# data[].attributes.body
Creative Fiber Arts!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If I had to choose one art medium for the rest of my life it would be fibers. I am always drawn to them, even from an early age when I only wanted to wear corduroy pants because I could run my fingers across the grooves and make a cool sound. My focus as an art major in college was textile design, and in my creative career over the past 30 years I have started a children't clothing company, a quilting company, and there isn't one wall in this house that doesn't have one of my homemade fabric banners (wait until you see my next post!). I am saying all this to tell you that I finally tried doodle weaving and I want to do nothing else all day every day!!

The best part is that there are really no mistakes to be made... just experimentation and color exploration. And you barely need any supplies, and there is no mess, and you can take them on a trip, and children as young as four can make them too. So many reasons to makes one! Do you want to give it a try? Ok, good. Let me show you how it's done.

Supplies Needed for Doodle Weavings:

~ Piece of cardboard for the loom (mine is 10.5″ X 6.5″)

~ Scissors

~ X-acto knife

~ Yarn in various weights and colors

~ Plastic lacing needle or masking tape

~ Stick

~ Fork (for pushing down the weft so it fits snuggly together without gaps)

How to Make a Doodle Weaving:

1. First, make the cardboard loom.

Step 1: Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard, I happened to already have a piece that was 6.5 inches wide and I cut the length to 10.5 inches.

Step 2: Fold the ends up about 3/4 of an inch. You'll need to "score" the back with an X-acto knife and then bend it up. This means you cut a shallow line at the point where you want to bend it on the opposite side to help bend in a straight line.

Step 3: Cut an even amount of slits with scissors on either end for the warp (that's the stationery yarns that go up and down). I made 16 slits because I wanted my warp to be tight. But if you are using a lot of heavy, thick yarn or doing this with small children then maybe you want to do 12 slits. You can see these rainbow weavings that we did in art camp for a loom with 12 warp threads.

2. Attach the warp.

Step 1: Cut one warp yarn for every two slits. I cut 8 very long pieces. Each yarn should loop around the top and hang down at the bottom to create the fringe.

Step 2: Double-knot the top around the stick, above the loom, then press the yarn into the slits.

Step 3: Press the other end of the yarn into the bottom slits and then pull so the tension is not too loose and not to tight, but making sure tension is equal with all warp threads.

Step 4: Tie knots at the bottom to create the fringe. Don't trim the fringe yet, wait to do that at the end.

3. Begin your weaving.

Step 1: Choose your weft colors (the yarns that go across) and pick one color to start. If you have a needle, great. If not (I couldn't find mine) you can tape the end of the yarn like a shoelace which helps weave through the warp.

Step 2: Beginning at the bottom, weave a few rows just straight across. If you've never done weaving before, take a look my weaving with kids post which explains in detail how to weave. It's basically just over and under, then back across in the opposite over-under pattern. It's not tricky, but it can be easy to drop a warp thread or forget to change pattern on the way back. So after each run through, use your fork to push down the weft and eyeball that things look good. And remember to be careful not to pull the yarn too tightly on either side. This will distort the weaving. Young kids do this most of the time, but you can teach them to watch out for that.

Step 3: After you have a few rows on the bottom, you can start "doodling" with different yarns. Start anywhere and just create a shape. I was loosely thinking of mountains when I made this which helped in my doodling.

Step 4: When you're ready for the next color, just start next to the last color, even if you're starting in the middle. To avoid gaps in the weaving, make sure that the next color is woven over some of the same warp yarns that the last color used. But if you do find that there are gaps at the end, you can also just go back and fill them. This is doodling, so anything goes!

Step 5: Try some other kinds of weaves. I don't know what this is called (here is a glossary of different weaves if you're interested) but I just made it up and it looked cool and interesting. I like mixing puffy, thick yarn with thinner yarns. For me, the color is as important as the texture.

Remember, each time you start or end a new color, leave a tail. You can even leave the tape on the end because you can use it later to finish the back.

Step 6. When you get to the top, weave a few straight rows to finish. Carefully pop the warp yarns off of the loom. You will find that there is a little extra space at the top and bottom. You can either push the weft yarns around a bit to fill the space, or weave a couple more rows to fill the space.

Step 7: Now it's time to finish the back. First, make sure all the tails are looped through the final warp yarns at the ends. Then, flip your weaving over and just start weaving the tails back through some of the warp or weft threads. You can either use the taped end, or use a dull pencil to pull up a loop slightly, then tuck the tail under.

When all the tails are tucked in (you may have to use masking tape occasionally if there is nowhere to tuck something), snip them to about an inch or so.

Step 8: Trim the bottom, add a wire hanger, and you are done! I hope you love your weaving and are very proud of it. I love mine so much and can't wait to make more!

xo, Bar

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Did you like this post? Here are some more creative ideas using fibers!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If I had to choose one art medium for the rest of my life it would be fibers. I am always drawn to them, even from an early age when I only wanted to wear corduroy pants because I could run my fingers across the grooves and make a cool sound.

# data[].attributes.body
All you need is yarn and scissors!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.

1. Step 1: Cut your cardboard. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. ...

2. Step 2: Wrap the yarn. Wrap your yarn around the tallest part of your cardboard. ...

3. Step 3: Secure the tassel. ...

4. Step 4: Remove the cardboard. ...

5. Step 5: Make another knot. ...

6. Step 6: Fluff the ends and cut.

How do you make a tassel yarn?

What kind of yarn do you use to make tassels?

How much yarn do you need to make a tassel?

Dec 19, 2019 · In this video you'll learn how to make a yarn tassel and attach it to a crochet or knit project ...
Duration: 8:22
Posted: Dec 19, 2019

Oct 4, 2017 · Craft Basics - learn how to make a tassel. Making a yarn tassel is super quick and easy to do ...
Duration: 3:02
Posted: Oct 4, 2017

Washington DC (Hagerstown MD), Virginia

From your IP address - Learn more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
how to create tassel yarn - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Step 1: Cut your cardboard. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. ... Step 2: Wrap the yarn. Wrap your yarn around the tallest part of your cardboard. ... Step 3: Secure the tassel. ... Step 4: Remove the cardboard.

