Tag: art

March Drawing Prompts

Are you ready for new drawing prompts for March? Drawing is a great way to pass the time on rainy or snowy days. Set your creative skills in motion. Do not worry; no one will judge your drawings. Enjoy yourself or make drawing a family activity.

Drawing Prompts for March

  1. Pig (It is Pig Day!)
  2. Self-portrait
  3. Flags
  4. Favorite Animal
  5. Favorite Places to Go
  6. Favorite Food
  7. A Person or Role Model
  8. Woods or Trees
  9. Fruit
  10. Umbrella/Rain
  11. Princess/Prince
  12. Shades of Green
  13. Pot of Gold
  14. Rainbow
  15. Leprechaun
  16. Shamrocks
  17. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
  18. Flowers
  19. Bird
  20. Spring
  21. Sunshine
  22. Scenic View
  23. Patterns
  24. Ladybugs
  25. Family
  26. House
  27. Toy
  28. Moon and Stars
  29. Clouds
  30. City
  31. Your Choice

February Drawing Prompts

 

Why draw? Spending time drawing enhances creativity, reduces stress, improves coordination, and boosts self-esteem. February is the perfect time to create. Dust off your drawing pencils or buy new ones. Keep in mind, expensive supplies are not required to begin. Buying basic number two pencils and drawing paper at your local dollar store is a great way to start. If you some inspiration, check out the following drawing prompts for February.

  1. Self-portrait (Be nice to yourself)
  2. Ground Hog
  3. Clouds
  4. Eyes
  5. Mythical Creature
  6. Patterns
  7. Football
  8. Winter Trees
  9. Silhouette
  10. Mittens, Hat, & Scarf
  11. Flowers
  12. Love
  13. Hearts
  14. Happy Valentine’s Day!
  15. Ice Skates
  16. Hot Beverage
  17. Fire Place or Bon Fire
  18. Gnome
  19. Window Scene
  20. Insect
  21. Snowflakes
  22. Dinosaur
  23. Bird
  24. Animal
  25. Hands
  26. Spirals
  27. Sun
  28. Food

January Drawing Prompts

Drawing or doodling is a great creative outlet for all ages. If you are spending more time indoors due to social distancing or wintry weather, drawing can easily turn into a family activity. Do you need inspiration? Check out the following drawing prompts for January.

  1. 2021
  2. Shapes
  3. Snowflakes
  4. Eyes
  5. Love
  6. Sun
  7. Signs
  8. Snowman
  9. Tree
  10. Food
  11. Animal
  12. Clouds
  13. Water
  14. Mittens
  15. Snow Globe
  16. Penguin
  17. Self-Portrait
  18. Winter Boots
  19. Door, Lock, & Key
  20. Nature
  21. Building
  22. Winter Scene
  23. Friends
  24. Patterns
  25. Upside Down
  26. Big
  27. Small
  28. 3 Similiar Items
  29. 3 Different Items
  30. Spirals
  31. Windows

Try experimenting with different drawing instruments. Markers, crayons, pencils, colored pencils, chalk, charcoal, or paint pens yield diverse results. But remember, above all, have fun.

 

Drawing Prompts for the Christmas Season

Are you and your family spending more time at home this Christmas season? Are you searching for fun, simple activities to do together? How about a daily drawing challenge?

Spending a little time each day drawing can help expand your child’s imagination, increase vocabulary, and enhance fine motor skills. Unsure what to draw? Check out the following drawing prompts for the Christmas season.

  1. Santa
  2. Elf
  3. Candy Cane
  4. Gifts
  5. Star
  6. Angel
  7. Snowman
  8. Snowflakes
  9. Bells
  10. Reindeer
  11. North Pole
  12. Santa’s Sleigh
  13. Toys
  14. Manger
  15. Nativity
  16. Ornaments
  17. Gift Tags
  18. Christmas Stockings
  19. Christmas Wreath
  20. Christmas Tree
  21. Red and Green
  22. Ribbons and Bows
  23. Mistletoe
  24. Christmas Eve
  25. Christmas Day
  26. Snow Globe
  27. Mittens and Scarves
  28. Peace
  29. Love
  30. Animals in the Snow
  31. Welcoming 2021

Drawing is an open-ended activity. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Simply use your imagination.

