The Artful Parent https://artfulparent.com/ The Artful Parent is a resource for families and educators. We help you raise creative kids with art activities, seasonal crafts, and family fun! Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:05:03 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://artfulparent.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cropped-cropped-artful-parent-watermark-transparent-32x32.png The Artful Parent https://artfulparent.com/ 32 32 99273070 7 Fun Painting Ideas for Kids https://artfulparent.com/fun-painting-ideas-for-kids/ https://artfulparent.com/fun-painting-ideas-for-kids/#respond Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/fun-painting-ideas-for-kids/ If you’re looking for new painting ideas for kids, here are seven that you may not have tried yet. Each involves little more than paint and paper, but all are fun and unique! Updated March 2024 We love painting, but sometimes it can feel like we do the same old painting activities over and over again. So here […]

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If you’re looking for new painting ideas for kids, here are seven that you may not have tried yet. Each involves little more than paint and paper, but all are fun and unique!

Updated March 2024

We love painting, but sometimes it can feel like we do the same old painting activities over and over again. So here are 7 new painting ideas to try!

And if you are looking for recommendations on what paint to use, check out our post on the best paints for kids.

Painting Ideas for Kids

Photo by Andrea Martelle

1. Spin Painting

All you need is paint, circular paper, and a salad spinner for this super-fun action art activity.

Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

2. Drip Painting

Explore gravity in art with this easy and fun art activity that results in unique artwork every time.

smush butterfly
Photo by Andrea Martelle

3. Blot Art

Also known as blotto painting, smush painting, or squish painting. No matter what you call it, though, it’s a super fun art activity.

q tip pointillism rainbow
Photo by Andrea Martelle

4. Pointillism Art with Cotton Swabs 

Q-tip painting is an easy art project you can set up quickly. It can also be used to learn about Seurat, Pointillism, and Impressionism.

Photo by Andrea Martelle

5. Blow Painting with Straws

Simple, yet lots of fun for kids of all ages. Use a straw to blow liquid paint around on the paper, creating interesting designs.

splatter painting
Photo by Andrea Martelle

6. Splatter Painting

Splatter painting is a favorite messy art activity for kids of all ages!

rainbow scraper art
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

7. Rainbow Scrape Painting

Scraper art is a fun, process art activity for kids and can be used to create a variety of textures and looks, including scraper art rainbows.

More Painting Ideas for Kids

Want even more creative ideas?

Check out our Artful Parent Starter Pack!

Engage your kids through art and creativity with this printable booklet where you’ll find all of our best tips, tricks, and ideas for getting started on your artful parenting journey!

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How to Make Pictures with Flowers https://artfulparent.com/how-to-make-pictures-with-flowers/ Wed, 24 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/?p=184573 Learn how to make pictures with flowers by arranging petals in different patterns and shapes to make beautiful artwork. Or use the flower petals as the start of a drawing prompt! We love to use flowers in our art making. The garden or backyard (or even supermarket bouquets!) can provide a wealth of materials and […]

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Learn how to make pictures with flowers by arranging petals in different patterns and shapes to make beautiful artwork. Or use the flower petals as the start of a drawing prompt!

We love to use flowers in our art making. The garden or backyard (or even supermarket bouquets!) can provide a wealth of materials and inspiration when creating with your kids.

One easy and low-mess way to use flowers is by making flower petal pictures! Simply arrange flower petals and leaves into different images and designs. Then rearrange them to create a different design! When you are finished, compost the petals or dry them for another time.

Here’s a video showing how to make pictures with flowers. Then keep scrolling for the full directions!

pictures with flowers pinterest
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

How to Make Pictures with Flowers

MATERIALS

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Gather your materials

    To make pictures with petals, you need flowers! You can pick them from your garden or yard, or you can pick up a bouquet from the supermarket.

    You can do this activity on a tray or on a piece of plain white paper. We like to tape the paper down with painter’s tape, so it doesn’t shift around.

  2. Create your design

    Arrange flower petals and leaves as desired to create a picture or design.
    Try faces, animals, or even a mandala.

    flower petal bird

    We love this bird – it’s so adorable!

    flower petal bird (1)

  3. Keep going!

    When you’re happy with your artwork, take a photo to save it for later.
    Remove the flowers from the paper and start again, creating a new picture.

    flower petal portrait

    Continue as many times as you like!

