Hues and Cues (affiliate link) is a fast-paced color game that all ages can enjoy together. It's easy to learn and can be adapted to suit a variety of situations. From the classroom to family game nights, this is a game that's fun to play for any group, no matter the age or skill level. How to play The object of Hues and Cues is to score points by correctly guessing the … [Read more...]
An Engaging Art Museum Activity for Kids
Here's an engaging art museum activity that's perfect for kids of any age. It's low-cost, low-prep, and guaranteed to get kids talking! Last weekend I was thrilled to visit the Baltimore Museum of Art. (The BMA has the largest collection of works by Henri Mattisse - in the world! But more on that another time!) In honor of Valentine's Day, they were giving out these paper … [Read more...]
Use Art Postcards to Teach or Review
Have you tried using art postcards to teach or review important art concepts? It's a fun way to expose your students to great artwork, teach or review important concepts, and provide a hands-on learning experience all at the same time. Where to find art postcards All you need is a collection of art postcards or other small reproductions of fine art. Many of my art … [Read more...]
How to Have an Elements of Art Scavenger Hunt in a Painting
An artist will combine some or all of the Elements of Art (line, shape, form, space, texture, value, color) to create a painting, drawing, or sculpture. Having an Elements of Art Scavenger Hunt in a Painting is a fun way to teach these concepts. When you teach the Elements of Art, you give your students a common vocabulary with which to talk about art. The same vocabulary … [Read more...]
Colorful Paper Flowers for Cinco De Mayo
These colorful paper flowers for Cinco de Mayo are fun and easy to make. While orange marigolds are customary for Day of the Dead, you'll find Cinco de Mayo flowers in every color of the rainbow. The annual celebration of Cinco de Mayo (held each year on May 5th), commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. … [Read more...]
Mix 100 Colors – a Color Mixing Art Activity for Kids
This fun color mixing art activity is perfect for kids in grades 2 and up. Originally, I created this project to celebrate our "100th Day of School", but kids will enjoy doing this anytime! Your students will gain valuable color mixing experience while creating a frame-worthy piece of art. The example above was created by a 2nd grader in a 50-minute art class. These … [Read more...]
Nature Collage Card Inspired by the Art of Haiti
You can learn a lot about a culture from its art! When I visited Haiti, I learned that the Haitian people are both resilient and resourceful. Their resourcefulness is very evident in their art. One example of Haitian resourcefulness is the nature collage cards they make and sell. They gather local organic materials which they use to create simple scenes of everyday … [Read more...]
Make a Foil Cross Project Inspired by Haitian Metal Art
What is Haitian Metal Art? Haitian metal art is recognized worldwide as a creative, unique art form. It's made from recycled oil drums, which the artists open up, pound flat, and cut into metal "canvases". Designs are typically drawn first onto cardboard and then traced with chalk onto the metal. Then they use hammer and chisel to cut their designs out of the metal. … [Read more...]
Understanding the REAL Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh had always been one of my favorite artists. Then I read this book, and my appreciation for him grew even greater. I thought I already knew a lot about van Gogh, but "Learning from Henri Nouwen & Vincent van Gogh - A Portrait of the Compassionate Life" by Carol A. Berry taught me much more than I was expecting. Now van Gogh is more than just "one of my … [Read more...]
Make a Sunflower for Ukraine
Make a colorful sunflower for Ukraine to show your support! Kids in grades 2 and up enjoy making these expressive oil pastel sunflowers. You might even want to make one yourself! You can find a free download to guide you in my TPT store. The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, and has been a symbol of peace for many years. The sunflower's bright yellow petals set … [Read more...]
4 Keys to Success with School Auction Art Projects
School auction art projects are an ideal way to get students involved in your next school-wide fundraiser! School auction art projects help your art program to thrive With all the funding cuts in education these days, programs like art and music are forced to compete for an increasingly small share of their school's budget.... if they make it into the budget at all. In many … [Read more...]
Chinese Brush Painting for Kids
Chinese Brush Painting dates back to 4000 BC, with techniques being handed down from master to student. In contrast to what most of us are taught about art today, copying and the perfection of technique were more important and more highly valued than self-expression. Chinese Brush Painting uses simple strokes of a paintbrush to capture a single object or an entire scene. Teach … [Read more...]
Valentine Op-Art Inspired by Bridget Riley
This Valentine Op-Art lesson was inspired by the art of British artist Bridget Riley. I knew that the boys in my 5th grade class were not going to go for the traditional valentine project this year, so adding a heart to an Op-Art hand drawing seemed like the perfect compromise! I've done this project a few times now, and some of my 5th, 6th and 7th graders have … [Read more...]
