This is Page 1...Have fun with all kinds of painting, drawing, textures, materials, application techniques and more!  Go to Page 2

 

 

PAINT OR DRAW THE MUSIC! (Great for all ages!)
Painting or drawing "music" is a fun way to encourage children to creating abstract designs. Many artists, including the great Russian painter Kandinsky, believe that music and art can express the same feelings and ideas.
1.  Simply play a piece of powerful music for 10 minutes.
2.  For the first few minutes, have students sit quietly with eyes closed, listening and imagining lines and shapes and colors. After listening they then "paint the colors and shapes that they hear."
There's no wrong way to do this. Whatever a child creates is exactly right...his interpretation of the music.

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WET CHALK DRAWING: By dipping your chalk into wet paint, you can create wonderful works of chalk art that won't smudge like regular chalk.

(Grades K-8) You Need: Paper (any color), Colorful chalk (either chalk pastels or blackboard chalk), White tempera paint (liquid), Dish for the paint
1. Put a small amount of white tempera paint into a dish.
2. Dip the tip of your chalk into the paint.
3. Draw on your paper. The drawing marks you make will show not only the color of the chalk but also an edge of white paint. If you draw on dark colors, the white will show up very nicely. You could also use dark tempera paint with a light color paper. The possibilities are endless.
4.The beautiful part of this activity is that the paint "seals" the chalk so it won't smudge on the paper.

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CRAYON ETCHING - Example is the work of a fifth grade child... 
Grade: K-8
Younger students will enjoy exploring this activity while older students should be encouraged to investigate detailed images and patterns.
You Need:
Paper (poster board works best), Crayons, Popsicle stick or nail

1. Fill the paper with crayon shapes and patterns making sure to press hard. It is best to use light colors at this stage.
2. Once you have filled the paper with crayons patterns, color heavily over the whole paper using black crayon.
3. Plan out a picture or design and using the popsicle stick or paper clip, scratch the design into the black crayon. The light colors will show through where you scrape away the black.
4. Polish the picture by rubbing wax paper on it -- to give it a shine. You can also use a chamois cloth or even a plastic bag.

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TOAST ART AND SNACK IN ONE!

Ingredients: Bread, Milk, Food coloring, cinnamon sugar, butter, small paper cups,thin brushes or cotton-tipped swabs

Mix “paint by combining food coloring with milk. Paint designs on one side—try and be creative with stripes, stars, designs. When changing colors be sure to remind kids to use different brush or swab. When complete-toast in toaster on light or under broiler. Can eat as is----or while still hot butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.

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 CONTINUOUS LINE ART
1.  Turn on a kitchen timer to one minute.
2.  Using a marker, begin drawing but don't pick up your marker.
3.  Make one long continuous line going up, down, across and around. 4.  When the timer goes off, color in the spaces.

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MARBLE PAINTING

 

Nice to hang and display...
1.  Give children construction paper and several colors of thick tempera paint in shallow dishes.
2.  Put paper in a shallow box- then dip a marble in the chosen paint color and use a spoon to scoop it out and onto the paper.
3.  Now hold the box tilting it back and forth as the marble moves across. When there is no more paint, dip the marble again or get a marble in a different color.

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GOLF BALL ROLLERS ART: 4 and up...
1.  Cut paper slightly larger than the base of a shoe box and place in the bottom of the box folding up the excess.
2.  Dribble 3 or 4 different colors of fluorescent or ordinary paint onto the paper and drop in a golf ball.
3.  The children have great fun rolling the ball around and around making tracks.
4.  When complete remove the paper and repeat the process.

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STAINED GLASS WINDOW PAGE
Coloring pages (Use a coloring book page and make copies of pages from it.)
Crayons or oil pastels
Newspaper
Cooking oil
Cotton balls

• Neatly color a coloring page-- pressing the crayons or oil pastels hard on the paper.
• Lay the finished colored page on many layers of newspaper.
• Wet a cotton ball in cooking oil and rub it over the surface of the page.
• Make sure the page is thoroughly oiled-- and then wipe off the excess oil. (Neither dry spots nor or overly soaked spots should be showing.
• Leave the page on the paper for several hours until the oil is absorbed.
• When the page is put in front of a window--- the sun will shine through the translucency.
  Idea from Angie Dockter-Rochester, Mi.

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GROUP FOLD-OVER DRAWINGS GAME

• Give everyone a piece of paper.
• On the top section, draw a head. It can be an animal head or a person's head, as weird as you like. Now fold that section back, so that it's hidden, and pass it to the next person.
• Without looking at the hidden drawing, the next person draws a chest and arms of a person, animal, or creature---folds it back ---and passes it on to the next person.
• Without looking at the previous pictures, that person draws a body – the stomach and hips.
• The last person draws the legs and feet.
• You can have more or fewer sections-- depending on the number of people you have drawing.
• When complete, unfold your papers and see what unique people/creatures you have drawn!

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ANIMATE A STICK FIGURE

Find a pad of paper or a post-it pack. Start in one corner of the page and draw a stick figure. Lift up the page and draw the same figure on the next page, but move an arm or leg just slightly, and continue on each page of the pack. On each page, you'll draw your stick figure just positioned a little differently. When you flip the pages with your thumb, you'll have an animated stick figure!

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SPLATTER ART with Daubers (Bingo Markers)

• Give children a piece of paper and a small bowl of water.
• Set out some different colors of dauber pens.
• Children take daubers and dip the tip into the water. Then slightly smash pen onto the paper.
• The water will splatter the paint out.
• Repeat with other colors of pens.
• Splatters will create interesting designs on the paper.

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FINGER PAINT PRINTS

• Have children finger print directly on a waterproof surface such as a table top or on a lunch tray.
• After they have created pictures or designs, they press paper on top of their paintings to make prints.

For texture, they can sprinkle some salt onto the finger print. Tools can also be used with finger paintings, such as combs, Popsicle sticks or forks.

1.  Prime the paints by placing a bead of water on each color.
2.  Stick your thumb in a watercolor pan.
3.  Make a thumbprint on the paper.
4.  When it is dry, add lines to make it a person, bug, or something imaginative.

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PAINT THUMB PRINT PICTUES with Watercolor Tins.

1.  Prime the paints by placing a bead of water on each color.
2.  Stick your thumb in a watercolor pan.
3.  Make a thumbprint on the paper.
4.  When it is dry, add lines to make it a person, bug, or something imaginative.

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FINGER PRINT ART with Ink Pad...Need:
  • Paper
  • Ink pad
  • Markers
Dirctions:
1.  Roll your finger or thumb over the ink pad.
2.  Make a print by firmly pressing the inked finger or thumb against the paper. Use different fingers to make prints of various sizes.
3.  Wash your hands and allow the prints to dry for a few minutes. Then draw faces and other details on the prints. Look through books or magazines for ideas for more fingerprint art.

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 CHALKY WATER ART
Colored chalk, drawing paper, liquid starch, paintbrushes
Draw picture with chalk and then brush over it with liquid starch. Watch it glow!

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COMB PAINTING Need: Combs, cardboard, flour, paint.
1.  Cut a comb out of cardboard or use a real one.
2.  Mix flour and water to a smooth paste and add paint to color. Spread the paste on paper and draw the comb over the paint.

