Because kids have a wide, playful imagination, engaging them in art projects will not only stimulate their creativity but also promote fun and self-expression, enhance their motor skills, and pave the way for healing. The latter is especially true when art therapy techniques are employed. Art therapy has been shown to assist autistic children, allowing them to bring the skills they acquire in an art therapy session into the real world to help them with decision-making and dealing with situations that make them feel uncomfortable.
Crafting a collaborative art project that school-age children can do alone or with the help of their friends or family, whether using colouring books or other art supplies, is a great way to foster socialisation and communication while also embarking them on a wonderful artistic journey.
What makes a fantastic art activity for kids?
You can encourage a child to unleash their artistic expression with watercolour, pencils, stamps, clay, and even common household items such as cereal boxes, a paper plate, a bunch of straws, a roll of tissue paper, and so on.
Anything that gives form to their imagination's creations is worthwhile to use. It's important to note that the best art projects are easy to do, pleasing to the senses, and can be repeated without resulting in boredom.
Continue reading to discover 25 fantastic art activities that kids will enjoy doing alone or with others.
1. Splatter Painting
This splatter painting allows for anything, which makes it an entertaining activity. There are two approaches to take. You can splatter paint directly on black paper or on white paper first, then cut out the painted images, arrange them on black paper, and then glue them in place. To splatter paint, use a paintbrush or a toothbrush.
2. Blow Painting With Straws
All you need is a clean sheet of paper, your preferred paint colours, and a straw. Simply drop some paint on the paper and blow the paint through a straw to create a variety of designs in various shapes and colours!
3. Play-Doh Creations
Satisfy the desire of the hands to create with clay! Who doesn't like moulding clay into animals, fruits, planets, and even the faces of popular cartoon characters? Clay art is not only physically and mentally stimulating, but it also provides a sense of satisfaction and joy. So, are you all set to learn how to make a Play-Doh mouse?
4. Popsicle Stick Art
Children love delicious popsicles, and there are lots of creative things you can do with the sticks after they've been licked off rather than throwing them away. You can build a miniature bench, bridge, barn, or popsicle stick animals.
5. Collage Box
You can reuse an old shoebox or make one out of cardboard. Paint the outside and inside of the box with your choice of acrylic paint, then set it aside to dry. When the paint is completely dry, attach some items that go with your theme to the interior of the box using glue. If your theme is nature, for example, some leaves, flower petals, twigs, tree bark, and seeds can help you achieve the desired look. Children can choose from a wide variety of collage box themes based on their interests. Here are 25 more collage art projects for kids.
6. Illustrated Poem
Some children are naturally gifted poets and artists. Allowing them to write poems based on their interests and draw illustrations to accompany them is a good place to start. This will not only expand their vocabulary and artistic skills, but it will also allow them to emotionally release what they have been holding in. There is no set order of events in this art activity. Depending on where the child feels most at ease, the writing can come before the drawing or vice versa.
7. Hand and Finger Art
Here's another wonderful activity to develop children's mental acuity. This one can be done with a variety of art mediums, ranging from crayons and oil pastels to watercolour and pens. While these art materials provide colours, children must create their designs with their hands and fingers. The versatility of this art project is ideal for children with short attention spans because it allows them to try something new each time and use a variety of art materials.
8. Mosaic Artwork
You'll need a pencil, a pair of scissors, glue, old coloured magazines, art papers, and a piece of cardstock to draw the outline of the object, animal, face, or whatever you want for this art project. After that, tear coloured pages from the magazines or pieces of art paper, cut them into tiny tiles, and then glue them onto the cardstock drawing to finish your mosaic artwork.
9. Stamped Table Napkins
Children love stamps because they're easy to use, versatile and fun. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs! You may have hours of fun creating art with stamps when you combine them with a roll of paper towels or some table napkins. If you are out of stamps from the store, you can make do with a slice of potato, carrot or lemon, a plastic fork, or some leaves. You can also try celery stamps. After dipping your homemade stamps in fabric paint, stamp the napkin with them. Allow the napkin to completely dry. After that, you can frame or laminate it.
10. Raised Salt Painting
Not only is this art activity so incredibly simple to do, but it's also visually stunning. On a cardboard or styrofoam plate, draw an outline of the image you want to make with glue, then sprinkle salt over it. Put a dab of watercolour paint on the glue lines and then watch how the colour permeates the glue lines. Check here for a complete list of materials and instructions for Raised Salt Painting.
11. Ceramic Painting
Drawing and painting on paper is fun for children, but on ceramic? It's thrilling! The satisfaction they will feel once they have finished painting a piece of ceramic or pottery in the design or shape of their choice is indescribable. Ceramic painting is a rich experience that not only allows for self-expression and a lot of fun, but it also improves concentration and induces relaxation in children.
12. Yarn Wall Hangings
Colourful yarn can be used to make a beautiful art piece that any child would be proud to display in their bedroom. A wall hanging is one such art project. Only a hanger and some yarn are required, though you can use a stick to which you can tie long lengths of bundled yarn. Simply cut 15-inch lengths of yarn in various colours, bundle them together, and tie them to the hanger. For a playful touch, add a pompom to the dangling end of the yarn.
