When children seem ready to share, think of thought-provoking questions. “I see you used red and yellow. What other colors might you use and where are you going to put them?” or “This part of your paper is filled with pink and white spots. What do you want to do to your painting next?” or, “What are you going to do with your painting when it’s done?”
10 Fun Activities to Engage with Works of Art
Do you want to look at artworks with your toddlers and preschoolers, but you think they are too young? They are not! Looking at art opens kids up to new cultures and ideas, helps them learn empathy, and develops creativity and critical thinking skills.
Try some of these activities out with your little one in front of any artwork of your choosing to get him or her engaged with works of art.
10 Fun Activities to Engage with Art
Get active with art! Here are some of my favorite interactive art activities for kids and students of all ages!
Get active with art! Here are some of my favorite interactive art activities for kids and students of all ages!
- Talk about it. This can be as simple as pointing out funny things, counting objects, or discussing shapes. (Try these artworks for a great place to start. And check out these tips and these for more suggestions.)
- Move! Put your bodies into the position of the characters, pantomime the actions, make up a dance, or play charades. (Check out this post for some great artworks for this activity!)
- Play “I spy.” One person choose something from the artwork and gives hints about it while the other people guess what it is. Or, check out this I spy art book series!
- Make a texture bag. Place a textured object that is similar to something in the artwork in a bag. Have the child reach into the bag, feel the texture, and describe it without looking at it.
- Make up a story about the artwork together. What happened before the scene in the art? What will happen next?
- Integrate your child’s toys. Use the artwork as the spark for some pretend play. Use blocks to build the scene or use toy characters to act out the story. Take the child’s lead.
- Draw the artwork. Drawing the artwork makes the child spend more time looking at it. The more looking they do, the more they benefit from the experience.
- Practice description skills. Have the child describe the artwork to someone who has never seen it before. If old enough, have the second person draw the artwork based on the description of the child.
- Visit an art museum and play. Did you know that most art museums offer special materials for families to use in the galleries? Ask at the front desk if they have any family guides or resources to use on your visit. These often include scavenger hunts, discussion guides, games, and/or books to read in front of artworks.
- Have a museum scavenger hunt. Before you go, print a small clip from the artwork or a picture of an item from the artwork. (Check out the museum’s website to find out what is on view). Then, have the kids look for their picture in the museum.
Try it out, don’t stress, and have fun!
Why is painting so valuable?
Caregivers may plan a painting experience to fill part of the schedule, but what most educators discover is that painting becomes much more than just a simple activity. Painting is a way for children to do many important things: convey ideas, express emotion, use their senses, explore color, explore process and outcomes, and create aesthetically pleasing works and experiences.
Most early educators place value on painting with very young children. It is important to consider any safety factors, such as non-toxic materials and the ability to experience the process without injury. Even very young children can dip their fingers in a paint mix and spread it on a table or tray.
Children form many connections and ideas of how the painting process works for them, as well as what they enjoy about it. Watch a child painting and you will see a fully engaged child. We can almost see children’s thoughts, such as, “When I push my brush flat, my line gets bigger,” or “I like stirring this, but I don’t want to put it on paper or touch it,” or “I mixed red with more red and orange, and got fire color red!”
While we listen and observe, we may begin to understand the way a child perceives his world, his developmental abilities, and his needs or interests.
Get inspired!
Adults and children alike can be inspired by other artists (famous or not!), books, museums, nature, resource catalogs, art stores, or even simple everyday materials, ideas, and experiences.
It is a good idea to teach children how to prepare to paint independently. Encourage children to ask to paint as well as request materials to use. Introduce where materials are kept, how to clip paper to an easel or tape to a table, where to place it for drying, and proper clean-up steps.
Offer valuable painting experiences
The soothing process of painting is often what is interesting to young children. The pleasant feeling of painting over and over, possibly using two brushes or their fingers, is what is important. We need to encourage the experience where it interests the child, not the adult. As children develop, they become more focused on creating representations and conveying ideas.
Young children need large pieces of paper (to have full range of motion) as well as a variety of brush sizes to experiment with (find what works best for control). Consider offering smaller quantities of paint so children can manage fewer spills and can mix colors without ruining large containers of paint. Color mixing provides endless discoveries.
Painting areas should support the child’s physical abilities. Easels should be at the correct height or sturdy platforms added to adjust the height. Move chairs from tables to allow children to stand and paint if they wish. Very young children can be held in a lap or sit on the floor with an adult.