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 WATERCOLOR IN SALT AND GLUE
1.  Draw with white glue from a squeeze bottle on a matte board - or other cardboard type square.
2.  Squeeze out thick, bold lines.
3.  Carry the matte board to a dish tub of salt -any kind of salt (Table, Rock, Epsom - even Sugar will work)
4.  Rest the glue design in the tub of salt.
5.  Cover the glue lines with salt. Shake off excess. Repeat with more salt to be sure all the glue is nice and thick with salt.
6.  Return to the art table.
7.  Gently touch the tip of a brush covered with watercolor paint to the salt.
8.  Watch the paint color zoom through the salt. (The color diffusion part is science) You can change the application of colors any time. The colors will mix some.
9.  Let the design dry.
10. The salt & glue will dry hard and crisp.
Caution: If the matte board is handled too much, the salt will fall off and be crumbly.  You can display it with clear plastic wrap pulled over the design and taped on the back of the board -- Or in a zip lock baggie.

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 PLASTIC WRAP MAGIC
1.  Paint a picture with wet, colorful areas.
2.  While the paint is still wet and in puddles, crumple a sheet of plastic wrap and smush it down onto the wet paint.
3.  Don't move the plastic around...just press it flat onto the paint.
4.  Set the painting aside to dry for an hour.
5.  When you come back and pull off the plastic, you will discover unusual and beautiful patterns in the dry paint beneath.

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INVISABLE DRAWING
1.  Draw a design with white crayon on white paper....this is hard to do because it's difficult to see what you're drawing.
2.  Create a really wild design with lots of scribbles and dots and zigzag patterns.
3.  Paint over the top of your "invisible" drawing with bright watercolors. Like magic, the drawing will appear in all its glory.

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BUBBLE WRAP PAINTING

Need: Paper, Bubble wrap, (the type used for packing) Tempera Paint
Paint your favorite colors onto the bubble wrap. Lay your paper on the bubble wrap and gently smooth with your hands. Peel back the paper. What do you see? Tip: Bubble wrap prints would make a nice background for your next art project.

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PAINTED GLUE
Materials:
White glue
Waxed paper
Marking pens
1.  Spill glue onto waxed paper in odd shapes.
2.  Let the glue dry until it is hard and clear.
3.  Color the dried glue with fine point markers.
4.  Remove the shapes from the paper.
Hang them in windows...from mobiles...or even around your neck!

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POINTILLISM WITH Q-TIPS & WATERCOLORS

You Need: Watercolors, Q-tips, watercolor paper, drafting tape
Discuss how Georges Seurat used dots to make paintings...specifically how he used primary colors placed NEXT to each other instead of mixing colors.

•  Tape the edges of the paper with drafting tape.
• Sketch basic landscape with a pencil.
• Wet the paint with a brush, dip the q-tip in water and dip it into the paint.
• Pressing down lightly will make a small dot, more pressure will create a larger one.
• Have children try to fill up as much of the paper as possible with color.
• Remove the tape when the painting is dry.

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POINTILLISM WITH CRAYON (Age 6+)
Materials: Drawing paper, Crayons, Pencil

• Pointillism is a method of making a color by combining tiny dots of colors.
• To make an area appear green, you would fill it with points or dots of blue and yellow.
• The idea of pointillism is not to physically mix colors.
  Plan a design or picture. Sketch it on drawing paper. 'Color' each area by making dots of color. Use the point of your crayon, and place the dots close together. Remember to mix dots of 2 colors to form the color you want. Stand away from the finished picture, and you will see that the dots blend together.

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SHOE POLISH ART
Have the children draw on their paper with shoe polish applicators as if they were using giant magic markers.

• Dots can be made by picking up the applicators and then pressing them down on the paper.
• Have children use one color first; then use 2 or more colors to mix and make new colors.
• Make pastel colors by gently taking off the sponge applicator tops.
• For white shoe polish and add a few drops of food coloring.
• When the shoe polish is gone, wash out the container and refill with a watery tempera paint.

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MORE WITH SHOE POLISH ART
Materials: Plastic bottles of different colored shoe polish with sponge applicators, Colored construction paper

• Put white shoe polish onto a brown shoe polish tree and add food color into the white polish for the blossoms.
• Use brown shoe polish for puddles and glue paper pigs or ??? in the puddles.
• Make white clouds and white waves with brown sandy beaches.
• Paint white ghosts on black paper, black on orange paper.
• Snowmen, snow scenes on blue paper with white polish.
• Stripes on candy canes using red paper and white polish
• Pastel shoe polish onto ovals for Easter Eggs.
• Fill bottles with watery tempera paint when they are empty.

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BABY WIPE TIE DYE
You need:
Container of low cost baby wipes, rubber bands, watercolor markers and surgical gloves
1. Take 1 baby wipe and about 4 rubber bands for each child.
2. Tie the bands very tightly around different sections of the baby wipe. Children can roll baby wipes or fold them in different ways before they tie them.
3. Next, have them put the gloves on because it does get a little messy.
4. Place the baby wipe on some scratch paper and color between the rubber bands with the different color markers. Make sure children press the markers to the wipe --- so the ink will go all the way through.
5. Next, carefully cut the rubber bands off of the baby wipe. The results can be amazing!
6. Let them dry and then mat and hang up!

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MAKE YOUR OWN STICKERS

You Need:
Unflavored gelatin
Magazine pictures
A bowl
Measuring cups
A paintbrush
Scissors
Waxed paper

• Cut out interesting pictures from magazines.
• Next, combine a packet of gelatin with one-half cup of water. Stir to dissolve the gelatin completely.
• Now, use a paintbrush to apply the gelatin to the back of each picture. Allow the pictures to dry wet side up on a piece of waxed paper. 

To use your stickers, just lick the back of each one; and apply. Easy and fun!

Tips:
1. The small box of unflavored gelatin usually contains four packets – enough to make four batches of stickers.
2. For more fun, try turning computer printables or your own artwork into stickers.
3. Stickers made from magazine pages will not be acid-free, and therefore may not be well suited to scrapbook use.

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ONE COLOR MURALS
Choose a color you want to work with, such as red.
1.  Have the children look through magazines and tear out pictures of red items (Just the red parts-and all shades of it).
2.  Have them brush red paint on butcher paper and press the magazine pieces of red on the wet paint to create a group "red mural."
3.  Repeat the activity on other days with other colors.
4.  Can also do this on cardboard and modge podge over paper...I did one on a canvas and it really looks fantastic! It's NOT just for little kids!!! TIP: This could be an on-going project. It can take awhile to gather all the pieces of colored paper to modge podge the collage.

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RAINBOW CRAYON
1.  Hold three crayons together so their tips are flush against a table top.
2.  Tape the crayons together to make a Rainbow Crayon. Make several of these.
3.  Children can use the crayons to draw rainbows or whatever...

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PLAY DOUGH COLLAGE/SCULPTURES  An idea for play dough that is getting old
Materials: Small paper plates, play dough, feathers, pipe cleaners, pony beads, cereal with a hole in center… Directions: Give each child with a small paper plate containing a ball of play dough about the size of a golf ball.

 

• First of all--make play dough instead of buying it! When the play dough has begun to outgrow its usefulness---remember this…
•  Have the children flatten the ball out just a bit.
• Provide the children with a variety of colored feathers, pipe cleaners, googlie eyes, pony beads, cereal, nature items, etc. 
• Some things they can do: Children can wrap the pipe cleaners around pencils or their fingers to make spirals; thread the beads onto the pipe cleaners and stick the feathers and pipe cleaners into the play dough.
  Now, step back and watch them create some of the most interesting sculptures!!