# data[].attributes.body
After School and Vacation/ Summer Classes

https://www.arthaven.org/elementary-school-classes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome back! It's hard to believe it's fall already.... We wanted to share some information & notes with you going in to this season;

Based on the current Covid -19 climate, all of our classes require masks for students and teachers. We will revisit regulations as appropriate through out the season

When coming to art class, please try not to wear your favorite clothes. Even with our aprons, kids find ways to get paint, clay, etc everywhere...

Note the start times of classes. We've had to get a little creative with our scheduling to fit everything in ;)

Please email admin@arthaven.org with any questions

Class Descriptions
Pottery - students will learn hand building techniques as well as experiment with the pottery wheel. Students can expect to bring at least one finished, glazed piece home at the end of the 4 week session. It will probably be necessary for families to return after the last session to get pieces that were in the process of being fired when class ended

Painting and Drawing Projects - Students will use drawing and painting as vehicles to tell stories, express their ideas, and create fun new projects using both disciplines. Specific drawing and color concepts will be interwoven into the curriculum, with a focus on student engagement and self expression.

3D Sculpture - In this class students will build out of clay, cardboard, paper, recyclables, etc. The focus will be on learning how structure impacts design, and how to use space and form to bring what they imagine to life.

Mixed Media - this class will bring various disciplines together - fiber arts and painting, drawing and decoupage, collage and sculpture. Students will learn about the wide range of possibilities in expressing their ideas, and the technical challenges and benefits of mixing mediums.

Slime Night - during this class we make 2-3 different slimes. During class we also play trivia and guessing games to break things up :) We use liquid starch as an activator, not borax. Kids will leave with their slimes in plastic lidded containers. PLEASE WEAR CLOTHES THAT CAN GET MESSY!
Sometimes class projects extend more than one week - the teachers will let parents know when this is the case. https://www.arthaven.org/workshops-1
We look forward to seeing you all in the studio!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Elementary School Classes - Cape Ann Art Haven

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome back! It's hard to believe it's fall already.... We wanted to share some information & notes with you going in to this season; Based on the current Covid -19 climate, all of our classes require masks for students and teachers.

# data[].attributes.body
Teen and up classes

https://www.rockportartassn.org/summer-popup-art

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Contact Exhibitions Education Membership Contributing Membership Auction General Information Auction Guidelines Auction 2021 Catalog Consignment Exhibiting Artist Membership Artist Bios Artist Membership Application Online Art Courses Workshops Summer Pop-Up Art Outdoor Classes Creative Community Figure Sketch Group Experimental Group Exhibition Schedule Artists for the Great Marsh Salon of Solos First Fall Show Experimental Group Show Collector's Corner RAA&M National Solo Shows Past Exhibitions Gift Shop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Red Ted Art - Make crafting with kids easy & fun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You know we adore easy Paper Crafts for kids, right? Well, we have a super duper special and EASY Bird Finger Puppet Origami project for you. These are so easy, and so fun to turn into doodle birds, that you will wonder **where** they have been all your life! So fun.

They make a great addition to our Easy Origami Projects for kids, as well as Paper Puppet collection!

First shared in April 2020

You may also love our super popuplar Paper Mice Finger Puppets (made differently and a great way for exploring shapes and basic fractions:

Materials needed to make your Origami Bird Puppets:

Square piece of paper - we used A4 cut down into two sheets of 15 x 15cm to make two birds (do experiment with different sizes to fit your children's hands!)

Pens for decorating - experiment with pens, biros, pencils, crayons.. whatever you can find!

No scissors. No glue!!

Yep can you believe it, this craft really requires no glue or scissors (well apart from having to cut down paper to a square, but that can be achieved with careful tearing too!).

How to make paper bird finger puppets with scrap paper:

Do watch our easy to follow Bird Finger Puppet video. I always find video instructions sooo much easier to follow.

But have also invluded step by step written instructions below!

This written instructions also include some step photos, which I hope will help you make this cute little Finger Puppet!

Whilst I have your Attention

All crafts supplied on this website are free for you to follow and read. Occassionally, I charge for the odd template, but the templates are not necessary for crafting! During this super uncertain time of Covid, if would like to show me additional support, there are number of ways you can really help me (and help continue with this free resource website!!):

1. Follow me on YouTube (I am soooo keen to hit that 1mill subs milestone!)

2. Sign up to my FREE weekly newsletter

3. For Preschoolers - follow my FREE FB Group or join this newsletter

4. Or if you wish, you can buy me a coffee!

Any, or all of the above are super helpful!!

THANK YOU!

Here we go... How to make a Paper Bird Finger Puppet

As you can see from the images below, I really did use the paper from my recycling bin! It is a great way to upcycle and still have fun.

Begin my making a square piece of paper. Fold the A4 sheet of paper in half.

Bring one corner up to the central fold. Cut that "triangle" out. When you fold it open again you will have a square.

Fold your square across the diagonal (again) to make a triangle and a nice diagonal crease.

Open up.

Bring one flat edge of the square to align with this central diagonal and start forming a "Kite shape". Repeat with the other side.

Fold your paper along the diagonal again (so your other fold are on the inside).

You now have one long edge. And two short ones. Fold the long edge in half to find the mid way point and pinch as a "marker" (bottom left photo).

Open again.

Fold up the short edge to make a crease (the video shows this really well- or look at the dashed line in the image!) -(bottom right photo).

Folding the paper down (top left photo).

And then back up (top right photo).

Now wrap the paper around itself and "tuck in".

One side will show the "folds and tuck". This is the "rough side" (but can of course still get decorated).

Flip over and you get a "neat" side - this is the side that is easier/ more fun to decorate!

Your basic bird is finished.

Be as creative as you like! Invent your own birds or google your favourite types of bird and be inspired by their beaks and plumage. Maybe you can make some parrots, some parakeets, some puffins and more?!

How to make your paper bird point the other way?

If you want the "Neat" side to point the other way, make the folds in the other direction.

Now it is time to have fun with decorating!! Use lots of colours and have fun.

Check out more Easy Origami Ideas for Kids:

As well as the rest of our Paper Puppets!