10 Days of Harry Potter: Fan Art

If you type “Harry Potter fan art” into your search engine, amazing and talented results will appear. J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World is an inspiration for artists of all levels. Making art is one of the best ways to celebrate 10 Days of Harry Potter. Whether you make graphic art or simply draw with a pencil, relax and enjoy making fan art.

Basic Art Supply List

Are you looking for a materials list? Check out the following for a basic supply list for making art.

  • Drawing pencils
  • Colored pencils
  • Markers
  • Ink
  • Chalk (Use chalk on paper or draw on the sidewalk to share your art)
  • Charcoal
  • Crayons
  • Paint
  • Watercolors
  • Drawing paper
  • Construction paper (Dark paper is great in combination with chalk)
  • Poster board
  • Glass frames (works well with ink and paint)

When you have a tight budget, purchase basic drawing materials at your local dollar store.

Use Your Imagination

  • What animal will you take to Hogwarts?
  • Draw your wand.
  • Create one of Hagrid’s magical creatures.
  • Draw the castle.
  • Paint your house colors on a poster board.
  • Draw yourself in the classroom. What would be your favorite subject at Hogwarts?
  • Draw a potion. What does the potion do?
  • Grab your sketch pad and find a perfect tree to sit under. Now, pretend you are at the Forest of Dean from the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What do you see?

There are no right or wrong ways to create fan art. Take your time, listen to Harry Potter on audio, and allow your imagination flow.

 

 

References

Rowling, J. K., author. (1998). Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books,

Yates, D., Heyman, D., Barron, D., Rowling, J. K., Wigram, L., Kloves, S., Serra, E., … Warner Home Video (Firm),. (2011). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

 

 

 

31 Self-Care Ideas for July

Self-care is being aware of your own needs and taking the necessary steps to meet them. The demands of work, parenthood, and other commitments often lead to stress. With the added health crisis, social media, and daily news, you may quickly be overwhelmed. Take a step back, breath, and remember to take time for yourself. Do you need ideas for self-care? Check out the following list for July.

  1. Hydrate: Staying hydrated is essential for your health, especially in the summer. No, you don’t need to give up your morning coffee, just remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  2. Don’t Forget Your Fruits and Veggies: Often, in the summertime, quick meals lead to unhealthy choices. Remember to get your daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
  3. Go Outdoors: Yes, social distancing and other restrictions are still in place but even get outside. Go for a hike, walk around the block, stroll through the city park, or take an extra trip to the dog park. Being outdoors, even for an additional hour, is good for your well-being.
  4. Happy Independence Day, USA! Watch the fireworks. Due to the coronavirus, many events have restrictions or canceled. Watching fireworks from your own vehicle is a safe way to enjoy the holiday. If you do not want to leave home, many PBS stations host 4th of July concerts with fireworks. Enjoy the show from your own couch.
  5. Make a Summer Playlist of Your Favorite Songs
  6. Start a Journal
  7. Create a Vision Board: Fill your board with anything that personally inspires or motivates you. Then, take the necessary steps to transform your goals into reality.
  8. Unplug: Step away from your computer, cell phone, or other electronic devices. Turn off the news. Unplugging for an hour, an afternoon, or a day can positively impact your mood.
  9. Buy Yourself Flowers
  10. Declutter Your Closet
  11. Take a Long Bubble Bath
  12. Give Yourself an In-Home Spa Treatment
  13. Make Your Favorite Meal: Yes, it can be a dessert.
  14. Call a Friend
  15. Meditate or Pray
  16. Do Morning Yoga or Stretching Exercises
  17. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset
  18. Take a Long Afternoon Nap
  19. Go on a Picnic: If the weather is uncooperative, host a picnic in your living room.
  20. Read a Book
  21. Go to the Farmer’s Market: Great place to get your fruits and veggies while supporting your community.
  22. Go for a Ride: Fill up your car and just drive.
  23. Set Goals for the Second Half of 2020
  24. Do Crafts on a Rainy Day
  25. Learn to Say, “No”: Too many commitments can lead to added stress.
  26. Spend an Evening (or Entire Weekend) Binge-Watching: Re-watch your favorite television series or discover something new.
  27. Paint or Draw: Bringing out your inner artists does not have to break the bank. Head to your local dollar store and buy some necessary supplies.
  28. Listen to a New Podcast
  29. Buy Yourself Something New: Treating yourself can be as simple as trying a new type of cracker to purchasing an entire outfit. Just do something new for yourself.
  30. Send a Friend or Family Member a Letter: Or join a pen pal organization and write to someone new.
  31. Make a Goal List for August

