Creative Art Ideas
that can be adapted to use with any theme or topic
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Make a mask (paper plates, grocery bag, cardboard, use pop stick or similar for handle
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Print with objects (sponges, washable shapes and toys, cookie cutters..)
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Creative junk structures (cardboard, pop sticks, recyclables, tape, yarn, egg cartons, Styrofoam…)
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Crayon resist wash with diluted watercolor over thick crayon drawing (use colors, subjects related to themes)
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Glued collage with colors and objects related to theme (tissue, glitter, doilies, construction paper shapes…)
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String theme shapes alternately with cut straw pieces on yarn or string.
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Play doh in various colors and scents – can make snake shapes, balls, eggs, insects with pipe cleaner legs…
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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
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Egg carton creations - use top or bottom or both. Make insects, animals, eggs, finger puppets, flowers etc.
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Painting with different kinds of “brushes” – feathers, cotton swabs, finger tips, cotton balls, conifer twigs, balled up tissues etc
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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
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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.
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Sprinkle things on glue – sand, birdseed, Kool-Aid powder, powdered tempera, cornmeal, salt, pumpkin seeds, popcorn, glitter. Can use a spoon, or fingers.
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Glue different colored shapes of construction paper to make a mosaic.
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Make a collage with computer clipart or magazine pictures related to the theme.
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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
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Finger painting – with liquid tempera mixed with Joy soap on a laminate surface; use shave cream with drips of food coloring; use foam paint
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Liquid watercolor painting with small brushes using theme colors – gold and silver add a stylish touch
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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.
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Lacing colorful yarn through paper punch holes around paper theme shape.
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Chalk – drawing, blending, and scribbling. Chalk can also be dipped in water, or used on wet paper for a different effect.
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Drawing or painting while listening to theme related music or recorded sounds.
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Designing wrapping paper, cards and placemats for occasions and holidays.
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Make shakers from stapled paper plates, or paper towel tubes with the ends covered, in theme colors. Use lots of colorful streamers to decorate.
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Paint with brushes on easel with theme colors; add glitter, scents or textures to paint.
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Paint or draw a cooperative mural on BIG paper on the wall.
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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.
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Construct with popsicle sticks or tongue depressors. Tape together, or make a 2 dimensional design by taping or gluing on paper.
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Eye dropper dripping liquid water colors on paper towels or coffee filters in theme colors.
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Drop blobs of theme colors on paper folded in the middle. Fold closed, and squish the paint.
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Older children can trace around cardboard theme shapes with markers. Superimpose several to make a design
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