Another way to make pictures with flowers is to use them as a drawing prompt!

flower petal drawing prompt
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

To do so, add one or more flowers or leaves to your paper and tape or glue it in place. Use your pen to draw around the flower or leaf to turn it into a car, skirt, animal, or person — whatever you want.

Will you try this super fun and easy process art activity?

Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

More Flower Art Activities

Want even more creative ideas?

Check out our Spring Creativity pack!

Let creativity blossom with this fun bundle of art activities perfect for Spring!! This 40-page printable eBook is full of coloring pages, drawing prompts, games, and more!

Pin It for Later

Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

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30 Earth Day Activities for Kids https://artfulparent.com/celebrate-earth-day-with-recycled-art-projects-for-kids/ https://artfulparent.com/celebrate-earth-day-with-recycled-art-projects-for-kids/#respond Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/celebrate-earth-day-with-recycled-art-projects-for-kids/ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Check out our list of Earth Day activities with nature and recycled art projects for kids that are fun to make AND more friendly for our Earth.  Updated March 2024 To celebrate Earth Day next week, our team gathered together a list of 30 Earth Day activities for kids. Through art, there […]

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Check out our list of Earth Day activities with nature and recycled art projects for kids that are fun to make AND more friendly for our Earth. 

Updated March 2024

To celebrate Earth Day next week, our team gathered together a list of 30 Earth Day activities for kids.

Through art, there exists a great opportunity to teach children to be good stewards.  Children learn to reuse lids, caps and milk cartons. To turn a cardboard box into a castle, fort, or robot. To recycle cardboard tubes and create sculptures.

The possibility to assemble and make new things while recycling or upcycling the old sparks children’s imagination as they explore these non-traditional materials.

earth day activities pinterest

And a short walk outside with my son allows us the opportunity to breathe deep, soak in the sunshine and fresh air. We gather pinecones and sticks, some rocks and more sticks. Then to head home with our new treasures.

As we collect recyclables, save cardboard and consider how to give something old a new purpose, our kids are watching and learning this skill themselves. Below are some ideas that will hopefully inspire and put some of that recycling bin to creative use.

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day Activities for Kids

7 Recycled Art Projects Using Reusable Materials

weaving
Photo by Danielle Falk

1. Make a Cardboard Loom for Kids

Learn a simple weaving activity for kids with cardboard looms and recycled fabric scraps. Then create a beautiful piece of art to hang in your home!

2. Self-Portrait Collages Using Recycle Bin Materials

Learn how to create a self-portrait collage with simple recycle bin materials. A fun and educational activity for kids that helps them explore self-identity.

3. Make DIY Costumes from Recycled Materials

Here are a few simple techniques for making fabulous DIY kids costumes with a variety of recycled materials.

toddler sorting
Photo by Catalina Gutierrez

4. The BEST Toddler Art Activities

Paint a nature wall, create a collaborative recycled wall, reuse plastic caps and lids for sensory bins & use sticks, leaves and the like for set-ups!

5. Milk Carton Sailboat

Perfect for the sailboat loving kid in your life–use a recycled milk carton to create an amazing little sailboat (from Art Camp Studio).

6. Simple Flower Crowns from Paper Bags

Kids can feel like royalty with this awesome craft using recycled paper bags. 

painted wood blocks
Photo by Danielle Falk

7. Painted Wood Blocks Sculptures

An easy sculpture project using wood scraps that’s fun to make for kids of all ages. 

14 Recycled Art Projects Using Cardboard

multimedia masks
Photo by Krista Simcoe

1. Mixed Media Collage Portraits for Kids

These adorable collage portraits are a great way to reuse a cardboard box and are SO cute. 

2. Make Cardboard Robot Puppets that Move

These robot puppets are friendly on the Earth and SO fun to play with and create. 

3. Create Monochrome Art Collages

Gather collage materials and cardboard to make these vibrant little collages.

4. Make DIY Valentines for Kids

Make adorable valentine hearts that are great for Valentine’s Day, or any day really!

miro masks
Photo by Catalina Gutierrez

5. Make Miro-Inspired Magic Animal Masks

Create wild and colorful animal masks with cardboard, paint, and a few other materials. 

6. Make a Rainbow Cardboard Sculpture

Create a colorful stacked rainbow sculpture using painted cardboard rainbows.

7. Drip Painting

Create a DIY cardboard easel and explore gravity in art with drip painting that results in unique artworks every time.

