Here are some low prep ideas to inspire creativity using simple materials (that you probably already have)!
Inspiring creativity in children doesn't need to be hard!
Let the following ideas inspire you to set out some simple materials (that you probably already have!) and let you children get to work creating and using their imaginations!
These 16 simple art and craft ideas to inspire children to create have all been things that I have used at home with my children.
They can easily be adapted whether you are working in a classroom or at home.
I'm sure that you have tried many of these ideas or similar before.
The best part is that they can be used over and over again, with different results each time as your children further develop their creativity and understanding of using different materials!
*Important - all these ideas are for children ages 3+ as they contain small parts which are a choking hazard. All ideas were supervised by an adult. Always supervise children using scissors.
16 Simple Art and Craft Ideas to Inspire Children to Create
1. Rainbow Collage Box
Simple, colourful and fun for creating!
Here my girls used the collage box to create into their scrapbooks
using a glue stick and scissors.
Our collage box is made using a plastic divided organiser box filled with pre-cut squares and strips of coloured paper, patterned paper and wrapping paper off-cuts that have been sorted by colour.
2. Collage Box + Fancy Scissors
A fun way to work on those scissor skills is with fancy scissors and some pretty patterned paper.
Some collage materials make for the perfect invitation to create!
We bought our fancy scissors from Kmart Australia.
3. Fancy Scissors + Strips of Paper
A simple invitation for kids to cut the paper using the fancy scissors.
Here we used some pieces of cut up watercolour paintings, some wrapping paper leftovers and some patterned paper.
Adding the paper all into a tray gave somewhere to contain the cut up pieces.
They might even be inspired to create some art from their cut up pieces.
These pieces can be saved to use for collage projects in the future!
4. Cardboard Box + Drawing Supplies
Simple, but wonderful for creativity. The cardboard offers a wonderful blank canvas for creating! Ours ended up being a cubby house with a torch light through the top of the box!
5. Mini Art Easels + Watercolour Paints
Blank pieces of paper on mini easels + a watercolour palette = freedom to explore the paints to create how your child wishes!
This is a fluro/neon watercolour paint pallete from IKEA.
6. Shape Stamps + Blank Paper
Shape stamps are great for creating shape pictures.
If you don't have any you can use attribute shapes/patterning shapes to trace around and make shape pictures to colour.
Such a fun way to explore shapes and early maths through art!
These shape stamps are Edex brand. We bought ours from The Creative Toy Shop.
7. Foil + Paint
A piece of foil from the kitchen makes an interesting surface to explore painting on. We used Crayola neon washable paints. Set up and let your child explore!
Let it dry and you have an artwork to display too.
8. Boxes/Tubes/Tubs + Masking Tape
Box work is wonderful for inspiring creativity!
Grab some cardboard boxes, cardboard pieces, tubes, and containers from your recycling - add in some tape and let the creativity take over!
9. Rainbow + Watercolour Paints
Water colour paints (ours are Micador brand) + our simple rainbow template make for a low prep invitation to paint!
You can download the rainbow printable for free here - Mindfulness Mats for Kids.
10. Foam Shapes + Spray Bottle
Here we used shapes cut out of foam sheets to create shape pictures. Simply spray a surface, such as a window, perspex easel, shower screen and stick the foam pieces to create a picture. Simple, but so much fun!
Once the pieces are prepared this is a quick activity to set up.
Dry the shapes in-between uses.
Idea inspired by @playful.childhood on Instagram
11. Hearts Template + Watercolour Paints
Another free printable in the Free VIP Playful Library is these heart themed mindfulness mats.
Simply print & set up with watercolour paints or other art materials.
Join the email list below for this free printable + more
12. Cardboard + Washi Tape + Paint Sticks
Another simple invitation to create - guided by your child's imagination!
I put out the materials as shown below and my children explored using them how they wished.
Washi tape - Kmart Australia, Paint Stixs - Life of Colour brand
13. Art Supplies + Roll of Paper
We used:
Life of Colour Paint Stixs
Dot Markers - Castle and Kite brand
Stamp pens - IKEA
Paper roll
Simply roll out the paper and add in some art supplies. It couldn't be easier!
14. Washi Tape, Patterned Paper + Hole Punches
A few strips of patterned paper, washi tape and shape paper cutters make a fun prompt for creating.
A glue stick is a good idea too to stick down the pretty shapes.
15. Invitation to Explore Colours + Colour Mixing
Explore colour mixing using some primary colours to see what happens + a large roll of paper to paint on. We also added in some white and black paint to explore too!
16. Stickers
Dot stickers, eye stickers and more.
Some stickers + paper to stick them on = lots of fun!
I hope you found some inspiration and an easy idea or 2 to try out with your children!
Simple invitations to create can be a wonderful way to invite your children to explore a range of art materials while developing their creativity too.
Until next time, have fun learning in a playful way!
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