This video how to is also available on YouTube:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Easy Bird Finger Puppet Origami - Red Ted Art - Make crafting with kids easy & fun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You know we adore easy Paper Crafts for kids, right? Well, we have a super duper special and EASY Bird Finger Puppet Origami project for you. These are so easy, and so fun to turn into doodle birds, that you will wonder **where** they have been all your life! So fun.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Red Ted Art - Make crafting with kids easy & fun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Gorgeous Fingerprint Heart Rocks for Valentine's (and maybe Mother's Day?? What mum can't resist a fingerprint heart from her lovely children?)... but again, I digress.. these Valentine's Fingerprint Rock Hearts make the perfect friendship rocks don't you think??
First published in Jan 2018
Add a "Our Friendship Rock's Card" and these make wonderful little Classroom Gifts for Kids to make!! And if you are into Rock Painting and Hiding Rocks in your local community, I think you will ADORE these gorgeous little Friendshop Heart Rocks!!!!! Over to Agnes from Hello Wonderful!
Valentine Fingerprint Rock Hearts

Make Valentine's Day extra special this year with these keepsake Fingerprint Rock Hearts! Little kids will love dipping their fingers in paint to make these adorable hearts and big kids will enjoy drawing in faces!
Keep one for yourself as a keepsake and make several to hand out as cute Valentine gifts for friends, family or classmates. What's fun about these is that you probably already have all the materials on hand to start creating. Go rock hunting with the kiddos, grab some paint and a marker and you're good to go!

Valentine Fingerprint Rock Hearts - Materials:

Affiliate links added for convenience.
Optional: clear varnish to spray your rocks if you want to preserve them and keep them from chipping - Agnes recommends this varnish spray US/ UK
Friendship Rock Hearts - Instructions:

Step 1: Pour some paint onto a palette (we just used a scrap of cardboard)

Step 2. Have your child dip their finger onto the paint covering the fingerprint fully and pressing firmly onto the rock forming one side of a V shape. Have them spread their finger around a bit around the sides. Repeat and fill the other side of the V shape to make a heart.

Step 3. Allow the paint to dry fully and then draw cute characters and features!

Step 4. Optional: spray your rocks with a clear varnish (adults only) to preserve the paint.

Hand out your heart rocks to spread love!

More wonderful Kids Valentine's Day Crafts here
More wonderful Mother's Day Crafts:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Friendship Rocks for Valentine's - Red Ted Art - Make crafting with kids easy & fun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gorgeous Fingerprint Heart Rocks for Valentine's (and maybe Mother's Day?? What mum can't resist a fingerprint heart from her lovely children?)... but again, I digress.. these Valentine's Fingerprint Rock Hearts make the perfect friendship rocks don't you think?? Add a "Our Friendship Rock's Card" and these make wonderful little Classroom Gifts for Kids to make!!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We're featuring 12 process art ideas for Valentine's Day with lots of heart inspired projects for kids this month or any month! Updated January 2021
Valentine's Day as a kid was one of my favorite holidays. I have distinct memories in first grade of making all sorts of handmade valentines for my classmates. As a "grown-up" I still get that excited feeling as February gets closer.

We have an amazing collection of process art ideas for Valentine's Day. No cookie cutter crafts, but instead-gorgeous art and crafts ideas that will reflect the creativity of each child that makes it.

Enjoy!

Process Art Ideas for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day craft project consists of three layers- a wooden heart base, bleeding tissue paper on white cardboard for the center, and painted newspaper on top.

Cardboard, paint sticks and food pouch lids are all you need to create this amazing 3D Valentine!

After seeing this idea a few years back I now paint my own bleeding hearts each year. Process art is fun for adults too!

Kids love cloud dough! And who could resist this adorable Valentine's Day themed sensory table? (It's easy to make with vegetable oil + flour, color to your liking with food coloring).

Lace, liquid watercolor and pipettes make up this easy & elegant project. Watch as the colors bleed together for a simple lesson in color theory!

These little watercolor heart paintings are so wonderful! Use a white crayon and paint over for a simple & beautiful wax resist valentine.

Grab some sugar cubes + watch them changes colors by squeezing liquid watercolors on them. Or paint with a paint brush. A great fine motor activity for toddlers and up!

These nature heart valentines are simple and beautiful! A basic weaving project with cardboard + flowers that's so fun for kids.

Dig into that recycling box and paint colorful heart paintings!

Shaving cream marbling is process art in all its glory. But then what to do with all the beautiful artwork? We have you covered!

12. Cardboard Hearts with Little Mainer Art Studio

Paint some cardboard, add glitter and pom poms to make these process art valentines!

More Process Art Ideas for Valentine's Day
Pin It For Later

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
12 Process Art Ideas for Valentine's Day Projects for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We're featuring 12 process art ideas for Valentine's Day with lots of heart inspired projects for kids this month or any month! Updated January 2021 Valentine's Day as a kid was one of my favorite holidays. I have distinct memories in first grade of making all sorts of handmade valentines for my classmates.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to make your own shadow puppet theatre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VideoLink lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Easy Dog Hand Puppet DIY - Paper Hand Puppet Craft - Easy Dog DIY

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VideoLink lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Making a kite together with your kids is such a wonderful learning experience and flying it together is tons of fun and SO rewarding! If you've been wondering how to make a kite, it's really not as hard as it seems, and it's definitely worth the time. Here's how we made our own kite using newspaper!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Flying kites is one of our favorite things to do as a family. (We actually have this little pocket kite we keep in our bag of beach toys to use when we're at the beach.) I love watching the kids try to get their kites up in the air and seeing the joy in their faces as they fly their kites!

Since my kids have been so into creating this summer, I decided to see if we could make our very own kites! I cannot even put into words how much fun we had building them together and taking them to a nearby field to fly them. It was literally hours of running around and laughing and FUN!

Materials for Making a Kite

A full sheet of newspaper

Two 1/4 inch round wooden dowels (one 24 inches, one 20 inches)

Scissors

Pencil

Masking tape or packing tape

Ruler or yardstick

Yarn and/or ribbons

Little handsaw

Directions for Making a Kite

1. Start by cutting your wooden dowels to the correct lengths- 24 inches and 20 inches. (The kids helped me measure the dowels with a yardstick, and I cut them myself with the saw.)

2. Use your handsaw to make notches in both ends of your two wooden dowels. (For safety reasons, I did this myself.)

3. Lay the 24 inch dowel vertical and measure 6 inches from the top. Mark it with a pencil. Place the smaller dowel across this mark to form a 't' shape. Use your string to wrap the dowels together where they meet. Pay attention to the notches at the end of each dowel. You'll want them all parallel to the floor your sticks are on so that you can later wrap string around the frame.

