Are you looking for art and craft ideas that you can do at home? Art for kids should be fun, easy to make and encourage curiosity and creativity.
In this article, we’re going to share with you three easy art projects for kids that won’t break the bank. To create these priceless artworks, you’ll need a few items from around your home and some basic art materials.
The best thing about these activities is that you can involve the whole family!
Before you start, prepare the area conducive for creating artwork. You might want to use old newspapers to protect your furniture and carpet. If you don’t have any, you could use recycled wrapping paper, or even an old tablecloth or bed sheet.
1. Hand and foot prints
This art project is a great way to make an enduring memory of your child. And, there are many variations. Plus, between ages 8 to 18 months, your child’s pincer grip will develop and strengthen.
As your children grow, you may find it difficult to discard this type of artwork. So, expect to collect many hand and foot art prints to come. Create lasting memories by sticking them in a jumbo art book.
What you need to make a single print:
- Paper
- Non-toxic and washable paint (one or more colours)
- Paintbrush
- Damp cloth (for cleaning little feet or fingers after you’re finished)
Decide which hand or foot you’re going to paint and explain to your child what you are doing. They will love hearing your voice, even if they can’t form words yet. If they’re not yet old enough to hold a paintbrush, do it for them. See how they react to the cold, wet paint as you cover the palm of their hand or base of their foot.
Watch your child closely, especially if they’re teething. The last thing you want is for painted hands and feet to end up in tiny mouths.
Art for kids at this young age encourages creativity and new experiences. By holding a paintbrush it also exercises and develops their fine motor skills.
2. Pasta art jewellery
One of the best things about art and craft ideas for kids is that you can use items from the kitchen. Pasta (or macaroni) art is creative and fun. Your child can make pictures, jewellery and sculptures with different types of pasta and a tiny bit of food colouring.
Children love beading with hollow pasta tubes. When preparing art for young children, try to use use a non-toxic dying method. For example, colour your pasta with vinegar and natural food dye instead of using rubbing alcohol and synthetic food colours.
What you need to create a pasta necklace:
- Pasta tubes
- A small amount of vinegar
- Food colouring
- Bowl
- Tray or plate with or without wax paper
- Twine or string
To dye or colour the pasta, you will need to follow a few steps. Depending on the age of your child, they may enjoy doing this step with you in the kitchen. Wear an apron and kitchen gloves as it can get messy.
- Place a cup of dry pasta tubes in a bowl or a large jar.
- Add a teaspoon of vinegar (brown or white).
- Add your food colouring. The more food colouring you add, the darker the colour.
- Cover and shake vigorously.
- Spread the pasta out on a tray or plate and let it dry.
- Repeat for each different pasta colour your child wants to use.
Next, it is time to turn those coloured pieces into a snazzy necklace!
- Separate the different pasta colours into containers.
- Give your child a length of twine or string.
- Watch them experiment and thread the string with different coloured pasta.
- When they’re finished, show your child how to tie a knot to join the string together.
There are many fabulous art projects that you and your child can do with pasta. For creative sensory play use cooked, cooled and coloured spaghetti. This allows babies and young toddlers to express themselves creatively without imposing any rules or instructions.
3. Rock painting for kids
Art for kids often combines art, sensory play and playtime. Rock painting for kids is one activity that can begin in the outdoors with children finding suitable rocks for painting. It’s also a great activity for preschoolers to prepare for school.
Ideally, a useful rock will have a flat surface, and be about the size of your palm. If you don’t have any rocks like this at home, ask your local community on Facebook. Your neighbours, local businesses and community groups may have rocks suitable for children to paint.
What you will need:
- Rocks – smooth flat stones but not too small (beware of choking hazards)
- Different coloured paints
- Paintbrushes
- Water for cleaning the paintbrushes
Your child can paint the rocks inside the house or outdoors. When the painting is finished, leave the stones in the sun to dry.
There are all sorts of creative ways to use rocks. Preschool children also enjoy making:
- A decorative rock paper weight
- A rock pet (paint or glue on some eyes and hair)
- Rock art in the sand
Outdoor rock hunting and painting for kids
At some local parks, rock hunting is encouraged. Colourful, painted rocks are left in trees and other safe places for people to find. Rock painting and hunting is a fun outdoor activity for the whole family. Your child’s rock painting creations could become part of the rock hunting fun.
Discover a whole new world of creative learning
At Petit Early Learning Journey we create new self-learning experiences. Our educators encourage children to explore their environment and welcome parent participation. Our programs include play-based education with art activities based on your child’s interests. Book a tour and discover a whole new world of creative learning for your child.