8. Make Colorful Cardboard Tree Sculptures

These cheerful cardboard sculptures look like trees and are super easy and fun to make.

cardboard masks
Photo by Danielle Falk

9. Make Cardboard Masks for Kids

Create vibrant cardboard masks perfect for imaginative play!

10. Giant Cardboard Donuts

Just looking at these giant cardboard donuts is sure to bring a smile to your face (from Art Bar Blog).

11. Make a Cardboard Castle for Hours of Pretend Play

Need we say more? 

12. Make DIY Stamps with Cardboard

Design and create your very own stamps to print with.

13. Make Cardboard Building Discs

Kids can create their own building material by transforming a box into cardboard building discs. Stack the discs to make these awesome sculptures!

cardboard forest earth day activities
Photo by Eleanor Ford

14. Create a Cardboard Art Forest

Create an amazing magic forest with this easy cardboard art project for kids. Makes a fun creative play setup for kids.

8 Nature Art Projects for Earth Day

leaf hedgehog earth day activities
Photo by Rachael Culbert

1. Nature Art Ideas for Kids

Try one of these fun nature art activities for young children: paint with mud, print with leaves, create a nature weaving or petal playdough!

2. Make a Nature Mobile for Kids

A beautiful craft to showcase your child’s nature treasures. 

3. Make a Magical 3D Nature Suncatcher

Use a cardboard box to create a unique and fun way to experiment with light, color, and natural materials.

4. Nature Drawing: How to Draw Feathers

Kids can make their own feather art with this great opportunity to explore some of nature’s patterns, shapes, and lines. 

nature diorama
Photo by Kiera Gladstone

5. Make a Nature Diorama

Gather pinecones, leaves and seed pods on a nature walk. Then paint and assemble these materials with this fun nature diorama project for kids.

6. Make a Flower Suncatcher

A simple and beautiful project using light and color. 

7. Try Flower Pounding

Flower pounding is such a fun process art activity! Make prints on fabric with the pigment of flowers. Then turn the flower prints into beautiful flags.

8. Or Flower Printing!

Start by gathering flowers and leaves from your garden or backyard. Then you can use just about any kind of paint you have to make gorgeous flower prints!

recycled materials earth day activities
Photo by Krista Simcoe

Which of these Earth Day activities will you try with your family?

More Spring Activities for Kids

Want even more creative ideas?

Check out our Spring Creativity pack!

Let creativity blossom with this fun bundle of art activities perfect for Spring!! This 40-page printable eBook is full of coloring pages, drawing prompts, games, and more!

Pin It for Later

earth day activities pinterest

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Raising Butterflies with Kids https://artfulparent.com/raising-butterflies-kids/ https://artfulparent.com/raising-butterflies-kids/#respond Fri, 19 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/raising-butterflies-kids/ Raising butterflies with kids is magical and rewarding! Start with a cup of caterpillars and watch the entire metamorphosis happen right before your eyes! Updated March 2024 Have you tried raising butterflies with your kids? When I was a kindergarten teacher, we did this in my classroom every year. And then this spring, it occurred […]

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Raising butterflies with kids is magical and rewarding! Start with a cup of caterpillars and watch the entire metamorphosis happen right before your eyes!

Updated March 2024

Have you tried raising butterflies with your kids?

When I was a kindergarten teacher, we did this in my classroom every year. And then this spring, it occurred to me that it would be really fun to do at home with my two preschoolers, too!

It was such a fun and exciting experience, for all of us!

We used a butterfly house and sent away for the caterpillars, although you could also bring in caterpillars from your garden.

raising butterflies pin
Photo by Andrea Martelle

Raising Butterflies with Kids

MATERIALS

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Order your caterpillars

    It sounds strange, but we ordered our caterpillars from Insect Lore on Amazon and they came a couple days later! It was a very exciting mail day in our house when they arrived!

    insect lore materials

    They came in a little cup with instructions, and everything you need to raise them to butterflies.

    watching baby caterpillars

    If you have a garden with caterpillars, you can also find some and bring them in that way.

  2. Observe and wait

    The next step takes a couple weeks. We watched the teeny tiny caterpillars eat all the food that comes inside the caterpillar cup.

    small caterpillars

    And then we watched them grow and grow.

    growing caterpillars

    And then, one morning we woke up and saw that the caterpillars were making their chrysalides! Each time we checked, another chrysalis had formed.

    cocoons in cup

    Once all the chrysalides had formed, we moved them carefully to the little holder provided and set that inside our butterfly garden net.

    cocoons

  3. Wait a little more

    Once the chrysalides are in the butterfly garden, you have to wait a little longer!