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KOOL-AID ART

1.  Sprinkle Kool-aid crystals onto a piece of paper.
2.  Have children spray water from a spray bottle onto the paper.
3.  Use different colored kool-aid mix.
4.  For added adventure, you may choose to take children out into the rain with a piece of paper that has Kool-aid on it.

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INSIDE OR OUTSIDE CHALK RUBBINGS
Need: Chalk or crayon and paper

• Look for different and unique designs in outside surroundings.
• Put several small samples on a large piece of paper by placing the paper on the object and rub across it with the chalk.
• Some ideas: Trees, pavement, patio brick designs, corrugated lawn furniture, wood siding, and tile flooring. It would be great if there was masonry with form/design on it!

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SHAVING CREAM PAINTING

Materials:
Finger-paint paper or white glossy wrapping paper
Large non-menthol aerosol can of shaving cream
Powdered tempera in old salt shakers or food coloring

•  Spray shaving cream on a wet paper and allow the children to sprinkle on the color of their choose.
• They can experiment first with the color and then with the designs. OR...
• Spray the shaving cream on a table surface, plastic placemat or cookie tray.
  When each child is finished experimenting with color and shape press a paper on his or her shape.

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GLASS PRINTING
Materials: Sheets of glass with protected edges or plexiglas, Liquid tempera, Brushes, Paper, Sponges, Bowl of water
1. Let child freely paint with liquid tempera onto glass. It is a good smooth feeling.
2. When the child is finished painting, he/she may take a sheet of paper and press onto the painted glass to create a print.
3. When child is finished, they should sponge off the glass for the next child to use. Use fresh water and sponge.

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BLEEDING ART

Materials: Paper, tissue paper, spray bottles, water
Cut tissue paper into desired shapes.
Fill bottles with water.
1.  Have children place tissue paper on other paper and spray with water.
2.  Remove tissue paper to see how it bled and created designs on the construction paper.

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MASKING TAPE ART
Materials: Shiny finger-paint paper
Masking tape,
Watercolor paints
Brushes,
Small containers of water.

• Have children put pieces of masking tape on their paper in any design.
• Children paint their entire paper with watercolors.
• When the papers are dry, help the children carefully pull off the tape. The white lines that appear will separate the colors, creating interesting designs.

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SOAP CARVING: Only children who can use a butter knife confidently should do this activity, and always with adult supervision. Using CAKES OF SOAP (Ivory works well) and butter knives---carve and whittle different masterpieces. When you have finished carving wet the soap slightly and rub it with your fingers to smooth it out more. Paint your soap if you want when you are finished or just leave it as it is.

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MELTED MOBILES
Materials: Crayons, knife for crayon shavings, an iron, paper, newspaper, waxed paper, scissors, string.
1.  Shave crayons onto waxed paper.
2.  Arrange the colors by pushing them into place.
3.  Lay a piece of string at the top.
4. Cover with another piece of waxed paper.
5.  Lay newspaper over both and press with a warm iron.
6.  When wax cools, cut the waxed paper pressings into a shape you like, and hang it up.

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COLLAGE ART (It's not just for kids!!!)
1.  Cut out pictures, patterns, or shapes, then arrange them on a sheet of cardboard or heavy paper.
2.  Make interesting combinations by overlapping or rotating your collage snippets.
3.  When you have everything in the perfect spot, carefully paste each picture to the backing.
4.  Once your collage is dry, you can decorate it with markers, crayons, or pencils.

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POTATO PRINTS...Cut a potato in half and cut a shape on one of the cut ends, creating a stamp. The shape can be carved simply--- or more intricately by placing gouges within the shape for more detail. Paint the shape a bright color and press it on paper as a stamp, to make a print. Several similar prints can be made with the same shape cut on the potato.

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PRINT WITH OTHER FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Try corn, strawberries, pears, cucumbers, radishes, oranges, carrots, beans, lemon, cauliflower, pepper, avocado, mushroom and  apples!
Materials:
Paint
Flat pan for Paint
Fruits and Vegetables
Paper towels for drying fruit and vegetables
Newspapers, cloth or paper for printing.

Cut fruits and vegetables. Dip them in paint and print. That's it!

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MAKE YOUR OWN DOT TO DOT PICTURES

•  On a sheet of plain paper make a dot to dot picture for the kids. It might be a simple heart or ball shape or as elaborate as a house or animal.
• You can trace the shape from many coloring books, then just place dots about 1 inch apart and number. 
• Older kids do this a lot for the younger!

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 OUTDOORS…INVITE CHILDREN TO PAIR UP AND SIT BACK TO BACK so they can each see a different part of the grounds. In silence, have them spend 2-5 minutes carefully drawing what they see. When done, give them a few minutes to share their drawings and tell their partners about two or three things they saw.

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PAINTING WITH WATER...
When it's warm enough outside, it's fun to "paint with water" on sidewalks and rocks...Also inside on chalkboards (NO paint--just water) It's great for younger kids to practice writing!!!

• Also, try painting with a tiny brush and water on the lines of a drawing done with washable markers.
• It bleeds the "marker- marks".
• You can use a Q-tip instead of a brush, to help control "over watering" the art.

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MARSHMALLOW & TOOTHPICK SCULPTURES

An Extension of this idea:
Soak dried peas over night to be used as joints in the sculpture. The peas soften for the construction and then harden like tiny concrete balls as they dry. Advise this for ages 7 and up...You Need:
Small marshmallows, toothpicks

1. Kids make a marshmallow sculpture by sticking toothpicks into marshmallows and building up from a base.
2. Advise youth to make a square base-- by sticking 4 toothpicks into 4 marshmallows; Children then build their sculpture up from there.
3. Ask kids to try to build up and not have their sculpture lay flat on the table. (Although the younger the child the flatter the sculpture will be.

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BEAN MOSAICS

 

Materials:
Glue, paintbrushes, cardboard or any sturdy backing, dry beans (kidney, black beans, peas, lentils etc.) of different colors and sizes, pencils
1. Draw a simple shape or figure on the cardboard. Keep the details down to a minimum. Simple is good for this project.
2. Paint glue in a small portion of the design. Note: Do not use too much glue if your cardboard is not sturdy. It will curl.
3. Place beans of different colors in the portion with glue.
4. Repeat for the entire picture.
5. The result is quite beautiful and the children will have a piece of art they are proud to display.

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SEED MOSAIC IN A LID
Need: Plastic tub lids, Glue, Assorted dry beans, peas, seeds, popcorn, etc.
1.  Have children spread a layer of glue inside the tops of their plastic lids.
2. Have them place dry beans, seeds, etc. on the glue to create mosaic designs.

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EASY SEED COLLAGE
Need: Cardboard, glue, dry spaghetti paste, seeds such as corn-beans --squash -peas - lentils, etc.
1.  Sort each seed type into its own bowl or saucer.
2.  Start by spreading glue on a small area of the cardboard.
3.  Then set seeds into the glue, making your own arrangement.