Place some masking tape over the string to secure your dowels.

4. Wrap string all the way around the kite, making sure it goes right into the notches.

Now that your frame is done, it's time to add your newspaper. (You can also use a plastic trash bag.)

5. Place a large sheet of newspaper on the floor. Place your frame on top of it. Cut about one inch outside the frame to make your newspaper the same shape.

6. Fold the edges of the newspaper over the string and tape them down securely.

7. Cut a piece of string 24 inches long. Poke holes into the top and bottom points of the kite. Tie one end of the string into the top hole and one end into the bottom hole. (Use some tape to keep it secure.) This is the brindle of your kite. Tie your flying string to this brindle string to fly your kite. (We started by tying the string about 1/3 of the way down the brindle and adjusted it as we flew our kite.)

8. Use ribbon to create a tail for your kite.

Now you're ready to go kite flying!

Flying Our Homemade Kite
Tip: Be sure to bring some scissors, tape, and string with you when you go out to fly your kite. We made all kinds of adjustments to get our kites into the air!
Flying our homemade kites was one of my favorite memories from this summer! We literally ran around for hours working on getting our kites up in the air!

Kite flying required all kinds of teamwork. Here's Lucy and Theo about to try to get Lucy's plastic trash bag kite up!

Somehow our newspaper kite survived crashing and being dragged around the ground many times. It was a lot stronger than it seemed!

Perseverance paid off! Theo was SO proud when he finally got it off the ground!

This really was such a fun family activity. It would be a great way to end your summer or a fun way to reconnect on the weekends! This would also be a great science activity for homeschoolers or upper grade classrooms!

Find more STEM activities in our ebook! Learn more about it here, or buy it now here!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Making a kite together with your kids is such a wonderful learning experience and flying it together is so much fun and SO rewarding! If you've been wondering how to make a kite, it's really not hard at all and so worth the time!

# data[].attributes.body
Make a 3D fish from 1 sheet of paper plus scraps!

# data[].attributes.body
Make a 3D paper house from 3 sheets of paper

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to make a Paper House- very easy- Paper Craft

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VideoLink lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.body
Create this cool craft using just glue, salt, and watercolors!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you are looking for a "cool" winter craft to do with your kids, try these watercolor and salt snowflakes. Watercolor and salt art is so much fun to do with kids! For another version, see also my glue and salt spiderweb post. This is a super fun science and art combo.

How to Do this Winter Craft with Salt and Watercolors

Watch it:

Supplies needed:

Start this winter craft by drawing a snowflake on a piece of construction paper.

To draw a snowflake, start with three or four lines criss-crossing each other. Then add little arrow-like lines along each line.

Next, trace across each line you drew with glue.

We drew some big snowflakes and some smaller ones with a few on the page.

Next sprinkle salt all over the design. I poured some salt into a small bowl so my kids could just grab a pinch and sprinkle easily. You want to cover all of the glue with the salt, so be ok with them using a lot. Shake it around gently to cover up any extra spots you may have missed and then pour off any excess salt.

Let the glue dry. This can take a bit of time.

You could totally just stop there because it looks just like snow. It is white and crystal-like. However, the next step is not something you'll want to miss.

Painting the Salt and Glue Snowflakes With Watercolors

Now comes the extra fun part of this wintery craft! Drip and drop watercolors right on top of the salt with the pipette or brush. It's so fun to watch it spread and to watch the water get absorbed into the salt. If you are using a paintbrush, you just want to make sure you have a lot of water and paint on the brush.

We put our watercolors in small individual bowls with a little water water it down a bit.

It's fun to mix colors in this project because they will spread and blend together on their own!

My son made a stunning rainbow snowflake! I love how beautiful it is.

Watercolor Salt Snowflakes

Create beautiful a snowflake winter craft with your kids! This watercolor and salt art project is fun for all ages.

We also tried some snowflakes. Even my 5-year-old made one! Here are their finished projects.

Pin it for later:

The Science Behind the Watercolor and Salt Art:

Use this to talk about absorption and how salt absorbs water and can dissolve in water. See also our experiment about dissolving things in water.

See more Snowflake art with snowflake symmetry drawings.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Winter Craft ~ Watercolor and Salt Snowflakes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you are looking for a "cool" winter craft to do with your kids, try these watercolor and salt snowflakes. Watercolor and salt art is so much fun to do with kids! For another version, see also my glue and salt spiderweb post. This is a super fun science and art combo.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn some fun tips as you participate in a Toy Photo Challenge!

# data[].attributes.body
Amazing portal to art around the world!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Google Arts & Culture features content from over 2000 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world's treasures online.

# data[].attributes.body
use your computer / tablet to test out different designs - and then try cutting out your favorites!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Make virtual paper snowflakes in your browser with this HTML5 web app, then save or share your images.

# data[].attributes.body
a quick drawing game

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Can a neural network learn to recognize doodles? See how well it does with your drawings and help teach it, just by playing.

# data[].attributes.body
make a 3D mug out of 2D paper

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Students in 3rd grade will be creating these fun 3D winter mugs soon! I plan on showing this video to my students, before and during the creating process during art class. The video discusses the ...

# data[].attributes.body
The International Museum of Folk Art offers a tutorial on how to make paper beads. Click through for DIY paper bowls, DIY maracas, DIY amulets and more!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
DIY Paper Beads

Appropriate for grades:
Subject areas: Visual and Performing Arts

Beads are used around the world in a variety of ways and for different reasons. They range in shape and size and can be made from glass, plastic, metal, cloth, shell, stones, even paper! In some communities, beads are used at important moments in life and can represent passages such as birth, becoming an adult, marriage, and death-or power and status. Each cultural tradition has color preferences and its own designs and beading techniques.

Beads are worn just for decorative purposes too-so enjoy making your own paper beads and wearing them!

You'll need:

drawing paper

pencil

glue stick

scissors

ruler

string &/or pipe cleaners

Procedures

Download Lesson Plan

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Appropriate for grades: Subject areas: Visual and Performing Arts Beads are used around the world in a variety of ways and for different reasons. They range in shape and size and can be made from glass, plastic, metal, cloth, shell, stones, even paper!

# data[].attributes.body
Make your own modeling clay with discarded paper!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We love working with papier mache and upcycled newspapers. Paper Clay though technically a papier mache is a different Paper Mache Technique and super fun to work with.