    After about 7-10 days, the moment you’ve been waiting for happens! And it will probably happen when you aren’t expecting it! At least, that’s what happened to us.

    butterflies in net

    We put orange slices in our butterfly garden to feed them so we had a chance to observe them.

    observing butterflies

Once we had observed our butterflies for a day in their net, we brought outside and released them! We bade each one goodbye as they flew away.

butterfly on orange
Photo by Andrea Martelle

We had such a fun surprise when we saw them flying around our garden later that day.

Raising butterflies is the most magical process to witness! And it’s such a magical process to share with kids!

butterflies pin graphic
Photo by Andrea Martelle

If you’ve been wondering how to raise butterflies, we highly recommend giving this a try. It’s super easy with a kit like this.

And if you’re really getting into butterflies, you can draw what you observe every step of the metamorphosis process, try a butterfly art activity, and read some butterfly books, too!

painted butterflies
Photo by Andrea Martelle

More Butterfly Activities for Kids

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How to Paint Butterflies for Kids https://artfulparent.com/butterfly-symmetry-paintings/ https://artfulparent.com/butterfly-symmetry-paintings/#respond Wed, 17 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/butterfly-symmetry-paintings/ Learn how to paint butterflies with this fun and easy symmetry method. A perfect process art activity for kids of all ages! Updated March 2024 We all love symmetry painting, right? Kids love it. It’s easy, fun, and the result is unique every time. These symmetry paintings are also known by many other names. Some […]

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Learn how to paint butterflies with this fun and easy symmetry method. A perfect process art activity for kids of all ages!

Updated March 2024

We all love symmetry painting, right? Kids love it. It’s easy, fun, and the result is unique every time.

These symmetry paintings are also known by many other names. Some people call them inkblot prints, blotto painting or prints, smash art, smush art, squish painting, and more.

Regardless of the name, what could be more perfect for painting butterflies?!

They turn out beautifully every time!

Here’s a video of the butterfly painting art activity in action.

How to Paint Butterflies

MATERIALS

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cut paper butterflies

    First, cut your paper into a butterfly shape. Fold your paper in half, then use the scissors to cut out a half butterfly, with the body along the fold.
    You can draw and cut your butterfly shape freehand or use a template.

    butterfly halves

  2. Prepare paint

    Pour small amounts of tempera paint into cups and add a spoon to each cup. You can also mix your colors until you have the perfect assortment of colors to create your butterfly paintings.

    butterfly with paints

  3. Add paint to paper

    Use the spoon to add drops of paint to one side of your butterfly paper.


    butterfly with paint on it

  4. Fold paper

    Fold the other half of the paper over the paint drops to create a paint sandwich. Press, smush, and rub with your hands.

  5. Open your butterfly painting

    Finally, open the paper to reveal your symmetrical butterfly painting!
    Ours had a fair amount of paint on them, so we set them on art mats to dry.

    smush butterfly

  6. Repeat!

    Repeat this mesmerizing art activity as many times as you like!

Variations and Ideas

  • Add details to your butterflies after the paint dries. For example, you could draw details or faces over the dry paint with markers. Or glue googly eyes on the faces.
  • You can also make regular symmetry paintings (on rectangular paper), then cut the butterflies out after the paintings dry.
  • Tack a kaleidoscope of butterflies onto the wall together (that’s what a group of butterflies is called!) or string them into a butterfly bunting.

More Nature Painting Ideas

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10 Spring Sensory Bins for Kids https://artfulparent.com/10-spring-sensory-bins-for-kids/ Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/?p=183599 Here are 10 fun and easy ideas for Spring sensory bins for kids. These bins offer a fun and exploratory way to engage kids’ senses and enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring! Sensory play is fun AND important for kids’ development. Here at the Artful Parent, we like to gather sensory bin ideas for […]

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Here are 10 fun and easy ideas for Spring sensory bins for kids. These bins offer a fun and exploratory way to engage kids’ senses and enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring!

Sensory play is fun AND important for kids’ development. Here at the Artful Parent, we like to gather sensory bin ideas for every season and holiday and share them with you! Some ideas come from Instagram, and some come from our own experiences. Either way, these hands-on activities offer colorful, textured fun that engages kids’ senses and sparks creativity.