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WAXED PAPER COLLAGE
Materials: Waxed paper, old wax crayons, a variety of small paper shapes
1.  Put out sheets of waxed paper, wax side-up for children.
2.  Fold the paper in half and then unfold. Have kids arrange some small paper shapes on one half of the paper.
3.  Have kids grate the crayons on top of their paper design.
4.  When done--fold the other half of the paper --- back on top of the collage.
5.  Next---lay a cotton cloth on top of the paper and iron across the cloth. The heat should melt the crayon pieces and fuse them to the wax on the paper. The finished collage can then be cut into shapes and hung on windows to catch the light.

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 CRAYON MOSAICS
Use a cheese grater to grate old or broken crayons.

• Place the crayon shavings in a container.
• Give each of the children a sheet of clear, self-stick paper with the backing removed.
• Have the children sprinkle crayon shavings onto the sticky side of their self-stick paper.
• As each child finishes, place a second sheet of clear, self-stick paper on top of the first.
• Cut the children’s Crayon Mosaics into one or more flower shapes or whatever shape they want.
  Hang the shapes in your windows.

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THINK ABOUT MOBILES...
Children love to display their art work, and a mobile is a wonderful way to do it.

• A coat hanger makes an excellent base, and is particularly easy to hang when the project is complete.
• Have children decide what they'd like to display on their mobiles. Paper birds or fish they've decorated and colored brightly? Paper Snowflakes? Hearts? Sun, Moon and Stars? Maybe they want to cut out the letters of their names in construction paper.
• As long as the items are balanced evenly on the hanger, almost anything can be used.
• Clear fishing line, yarn, or even twine can be used to hang the objects from the bottom of the coat hanger.
• Tie each string securely to prevent the items from falling off, and then display from the ceiling or window.

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GRAVEL MOSAICS
Need:
  • Large Cardboard (could be from cereal box, gift box) about 12” x 13”
  • Interesting small pieces of gravel (You will need quite a bit)
  • String or Yarn
  • Pencil
  • Simple Coloring Book or personal drawing
  • White glue in squeeze bottle
  • Scissors
  • Crayons (optional)
1. Wash and rinse the gravel (a kitchen colander helps)…Spread out on towels to dry.
2. On the cardboard, use the pencil to make an outline of a simple drawing. (Try not to be too detailed)
3. With glue, trace over the outline.
4. Press string or yard onto the glue lines, cutting where necessary to form corners and angles.
5. Glue gravel onto the picture ---filling the spaces. You can use all one color, or use different colors for different areas.
6. If you wish to have a background, use crayons to draw and color one in.

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FLOATING ART
Cut construction paper into desired shapes (Can be seasonal or holiday shapes.)

• Fill a plastic dishpan with water.
• Have the children help grate various colors of chalk into powder.
• Let each child choose 2 or 3 colors of chalk and sprinkle the powder on top of the water.
• Next have children float a sheet of paper on top of the water to absorb the chalk design.
• Hang the shapes on a line or lay flat to dry.
  For variation use India ink on top of the water instead of chalk.
  Swirl to make a design, then lay the paper on the water's surface to absorb the design.

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CONNECT THE DOTS ART...
1.  Using the end opposite the bristles on a paintbrush, dip it in tempera paint.
2.  Make dots around the paper.
3.  Then use paints or markers to draw lines to connect the dots.
4.  COLOR in the spaces.

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STRING PAINTING

1.  Dip various types and lengths of string and yarn into paint and then drag them across a piece of paper.
2.  Compare the effect created when you drag the string across wet paper.
3.  Dab paint on another piece of paper, fold and pull a piece of string through the paint.

 

 

 

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CONDENSED MILK PAINTING (Example made by Pre-K children) 
(EAGLE BRAND--NOT EVAPORATED MILK)
Can of condensed milk
Food coloring
Finger-paint paper

•  Pour condensed milk on finger-paint paper add drops of food coloring.
• Use red, blue and yellow and put a drop of red near blue and red near yellow, blue near yellow and then with one finger draw through the colors and condensed milk.
• You can talk about starting with 3 colors and having 5 when finished.
• Anytime during the activity the children can stop and "lick" their fingers.
• Young children can do this project. With smaller children you should use one color and they can use both hands. They'll think it is really fun!

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COLOR AND LIGHT WINDOW ART
Need:
Wax paper
Tissue paper
Glue diluted with water
String
1.  Paint the wax paper with the glue and water mixture.
2.  Lay pieces of tissue paper on the glue, in whatever pattern and color you wish.
3.  Lay the second piece of wax paper over the first and smooth.
4.  Attach string to hang your stained glass in a window and let the sun shine through!

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RACEWAY PAINTING

1.  Cover table with newspaper or plastic tablecloth.
2.  Have children place small amounts of tempera paint on their paper--in one or more colors.
3.  Using the car, have children "drive" the car all over the paper. (Small Die-cast cars and trucks - such as Hot Wheels).
4.  While running the tires through the paint, they'll create "car tracks" and blend the paints together.
5.  Continue with the design until they feel they are finished....Dry. You'll get some very interesting art...
6.  More fun! Fill buckets with soapy water-- have "a car wash" when done painting!

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BIO COLOR BUBBLE ART (Directions directly from Discount School Supply) In this order,

• First mix approximately ¼ cup BioColor® paint to 1 scoop (included in can) into a large container. Stir the mixture.
• Add ¼ cup warm water and stir.
• In a smaller size paint or Dixie cup, fill approximately ¼” full with BioColor®, bubble powder and water mixture.
• Place paint with BioColor® Bubble Mixture in middle of a sheet of paper.
•  Place a long straw in the cup and blow. Colorful bubbles will overflow onto the paper creating beautiful art.
  Do not oversaturate paper with bubbles.
• If bubbles begin to slow down, add small amounts of water into paint cup to keep the action going!
• Make as many different colors as you want.

 You can also place a piece of paper over the top of the bubble and get very cool effects as well.

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INSTEAD OF BRUSHES--PAINT WITH THESE...

• Squeeze bottles
• Eyedroppers
• Fly swatters
• Roll-on deodorant bottles
• Bingo dabbers/markers
• Spray bottles
• Marbles
• Spoons and forks
• String
• Cooked spaghetti noodles
• Yarn
• Bark
• Combs
• Brushes
• Tooth brushes (Flick the bristles)
• Feathers
• Ice
• Foods
• Cotton balls
• Q-tips
• Soapless scouring pads
• Sponges
• Shoe polish applicators
• Pipe cleaners
• Items from nature with a flat side: shells, rocks, leaves, twigs, branches, etc.
• Bottle caps
• Jar lids
• Crumpled Saran wrap
• Corn cobs
• Koosh balls
• Balloons
• Plastic animals (feet)
• Toy cars (roll the wheels through paint)
• Bubble wrap
• Candy "Peeps" in Spring
• Hands, fingers, arms, toes, feet
• Etc., etc.

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TIP: Start collecting PAPER TOWEL TUBES to transport art! When children have something they want to transport without wrinkling, tubes work great! The tubes can be decorated with paint, markers, glitter, stickers, construction paper and crayons. Roll their pictures up and put inside to take home or to class. This also works to get homework "projects" back and forth.

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TIP: MAKE AN ART PALLETE
Glue several milk caps to the inside of the plastic lid. When painting...fill each lid with a different color.

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TIP: PIZZA BOX ART PORTFOLIO
Ask your local pizza shops to donate some unused pizza boxes for your program. (You may need to contact several to get one for each child)They may charge you a quarter per box. Each child can decorate the box & write their name on it. CHILDREN'S ART WORK WILL BE SAVED--AND BOXES STACK NEATLY...
At times, if a purchased pizza is immediately removed from the box--the box may be clean enough to recycle!

