Creative Art Ideas that can be adapted to use with any theme or topic Make a mask (paper plates, grocery bag, cardboard, use pop stick or similar for handle Print with objects (sponges, washable shapes and toys, cookie cutters..) Creative junk structures (cardboard, pop sticks, recyclables, tape, yarn, egg cartons, Styrofoam…) Crayon resist wash with diluted watercolor over thick crayon drawing (use colors, subjects related to themes) Glued collage with colors and objects related to theme (tissue, glitter, doilies, construction paper shapes…) String theme shapes alternately with cut straw pieces on yarn or string. Play doh in various colors and scents – can make snake shapes, balls, eggs, insects with pipe cleaner legs… Crayon rubbings – cut a theme related shape out of card, tape to back of paper, rub sides of crayons over front of paper. Use for bark, leaves, cement, brick, furniture, fences etc Egg carton creations - use top or bottom or both. Make insects, animals, eggs, finger puppets, flowers etc. Painting with different kinds of “brushes” – feathers, cotton swabs, finger tips, cotton balls, conifer twigs, balled up tissues etc Create a “hat” – can be a stapled construction paper strip with ears, a crown, a stapled cone, a decorated donut shape, a headband with 8 zigzag spider legs etc A simple mobile – can be one created item hanging from a piece of yarn, several hanging from a coat hanger or straw etc. Hang from the top of a door opening, or in front of a window where the breeze can move it. Sprinkle things on glue – sand, birdseed, Kool-Aid powder, powdered tempera, cornmeal, salt, pumpkin seeds, popcorn, glitter. Can use a spoon, or fingers. Glue different colored shapes of construction paper to make a mosaic. Make a collage with computer clipart or magazine pictures related to the theme. Weaving – yarn around a paper plate; natural items like leaves and grass through twigs or small braches; weave yarn and a safe needle through burlap or plastic mesh; weave crepe paper strips through a chain link fence etc Finger painting – with liquid tempera mixed with Joy soap on a laminate surface; use shave cream with drips of food coloring; use foam paint Liquid watercolor painting with small brushes using theme colors – gold and silver add a stylish touch Paint on glass windows or doors with spray on foam paint or liquid tempera with a dollop of Joy or Dawn added. Use brushes, fingers, sponge rollers etc. The kids can clean up with a LOT of paper towels. Lacing colorful yarn through paper punch holes around paper theme shape. Chalk – drawing, blending, and scribbling. Chalk can also be dipped in water, or used on wet paper for a different effect. Drawing or painting while listening to theme related music or recorded sounds. Designing wrapping paper, cards and placemats for occasions and holidays. Make shakers from stapled paper plates, or paper towel tubes with the ends covered, in theme colors. Use lots of colorful streamers to decorate. Paint with brushes on easel with theme colors; add glitter, scents or textures to paint. Paint or draw a cooperative mural on BIG paper on the wall. Wax paper art (perhaps cut in the shape of a theme object such as a bird or butterfly. Glue on tissue pieces so that they are touching. Add glitter, yarn, feathers etc. You can peel it off when it is completely dry if you wish. Construct with popsicle sticks or tongue depressors. Tape together, or make a 2 dimensional design by taping or gluing on paper. Eye dropper dripping liquid water colors on paper towels or coffee filters in theme colors. Drop blobs of theme colors on paper folded in the middle. Fold closed, and squish the paint. Older children can trace around cardboard theme shapes with markers. Superimpose several to make a design