Homemade Paper Clay uses the same ingredients as a papier mache paste recipe, but you will need a blender as well! For a "whiter" clay finish, you can also use toilet paper and glue. But I prefer the shredded paper version as it is more eco friendly.

Did you know that shredded paper can NOT be recycled? Most paper recycling plants can't "handle" shredded paper as it is too small or clogs up the machines. So these shredded paper uses are great for eco friendly person!

DIY Paper Clay video

You can either watch out paper clay video tutorial or follow the step by step photo directions!

Step by Step Photo Directions

Step 1 DIY Paper Clay - Gather your suppliers

shredded paper or newspaper cut into pieces

large bowl

hot water

flour - 1 part flour to 4 parts pulp

salt

a hand blender or mixer

Step 2 Make Shredded Paper or cut up newspapers

Begin by shredding all your paper. Using stredded paper is a wonderful upcycling technique. Did you know that many recycling plant can NOT process shredded paper? It falls through the machinery gaps and clogs it up. So if you have paper to shredd.. this is a great way to use it up. We have more great shredded paper uses for you to explore as well!

Step 3 Fill a Bowl with Paper & Hot Water

Mix the water and shredded paper up throughly and make sure it is fully covered and able to saturate the shredded paper.

Step 4 Leave overnight (or for a few hours)

Your mixture won't look much different the next day.. but the paper should now be softer and ready for hand blending!

Step 5 Blend with a hand blender or similar

A hand blender is great or you can use an electrix mixer as well. Please ask for permission first and also make sure it doesn't overheat! Pulp up the paper with the blender until it is broken down completely.

Step 6 Squeeze out excess water

Step 7 Add some flour and salt

Step 8 Store in an air tight container

This will store in an air tight container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
NOTE: because we use flour and not glue, their is a unique smell to this DIY paper clay. But it is an organic, natural smell.. once you have painted your work and once it is fully dry it will pass. You CAN use glue as mentioned... however, the natural aspect is SO much better!
DIY Paper Clay Video Tutorial

Watch our simple and oh so easy to follow How to make Paper Clay video tutorial. As mentioned previosuly we prefer our method of using shredded paper and flour (vs toilet paper and glue) as it is true upcycling and eco friendly (flour is better than glue for the environment!).

We have used this paper clay to make:

Fruity Summer Bowls - great for young kids as they only need to mould the pulp into a bowl!

Fun Paper Clay Pencil Toppers.

We have so many more fabulous Papier Mache Techniques for you to explore and be inspired by!

More ideas for Shredded Paper:

You can also watch our Paper Clay video tutorial on YouTube

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We love working with papier mache and upcycled newspapers. Paper Clay though technically a papier mache is a different Paper Mache Technique and super fun to work with. Homemade Paper Clay uses the same ingredients as a papier mache paste recipe, but you will need a blender as well!

# data[].attributes.body
The Peabody Essex Museum has over 40 video tutorials from oil and water painting to making your own clay!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

# data[].attributes.body
Use old toy blocks as a base and create a 3D sculpture!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kids love to draw. Set out a stack of paper and a pencil and you'd be hard pressed to find a child who doesn't want to start doodling. So how about translating the concept of a line into 3 dimensions?

Wire sculpture is an easy way to introduce two important art concepts to children: line and space. Line is an intuitive and basic art concept, in fact the most primitive works of art, such as cave paintings, are line drawings. Line allows people to express ideas in a simple way, think happy faces and hearts, and is the foundation of symbols. Another basic art concept is space. Many 2 dimensional works of art typically employ depth and perspective to create the illusion of 3 dimensional space. Once you start working in 3 dimensions you have entered the world of sculpture, which allows you to actually create objects in space.

What I love about wire sculpture is that it allows children to work in line while also exploring space. Additionally it illustrates how 3 dimensional objects look different depending on the angle of the viewer.

This was one of those simple light bulb projects I had while fooling around with materials I had purchased for something else. At first I envisioned them as DIY toys, which they still can be, but I also enjoyed the idea of using them as an easy sculpture exercise for kids. The beads add color and actually help children "trace" the 3D lines they've made. And there's a bonus, it's a really easy and inexpensive project to set-up!
This post contains affiliate links to products.
Materials

Garden Wire or other easily malleable wire

Wood blocks like these- you can also recycle a few wood blocks from your toy collection. You will want to use blocks on the heavier side. I actually used 2″ square blocks.

Drill and drill bit to match wire diameter

Wood Beads

Pencil and ruler

Sandpaper

Sharp scissors or wire cutters

Wood Glue (optional)

Instructions

Step One Start by taking your wood block and laying out the location of the holes that will act as the wire base. If you are using a square block, mark out hole locations on all of the exposed sides of the block. If you are using a larger flat block then go ahead and mark holes primarily on the top side.

Step Two Drill hoes in the block using your drill bit. Sand any rough edges as necessary.

Step Three Cut strips of wire. I recommend the lengths be between 12" and 18", you want there to be enough wire to twist and loop but not so much that the wire becomes unruly and droopy for little hands.

Step Four Set up the activity for your kids. Each child should have (1) wood block with holes in it, (3-4) strips of wire (a few different lengths would be great), and a handful of wood beads.

Step Five Have your child place one end of the wire in one of the holes, add a few beads onto the starting end and then ask them to twist and shape the wire as desired. Place the loose end in another hole.

Step Six Repeat step five with additional lengths of wire to make a sculpture/DIY bead toy.

You're done! Simple and fun!

Tips

Kids can place both ends of the wire in holes and twist and shape the wire with two sides firmly secured.

You can permanently secure the wire in place by placing a small dollop of wood glue in the hole before inserting the wire. This can also be done once the sculpture is complete, simply pull out the wire, add glue to the hole, and replace the wire.

Try sliding the beads along the wire for your very own DIY wooden bead and wire maze.

Looks Like

David Oliveira. David Oliveira is a Portuguese artist who makes 3 dimensional wire sculptures that look like sketches. They are absolutely incredible and show you the power of the line to suggest form. His sculptures prove that a humble medium like wire can be used to create fanciful and expressive works of art. Check out his work here on Saatchi.com.