How to Paint Colorful Hearts Inspired by Jim Dine
These colorful hearts for grades 1 and up are inspired by American artist, Jim Dine (1935 - ). They make a fun, framable project for Valentine's Day or ANY day you want to share some love! You can see my demo (above) and a few of my 1st grade artists' paintings below. Yes, those paintings below are by 1st graders! Keys to success There are two keys to success with … [Read more...]
Self-Portraits for the 100th Day of School
Celebrate the 100th Day of School with this fun project for Kindergarten! Have kids draw what they look like today and what they think they'll look like in 100 years. As you can see, the results will be charming! Even if your 100th Day of School has already passed, this is a fun project to do anytime. Kids will need: 12" x 18" white construction paperSmall, handheld … [Read more...]
Crayon Resist Snowflakes with Watercolor
One of the many fun ways to combine art and science is by making crayon resist snowflakes with watercolor. Students as young as kindergarten love learning how to draw snowflakes. And it's even more fun when you draw them with a white crayon so they magically appear when painted over with watercolor! Before you draw or paint... Begin this lesson by sharing some … [Read more...]
How to Make an Origami Flower Ball
The Japanese art of making an origami flower ball always seems like a fitting thing to do at Christmas. It’s peaceful and calming, almost meditative to work on, and it makes a beautiful decoration when finished! As with many origami projects, this origami flower ball ornament looks much more difficult than it is. It’s really just the same simple sequence repeated over and over … [Read more...]
Origami Crane Ornaments
Students love to bring home these exquisite origami cranes to hang on their Christmas tree! I make these with my 5th & 6th graders, and even though this is not a beginner level project, every year I have at least one student with a passion for origami who already knows how to make them! While these cranes are challenging, they're definitely do-able, … [Read more...]
How to Make a Japanese Notan-Inspired Ornament
My 5th graders loved making these Japanese Notan-inspired ornaments. "Notan" is a Japanese word meaning "dark/light". It represents the design concept of arranging dark and light (2D) shapes together in a harmonious way. The Japanese Notan effect is easy to achieve with cut-paper. It tends to look more complicated than it really is, and students are fascinated with the finished … [Read more...]
Candy Cane-O-Grams
This "Candy Cane-O-Gram" is a favorite project year after year. It may look like an ordinary paper candy cane, but it contains a special hidden message for it's recipient. Once kids make their first one, they'll be "hooked" and they won't want to stop! 1. Use a ruler to draw parallel lines in holiday colors along the edges of your paper. Make some lines thick and others … [Read more...]
Faux Stained Glass Ornaments
Are your kids bouncing off the walls with anticipation of the coming holiday? Need a last-minute project to engage them? Try making these glowing ornaments with the look of stained glass! Students in grades 3 and up will enjoy spreading Christmas cheer when they hang these faux stained glass ornaments on their tree or give them as gifts. Make your own faux stained glass … [Read more...]
Autumn Leaves with Crayon Resist
This fun autumn leaves art project is perfect for grades 1 & up. It's easy to do, everyone can feel successful and the results are beautiful. Try one yourself! Autumn Leaves Art Project with Crayon Resist inspired by Andy Goldsworthy Materials: • 12x18 white construction paper• black crayon (or oil pastel), broken in half with the paper peeled off• … [Read more...]
TIP #66: 10 Ways to Save Money on Art Supplies for Kids
When I taught K-8 Art at a small private school, my budget was always, “Spend as little as possible”. But I found ways to make it work and give my students great art experiences despite the shortage of funding. If you're in a similar low-budget (or no-budget!) position, I hope some of these ideas will work for you, too. Here are my 10 favorite ways to save money on … [Read more...]
Better Paint Brush Habits for Kids
Are paint brushes with unruly bristles a familiar sight in your elementary classroom? Better paint brush habits can prevent damage to your brushes and paint sets, and increase their useful life. When kids learn the correct way to use their supplies, their paintings will improve and your brushes will thank you! How do brushes get damaged? Most kids are introduced to … [Read more...]
Review the Elements of Art with a Beachball Scavenger Hunt
Helping kids review the Elements of Art & Principles of Design is easy when you make a game of it! This beach ball scavenger hunt is adaptable across a wide range of ages. I’ve used it from 1st grade through high school by customizing my questions or directives for the students I’m using it with. This activity works inside or outside, whether you have just a few … [Read more...]
Make a Crazy Crown Craft
Kids will enjoy making this Crazy Crown Craft to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. A "royal jubilee" is a special celebration to mark the number of the years a king or queen has reigned. It doesn't happen every year, but only certain years. Each jubilee is represented by a precious metal: Silver (25 years), Gold (50 years), Diamond (60 years), … [Read more...]
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