TeachKidsArt

a resource for teachers and parents

What Your Handwriting Can Tell You About Yourself and Others

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January 23rd is National Handwriting Day! Did you know your handwriting can show evidence of more than 5,000 different personality traits, and even be used to detect lies and possible health issues?    Graphology (or handwriting analysis) can help you learn more about yourself and others. Check out the fun infographic below from National Pen.   Would you like your … [Read more...]

Mix ‘n Match Faces

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Each month brings a new challenge with the Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) CIVIC KIDS campaign! Their theme for November is “Equity”…. perfect for election month, don’t you think?! equity noun 1 the equity of society: fairness, justness, impartiality, egalitarianism; objectivity, balance, open-mindedness." The challenge is open to kids everywhere… you don’t need to … [Read more...]

Easy Sugar Skull Kirigami for Day of the Dead

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Day of the Dead (or Dia De Los Muertos) is a festive two day celebration (November 1st & 2nd) honoring the lives of loved ones who have died. This colorful holiday from the Hispanic cultures of Mexico, Spain, and South America, is gaining wide popularity across the U.S. One of the most recognizable symbols of Day of the Dead is the brightly colored sugar skull. To add a new … [Read more...]

Make an Upcycled Planter

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If you’d like to teach your students (or your kids) about important issues while making fun art and craft projects, then CIVICKIDS might be just what you’re looking for! "CIVICKIDS: Make Art. Make a Difference." is an initiative from the Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) in New York City. From September 2018-August 2019, CMA is activating a year-long campaign … [Read more...]

Book Review: Drawing Cartoons Letter By Letter by Christopher Hart

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Drawing Cartoons Letter by Letter is the latest in a series of learn-to-draw books by Christopher Hart. I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review, so here it is! The concept of using a letter or number as the framework for beginning a drawing is not new. In fact, I already had a similarly themed book in my collection. But several things set this book … [Read more...]

Sunset Cityscapes

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The examples in this post were done by 1st graders, but older kids will enjoy this, too. "No Rulers Allowed!".... if you want results that are charming and almost "Seuss-like"! For a typical class that meets for one hour or less, you'll want to do this project over 2 class periods. Materials: 9x12 watercolor paper (or heavyweight construction paper) watercolor set … [Read more...]

No-Measure Mandala on Aluminum Foil

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Exciting news!! I'm  honored to be a contributor in Kathy Barbro's new book, Sharpie Art Workshop for Kids. Kathy writes the popular blog, Art Projects for Kids.  It was Kathy's blog that first inspired me to start my own kids' art blog many years ago, so that makes this even more exciting for me! You can order Kathy's new book here. Sharpies have been a staple on my art … [Read more...]

22 Ways to Combine Writing & Art to Encourage Creativity

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I recently had the privilege of helping my adult daughter edit the manuscript for her first book. Her first real, published book. A book with an agent, a publisher, a release date (April 2017), and it’s own pre-order page on Amazon. A proud parenting milestone for sure! But this book of hers has been a long time in the making. In fact, we can trace its origin all the way back … [Read more...]

Giving Back with Art

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Have you ever been inspired to ‘give back’ to your community as a way to say “thank you” to those who helped you through a difficult time? I was touched by the story of Dan and Janean Toone, who started Young at Art in response to the care that their young grandson received while spending most of his first year of life in the hospital.  As art lovers themselves, Dan and … [Read more...]