Art Ideas: Collages

When making a collage, there is no set pattern to follow. Every art collage is unique with various materials. Yes, you can make up theme collages. For instance, make a collage with all red items or one with nothing but pictures of your favorite animals. Still, each collage is a personal piece of art.

Collage Base

The base of the collage is simply the area where you glue your various objects. Everyday school glue works well for collage art projects. You can use regular glue, glitter glue or glow in the dark glue to add special touches to your art

Now, the base can be a plain piece of paper or any of the following.

  • Cardboard box
  • Shoebox
  • Small wooden box
  • Piece of wood
  • Egg cartons
  • Posterboard (use different sizes or colors)
  • Card stock
  • Canvas

The choice of the base is completely up to you.

Collage Material

Finding items to glue on to your base is easy. In fact, many things are probably in your home right now.

Check out the following list below to find the perfect combination for your next collage project.

  • Yarn pieces
  • Feathers
  • Pipe cleaner pieces
  • Sequins
  • Beads
  • Fabric pieces
  • Confetti
  • Geometric shapes from fabric or construction paper
  • Beans
  • Noodles
  • Cereal
  • Rice
  • Egg or nutshells
  • Pieces of ribbon
  • Toothpicks
  • Foil pieces or strips
  • Buttons
  • Straw pieces
  • Leaves
  • Burlap pieces
  • Ric-rac
  • Small seashells
  • Cotton balls
  • Pompons
  • Stickers
  • Magazine pictures
  • Pieces of corrugated cardboard
  • Used stamps

Are you ready to start your collage project? Are you going to have a theme? Or simply begin gluing items on a base?

 

Art Ideas: Painting

Are you looking for art ideas to keep your children busy? Finding different projects are a perfect way to keep your children busy during rainy days, social distancing, and self-isolation. Art is an endless activity. One of the most accessible art projects to implement is painting. With a little creative twist, different painting activities can keep the boredom away.

Painting

Painting goes beyond simply applying paint with a brush on canvas or paper. Check out these other ideas for painting.

  • Texture Paint: Adding sand or sawdust to small amounts of paint creates texture paint. The difference in textures is a great learning tool for implementing a unique art medium.
  • Finger Paint: Use your fingers to create art. Finger painting is a fun way to create pictures. Finger paint on newspaper, magazines, canvas, poster board, or paper. Each provides different results.
  • Sponge Painting: Cut a sponge or two up into multiple size pieces or shapes. Dip the sponge in the paint to create different results.
  • String Painting: Dip string or yarn into the paint, place on paper, fold the paper in tow, then pull the string through the folded paper. The results are different every time.
  • Diluted Paint Art: Color a picture with crayons. Press hard with the crayons to apply a thick layer. Then, dilute your desired paint color with a little water and paint your entire picture. Another variation of diluted painting starts with a piece of black construction paper. Use light-colored crayons to create an image. Then, dilute white paint to finalize the project.
  • Marble Painting: Place a piece of paper on a tray or cookie sheet with sides. Dip your marbles in the desired colored paint. Place a marble on paper, gently lift the sides of the try from side to side. Your marble will create tracks with paint. Using more marbles with various colors creates a wide range of results.
  • Pot Scrubby Painting: A pot scrubby is generally a wire mesh used to wash pots and pans. The pot scrubby can come with a wooden handle, but most are just a bunch of wire. Dip the pot scrubby in paint and apply it to paper. The results will vary depending on the thickness of your scrubby.
  • Cloth Painting: Remnants from your favorite craft outlet work great for this project or a plain old t-shirt. Cut your desired amount of cloth for the project. Secure the piece of fabric with an embroidery hoop or tape to a flat surface. Next, paint a picture on the fabric. Remember, cloth paintings usually take longer to dry.
  • Nature Art: When out for a walk, collect rocks, sticks, leaves, or acorns. If you do not live near a wooded area, you can purchase rocks at your local dollar store. Next, paint on the items from your nature walk.