Springtime is a great time to bring the sensory play outside, to let kids get a little messy and to let them experience the full range of Spring senses. As they play, you can ask them what they are hearing, seeing, smelling, and feeling both outside and in their sensory bin.

Dive into these spring-themed ideas to create a sensory-rich learning experience for kids of all ages.

Spring Sensory Bins for Kids

flower soup
Photo by Rachel Withers

1. Flower Soup from Little Mainer Art Studio

Sensory play doesn’t have to be complicated! Just a few drops of pink food coloring added to water and some blossoms picked from the garden make a gorgeous flower soup!

Photo by Process of Play

2. Bee Playdough from Process of Play

Did you know bubble wrap pressed into playdough looks like a beehive?! We didn’t either! This playdough set up is perfect for pollinator season.

chicks and bunnies rice bin
Photo by Find the Little Mind

3. Bunnies & Chicks Rice Bin from Find the Little Mind

We love how grassy this green rice looks. Throw a few little chicks and bunnies and you’ve got a spring-tastic sensory bin!

ice flowers spring sensory bin
Photo by Process of Play

4. Flower Ice Play from Process of Play

After waiting all winter, we can finally bring the sensory play outside. Kids love to explore with ice and watch as it melts on a warm spring day. Plus, we love the pop of color these flower petals make in the frozen ice cubes.

Photo by love.and.paperhearts

5. Matcha Playdough from love.and.paperhearts

Why make plain playdough when you can make matcha playdough?! The vibrant green makes a lovely backdrop for spring poke-ins like sticks, blossoms, and leaves.

Photo by Find the Little Mind

6. Plant a Garden from Find the Little Mind

If your kids want to get going on gardening early, set them up with a sweet set up like this. If you don’t have play dirt, you could easily use kinetic sand (or real dirt!) plus some toy shovels, pails, and flowers.

black bean easter sensory
Photo by Play at Home Teacher

7. Easter Garden from Play at Home Teacher

You can use dried black beans in place of dirt, too! Kids will love scooping, pouring, and running their hands through the beans, plus planting pretend carrots!

easter playdough set up
Photo by Rachel Withers

9. Easter Fun Playdough from the Artful Parent

If you’ve got family coming over for Easter or springtime gatherings, set up a playdough table for the kids! Simply set out a few balls of brightly colored playdough, some plastic eggs, and whatever fun items you might find at the dollar store!

Photo by findthelittlemind

9. Planting Carrots from Find the Little Mind

Let your kids get a bit messy with a set up like this one. They can pretend to be a gardener planting carrots or a baker making dirt cupcakes!

easter egg rainbow rice
Photo by Andrea Martelle

10. Easter Egg Rainbow Rice from the Artful Parent

If you’ve got extra plastic eggs from the Easter Bunny, they make a great addition to any sensory bin! We love filling them up with rainbow rice and then watching as the rice pours out.

More Spring Activities for Kids

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22 Nature Art Ideas for Kids https://artfulparent.com/nature-art-for-kids/ https://artfulparent.com/nature-art-for-kids/#respond Fri, 12 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/nature-art-for-kids/ Are you looking to get outside and make some art? Here are some ideas for nature art for kids, inspired by nature or using natural items. Updated March 2024 Nature is the original paintbox. All the colors we use can be found in the natural world and all paint pigments and inks were initially made […]

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Are you looking to get outside and make some art? Here are some ideas for nature art for kids, inspired by nature or using natural items.

Updated March 2024

Nature is the original paintbox.

All the colors we use can be found in the natural world and all paint pigments and inks were initially made from natural materials, such as plants and stones.

Nature also provides the light that informs how we see the world. And it is the primary source of artistic inspiration from time immemorial.

We’ve shared outdoor art ideas for kids and our favorite garden craft ideas. But this list is all about nature art, either getting our inspiration from nature or using natural materials in the art itself.

nature art pinterest
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

Nature art for kids often combines being outside with physical movement and creative activity.

It’s the perfect trio!

Nature Art for Kids

butterfly print with flowers
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

1. Flower Printing

Flower printing is a fun and beautiful nature art project for kids. And it can be done with just about any kind of paint!

2. Leaf Printing on Fabric

Learn how to print with leaves to make beautiful cloth napkins. They are the perfect addition to your table or can be given as a gift!

Land-Art-Mandala-with-Shells
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

3. Land Art for Kids

Land art for kids combines playing and creating art in a natural environment using leaves, rocks, sticks, and other nature items as well as light and water.

