft sand onto glue.

Colorful sand
Or, start mixing it all together.

Admittedly, the result makes much more of a process-oriented activity. Keep in mind, even process activities can be ‘planned’. This doesn’t mean that you direct the activity, just that you set up the framework. Doing the activity first (yourself) is extremely helpful. It helps you to help your child, and you can check out the process first to make sure that it actually works.

Are you looking for a few starter ideas? Check out our Pinterest board on process art for a few!
Follow Mini Monets and Mommies's board Process Art for Kids on Pinterest.

9 comments:

  1. My daughter is obsessed with color mixing. Even when I don't want her to, she finds a way! She's definitely a process art type of girl!!

    I co-host Everything Kids Link & Pin Party and this post fits perfect with what we love to see. If you are interested in sharing, our current party closes Wednesday night. We'd love you to share with us!!

    http://www.playdoughandpopsicles.com/2016/04/10/everything-kids-link-pin-party-3/

    ReplyDelete
  2. I usually start with a book and we take inspiration from that; or a unit we're studying. I love art and thankfully my kids are finally coming around to it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very Interesting and wonderful information keep sharing this post kindly check
    windows protection plan

    ReplyDelete
  4. The brother printer in error state issue is one of the normal error that by and large happens on the Brother printer. Brother printer in error state It's anything but vital that assuming your printer is old, just you will get such errors, you can normally confront this error regardless of whether you have used the devices for once. The fundamental highlight comprehend is that it doesn't imply that your Brother printer is anything but a solid one. The Brother printer is internationally used across a huge number of user. there are numerous users who wish to print in HD quality, with highlights like quick network, easy to use on the brother printer. In the advanced world, there are numerous user who need machines that as skilled to accomplish effective work with overseeing time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing this informative content.,
    Turient is an All-in-one platform for all our teaching needs. If Teaching is your passion ,enabling is ours
    Read the Informative blog - 11 Free Teaching Tools for Online Teachers

    11 Free Teaching Tools for Online Teachers
    Free Teaching Tools

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for sharing this.,
    Leanpitch provides online training in Build mvp without code ,everyone can use it wisely.

    Build mvp without code
    no code mvp

    ReplyDelete
  7. Enjoy round-the-clock support with take my class for me knowing that assistance is available at any time.

    ReplyDelete