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TIP: PRESERVING CHALK DRAWINGS...
Children love to color with chalk, but their pictures can be ruined if the chalk smears. Protect children´s creations by coating them lightly with hair spray.

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ELEVEN THINGS TO COLLECT FOR  COLLAGE ART... (Some really do make nice works of art such as this sample made from vacation bits!)

1. Torn up bits of old paintings and drawings you don't want to keep.
2. Labels from boxes, cans, candy bars and bottles (Soak them off then dry them). 3. Used postage stamps, especially from all over the world.
4. Shiny Mylar foil balloons that have gone flat.
5. Short pieces of string, yarn, thread, twine, ribbon and lace (Short pieces...don't keep too much).
6. Words cut out of magazine headlines and ads.
7. Maps.
8. Broken jewelry.
9. Seeds from flowers, kitchen spices, leftover garden stuff.                 
10. Used tickets from shows and sports events.
11. Things you can glue--- collected from trips/vacations.

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Go to Page 2  for more wonderful Art Ideas! Display Walls also there!

Click here for creative paint and coloring recipes!

Return to top of page!

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We have so many wonderful ideas (now up to 80!) that we moved into page 2!

FLY SWATTER PAINTING: Fly swatters dipped in a paint filled Styrofoam meat tray leaves a lovely patterned effect on the paper when the children hit it... Children really like this activity. Caution: Wear T-shirt cover-ups; use washable paint & do it outside!!!!

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INDIVIDUAL ABSTRACT ART (Blow Painting)

1.  Mix up runny paint in one color or different  colors.
2.  Drop several large dollops onto paper.
3.  Then, using a straw, have the children blow the paint into lines and squiggles so all the colors mix and overlap.

  If you like, you can leave as is or turn your shape into anything you want!

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Blow Paintings Display Wall 

 

A bright and colorful display, showing  children's wonderful blow painting work. Contributed by Mona Kawra at Display Photos

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SPIDER PAINTING (Similar to 'to the Abstarct Art' above-but wet into wet technique)
Need watercolor paints, #7 soft-bristle brush, container of water, small sponge, paper towel, paint cloth, straw

•Make one side of the paper wet with the sponge.
•Fill the brush with one color of paint and drop a small amount of paint on the paper.
•Blow through the straw---the drop of paint around the paper.
•Blow in several directions by moving the paper around.
•Repeat the steps many times--using related colors--that will blend and make "other" colors.
•When it's dry, you can outline shapes with a black line brush or black crayon......or....cover the paper with a wash of one or more colors.

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 BLOTTO ART Ages 4-10
There is no right way a blotto should turn out. Blottos are much like a snowflake --- no two will ever be the same.
You Need:
Paper- any kind-but the thicker the better
Water-based paint (watercolor, tempera, poster paint)
Scissors
Glue
A number of paper squares and rectangles in various sizes. 5"x 5", 7" x8", 3"x2", etc.

• Crease each paper square in the middle so that later you can fold them easily.
• Sprinkle a few drops of paint onto one side of the crease.
• Fold the paper on the creased line with the paint inside. Press down with your hand.
• When the paper is opened, interesting shapes will appear.
• Work with the blottos and arrange them into a larger picture, allowing whatever comes into your mind to take over.
• Glue the blottos down onto a larger paper to create a big blotto work of art!
  From: kinderart.com

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 BLINDFOLD PAINTING
Put a blindfold over children's eyes. Have child then feel the brushes, paper and area before starting. Children then paint without seeing what they are doing. It's suggested  to do this with small groups at a time.

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MELTED CRAYON CREATIONS: Need: 9"x12" or 12"x19" white paper, pieces of old crayons-- an iron, water color paints, #12 soft-bristle paint brush, container of water, paper towel, paint cloth and pad of newspapers

• Fold white paper in half width-wise.
• Open the folded white paper and lay it flat on the working surface.
• With any old grater, grate the crayons into very small pieces.
• Sprinkle the grated crayons on one side of the white paper. Crayon pieces can be spread randomly or in specific areas of pattern.
• Fold the other half of the paper over onto the crayon side.
• Put this on the pad of newspapers. You're ready to iron it with a warm iron.
• Open it immediately after ironing so the  halves do not stick together.
• You can now use these crayon lines to make designs/accent lines or things such as butterflies or bugs. (Drawing around the melted crayons)
• When complete, paint a watercolor wash over the entire surface of the picture using one or more colors.

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 PAINT WITH COTTON BALLS
Materials: Spring-type clothespins, cotton balls, paint, small containers, paper, tape
Preparation: Pour paint into small containers. Tape paper to table. Clip a cotton ball to the end of each clothespin.
Using the clothespins as handles, have the children dip the cotton balls into paint and then spread it on their papers.
Tip: When the cotton balls start to get stringy from too much paint, replace them with fresh ones.

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COTTON BALL ART
Materials: Cotton balls, Powdered tempera, Paper, Water, Bowls, Brushes
1. Give each child a piece of paper.
2. Using cotton balls, draw or dab on the paper with dry tempera.
3. After completing the dry tempera drawing, have each child paint the entire paper using water and a brush.
4. Let the children experiment with this medium. Colors will combine and change right before their eyes.

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PAINTED GLASS

 Windows...Give children's imagination a workout with this simple paint mixture that turns any large-paned window into a canvas for their art masterpieces

 

1.  Take 2 parts liquid dishwashing detergent to 1 part powdered tempera paint and blend until creamy.
2.  Mix up several colors and let them paint right on the window.
3.  Be sure to cover the floor if painting indoors - so it washes up with a sponge and water.
Sample window is creation of Moremomtime

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NAIL BOARD DESIGNS 
Materials: Nails, Wood, Hammer, String or rubber bands

Have an adult or older child hammer nails into a piece of wood in a random design, pattern, rows or circles. The more nails the more creative the children can be. The child can then take the bands and/or string and hook them over the nails to create interesting patterns and designs.

 

 

PERSONALITY HANDS (Who says handprint art is only for very young children! This project proves differently!
 
Materials: 12x18" white paper, sharpie, markers, scissors, black paper
First trace hands 6 - 8 times on a sheet of 12x18" white paper.
Using a marker, draw patterns, symbols, shapes, etc. that reflect your personality. Problem solving is part of this project, as youth must decide how to incorporate the overlapping fingers.
Color the negative space in between the fingers black, and anywhere it will be difficult to get to with scissors.
Cut out around the outside of the hands and glue on black paper. Samples by Whitney and Jimmy, 5th Grade-students of Art teacher Michal Austin in Kansas

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PICTURE TRANSFERS
Supplies: Paint brush, undiluted evaporated milk, comic sections (or magazines), spoon
1.  Dip paint brush in evaporated milk and lightly paint over the desired pictures from a magazine or comic.
2.  Quickly cover this painted area with a blank piece of paper and rub the paper firmly with the back part of a spoon.
3.  Just like magic the picture has transferred to the clean paper in clear detail!

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OUTSIDE CHALK RUBBINGS

Need Chalk or crayon and paper
Send the kids out to look for different and unique designs in their surroundings. Have them put several small samples on a large piece of paper by placing the paper on the object and rub across it with the chalk. 
Here are some ideas to give them:
   • Trees, pavement, patio brick designs, corrugated lawn furniture, wood siding, and tile flooring. 
   • It would be great if there was masonary with form/design on it!