4. Make a Nature Mobile

Gathered natural materials, along with air dry clay beads are what you need to create a beautiful nature mobile for kids.

leaves nature art
Photo by Andrea Martelle

5. Creative Ways to Use Leaves

Wondering what to do with all of the Autumn leaves you’ve collected? Here are some of our favorite creative Fall leaf ideas for kids!

6. Use Nature Items as Drawing Prompts

Take items you find in nature and use them as inspiration for drawing prompts!

clay prints
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

7. Clay Nature Prints

Learn how to make clay leaf prints and pendants with air dry clay. This easy nature craft project is fun for kids and creates a beautiful keepsake.

8. Playing with Playdough in Nature (on Mother Natured)

Take your playdough OUTSIDE and see how you can use natural materials to enhance your play!

flower suncatcher
Photo by Andrea Martelle

9. Flower Mandala Suncatchers

Make a beautiful flower suncatcher for the window! All you need is a paper plate, contact paper, and flowers for this fun flower mandala.

10. Autumn Leaf Suncatchers

Or try this simple and beautiful suncatcher leaf craft for kids using fall leaves, flowers and paper plates.

Finished nature diorama with acorns and seed pods
Photo by Kiera Gladstone

11. Paint and Assemble Your Own Nature Diorama!

Gather pinecones, leaves and seed pods on a nature walk. Then paint and assemble these materials with this fun nature diorama project for kids.

12. 5 Nature Art Ideas for Toddlers

Here are five nature art ideas for young children. Paint with mud, print with leaves, create a nature weaving or petal playdough!

rock houses
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

13. Art with Rocks

Try one of these ways to make art with rocks, including painted rocks, chalk rocks, melted crayon rocks, and land art!

14. Chalk Nature Painting (on Meri Cherry)

Use wet and dry chalk to paint on sticks and branches!

leaf rubbings
Photo by Rachel Withers

15. Leaf Rubbings + Watercolor Resist Painting

Learn how to make leaf rubbings for kids. Then turn these into a colorful fall leaf painting activity using the watercolor wax resist method.

16. Leaf Art with Chalk Pastels

Make fall leaf art with chalk pastels. A wonderful autumn drawing activity for kids and adults to create together!

making sunprints with flowers
Photo by Rachel Withers

17. Make Sun Prints

Create beautiful sun prints in a few easy steps with a sun print kit for kids. Learn about Anna Atkins, an early female photographer too!

18. Shadow Tracing with Nature Items

Create beautiful shadow art for kids. Simply trace any pattern of shadow and light on paper, then paint it. This works perfectly with branches, flowers, and houseplants!

feather art in a box
Photo by Samara Caughey

19. Feather Art in a Box

Feathers provide a great nature-based opportunity for kids to notice patterns, shapes & lines. Help kids make their own feather art in a lovely DIY shadow box in this easy nature drawing activity.

20. Paint Leaves (on Art Bar)

Try water soluble crayons or paint sticks to draw and paint on leaves!

sandcasting
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

21. Ocean Crafts for Kids

10 fun ocean crafts for kids to make your next beach trip more creative. Includes melted crayon shells, sandcasting, seashell mandalas, fish paintings.

22. Sandcasting in the Sand Box

If you haven’t tried sandcasting, you must! And you don’t need to go to the beach, you can do it right in the sandbox!

More Nature Art for Kids

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How to Paint Watercolor Planets with Rubbing Alcohol https://artfulparent.com/how-to-paint-watercolor-planets-with-rubbing-alcohol/ Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/?p=184865 Learn how to use paints and rubbing alcohol to make beautiful watercolor planets. Create your own mini universe with this fun art activity! My family has been on a big space kick, ever since we visited the Kennedy Space Center this winter. My kids already loved stargazing, but our visit took things to the next […]

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Learn how to use paints and rubbing alcohol to make beautiful watercolor planets. Create your own mini universe with this fun art activity!

My family has been on a big space kick, ever since we visited the Kennedy Space Center this winter. My kids already loved stargazing, but our visit took things to the next level. Now we are deep into an outer space exploration.

Naturally, we’ve done lots of art exploration to go along with this newfound interest and painting these planets was easily one of our favorite space art projects.

