Most preschoolers love art and will gladly create for hours. Keeping up with a preschooler’s creative ideas can be a real challenge for the adults who care for them. Coloring books, modeling clay, finger paints, and sidewalk chalk provide hours of fun. But on the days when you want to make something a little more special, here are some ideas for art projects for preschoolers that will be fun for you, too.
Tips for Art with Little Ones
Before we talk about specific projects you can create, consider these tips for creative endeavors with little ones. First, try to embrace the mess. Preschoolers are still learning how to move carefully and care for the things around them. Undoubtedly, there will be a bit of chaos as they make something special. If you prepare yourself in advance, it won’t bother you so much. Secondly, let your little artist self-direct. It can be tempting to step in and tell them how they “should” design their project. However, it is good for them to learn by creating and trying different things, so try to let them decide their own direction. Finally, keep it simple. If a project requires an adult to complete more than half of the steps, it’s probably not a good choice. Set your sights on projects that your little one can do most or all of with only supervision. Now on to the fun!
Paint with Colored Ice
This is an art project that doubles as a great way to cool down on a hot summer day! The day before you want to paint, fill ice cube trays with water and add one or two drops of food coloring to each. Make sure the color is vibrant! Leave the ice trays in the freezer overnight. Pop the ice out the next day and then take it outside to start painting. Children can paint on white cardboard, poster board, or any thick white paper. To keep their hands from getting too cold, try freezing the ice paints in popsicle molds instead of ice cube trays.
Dye Coffee Filters
There are many ways to craft with coffee filters, and dyed filters can be turned into numerous other projects once they are complete. You can use liquid watercolor concentrate or food coloring as your dye. Simply squirt a few drops of your chosen colors into the sections of an ice cube tray. Then, add water until the color is to your liking. Provide your child with a paintbrush or dropper as a tool and then flatten the coffee filters on a protected surface and let them paint! As your child paints, the water will absorb into the coffee filter and give it a tie-dye or stained-glass type effect. Once completely painted, leave your filters to dry or dry them with a hairdryer. The finished products can be gathered in the middle with a pipe cleaner or clothespin to make a butterfly or bunched up to make paper flowers.
Watercolor and Crayon Resist Painting
This is a favorite among art projects for preschoolers because it feels like magic. Begin with a white piece of paper and a white crayon. Encourage your preschooler to draw or write whatever he or she would like, explaining that they won’t be able to see anything at first. Additionally, try to ensure they cover a large amount of the paper with drawings, letters, patterns, or whatever else they prefer. After the child is done drawing, switch the white crayon for a watercolor palette and paintbrush and encourage your child to paint the whole page. As the child paints over their crayon strokes, everything they wrote in crayon will remain white stand out in relief to the paint. Your preschooler will be thrilled to see their drawing and probably want to create several more pieces with new hidden messages and surprises.
Paper Plate Masks
The best art projects for preschoolers pull double-duty and encourage creative playtime as well as making something unique. Paper plate masks are simple, work with whatever supplies you have on hand, and often inspire hours of make-believe play in the days to come. All you need are paper plates and your imagination! Cut eye holes and then begin! For example, use pipe cleaners for antennae, whiskers, or hair, cotton balls for wool or a beard, and beads for teeth or polka dots. The options are truly endless. Put your mask on a popsicle stick or a string for easy play.
Next time your preschooler wants to make something special, use one of these ideas to create both a craft and a fun memory. And if you are looking for childcare in a place that encourages creative expression, consider Legacy Academy Simpsonville. Call or visit today for more information.
