Let’s have fun creating and exploring with these simple art ideas …
These simple process art ideas for kids are not only fun, but allow your child to develop their creativity too!
Process art is art where the focus is on the process, on exploring the materials and how they can be used and enjoying the process of creating.
It's not about creating a perfect piece of art that looks like a template, rather enjoying creating no matter what the end product looks like. Sometimes the end creation might look pretty, other times it doesn't ... but that doesn't matter as the joy is in the process!
Important: These art ideas are recommended for children ages 3+ as they contain small parts which may pose a choking hazard. Adult supervision recommended for all art ideas shown below.
3 Simple Process Art Ideas for Kids
Process Art Idea 1: Exploring paint using droppers
What we used:
Crayola neon washable paint with some water added to make it thinner.
Droppers/pipettes (these can be bought from Officeworks in Australia - search pipettes. They come in a 12 pack)
Watercolour paper (ours is from Kmart Australia)
Art trays - (from Kmart Australia)
Optional - Sprinkle of eco glitter into the wet paint at the end. Our eco glitter is from Gus and Mabel Co.
Time to explore:
Show your child how to use the droppers if needed. Let them explore using the droppers to create however they wish. My kids explored dropping different colours onto the paper, tilting the paper to make drip paintings and squirting the droppers to make bubbles!
Tip: This one can get very messy - I recommend setting it up outside or make sure you have space to create as they paint.
Process Art Idea 2: Collage
I was inspired to create a second colour sorted collage box filled with fun things by @mylittlegirltribe on Instagram. She made a beautiful self-serve collage tray for her children using a large divided wooden tray.
We already had the first collage box filled only with paper, that I had made last year. It needed a quick refill after this collage session!
What we used:
Divided storage container (the bigger one is from Bunnings Australia)
Collage materials in sorted in their colours - feathers, pom poms, cellophane, paper shapes, pipecleaners, ribbon, shape cut outs etc.
Cardboard pieces from a box
Washi tape
Stickers
Pencils/paint sticks
Glue stick
Box of large gems from Spotlight Australia
Time to create:
I set up these materials on our art table and the kids enjoyed creating, each child in their own way.
They really enjoyed choosing from the different materials available.
Process Art Idea 3: Rolling Painting with Pinecones
What we used:
Pinecones
Crayola neon washable paint
A4 white paper
Container from the kitchen (this one is for slices)
Tip:
Choose colours that look nice together. We used purple, pink and blue.
Time to create:
We added some blobs of paint onto the paper in the slice container and the girls explored rolling the pinecones around. This didn't work as well as other round materials for painting, but was still lots of fun!
Our pinecones ended up painted too! We added a sprinkle of eco glitter to them while they were still wet for some extra sparkle. I think they might look pretty with some string as a decoration.
The power of process art:
This ended up with my kids using the paint with paint brushes to create more art. A great example of the power of process art - following the child and allowing them to explore the materials how they wish!
My tips for helping with the mess:
Start with cleanup materials ready…
Before the kids start painting have a damp cloth/pack of wipes ready to go. This makes it super easy to clean up little messes as you go.
Smocks/aprons on and hair up
We put smocks on to paint and pull long hair back into a ponytail/bun so it doesn't get in the way.
Put an apron over you own clothes
This helps to keep the front of your clothes clean! I just use my apron for cooking from the kitchen.
Use washable art materials
We like the Crayola washable paint as it cleans up easily and has beautiful colours.
Use cardboard to make clean up easy
Adding a large piece of cardboard (from a box) on top of the table can make clean up extra easy as it catches all the mess!
Process art is such a fun way for kids to explore using a range of art materials in their own way.
Painting with droppers, collage and rolling painting are all fun ways to create with many possibilities! A few easy ideas, like wearing an apron, starting with some clean up materials ready and using washable materials where possible will help you embrace the magic of process art with ease.
I hope you feel inspired to create using one of these simple process art ideas for kids or some of your own. There infinite possibilities!
I would love to know if you try any of these ideas - comment below, send me an email or let me know over on Instagram @our.playful.learning.journey
Until next time, have fun learning in a playful way!
For more play and learning ideas, visit the homepage
+ subscribe to the email list below.
Save these ideas for later: Pin me now!
Comments