13. String Art
String art is simple and fun to make. One way of doing it is with a cardboard frame. All you need is a piece of cardboard, some fine yarn or strings, and a variety of shapes from which a child can choose; heart, circle, square and triangle are excellent options. Cut the cardboard into your desired shape, make some v-shaped notches on the edges, and then wrap your string several times around the cardboard, pulling it firmly into each notch as you pass over it. You can also paint your cardboard before strapping the colourful strings to it.
14. Sandpaper Art
Sandpaper has a rough surface, so it adds a beautiful texture to any artwork, regardless of theme. All you need for this art project are some colouring materials, such as oil pastels or crayons, and a sheet of sandpaper with a coarse grit that corresponds to the texture quality you want to accomplish. If you're drawing a landscape or a scaly animal, use a coarser sandpaper. Otherwise, for other types of drawings, a finer grit is preferable.
15. Rock Painting
Want to imprint a wonderful art activity on your child's memory? Then go rock painting! You only need rocks to paint (wash off any soil or dirt first and then dry them if you get them from the yard) and your favourite acrylic paint colours. You can paint a rock straightaway or draw an outline of the image you want first. Dry the paint on your rock art completely.
16. Paper Plate Mask
Children enjoy playing pretend or make-believe with costumes and masks. Allowing them to make their own masks to wear is a great way to stimulate their imagination and add to their fun games. To make one, draw a face on a paper plate, cut the eye holes, and then glue some cut-out cardboard onto the mask to make the hair, brows, nose, ears, mouth, teeth, and other facial features you want on your mask. Punch holes on both sides of the mask, then tie a rubber band into each hole. After that, paint or decorate your mask with poster paint or other decorative elements. Your mask is now ready to wear and enjoy!
17. Straw Bracelet
Young girls absolutely love playing dress-up, and teaching them how to make their own accessories will excite them to no end. All you need for this art project are 10 to 12 drinking straws, baker's twine, a ruler, and a pair of scissors. Cut the straws into half-inch or full-inch pieces. Fold a twine in half and tie a knot in the folded part. Take a piece of cut-out straw and insert one end of the string into one hole, then the other end into the other hole. Pull the string ends until the straw reaches the knotted section. String more straws, checking every now and then to see if the bracelet fits the child who will wear it. To make the bracelet adjustable, tie the ends of the string together in an easy-to-tighten or loosen knot.
18. Fork Painting
Explore various shapes and textures with this fun art activity. Tulips, sunflowers, trees, a porcupine, and a terrified cat's hair standing on end are just a few examples of what you can create by painting with a fork. To begin working on your artwork, simply stroke the fork with the paint of your choice and press it onto a sheet of paper.
19. 3D Paper Roses
To make a 3D paper rose, cut seven circles from one or more contrasting coloured cardstock papers, then fold each circle in half. Then, from the top of each folded circle, cut a triangle shape. Apply glue to the outside of the folded circle and stick it to another circle. Repeat this step until you have seven circles glued together. Spread the flower out and glue it to a fresh sheet of paper. Cut out the stem and leaves from another piece of cardstock and glue them to the flower.
20. Toilet Paper Core Puppets
Planning a puppet show? Let's go ahead and make some puppets using toilet paper cores. First, wrap the core in coloured paper. Then, stick a pair of tiny buttons or doll eyes purchased at a store onto the core. On a different coloured piece of paper that contrasts with the colour you used to wrap the toilet paper core, draw the hair, nose and mouth. Cut them out, then glue them onto the core. Punch two holes at the top of the puppet on either side, and then string it. Repeat this process until you have created all the puppets you need for your presentation.
21. Multimedia Painting
Painting trees and animals is fun and entertaining, especially if you can use a variety of art supplies rather than just one paint brush. In addition to exploring different colours and shapes, assist your child in painting with cotton swabs, celery stalks, and other materials that can get colour on their plain canvas.
22. Faux Stained Window Art
Painting on the windows is a fascinating experience for kids because they are not usually allowed to paint on the walls and furniture of the house. Prepare some primary-colored washable tempera paint jars, paintbrushes, painter's tape, and a child's expansive imagination for this craft.
23. Candle Wax Painting
No matter how easily distracted a child usually is, a magical art project can hold their interest. On a blank piece of paper, have your child trace an outline with a wax candle. You won't see anything, so it's as if the drawing is invisible. Then, instruct them to paint the entire sheet. When the paint has dried, the original invisible drawing will become visible.
24. Tin Foil Art
Outline your design for this project with a pencil on a piece of cardboard, then trace it with glue. Cut a length of twine just long enough to glue to the cardboard outline. Allow it to completely dry. Wrap the cardboard in foil, with the shiny side facing up and the dull side on the cardboard, and then secure it with tape. After that, gently rub the foil to expose the textured lines on the cardboard. Then, using permanent markers, colour the foil to make the design elements stand out.
25. Melted Crayon Art
Because art is all about creating, it allows a child to experiment with different and unusual art materials. This makes the process of creating art more interesting rather than monotonous. Allow your child to colour a blank canvas with crayons; however, not in the usual manner. Instead of colouring the surface with crayons, they'll use a blow dryer to melt it, allowing the colours to come to life. Watch the video above to see how it works.
What makes these 25 art activities amazing for kids (and kids at heart) is that they can be done repeatedly while still feeling like the first time. That's how entertaining they are! Perhaps this is why some, if not all, of these services are provided by art therapists. Bring your child to an art therapy session near you, or try these art activities at home with them to discover the unique fun wrapped up in them.
