Art is a fantastic way for kids to express their thoughts and feelings. By exploring real art and inspiring objects, children can create their own masterpieces. Experts advise focusing on the creative process rather than the final product, allowing kids to develop their unique personalities and styles.
“Kids can create magic with open-ended projects and a variety of materials,” says Emily Bennett, a visiting artist at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “Process art is ideal for engaging early learners and encouraging experimentation.”
Rebecca Robinson, another visiting artist, starts with fun conversations about kids’ interests. “By talking about what they like, I can connect art topics that spark their creativity and showcase their talents.”
At the Children’s Museum’s Playscape, art serves as inspiration with its bold colors, patterns, and interactive features. “Prompts throughout the studio encourage families to discuss pets, emotions and family traditions,” says Elyse Handel, the museum’s early childhood education manager.
Art at Home
Here are some fun art activities to try at home with washable tempera paint. To make cleanup easier, do art projects on a cookie sheet to contain the mess.
String Painting: Fold a piece of white paper in half. Dip a 15- to 18-inch string in paint, lay it on one side of the folded paper, then fold the other side over. Unfold to reveal a symmetrical design.
Marble Painting: Cut paper to fit inside a round cake pan. Add a few paint globs, place a marble in the pan, and gently shake to create colorful lines.
Gadget Painting: Use bath puffs, spools, potato mashers, or combs to paint unique designs.
Straw Painting: After poking a hole near the end of a straw, place a small amount of paint on paper. Blow through the straw to spread the paint.
Salad Spinner Painting: Cut paper to fit in the bottom of a salad spinner, drip paint onto the paper, snap the lid on and spin. Add glitter or confetti for extra fun.
Art Activities by Age
Toddlers (Ages 1-3)
Focus on sensory experiences, like finger painting, playing with playdough, and scribbling with crayons. These activities help develop fine motor skills and explore textures and colors. Using window paint and easels adds whole-body movement. Bright colors, patterns and textures also support cognitive development.
Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
Introduce simple crafts, painting with brushes, drawing with markers and crayons, and making collages. The focus is on creativity, basic art skills (like holding a brush or cutting paper), and recognizing shapes and colors.
Early Elementary (Ages 5-7)
Try more complex crafts, mixed media projects, introductory art techniques (like basic printmaking, weaving, clay), and simple sculptures. This stage focuses on developing fine motor skills, understanding art concepts (patterns, symmetry), and introducing art history and famous artists. Art becomes a way for children to communicate and tell stories, expressing their ideas and emotions.
Middle to Upper Elementary (Ages 7-11)
Engage in detailed drawing, painting, pottery, digital art, and advanced crafting techniques. This age group focuses on enhancing technical skills, personal expression, and understanding more complex art concepts (perspective, shading).
Let Children Take the Lead with Art
Handel and other educators emphasize letting the child lead based on their readiness. “I avoid craft-making with a specific goal,” Handel says. “Instead, I encourage children to experiment with various materials and create however they want. At this stage, we want children to see themselves as artists, and whatever they create is beautiful and representative of them.”
By encouraging children to explore and create freely, we help them develop not only their artistic skills but also their confidence and self-expression. So, gather some materials, set up a fun project and watch the magic happen!