Conclusion

Wire sculpture is a wonderful 3 dimensional "drawing" exercise for kids. I'm reading this amazing book right now, which inspired me to think about wire as a medium for exploring line. Wire is so easy for kids to manipulate, and adding colorful beads makes the sculptures pop and allows children to make sense of the 3D lines they are creating. I can also see this project translated into a fine motor skills activity for the preschool set. And not to mention the final sculptures also make some sweet retro art for your house!

If you enjoyed making 3D sculptures with kids check out our Magnetic Sculptures project. For more easy art ideas for kids using simple materials try Watercolors and Oil and Styrofoam Patterns.
Subscribe to our free newsletter and check out our FB page where I share tons more creative ideas and resources from around the web.
Fill your child's life with more art, design, and science:

Spread creative ideas like wildfire: Pin this!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids love to draw. Set out a stack of paper and a pencil and you'd be hard pressed to find a child who doesn't want to start doodling. So how about translating the concept of a line into 3 dimensions? Wire sculpture is an easy way to introduce two important art concepts to children: line and space.

# data[].attributes.body
Oil Pastel = Magic Ink!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
No-Prep Art Project: Magical Appearing Pictures.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Watercolor resist is a classic art technique with a hidden pictures twist! It can also be set up quickly and uses simple art materials.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VideoLink lets you share videos on YouTube easily, without distracting third-party content or advertisements.

# data[].attributes.body
watch video tutorial at the end!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you want to introduce your child to stop motion animation, this post is written for you. I'll show you how to do this with an iPad or similar device, and you'll be making your first movie in minutes.

While my girls have been in a little bit of camp this summer, it's mainly been Camp Mom for our family: local adventures, crafts, and lots and lots of unstructured play. We're lucky to have some great neighbors with kids, and our girls have been lost in imaginative play that expands beyond the reach of anything I could possibly fabricate for them.

However, we've had a few mornings filled with creative projects and this stop motion animation project is a winner.

If you're looking for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) project, this is for YOU!

This project would be great to set up on the STEAM Table.

Stop Motion Animation, explained

For the uninitiated, stop motion animation is a film making technique that makes inanimate objects appear to move on their own. Think Gumby or Wallace and Gromit.

To make it work, you place an object in front of a camera and snap a photo. You then move the object a tiny bit and snap another photo. Repeat this process twenty to ten thousand times, play back the sequence in rapid progression, and the object appears to move fluidly across the screen.

While my older daughter, age six, really flew with this project, her little sister who's just two months shy of four also got in on the stop motion animation action. I'll share their finished projects in just a moment. But first, let me show you just how simple this set up can be. Take this as a starting point and feel free to add your own flourishes.

Supplies for Stop Motion Animation
This list contains affiliate links for your convenience
Method

1. Set up a backdrop. This could be a wall or pice of foam core.

2. Gather toys to include in your animation.

3. Set up your touch pad or smart phone on a stand or tripod, across from the foam core.

4. Start the Stop Motion Animation App and make your movie!

The Stop Motion Animation Set Up

As you can see, there's nothing too fancy about the set up. While you could certainly add some elaborate lighting, we set this up by a window to keep it simple. I added the trash can behind the piece of foam core to keep it from falling over during filming. I know, super glamorous, right? Any heavy object should do the trick.

The kids had fun sorting through what we call the Character Basket for their just-right objects. My six-year old was up first, and my little one took it as an opportunity to play with cars and mini sheep while she waited her turn.

Using the stop motion app was really easy and intuitive. I did a demo run to show the kids how it worked, and then my six-year old took over and worked on her video for a solid half hour. When she was done, her little sister took over. I was surprised at how easy it was for her too.

Easy Stop Motion Ideas

My kids jumped in on this with tons of enthusiasm. Here are a few easy stop motion ideas that you can show to your children.

From three-year old R...

From six-year old N...

Benefits of Stop Motion Animation

Offers children ownership and autonomy in the film making process

Teaches children how stop motion animation works

Debunks the mechanics of how movie-making happens

The creative constraint of the medium encourages problem solving

It's a simple, hands-on technology that young children can achieve

Encourages children to project and plan out where a story is heading

Fosters iteration and experimentation through trying and testing

Supports storytelling

So, are you ready to give it a try?

More Stop Motion Resources

You can't really beat the classic stop motion animation of Gumby! Gumby on the Moon, YouTube. This would be an inspiring thing to show a child as an intro to stop motion animation.

Best Stop Motion Videos from Short of the Week. Lots of good inspiration here.

How to make things fly in Stop Motion Animation, using PhotoShop: YouTube. This is for the super-advanced students, and worth checking out if you're curious about how these things work.

More Projects like this one
DIY Paper Tube Marble Run Fort Building Kit DIY Water Wall, it's like a marble run, but with water! Build an easy light table Make Gumdrop Sculptures Build a Rube Goldberg machine for Little Engineers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Easy Stop Motion Animation for Beginners - TinkerLab

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This Stop Motion Animation project is easy to set up in minutes, and a great way to encourage STEAM concepts with children.

# data[].attributes.body
Use simple crayons for a magical transfer technique!

# data[].attributes.body
1 session how to

# data[].attributes.body
lasts for months!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
At TinkerLab, we love making playdough, and today we're sharing what is easily the BEST playdough recipe ever. I've been making this recipe for over seven years, and haven't looked back since. The recipe was handed down to me by a preschool teacher, and it can't be beat. I'm so confident about this recipe, in fact, that there's a copy of it in my best-selling book, Tinkerlab: A Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors.

Why this is the best playdough recipe

It's easy to make (see our no-cook version of the recipe below)

It will last for months if stored in a sealed container or bag

It's inexpensive. Compare it to store bought dough and you are saving loads of cash.

The texture is divine. It's soft, pliable, and fun to work with.

Our Plan

My plan was to make a simple batch of play dough to replace the sparkly dried out purple stuff that happily met our cookie-making, glitter infusing, practice cutting, snowman-making needs over the past two months. I asked my daughter what color she would like this time around, and she answered with...
ALL of them.
Ahem. Right.

The way I have always made playdough requires that I add the color to the whole batch while it's cooking, making it difficult to make multiple colors. But by some lucky, happy accident we managed to add the ingredients in the wrong order, which is no doubt the result of making dough with a two year old while chatting with my mother-in-law and goo-gooing at my baby! But, as that same luck would have it, I think we landed on the best playdough recipe yet. The texture is buttery and I was able to deliver on the multiple colors request.

