I happened upon this lovely, squishy, slimy recipe while trying to create a recipe for something else. It will grow, and grow, and grow as the citric acid reacts with the other ingredients. And when the reaction has slowed, you’re left with an ooblecky substance that’s fun to squish and explore. Ingredients 1 cup Corn… Continue reading Fizzy Oobleck
This art play is a fun way for your 2.5-6 year olds to explore shape and color groups through design play while working on gluing skills. 6+ year olds will certainly enjoy this collage play as well, but you’ll need to tailor the set up to their skill level. My little artist is four. I… Continue reading Monochromatic and Geometric Cut Paper Collage
Glue practice can feel daunting to facilitate because of the mess factor.These are my FAVORITE methods for less mess gluing practice with kids under 6. Method #1: Glue on a Sponge in a Bowl or Air Tight Container Method #2: Glue in a Spill Resistant Paint Cup Both the spill resistant paint cup (with cap)… Continue reading Gluing Made Easy
We rarely get below freezing temps in the Pacific Northwest, and were delighted to get to try out some frozen ice art this Valentine’s weekend when it got cold enough for snow and ice in the Seattle area. Materials Yarn or string WaterFood color Loose parts from nature (we used flower petals)Moulds (we used pots… Continue reading Ice Artsicles
Felt stick puppets are easy to make at home with whatever you have lying around. It’s a perfect way to utilize some of those assorted loose parts, and the outcome is a valuable tool for play and storytelling—a puppet! Materials Stiff feltOdds and ends from around your house (use what you have). We used: googly… Continue reading Heart Monster Felt Puppets
We always make a special card for our nearest and dearest on Valentine’s Day. We live far away from our loved ones, so it’s extra important to us that they get something special in the mail to let them know we love them. This multi day process based art play is a great way for… Continue reading Valentine’s Day Post Cards
This crafty process is a little fiddly, but the beautiful product and easily available ingredients is worth it. I love how the homemade clay dries into a strikingly white and surprisingly durable keepsake, reminiscent of porcelain. We have only made hand and footprint keepsakes as gifts for grandparents using this method, but you can get… Continue reading Baking Soda Clay Ornaments
This is a great process that will be sure to engage your 2+ year old artist, while providing you with hand printed (in this case, foot printed) holiday wrapping paper as a result. Materials Washable tempera paint (we used three different shades of green)Roll paperDot markers, crayons, colored pencils Helping mama set up the play… Continue reading Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
Encouraging layered artworks for littles is a great way to: Expose your little artist to a variety of materials.Save paper (especially that spendy high quality watercolor paper).Facilitate the creation of a more “finished” looking product at the end of several child-led process art sessions, without adult interference.Teach the skill of leaving a project and coming… Continue reading Encouraging Layered Artworks with Little Artists
This process based art play is a great way for your 2-6 year old to explore texture. Loose parts from nature offer endless opportunities to experiment and create. Materials Several colors within a theme chosen with your little artist (we used an autumn palette) on sponges in bowls with a bit of waterTray or bowl… Continue reading Printmaking and Painting with Loose Parts from Nature
