Learning to paint can be an incredible learning experience, as well as a lot of fun. It can awaken a child's creativity and give him a sense of pride as he learns that he can create artwork on his own. Encourage his creative spirit by showing him different ways of painting. These activities are meant to provide inspiration along the way. Painting games can also be done with others, but are not meant to be competitive or timed as so many games are. Use them to encourage individual expression and build your child's ability to think creatively!
Creating a Storybook Together
If you're working with a group of children, having them create a storybook together can be a very rewarding experience. Create several characters that the story will revolve around. Describe the land where they live. Then have each of the children paint a picture of whatever they envision the characters doing. You could provide pictures of flowers, castles, mountains, bridges, rivers or animals cut from magazines, for inspiration. When everyone is finished, and the pictures have dried, tell the kids you're going to create a story together from their paintings. Put them where everyone can see them, such as on a blackboard, saving room to create your storyboard. Have the children take turns going up to the storyboard, taping a new picture onto it, and describing what is happening at that point in the story. Write down what they say, and the order of the pictures. Sew the pictures and text together with ribbon or string, and read the book to the kids the next day.
Painting Dollhouses
You could have kids paint dollhouses from cardboard boxes, such as shoe boxes. Use tempera paints, which dry quickly, and give kids pictures clipped from magazines for inspiration. Make sure there's an opening in back of each box and cut out windows, so they can play dollhouse later if desired. Kids can paint details such as flowers, a fence or stone wall, columns, animals, people and trees. Give them pictures of different textures such as brick, linoleum and stone for inspiration. Let them be as creative as they want. If you're working with a group of kids, they'll have a whole neighborhood of dollhouses to play with.
Painting with Herbs and Spices
Instead of paint, challenge kids to use other material such as spices and herbs, in combination with glue. Give them big pieces of newspaper for a pallet, and a variety of herbs and spices with different textures. These materials work great for natural scenes. As Sue Stocks says in her book Painting, you can mix glue with loose materials like those mentioned to create a thick "paint" (21). Experiment on your own beforehand to familiarize yourself with the process, and then give kids a demo. Now it is their turn to try it themselves.
You could also take kids on a nature walk and let them collect natural materials such as flowers, leaves, grass, feathers and sand. Have them work these into their paintings. Alternatively, you could help them to create a seasonal mural with these materials on a large piece of paper or sheet. Not only is it fun and collaborative, but it can also serve as a science lesson, helping kids to tune in with what's happening in the natural world.
Writing Secret Spy Messages
You could have kids write "secret spy messages" for each other in white crayon on white painting paper, as Stocks suggests (22). After they write their messages, have them trade papers and paint pictures on them. The secret message will then emerge, since the paint won't settle on the wax.
Creating a Wall Hanging
Projects that merge collaboration and creativity are great for kids (and adults) in many ways. Kids will enjoy creating a wall hanging, and it's something you can all enjoy for a long time to come. Use fabric paint and a sheet for this project. You could give each child a section to paint, like a quilt, or let them paint anywhere on the surface.
Playing "I Spy"
Try having kids play "I spy" with a paper towel holder, to encourage them to notice the small things. They can do this outside if the weather is nice. Have them look through the paper towel holder, searching for a scene they want to paint. This can encourage them to paint close-up, smaller scenes that they may not usually notice.
If your child enjoys art, these activities will probably inspire her to come up with other ideas. Encourage her efforts, and let the creativity flow.
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