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.
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.
Have you heard of dichroic glass? It’s a colorful, artsy type of fused glass often used to make pendants and fancy schmancy jewelry you might find in an art gallery gift shop. It’s good lookin’ stuff. Learn to use shrink plastic sheets that mimic that fancy glass. No one will believe these flashy charms are plastic!
Don’t we all have memories of blowing bubbles as a kid? It’s a classic kid activity. I also have some pretty sweet mom memories of blowing bubbles when my kids were just square, chubby toddlers. This bubble recipe takes blowing bubbles to the next level.
This homemade harmonica is a blast if you don’t mind a little background noise. Even if you do, they are such a hoot they are worth making! Open the back door and kick your kiddos outside to enjoy the fruits of their labor!
Pony beads are cheap an can be found about anywhere. Couple that with their bright colors and perfect for little finger size and you’ve got a winning art material! Bead crafts here we come!
My kiddos and I started making ornaments (or sun catchers depending on the time of the year.) We quickly realized there was plenty of fun ways to manipulate these little boogers and turn them into something unrecognizable.
We like a good craft at my house. Even better when it uses natural (free materials), has impressive results and comes together in only a few minutes. These acorn necklaces made with baked marbles fit the bill!!
One of the best things about this project is your kids will be able to do almost all the work themselves (minus removing the pan from the oven) and they will have some sweet little gifts to bestow upon their people!