And this ingredient, my friends, is the secret to having strong, smooth playdough that won't crumble.

So, without further ado...The Best Playdough Recipe

Ingredients
This post contains affiliate links
Steps

1. Mix everything but the food coloring together in a large pot until somewhat smooth. It will be lumpy. Not to worry, the dough will get smoother as it cooks.

2. Cook the dough over a low heat. Mix frequently. The water will slowly cook out of the mixture and you'll notice it starts to take on a sticky dough appearance. Keep mixing until the edges of the dough along the side and bottom of the pan appear dry. Pinch a piece of dough. If it's not gooey, the dough is ready.

3. Place the dough on a counter top or large cutting board that can withstand a little food coloring.

4. Knead the warm dough until it's smooth and then divide it into the number of colors that you'd like to make. I divided mine into four balls, flattened each of them, added a little bit of food coloring or liquid watercolors, and then kneaded it in. I added more food coloring to get the desired shades of yellow, pink, teal, and lavender.

5. Play with the dough right away or store it in a large Ziplock bag or sealed container. Unused, it'll keep for months. For play dough tool ideas, you can read

There you have it, rainbow play dough (aka the best playdough recipe ever).

No-cook Best Playdough Recipe:

I've been making this dough for a few years now without too many changes. After investing in this amazing BPA-free electric kettle, I was wondering if I could make this playdough off the stove top. So I did some experimenting, and low and behold - this recipe can be even easier and still the amazing dough that we all love. Here you go: No-Cook Playdough recipe.

More Playdough Recipes

How to Make Cloud Dough, the easiest dough recipe that calls for oil and flour.

How to Make Goop with just cornstarch and water.

Make amazing scented pumpkin spice playdough.
How to make Gluten-free Cloud Dough Glowing Playdough
DIY Masa Playdough, made with masa harina

How to make Salt Dough with just salt, flour, and water.

What Else Can you do with Liquid Watercolors?

Liquid watercolors can be used for so many other recipes and projects such as:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Best Homemade Playdough Recipe (super soft, lasts for months) | TinkerLab

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
At TinkerLab, we love making playdough, and today we're sharing what is easily the BEST playdough recipe ever. I've been making this recipe for over seven years, and haven't looked back since. The recipe was handed down to me by a preschool teacher, and it can't be beat.

# data[].attributes.body
Use tp rolls and string to create 3D marionettes!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Last summer in art camp, we made marionettes! I have a big bin full of TP rolls, so I went on Pinterest in search of something to make with them. I found that several different bloggers had made marionettes from their TP rolls. The crafty Maggy at Red Ted Art has made four different marionettes if you can believe it: a dachshund, a giraffe, a unicorn, and a bird. The crafty mom behind the blog Badut made another stunning bird marionette, (her blog is in another language but you can see from the photos how it was made). Then there is this horse marionette from Home Adventurer, this very cute pegasus from Life with Moore Babies, and this darling puppy from Parents Magazine.

Of course, we added our own twist with the collaging and painted beads. I was so happy with the way these tissue paper animals turned out!! They are so colorful, and I love that they aren't one animal in particular. They can be any animal your child might have in mind! What a great toy for imaginary play.
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support! Supplies needed:
~ toilet paper rolls (I think the white ones are from the Cottonelle brand)

~ colored tissue paper (you can buy squares, or buy larger and cut up yourself)

~ wooden beads

~ liquid watercolors

~ twine or yarn

~ craft sticks
Process:
~ Each child got one full roll and one half roll. They collaged their two pieces with the tissue paper and white glue. I poured the glue into bowls and gave them brushes to use. This technique is a little less cumbersome than squeezing from a bottle.

~ We let the tubes dry overnight.

~ The next day the kids came back to finish their marionettes. Before they arrived, I strung some white twine through some holes that I had made. I used the tutorial from Parents Magazine to figure all of this out.

~ Each child got four wooden beads. They painted these first and then beaded their legs with pony beads while the wooden beads were drying.

~ I cut the straws into four pieces and each of them got one piece for the neck.

~ I also made the craft stick holder, again using the Parents Magazine tutorial.

Here they are hanging up for the parents to see at pick up. I love them!

I couldn't stop photographing them, they were so colorful and pretty.

Here is a short video where two of the children play with their marionettes. It was so cute because they told a story of two friends, and they never even said a word the whole time! They just instinctively knew what to do. Kids are so smart.

I hope you give these a try, they are not nearly as intimidating as they look! If you do, then tag me on Instagram at @artbarblog.

xo, Bar

PS: Here is my Beginner Art Supply list, and my Favorite Craft Supply list, if you need help knowing what to buy to fill your kids' art area.

PSS: Follow me on Instagram to see what I'm up to at the moment, and Facebook for tons more creative and artsy ideas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Last summer in art camp, we made marionettes! I have a big bin full of TP rolls, so I went on Pinterest in search of something to make with them. I found that several different bloggers had made marionettes from their TP rolls.

# data[].attributes.body
"made for, with, and by kids" - NYC museum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, i.e. The Met Museum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
#MetKids is a digital feature made for, with, and by kids.

# data[].attributes.body
animated art history videos

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to the wonderful world of Mati and Dada, where learning meets creativity and imagination. Seven year old Mati, a cheerful young girl with a zesty passion for art,is magically transported into the lives of great artists by her eccentric sidekick, Dada. Together these two friends go on excitin…

# data[].attributes.body
Mo Willems (beloved author/illustrator of Piggie and Elephant and Pigeon books) offers these daily Lunch Doodles.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems! Episode 01

# data[].attributes.body
An artist and his children offer hundreds of drawing tutorials - very popular guided drawing for all age levels!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Today, Olivia and I are learning how to draw a cute elephant! This lesson is meant for younger artists. Art Supplies This is a list of the supplies we used, but feel free to use whatever you have in your home or classroom. Crayons Paper Visit our art supply page for more information about the [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mason Jar Shadow Drawing Prompt | TinkerLab

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
After we made a Mason Jar Solar Light, we noticed that our non-frosted mason jar lantern created a loopy, squiggly, and sharp pattern of shadows when illuminated on the table. To turn this into an art activity, we added a few supplies (a piece of paper and pencil) and played around with this fun and creative shadow drawing prompt.