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PAINTING OUTSIDE...

KOOSH BALL, FLY SWATTER AND WHATEVER PAINTING
Hang a long piece of bulletin board paper on your outside fence. Place pans of paint and Koosh balls, blown up balloons and fly swatters on the ground. (Good idea to place all on a plastic drop cloth of some type) 

Encourage the children to throw, swat and stamp the paper!  If possible have the children do this activity in the bathing suits so you can hose them off when they are done.

This sample is from an outside summer birthday party--it's also great fun if there is a toddler or two visiting.  One two year old--spent most of 2 hours walking back and forth dipping a balloon bottom in the paint and stamping! (Barb)

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FISH WEAVING

Children weave on paper plates which are joined together to make the scales of a fish.
Photograph of Display Wall is by Lisa Tregellas at Display Photos 

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YARN BOWL

1. Blow up a balloon to the size of your choice. Place the ballon on a bowl.
2. Cut strands of yarn 12 and more inches long.(The heavier the yarn the better)
3. Soak the yarn in a bowl of white glue. When thoroughly drenched, lift the yarn from bowl and sqeeze the excess glue between finger and thumb.
4. Place the yarn and cover only half of the balloon layering and overlapping the pieces (whichever direction you choose.)
5. Continue doing this until an entire  half of the balloon is covered in yarn. Leave the upper half of the balloon bare.
6. The yarn will take 24 to 48 hours to dry. When completely dry--break the balloon. You now have a wonderful lacy bowl to hold ribbons, scarves or whatever!

Tips: This bowl can also be made using liquid startch instead of glue; however, I have not made one using starch. Alos, instead of a balloon, a bowl or ball may also be used as the form. However, the balloon is the easiest to remove the bowl, once it has dried... Photographs courtesy of artist and teacher Shannon Stewart of Stetson Hills School-Phoenix, AZ.

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MAKE A CRAYON AND PAINT PICTURE

1. Draw a scene (such as a beach) on a piece of paper using crayons.
2.  Lightly color in the blue sky, the light brown sand, and the bright beach towels and umbrellas.
3. Now recolor the picture using watercolor paints. Use blue paint over the blue crayon, light brown paint over the light brown crayon, and the same paint colors over the bright beach towels and umbrellas. Let the paint dry.

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TESSELLATION PICTURE

1. Draw a grid of nine squares (the first picture has 16) on a piece of drawing paper. On the left side of one square, draw a curvy line. Repeat that same line on the left side of each square.

2. Now draw a different curvy line at the top of the first square. Then draw the curvy line at the top of each remaining square. Take a look at the squares to see what the shape is starting to look like.
 

3. Fill in more lines to create a shape, repeating the same line in each square. Each line creates part of the next square's design. When you are done, you should have the same shape in each square. Color in your design using colored pencils. (Samples are courtesy of the  fourth grade class of Shannon Stewart)

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TAKE A DRAWING BREAK!
Have 5-10 minutes to kill?
Have Kids...

Draw their shoe. Draw their lunch. Draw their teacher. Draw a friend. Draw their hand holding something. Draw a small object big. Draw a car. Draw a dream. Draw a nightmare. Draw a leaf. Draw themself...

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(This is page 2--Back to Page 1 of Art Ideas!
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Have great fun with paint using all kinds of ingredients! Pudding, Corn Syrup, Kool-Aid, Yogurt, Soap, Powdered Milk and more!

 

 KOOL-AID PAINT
2 packages unsweetened Kool-aid
2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
3 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons oil
Mix dry ingredients together, then add wet ingredients. Paint.

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EAGLE BRAND MILK PAINT
Add food coloring to Eagle Brand Condensed Milk and create paint. When the "paint" dries on paper, it will be shiny.

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CORN STARCH PAINT
   • Add cold water to 3/4 cup cornstarch to make a smooth, THICK paste. Stir in boiling water until mixture is DESIRED consistency. It should be thick and nearly clear. 
   • Spoon mixture into paint cups and stir 3 or 4 teaspoons of liquid tempera into each cup. This nearly drip-less paint is ready to use for painting... or finger-painting; Store unused paint in refrigerator.

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POPSICLE PAINT
Materials:
2 tsp. powdered tempera paint
1/3 cup water
Wax-coated paper cup
Craft stick
Plastic wrap

1. Mix paint and water together.
2. Pour the mixture into a wax coated paper cup.
3. Cover the cup with plastic wrap, then insert the craft stick through the plastic wrap in the center of the cup.
4. Place the cup in the freezer and freeze until solid.
5. Remove the paper cup and plastic wrap from the Freeze Pop Paint.
6. Dip the paint into water and paint on white paper.

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FOUR RECIPES FOR FLOUR PAINT

QUICK AND EASY  MICROWAVE PUFF PAINT
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon self-rising flour
Few little drops of food coloring
1 tablespoon salt
Add some water till it a smooth paste.
1.  Use this to paint on a thick sheet of cardboard.
You can also use Q-Tips if not enough brushes...
Microwave the design on high for 10 - 30 seconds until the paint puffs and it is dry.

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PUFF PAINT #2
1 c. water
1 c. flour
1 c. salt
Separate into different squirt bottles and add POWDERED TEMPERA PAINT to create a rainbow of colors.
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PUFF PAINT #3
Salt, Flour. Water, Tempera Paint
Mix equal amounts of flour, salt and water. Add LIQUED TEMPERA paint for color. Pour mixture into squeeze bottles and paint. Mixture hardens in a puffy shape.
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FLOUR FINGER PAINT #4
This fingerpaint has a wonderfully thick texture and makes great finger paintings.
1.  Combine 2 cups flour and 4 cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl.
2.  Heat in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, or until thickened, making sure to stir the mixture every 30 seconds. (Or cook in a saucepan over low heat until thickened.)
3.  Add a pinch of salt.
4.  Mix in food coloring or tempera paint until finger-paint is the desired color.
5.  Cool and store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
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EDIBLE FINGER PAINT
Ingredients:
3 Tbs. Sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups cold water
Mix sugar and cornstarch. Add 2 cups of cold water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thick. Add food coloring

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INVISIBLE PAINT
Materials:
4T (60ml) Cup of water
4T (60ml) baking soda
Cotton swab (Q Tip)
Sheet of white paper
Purple grape juice
1.  To make the paint, dissolve the baking soda in the water.
2.   Dip the cotton swab in the cup and paint a picture.
Hard to see?
3.  Simply brush over the picture with purple grape juice. The picture mysteriously appears in blue-green colors.

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SOAP CRAYONS Ingredients: Ivory soap flakes, food coloring, water, plastic ice cube trays 
Pour 1/8 cup of water into a measuring cup.  Fill to the one cup mark with soap flakes. Mix until you have a thick paste. Add several drops of food color. You'll find that you don't have to use much. Press spoonfuls of soap into the ice cube tray.

 
Repeat this with several different colors. Let it dry for a few days

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SCRATCH & SNIFF PAINT RECIPE
1.  Mix flavored gelatin or Kool aid package into half the water suggested in the package directions.
2.  Paint with the scented mixture and allow to dry. You will have a scratch and sniff painting...
TIP: Careful, gelatin (especially red) stains hands and clothing...