Painting is a fun way to pass the time. Indulging in art expands the imagination, vocabulary, fine motor, and social skills. Now the tough question, what project are you going to do first?

4th of July Craft Table

Are you hosting a 4th of July party or BBQ? Do you want to keep the children busy? Many children love to socialize, swim, and play various outdoor activities. Others may need a quiet space to relax. Setting up a crafting table is a great way to keep children entertained during a family event. If your party experiences rain, you will be prepared.

Ideas for a 4th of July Crafting Table

Children’s imagination is limitless. Setting up a variety of options will help keep children engaged. Use the 4th of July as a theme for your art and craft activities.

Painting Fireworks

Roll out long pieces of butcher paper or set out black poster boards. Supply red, white, and blue paint to create fireworks. When painting the fireworks, offer different options. Paint brushes, straws, pipe cleaners, and sponges create unique textures. The fireworks will look unique to each child’s preference.

Paint Rocks

Rock painting is a popular craft choice. Line a table with varying sizes of rocks. Supply paints and brushes. Allow the children to create their own personal masterpieces.

Paint Clay Planters

When preparing for your party, pick up some clay planters to paint. A planter is the perfect take-home item.

Tie-Dye Shirts

Older children and adults love to tie-dye t-shirts. Ask parents to bring white shirts or supply different sizes for everyone. Use a tie-dye kit or traditional dye to make the shirts. Supply rubber bands and marbles to help create designs. The shirt may turn into a lasting memory.

Beading

Red, white, and blue pony beads are an inexpensive way to create necklaces and bracelets. Stringing the beads in a variety of designs allows each child to create a unique jewelry accessory.

Collages

Using construction paper or poster board allow children to create collages. Set out different art supplies including:

  • Red, white, and blue paint
  • Glitter
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Pom-pons
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Sequins
  • Pieces of material
  • Tissue paper

Drawing 

A craft table does not need to be elaborate for children to enjoy. Set out paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils. Children will use the materials to draw and create.

While engaging with others, a craft table is a great way for children to make art. Being able to take home a project instantly creates a memory of the event.

Happy 4th!

Boredom Busters: Creating a Summer Bucket List

School’s out! Now, what is the first thing you hear –“I’m bored.” Consider creating a summer bucket list with your children to help chase away the boredom. Keep in mind, the list should be ideas you are willing or able to do.

Creating the Bucket List

Make the summer bucket list a family project. Use a notebook or purchase a poster board to write out your ideas. Consider using a different colored marker for each child. Allow each family member to come up with different activities. Of course, younger children may need help with the writing part of the project.

Summer Bucket List Ideas

Summer bucket lists can be simple everyday items to planned vacation adventures. The choice is up to you.

  • Have a bonfire
  • Make S’mores
  • Have a water balloon fight
  • Go to the zoo
  • Ride in a canoe
  • Have a slumber party
  • Get an ice cream cone
  • Go hiking
  • Have a pool party
  • Sleep in a tent
  • Listen to music in the park
  • Go to an amusement park
  • Go to the library
  • Volunteer
  • Ride a roller coaster
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Go skateboarding
  • Make root beer floats
  • Bake cookies
  • Paint rocks
  • Have an arts and crafts day
  • Have a Harry Potter movie marathon
  • Pick strawberries
  • Go to a lake
  • Go for a walk
  • Make art with sidewalk chalk
  • Go swimming
  • Visit grandma and grandpa
  • Day road trips
  • Visit an art gallery
  • Go to a museum
  • Go to a sporting event
  • Go to a splash park
  • Go to a fair or festival
  • Make homemade popsicles
  • Make a fort
  • Go fishing
  • Go to petting zoo or local farm
  • Have a family game night
  • Cook a meal together
  • Take swimming lessons

If you are uncertain on the type of activities, become a tourist in your town or surrounding towns. Use an Internet search. Local activities often get overlooked. Providing you a chance to join in on the fun on a weekly basis, community activities are free or minimal costs to participate.