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For parents who are riding out the global pandemic at home with kids for as long as necessary, finding crafts and fun activities for kids to do can be a challenge. Many of us expect to be working from home while navigating distance learning or homeschooling. Between the lessons, deadlines, assignments, and meetings, you may find yourself missing out on those special moments with your child.
One fun way for families to reconnect is through hands-on activities kid-friendly arts and crafts. If you're looking for ways to stay busy during downtime, here are 8 art project ideas to do with your kids at home.
Easy, at-home art projects and activities for toddlers and young kids
Tape-resist art is perfect for young children.
When my youngest was a toddler, we did a lot of tape-resist artwork. The mess was minimal, and I could set him up with the materials while I sat nearby as he took complete ownership of the activity. Simply tape sections of canvas with either duct tape or painters tape, hand them some paints, and let them create. Consider taping off the first letter of their name or a geometric design. I got a little bit more ambitious one afternoon and taped off sections in the shape of a bridge as an interpretation of The Water Lily Pond by Monet.
Get a head-start on Halloween with a fun mask.
I know you're tired of hearing about DIY masks by now, but hear me out. We're not talking about cloth face coverings this time, but yes, those are still important. How about making a fun face mask with your kids? No one knows what Halloween is going to look like this year, but don't let that stop you and your kids from creating a few fun play masks together. Experimenting with materials and creating artistic masterpieces like play masks is a great way to get your child to use their imagination and expand their storytelling skills.
In an interview with PBS.org, MaryAnn Kohl spoke about the benefits of teaching art to kids. “The kind of people society needs to make it move forward are thinking, inventive people who seek new ways and improvements, not people who can only follow directions,” the author and educator said. “Art is a way to encourage the process and the experience of thinking and making things better."
Log on for these free online art classes for kids
Combine music and art with Yo-Yo-Ma!
Beloved artists, author Mo Willems and musician Yo-Yo Ma, collaborated to bring art and music to kids during the lockdown. The Yo-Yo Mo Show: An Evening of Doodling combines drawing and music appreciation for families looking for a great way to wind down after a busy day. Willems, an acclaimed children's author and illustrator, also offers free online art classes for kids with his Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems series.
Take advantage of free daily online art lessons for kids on YouTube.
YouTube is the number one place for families seeking free arts and crafts activities for kids. Art for Kids Hub is a popular channel with over 3 million subscribers and more than 1,700 art videos, so you're sure to find something fun to create at home with the kids.
Learn art techniques from a professional cartoonist.
While the videos are a bit dated, you can't beat the nostalgia. You and your kids will learn real art techniques with free video art lessons from cartoonist Bruce Blitz. With lessons reminiscent of eighties and nineties art class, Blitz introduces young artists to horizon lines, vanishing points, and one- and two-point perspective art as well as creating cartoon characters and comic strips.
Fall crafts and seasonal art projects to boost your kids' creativity in the next few months
Celebrate pumpkin season.
Fall is almost upon us and what better time to create fun autumn-themed craft ideas for kids. Abigail Wu and her son Alex collaborated on the Halloween craft pictured above. "One of my favorite homeschool art projects ever was a pumpkin-themed multimedia piece from Deep Space Sparkle. It's an awesome site," she told Mom.com.
Try a coffee filter Halloween bat craft.
Look around your home for kids' art and crafts activities; simple items like coffee filters make a great medium. Mom of two Darcy Zalewski and her kids enjoyed creating coffee filter bats to decorate their Halloween table.
Combine art with learning.
When my youngest was a preschooler, I tried teaching him to spell his name with a fun Thanksgiving turkey kids craft. Using construction paper, I created a turkey body shape and cut out feathers; one for each letter of his name to help him practice spelling his name. Once he had it right, he was able to glue the feathers to the body for a cute Thanksgiving place setting.