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CHOCOLATE FINGER PAINT

1  (4 oz.) pkg. instant chocolate pudding & pie filling
2  Cup cold milk

   • Put pudding mix and milk in a medium size bowl. 
   • Beat with electric mixer at low speed for two minutes. 
   • Let set until it thickens. Finger paint on white construction paper and let dry for several hours.
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VANILLA EDIBLE FINGER PAINT
Instant Vanilla Pudding
Food Coloring
Mix pudding according to directions. Add food coloring for desired color.

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COFFEE SCENTED PAINT...
1.  Dry used coffee grounds and add them to finger-paint.
2.  You'll get the smell of coffee with a texture...
     Good for younger children when studying the five senses.

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SHAVING CREAM PAINTING--USING SHAMPOO INSTEAD!...

Mix 3 teaspoons Shampoo with a small amount of water in a mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer until it becomes like shaving cream. Add food coloring for color... Smells much better than shaving cream!

 **Of course you can also use aerosol (non-menthol) to spread around and use to "paint"...

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EDIBLE YOGURT FINGER PAINT: Non-toxic and can be kept/restored in fridge using the yogurt container. Use plain yogurt and mix with a few drops of food coloring. Dries shiny and with texture.

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WINDOW PAINT

To paint a scene on your windows use the following recipe and paint is easily removed. Give each child a window to decorate.
2 Tbsp powdered tempera paint
1 Tbsp warm water
1 tsp Joy dish washing liquid

• Measure powdered paint into a container.
• Mix in water thoroughly to achieve a smooth paste.
• Add JOY, mixing completely, but gently, to avoid making paint too sudsy.
• Use masking tape to protect the window frame and be sure to spread newspaper around to protect the area.
• To remove paint or touch up mistakes just wipe it off with a dry paper towel.
• Tip: Paint with one color at a time and allow it to dry before going to the next color.
• This dries on windows in 5 - 10 minutes.
• Washes off easily with a solution of water and vinegar

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GLITTER
Mix together 5-6 drops of food coloring and 1/2 c. salt---stir well.
Cook in microwave for 1-2 minutes or spread out on a piece of waxed paper to air-dry.
Store in an airtight container...

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SQUEEZE BOTTLE GLITTER
1 part flour
1 part salt
1 part water

• Mix equal parts of flour, salt and water.
• Pour into plastic squeeze bottles.
• Add liquid coloring for variety.
• Squeeze onto heavy construction paper or cardboard.
• The salt gives the designs a glistening quality when dry.

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POWDERED MILK PAINT
Ingredients:
1 part powdered nonfat milk
1 part cup water
powdered tempera
1.  Mix milk and water until milk is dissolved.
2.  Separate mixture into different containers.
3.  Add in different colored powdered tempera and mix.
4.  This paint dries quickly to a glossy opaque finish and does not dust, chip or come off on your hands.

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PAINT WITH WATER

   • When it's warm outside, it's fun to "paint with water" on sidewalks and rocks...

   • Also inside on chalkboards (NO paint--just water)

   • It's great for younger kids to practice writing!!!

   • Try painting with a tiny brush and water on the lines of a drawing done with washable markers. It bleeds the "marker- marks". You can use a Q-tip instead of a brush, to help control "over watering" the art.

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*Idea: PAINT WITH CORN SYRUP

 

Just add a few drops of food coloring to a teaspoon of white corn syrup.

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Idea: USE CHALK AND LIQUID STARCH!
Draw your pictures with chalk and then brush over them with liquid starch.

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SIDE WALK PAINT

A fun alternative to chalk!

 

• You will need equal portions of water and corn starch.
• Mix well.
• Add a drop of your favorite food coloring color!
• Paint this wonderful concoction on the sidewalk. Give it a few minutes to dry and you'll have a wonderful work of ART!  (Cornstarch Paint in cupcake tins photo from Craft Addict) 

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SIDEWALK CHALK 
1/3 cp Plaster of Paris (Quick setting) 
3 t. water
1 T. paint
Glitter (optional)
Mix all ingredients.
Scoop into empty toilet paper tube.
Let set for 20 minutes.
Peel off cardboard. Let dry for one day.

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HOMEMADE WATER COLORS
4 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon glycerin (available at your local pharmacy)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Red, blue, yellow food coloring
1. Mix the vinegar and baking soda in a small bowl or jar until mixture stops foaming.
2.  Add the glycerin and cornstarch and stir thoroughly.
3.  Pour the mixture into small containers or paint box compartments.
4.  Now you can experiment with color by adding a few drops of food coloring to each individual container.
5.  Mix each color thoroughly and leave (preferably overnight) to set.

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RICE FINGER PAINT (Good for Toddlers to Pre-K)
Mix baby rice cereal with water and food coloring.

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HOMEMADE WASHABLE PAINT to stretch liquid tempera paint...
Materials
Liquid Tempera Paint
Ivory Snow or Dreft Liquid Detergent
1. mix 3/4 cups of paint to 1/4 cup liquid detergent
2. stir well
**This mixture is economical and as good as the commercial washable paint.

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SPRAY KOOL-AID
Sprinkle kool-aid crystals onto a piece of paper. Have children spray water from a spray bottle onto the paper. Use different colored kool-aid mix.

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UNCOOKED LAUNDRY STARCH PAINT
Mix 1 cup laundry/liquid starch, 1 cup cold water, and 3 cups soap
flakes to provide a quick fingerpaint.

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DRY LAUNDRY STARCH PAINT

1 cup  dry laundry starch
1 cup  mild soap powder
2 Tb. powdered tempera
1 cup water
Combine all ingredients. Beat the mixture until it is smooth. Add more water if mixture is too thick.

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 MAKE NEW CUPCAKE TIN CRAYONS

  1.  Take the paper off old crayons
2.  Break them into pieces.
3.  Spray muffin/cupcake tins with nonstick spray or lightly coat with oil----OR---Line the cups of a miniature muffin tin with aluminum foil cupcake liners of regular liners 3 each deep.
4.  Put crayon pieces into muffin tins and melt in an oven at 250 degrees until just melted ...you can mix the crayons in the tins but you may want to have separate colors as well.

 

Let tins cool...
Turn over and rap back of tins hard.
**You can use a toothpick to make a swirl effect in the wax before it cools. Just be careful, the wax is very HOT!

 

 

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WANT TO ADD TEXTURE TO YOUR PAINT?

Try adding:
  • Coffee grounds
  • Salt
  • Rice
  • Soap Flakes
  • Syrup
  • Cornmeal
  • Oatmeal
  • Sugar
  • Glue
  • Sand
  • Baby Powder
  • Glitter
  • Baking Powder
  • Flour
  • Non Menthol Shaving Cream

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FOUR FACE PAINT RECIPES

FACE PAINT #1 (Clown Paint)
1/8 cup Baby Lotion
1/4 tsp. powdered Tempera paint
1 squirt liquid dishwashing soap
This is easily removed by soap and water.
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FACE PAINT RECIPE #2 (For six colors)
6 tablespoons of corn starch; divided
3 tablespoons of water; divided
3 tablespoons of cold cream; divided
6 cup muffin tin
Food coloring
1.  In each cup of the muffin tin put 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon of cold cream, and 1/2 teaspoon of water.
2.  Add a different color food coloring to each cup.
3.  Mix well.
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FACE PAINT #3 (For one color)
Materials
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. water
1/2 tsp. cold cream
Food coloring
1.  Mix cornstarch and cold cream together until smooth.
2.  Mix in water and food coloring. Use a small brush to paint designs on the children's faces.
3.  Store in an airtight container.
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FACE PAINT #4
Materials
1 Tbs. Crisco shortening
2 Tbs. cornstarch
Food coloring
1.  Mix all ingredients together until smooth.
2.  Use sponge or fingers to apply to face.
3.  Wash with soap and water.

