If you are thinking to yourself, does Art Bar really have any more cardboard ideas in her? The answer is always YES!! We made these cardboard cupcakes inspired by Wayne Thiebaud a few years ago but I never got around to writing about them until now. We did a smaller version in art class, but…
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Paper Plate Flower Masks
I love figuring out ways to use stuff that I already have in my closet. With Springtime in full bloom, these paper plate flower masks are the perfect idea. We’ve made things with paper plates before, like these party hats and these washi-tape trays. Paper plates are a hidden secret for art teachers. If I…
Giant Recycled Egg Carton Village | A Process Art Collaboration
A few weeks ago in my Spring Break art camp, I created this giant recycled egg carton village by gluing almost 50 egg cartons into a huge box. My art students loved this process art collaboration because there were no rules (other than don’t splatter paint on people) and they could really use their imaginations…
Earth Day Signs with Repurposed Materials
It’s almost Earth Day! We made these Earth Day signs with repurposed materials just in the nick of time. I’m hoping my art students will do a little march around their neighborhood on Monday 🙂 I save many of our old clothes that have ripped or are just worn out and I cut them up into…
Beaded Wire Maze Sculptures
Bending wire is one of those things that all kids love, so I’m always trying to think of new ways to work with this versatile and pliable material. The inspiration for these beaded wire maze sculptures were really twofold… Our first inspiration was Alexander Calder, and all his work with wire, especially his circus series….
Printmaking with Cardboard
Printmaking with cardboard introduces children to the magic of “pulling prints” and creating mirror images. Also called collagraphy, it’s a basic a method of printmaking where collage material is glued onto a board to create a relief surface. As with any form of printing, kids stay engaged because they are producing images which is unlike any…
Washi Tape Butterflies
If you’re like me, you’ll agree that easy art ideas for groups that use very few supplies and have almost no instructions are GOLD! Enter these washi tape butterflies. I mean, you can get this ready in under 10 minutes and a group of kids could be busy for 45 minutes! Or longer if they…
Stacked Cardboard Sculptures with Kids
Shannon from Hatch is back with a wonderful, open-ended art invitation for kids: stacked cardboard sculptures! Also known as threaded sculptures. Aren’t these FABULOUS? What I love most about Shannon’s idea is that it can even be done with toddlers. It’s very process-art oriented and works those small motor and hand-eye skills. Here is Shannon…
Cupcake Liner Flowers Easy Art Station
During my weekly art classes, I always set up one main project and then one art station. An art station is a table where early finishers can work independently. It’s usually something very open-ended and simple so that they don’t need any help or guidance. These cupcake liner flowers make a wonderful, easy art station…
Clay 101: Clay Exploration with Young Children
There are six art forms that I strive to introduce my art students to while they are in my classes: drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, construction, and clay. Of all these six, I think children get the most excited about clay. Their response is so visceral, they instinctively jump and clap with joy! Clay exploration with young…