If you’ve never added rubbing alcohol to a watercolor picture, you’ve got to try it! The alcohol resists the water, creating dots and swirls. It makes for a perfect planet-painting technique.

watercolor planets pin
Photo by Andrea Martelle

How to Paint Watercolor Planets with Rubbing Alcohol

MATERIALS

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prepare your materials

    We recommend covering your workspace with an old tablecloth or paper, as well as working on trays or art mats. Kids tend to drop the rubbing alcohol quite liberally and you’ll want to protect the table underneath.

    Cut your watercolor paper into circles or prepare your circular paper by slicing a few pages free from the pack. Pro tip: To open the circular watercolor paper, look for the gap in the glue around the edges. Slide a thin sharp knife or letter opener across the pad to release a piece of paper.

    If you have multiple kids, loosen a few pieces in advance.

  2. Wet your paper

    We start by doing a wet wash on your paper, either with a spray bottle or a paintbrush. It’s important to err on the side of very wet for this activity in order for the alcohol to mix and create a swirl effect.

    painting on circle paper

  3. Add paint

    Once your paper is wet all over, add lots of watercolor paint. If you are painting the planets in our Solar System, you might want to look at pictures of them first, so you know what colors to use.

    paint on circle paper

  4. Drop the rubbing alcohol onto the paint

    Once the paper is nicely saturated with paint, use a dropper to transfer rubbing alcohol to the painting. Squeeze and squirt all over the paper and watch the colors mix. This part of the process never gets old, even for the grownups!

    using dropper with watercolors

Once you’ve added as many drops of rubbing alcohol to your planet as you like, set it aside to dry and make another!

watercolor planet
Photo by Andrea Martelle

We made planets of all sizes and colors until we ran out of round paper. This is one of our favorite watercolor techniques and certainly our favorite way to paint planets!

watercolor planets

More Watercolor Activities for Kids

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How to Do Foam Painting for Kids https://artfulparent.com/foam-painting-for-kids/ Mon, 08 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/?p=143139 Foam painting is fun and irresistibly fluffy! Try these easy ideas for fun sensory play setups that kids will love. Updated April 2024 My kids LOVE foam painting. It’s fun, it’s fluffy and they like to paint their toys, cars, bodies and anything else in reach. It’s easy to cleanup, I promise! This is one […]

The post How to Do Foam Painting for Kids appeared first on The Artful Parent.

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Foam painting is fun and irresistibly fluffy! Try these easy ideas for fun sensory play setups that kids will love.

Updated April 2024

My kids LOVE foam painting. It’s fun, it’s fluffy and they like to paint their toys, cars, bodies and anything else in reach.

It’s easy to cleanup, I promise!

This is one of those art activities that we save for warmer weather. Then the mess is less stressful, and the kids can have all the fun they want. And cleanup is easy. Keep everything contained on a tray or hose the kids down with water afterwards.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, back to how much my kids love this art and play activity.

foam painting
Photo by Rachel Withers

Foam Painting for Kids

We use our foam paint for sensory play mostly. I set out some animals, dinosaurs, or transportation vehicles and let my kids paint. (This usually leads to painting their whole bodies so I keep them minimally dressed for this project.)

To include the kids on the cleanup, I like to set out a tub of soapy water and extend the play. With sponges, they get to work with giving their toys a bath.

(If you’re looking to try foam paint on paper, see this post. You can use the same supplies with a totally different art experience!)

foam painting pinterest
Photo by Rachel Withers

How to Make Foam Paint

MATERIALS

I make foam paint with just two ingredients––shaving foam and liquid watercolors.

Mix together and whip to combine. Be sure there is no remaining unmixed paint (which can seriously stain clothing).

If you are looking for a ready-made paint, you might try this foam paint. It acts very similar to shaving foam, but smells like paint.

Time needed: 5 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Gather materials

    If mixing up your own foam paint, then gather a tray, shaving foam, liquid watercolors and something to stir with.

  2. Add shaving cream to paint container

    Mix in a squirt of liquid watercolors and whisk the foam until incorporated completely.

  3. Continue with more colors

    If you’d like multiple colors, then repeat step 2 into a new container. We love using a chip and dip container for all of the different colors.

    colored foam paint for kids

  4. Set out materials

    Gather a bin or prepare a painting surface for your child. I like to set out a bin with toys, then add paint brushes and the foam paint.

    toys and foam paint

We guarantee your kids will love painting and playing with foam paint!

foam painting
Photo by Rachel Withers

More Sensory Play for Kids

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The Best Space Art Ideas for Kids https://artfulparent.com/3-space-art-projects-for-kids-with-ooly/ Mon, 08 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://artfulparent.com/?p=128699 Easy and fun space art ideas for little space explorers! These out-of-this-world projects are perfect for kids and astronauts of all ages. Updated April 2024 We don’t know about you, but our kids are into space right now! Pretending to be astronauts, reading and learning about space and NASA, you name it and they’re into […]

The post The Best Space Art Ideas for Kids appeared first on The Artful Parent.

