Thaumatrope; what a deceptively simple name for such a simple little toy. Say it with me “thaw -ma-trope.” These toys are super simple two sided precursors to modern animation. A thaumatrope has a different image on each side. When spun rapidly the two images give the impression of blending into one. It’s kind of like ice age animation. It’s simple but also a little magic.
Building structures is something kids innately enjoy. Think of the hours spent on Lego’s, blocks, and Lincoln logs. Building is fun and satisfying. Now we’re going to replace the blocks with straws, yes, straws. These fun, sculptures for kids come together super quickly due to their construction with just pipe cleaners and straws. That’s all ya’ need!
If you read Kitchen Table Classroom often you know I adore turning trash into treasure. I love the idea of showing kids that anything can be art and I love not spending money to make stuff. Free art experiences are hard to beat. Using empty toilet paper and paper towel cardboard tubes to create a recycled sculpture is a fun and easy way to learn about building up.
A pattern is simply a repeated or recurring design. Little kids begin to learn patterns early in as a way to understand relationships between objects and make predictions about what comes next. Once kids really understand what pattern are they will begin to see them everywhere- in life and art! This collograph printmaking project is a great way for kids to begin playing with and making their own patterns!
The difference between shape and form can be a tricky one for kids to understand. The simplest and most direct way to make sense of it is to actually make forms! Leave the shapes on the drawing table and gather up some junk and get busy with these paper mache animal heads.
Do you encourage digging through the recycling at your house? How about the trash? Both are fair game here and if they’re not at your house you may change your mind soon. Found object printmaking literally turns your trash into treasure.
Printmaking is the bomb when it comes to art processes. There are SO many ways to do it that range from process art made with materials nabbed from the recycle bin to processes that require a lengthy list of expensive supplies and a highly skilled artist. This linocut portrait falls somewhere in the middle. Ya’ need a little “stuff” but the process and result are SO worth it!