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EDIBLE FRUIT LIP GLOSS
Materials:

• Flavored drink mix
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• Food coloring
• Small container such as a film container
  1. Mix one packet of drink mix with shortening.
  2. Add in a few drops of food coloring that matches the flavor. ie: yellow for lemon.
  3. Pack in small container, such as a film container, and you have wonderful tasting and smelling lip gloss. Of course the lip gloss is edible should some accidentally be licked off.
  

  

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  Coloring pasta is easy to do and gives kids something bright and beautiful to work with. Once the pasta is colored and dried, it can be used for crafts, art work, collages, necklaces and more!

  COLORING PASTA RECIPE #1
  Pour approximately 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol into each bowl.
  Add 10 or so drops of food coloring into each bowl, one bowl for each color.
  Drop the pasta into the bowl and stir gently with a spoon for a few seconds.
  Remove the pasta from the bowl and allow to dry for several hours on a paper plate or paper towel.
  The colors will brighten as the pasta dries.

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COLORING PASTA #2...
1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol
1 tablespoon of food coloring of your choice
2 cups of pasta of your choice
1 quart zip lock freezer bag
Large paper grocery bags, paper towel, or paper plates to dry the pasta after colored...
Pour alcohol and food coloring in a Ziplock freezer bag. Zip it and shake to mix...when mixed add the pasta.
Make sure the bag is zipped; turn the bag over and over on the table to evenly coat the pasta.
 Leave pasta in the bag for about an hour.
Turn it over after 30 minutes to evenly coat it.
Pour it out onto the paper bags, towel or plates... dry over night.

Children can do this for you. Just put the alcohol into the bags ahead of time. Provide 1 cup measuring cups and measuring spoons. Let the children choose the color and the pasta to put in their bags. Make sure all bags or closed tight. An adult needs to pour the pasta out to dry.

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COLORED RICE
Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked, white rice
1 teaspoon alcohol
Food coloring
Directions
1.  Combine the alcohol with four or five drops of food coloring in a plastic zipper bag.
2.  Add rice and shake until color is evenly distributed.
3.  Spread colored rice onto a cookie sheet and let dry. (If it's sunny and not windy, rice can be dried outside.)
Suggestions:  Glue onto construction paper to create unique pictures.

 

MIXING PAINT COLORS to get what you want...

   • Red + White = Pink 
   • Purple (mix red + blue) + White = Lilac 
   • Orange (mix red + yellow) + White = Peach 
   • Black + White = Gray 
   • Green + White = Mint Green 
   • Blue + White = Sky Blue 
   • Yellow + White = Pale Yellow 
   • Blue + Green = Turquoise 
   • Red + Green + Blue = Brown 
   • Orange + Red = Red-Orange 
   • Purple + Red = Fushcia 
   • Brown + Black = Dark Brown

TIP: INSTEAD OF BRUSHES--PAINT WITH THESE...

• Squeeze bottles
• Eyedroppers
• Fly swatters
• Roll-on deodorant bottles
• Bingo dabbers/markers
• Spray bottles
• Marbles, ping pong balls, golf balls 
• Spoons and forks
• String
• Cooked spaghetti noodles
• Yarn
• Bark
• Combs
• Brushes
• Tooth brushes (Flick the bristles)
• Feathers
• Ice
• Foods (Fruit and Vegetables)
• Cotton balls
• Q-tips
• Soap-free scouring pads
• Sponges
• Shoe polish applicators
• Pipe cleaners
• Items from nature with a flat side: shells, rocks, leaves, twigs, branches, etc.
• Bottle caps
• Jar lids
• Crumpled Saran wrap
• Corn cobs
• Koosh balls
• Balloons
• Plastic animals (feet)
• Toy cars (roll the wheels through paint)
• Bubble wrap
• Candy "Peeps" in Spring
• Hands, fingers, arms, toes, feet

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NATURAL DYES
You can get color by collecting items from nature, such as grasses, leaves, and berries!
1.  Cut a 7" x 14" piece of muslin.
2.  Place the items on one half of the fabric, then fold the other half over.
3.  Have the children pound the items through the muslin with a small hammer or mallet. This will make a wonderful hanging.

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Click for two pages of 70 great ART Activity Ideas! Tons of creative ideas!

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Childhood is a time of exploration.  It is a time for children to discover themselves and the world...Most young children have  natural enthusiasm for art. A lump of clay or a brush at the easel allows children to communicate through their artistic endeavors.

Pause awhile and enjoy the images on these pages. Our artists are chidren from Stetson Hills School in Phoenix, Arizona; their talented teacher is Shannon Stewart.

This category is also a resource to show what children at different ages and stages can do! Some may surprise you...Take back ideas and encourage individual expression and experimentation in the children with whom you work!

 

IMAGES BY GRADE 1 (The above "Wax Relsist" Memaid is also Grade 1)

 

Gum Ball Machine

 

Cactus: Construction paper, water color, torn tissue paper, tooth picks or pasta

GRADE 2 ART

 

      Paper Plate Weaving

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 GRADE THREE

 

 

 

Wax Resist

 

Pencil Drawing & Crayon

 

For some of Shannon's  ideas with photographs on this site visit:

• Balloon and Yarn Bowls
• Making Paper Pulp
• Paper Pulp Necklaces/Ornaments
• Make Art using Words and Letters

Go to Page 2~grades 4-8 Art Gallery..

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Art images courtesy of Ms. Shannon Stewart, Artist and Instructor...and
Stetson Hills Students, Phoenix, Arizona
For Intro and art work visit  Page 1-Grades 1 to 3...

IMAGES  GRADE 4

A Tessellation Picture~ Directions on Art: Page 2 (page bottom) 

 

 

 

 

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GRADE 5

 

 

 

 

 

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GRADE 6

  

Tryptych Art 

 

 

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GRADES 7-8

 

  

Grid Paintings

Guitar Pick

 

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For some of Shannon's  ideas and photographs on this site visit:

• Balloon and Yarn Bowls
• Making Paper Pulp
• Paper Pulp Necklaces/Ornaments
• Make Art using Words & Letters

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Have fun combining  letters and words and turning it into works of art... so many ideas from the simple to more intricate.

Unless otherwise indicated, images on this page come from 1st to 7th grade students of Shannon Stewart at Stetson Elementary School in Phoenix.

Now...challenge your kids to see what they  come up with!

 

                                                                       Car-Tires

Whale~Tail~Flipper

 

"Word Snap Shot"~ Collage using words and simple  drawing

Cloud-Heat-Sun

 

Shoes- By-Lace

 

               Name Quilts~Grade 1

                        First Names

  

 

 What do you see first? The word or the picture...RAT (TAil)?

Flame

 

First Name worked into Design

 

 This is how to do this...

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This display wall sample is from Display Photos. Children used pastels to draw their nicknames or initials in the style of graffiti writing. Graffiti  responsibly was also discussed.

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