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Easy and fun space art ideas for little space explorers! These out-of-this-world projects are perfect for kids and astronauts of all ages.

Updated April 2024

We don’t know about you, but our kids are into space right now! Pretending to be astronauts, reading and learning about space and NASA, you name it and they’re into it!

And of course, you can’t explore space without creating some really cool art along the way! Here are some of our favorite space art activities. These projects are open-ended and great for a wide range of ages. Plus, they provide the opportunity for kids to learn about space while they create, making it an educational experience too!

And if you’re looking for some books for inspiration, check out our list of the Best Children’s Books About Space!

The Best Space Art Ideas for Kids

watercolor planet
Photo by Rachel Withers

1. Rubbing Alcohol Swirly Planets

We LOVE the way rubbing alcohol makes watercolor paint swirl around! To make planets and moons, cover a round piece of watercolor paper with lots of paint. While the paint is still wet, use a dropper to drop rubbing alcohol onto it and watch as craters and holes appear on your planet!

sparkly sky
Photo by Andrea Martelle

2. Sparkly Salty Night Skies

To create a sparkly painting, cover your watercolor paper with paint (we used blues and blacks). Once the paper is completely filled, sprinkle coarse salt onto the wet paint. This creates an effect that looks very much like a galaxy far, far away! 

When the paintings are completely dry, brush off the salt to reveal a sparkly sky. If you’re feeling extra starry, add star stickers before you start painting to create a sticker-resist effect. Or you can flick watered down white paint onto your dry painting for even more stars!

watercolor constellation
Photo by Anna Harpe

3. Geometric Constellations

To create these fantastic geometric constellations, start with a wet wash on watercolor paper, then blend on watercolors. While it is still wet, scrunch up a big piece of plastic wrap on top of the paper.

Once the paint is dry, remove the plastic wrap. The wrinkled plastic creates all kinds of interesting lines and shapes in the paint, perfect for inspiring constellations. Use a metallic sharpie and a ruler to connect a few lines, making dots or stars at each intersection. Your kids will love creating their own unique constellations!

space geoboard
Photo by Catalina Gutierrez

4. Outer Space Geoboards

If you want to create a three-dimensional space project, try an outer space geoboard! Create your own solar system with stars, planets, and moons on a round piece of cork board painted black.

Rubber bands connect the thumbtack stars to create cool constellation designs. We love that these geoboards can be based on our real solar system, or completely imaginary!

neon galaxy sky
Photo by Andrea Martelle

5. Neon Galaxies

We love a watercolor resist technique, and oil pastels might be our favorite way to create this cool effect. Use neon oil pastels to draw planets, stars, swirly galaxies, and even a dotted Milky Way on a large piece of watercolor paper. Then paint blue, purple, and black watercolors all over the drawings and watch as the neon colors pop up through the dark paint!

spin planets
Photo by Andrea Martelle

6. Spin Art Planets

Use one of our favorite action art activities to make a solar system of planets! Spin painting with a salad spinner is super easy and super fun. Use realistic colors to make real planets (think: green and blue for Earth, reds for Mars, browns and oranges for Jupiter) or any color combination you like for some imaginary planets!

You could also use just about any of our favorite art activities to make planet: shaving cream marbling, splatter painting, blow painting, you name it!

space sensory play
Photo by Rachel Withers

7. Out of this World Sensory Play

Use kinetic sand or your favorite sensory material (try black beans for a nighttime sky!) toss in a few space toys (we love these planets and these NASA figures) or even some glow in the dark stars and watch as your kids explore and create using their senses.

space playdough
Photo by Anna Harpe

8. Galaxy Playdough

How amazing does this black and sparkly playdough look?! Make a batch of your favorite homemade playdough and use candy coloring to dye it black (you need to use the candy coloring; regular food coloring isn’t strong enough make it truly black). Add some glitter, sequins, and stars and you’re ready for a deep space sensory exploration!

Which of these awesome space art activities will you try this week?

For many of these projects, we used our favorite OOLY art products:

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