I’m in birthday party mode these days. Two weeks ago I shared my collaborative banner idea, and today I am so happy to share this cute craft I did for a horse-loving six-year old. It’s really so simple and easy to prepare. The hardest part is cutting the cardboard (think: hand-strengthening exercise!). But I have…
Recycled
Bird Finder Binoculars
I love a simple craft that is completely child-led. These bird binoculars were such a hit with the kids during our “BIRDS & BUGS” week at art camp. They loved being able to pick out their own color combinations, wrap yarn and cut tape (two skills that take lots of concentration and make little ones feel…
Milk Carton Bird Houses
Milk cartons have so many possibilities for crafting. Just their shape alone is a work of art! I love that they already looks like a house, with a little chimney and everything. We use milk cartons a lot in art class (I haven’t written about them yet because sometimes I’m just a lazy blogger, mmm hmm),…
Bubble Wrap Roller Printing
In my art class there are many days where I plan a collaborative art experience. I actually love these projects more than anything else. Since I teach mostly four and five-yr olds, collaboration is a natural way to promote creativity and exploration because at that age every experience is so rooted in socialization. They love to…
58 Summer Art Camp Ideas
Summer is in full swing over here! As some parts of the world are in the middle of winter (which I can’t fathom), I know this list of ideas will come in handy for indoor creativity as well. I teach art camp at my house all summer. I make long lists of crafts and activities to do with…
Circus Tents Made by Kids
Today I am so happy to share these amazing circus tents over on Handmade Charlotte! I love that blog. I’ve been stalking it since before I started my own blog. Click over, check out all the details, and get inspired. My art class kids loved making these and were so proud of their handmade toy. xo, Bar
Paper Bag Art Portfolio
I teach art class twice a week for an hour. I have six kids in each class. We work in my living room. The classes are small and completely perfect. At the end of each six-week session, I put each child’s work into a paper bag portfolio. I like to think that I invented these,…
DIY Cardboard Easel
There are many ways to make a quick easel. I might have learned quite a few tricks if I had actually researched before I made this project. But I’m much more of a spontaneous planner, and I woke up on the morning of art class with an idea that my students should experience painting on a proper…
Paper Mâché with Kids // Ice Cream Sundaes
There is always a very strong reaction from the kids when we do paper mâché. Some kids love it — i mean really love it — and others do not want to get that oozy stuff on their hands. But all of them say “ewww!!” the whole time they are working! It’s quite funny actually, how…
Egg Carton Chimes
We eat a lot of eggs. And I’m a collector, so therefore I have an overflowing pile of egg cartons. Even worse, they are in my living room (where I teach art classes). So I do try and work my ever-growing pile of recycled materials into my art projects. Not only because they are cost-free,…