# data[].attributes.body
The Art of Ed put together 100 silly drawing prompts:
- Draw a shark waterskiing
-Draw a walking taco
.. and 98 more!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The first five minutes of any art class can become chaotic quickly. It's important to have a daily routine for students to follow. Using bell ringers is a great strategy to help settle students and save time. It sets the tone for a productive class.

Bell work can be presented in various ways. From answering questions to writing down vocabulary words, the possibilities are endless!

One engaging idea is to start each class by having students complete "The Daily Draw."

Students come into class, take out their sketchbooks, and complete the drawing prompt as they wait for further instructions. This practice serves as a way to get students involved and ready to learn in a quick, easy way.

A drawing prompt is a great way to start class, but it's just one option. If you're looking for more ways to get your students seated and settled, be sure to check out the Insider Secrets for Successfully Managing the Classroom PRO Learning pack! There's an entire section devoted to successfully starting each class period.

The key to effective bell work is to make it as engaging as possible.

Below you'll find a list of 100 Silly Drawing Prompts. These prompts are a great way to get your students warmed up for class. You might even find your students rushing to your room to see what silly drawing idea you'll come up with next!
Download Now
100 Silly Drawing Prompts

Animals

Food

People

1. Draw your art teacher on an island.

2. Draw a teacher eating a pizza while dancing.

3. Draw a person with fruit for hair.

4. Draw a basketball player dunking a chicken.

5. Draw a pirate in a hammock.

6. Draw your teacher as a zombie.

7. Draw your art teacher with a beard.

8. Draw yourself with a super power.

9. Draw a clown sneezing out flowers.

10. Draw a person with donuts for eyes.

11. Draw a cowboy in Antarctica riding a polar bear.

12. Draw yourself as a fairy.

Make Believe

1. Draw something other than a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

2. Draw a troll riding a unicorn.

3. Draw what your imaginary friend would look like if we could see them.

4. Draw a dragon breathing rainbows.

5. Draw an alien driving a car.

6. Draw an elf jumping on a trampoline.

Objects/Places

Other

These ideas are not only great for bell work but can be used for sketchbook prompts as well. If you're looking for even more sketchbook ideas, check out an additional 100 right here.
What silly drawing prompt would you add to this list? What kind of bell work do you do in your art room?
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
100 Silly Drawing Prompts to Engage Your Students - The Art of Education University

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The first five minutes of any art class can become chaotic quickly. It's important to have a daily routine for students to follow. Using bell ringers is a great strategy to help settle students and save time. It sets the tone for a productive class. Bell work can be presented in various ways.

# data[].attributes.body
Hi there!
I hope you are staying healthy, happy, and safe!
Here are some links to some fun art resources. Please share any art or notes to me at stetrault@rpk12.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Not only do we love this short promo by Animade.tv for Marion Deuchars' book Let's Make Some Great Fingerprint Art, but we like the book, too. In the tradition of Ed Emberley, Deuchars inspires kids (and adults) to invent their own creatures using inky and imaginative fingertips.

Enjoy a few more of their animated commercials:

Find Let's Make some Great Fingerprint Art in your local book store or on Amazon, and if you don't yet have some ink pads, Deuchars' site includes a few treats, including online Fingerprint Art and Tangram activites.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Marion Deuchars' Let's Make some Great Fingerprint Art

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Not only do we love this short promo by Animade.tv for Marion Deuchars' book Let's Make Some Great Fingerprint Art, but we like the book, too. In the

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Simple Origami Folding Instructions - Fold Simple Origami - Easy Origami Diagrams

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here is a collection of easy and Simple origami for beginners or kids. There are simple instructions for folding an origami airplane, origami box, origami snake, origami water balloon and much more!

# data[].attributes.body
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) challenges using every day supplies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For nearly a year and a half now I have been teaching STEAM classes for homeschoolers. (STEAM is an acronym for Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math.)

One of the classes I taught late last year was focused on engineering challenges. The kids had so much fun working in groups and working individually to design and build a number of structures and projects.

I decided it would be fun to compile a list of awesome engineering challenges that are sure to stimulate kids' creativity and critical thinking skills.

The wonderful building challenges below utilize a wide range of materials and encourage children to design, build, and adjust plans to create some very cool structures, towers, boats, and more.

Build a hex bug maze from Buggy and Buddy

Build gumdrop structures from Little Bins for Little Hands

Build a tower out of straws and tape from Lemon Lime Adventures

Build a marble run using cardboard rolls and tape from Tinkerlab

Build a raft that floats on water from Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Build a structure using cups, craft sticks, and blocks from Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

Build a LEGO boat that can hold pennies from Kids' STEAM Lab

Build a race car using K'nex from Playdough to Plato

Build a road using an egg carton and paint brushes from Preschool Powol Packets

Build a structure from paper blocks from Babble Dabble and Do

Build a Rube Goldberg machine from Brain Power Boy

Build a turbo charged LEGO car from Geek Pack Hack

Build a bridge using straws from Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

Build a candy tower from Science Sparks

Build a structure using cardboard from Happy Hooligans

Looking for more hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you'll love STEAM Kids! This book features 52 hands-on activities are helpfully identified by category (science / technology / engineering / art / math) so you know exactly what skills your kids are developing.

Grab a copy of the e-book delivered as a PDF download (or this e-book for EU residents) and in print at Amazon.

More resources for STEAM learning

Most STEAM posts from Gift of Curiosity:

Looking for even more STEAM ideas for your classroom? Check out these printable resources:
Find more awesome building challenges on my Engineering Challenges Pinterest board.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
15 engineering challenges kids love {STEAM}

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For nearly a year and a half now I have been teaching STEAM classes for homeschoolers. (STEAM is an acronym for Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math.) One of the classes I taught late last year was focused on engineering challenges.

# data[].attributes.body
games, art history and more through this British site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Play free games and quizzes, find art activities, explore homework help and share your art with Tate Kids. The best art website for kids.

# data[].attributes.body
Guided drawing - fun animals!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
art kids "kids art" "art class" drawing painting coloring "art tutorial" "art for kids" "arts and crafts"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to the Brave Kids Art Club! My name is Brad Woodard and I am a professional illustrator who loves to make content and products for kids, like picture...

# data[].attributes.body
Use legos for a simple printmaking technique!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
LEGO Stamping: It’s Art with Bricks! - Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Do some LEGO stamping! Use LEGO bricks as stamps with an ink pad for an amazing art activity that kids will love.