Diana Auerhammer @ ParentWhiz
<img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2349" src="http://parentwhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_2534-220x220.jpg" alt="Art With the Kids, Part 1" width="220" height="220" />Lately I feel like making messes. Well, art messes, that is. Maybe it's because life has moved inside a bit from the intense outside living we do in the summer. I do miss that summer life when the season starts to change but....I get really excited about doing more inside art!
So, I think I will just write a series of posts on art with the kids for you and your children. Different ways to get that going for your youngsters, or just to change it up a bit. I can't say enough about how good it is for all of us to create things. It's extremely good for children, and adults. We will just leave it at that and, let's get going!
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<h3><strong>Supplies - Gotta Have 'em!</strong></h3>
Variety is the spice of life when it comes to art supplies. Since children's art is not about a final product and is all about the doing, a wide range of goodies to use will inspire lots of creativity. A lot of the time I see kids just "doing stuff with paint," or paper, or yarn, or a combination of the above. Kids usually have no great plan, and if you watch, they just seem to get lost in their activity. So, here is a supply list to get you started.
<h4><strong>The Budget List</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>Paper</strong> - Some all purpose paper for painting, collage backgrounds, drawing, pastels, whatever. I like <span style="color: #3366ff;"><a style="color: #3366ff;" href="http://bit.ly/1NvzEeL" target="_blank">this paper</a></span> from Discount School Supply! It's inexpensive, a little bigger than copy paper and a little more substantial. Feels like "real artist paper" for the kids.</li>
<li><strong>Paint</strong> - My go to paint for art with the kids of all ages is acrylic in bottles. It has great texture, and can be watered down to act like watercolor paint. Kids can also finger paint with it! A few colors will do and let the mixing begin!</li>
<li><strong>Brushes</strong> - Those little sponges on sticks make great brushes for big texture swipes and dabbing. I also like to give kids a range of "real" brushes. Some big chubbies are great for younger kids, for sure. Older kids- 8 and up maybe - start wanting exotic things like a fan brush, very tiny brushes and so on. Look for inexpensive sets like this one that I found at<img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-2310" src="http://parentwhiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_3125-220x220.jpg" alt="Art With the Kids, Part 1" width="220" height="220" /> Michael's. See the fan brush!?</li>
<li><strong>Pencils</strong> - #2, colored, mechanical, and don't forget the pencil sharpener.</li>
<li><strong>Markers</strong> - a basic set of 8-12 markers is a fine start. Maybe a couple of Sharpies, too. The Hallmark Store near us used to sell Crayola markers by the each!! Sooooo many colors.</li>
<li><strong>Crayons</strong> - a small set is fine, and, ALWAYS let your kids break them and peel them.</li>
<li><strong>Chalk</strong> - the sidewalk kind is cheaper than pastels for getting started, and has plenty of uses!</li>
<li><strong>Glitter</strong> - Yep. Not totally cheap. Worth the money for the thrill, though! Probably a must.</li>
<li><strong>Matte board scraps</strong> - nice and stiff. Check at frame shops. Usually free.</li>
<li><strong>Scissors</strong></li>
<li><strong>Glues</strong> - white, stick.</li>
<li><strong>Scotch tape</strong></li>
<li><strong>Stapler and staples</strong></li>
<li><strong>A hole punch</strong></li>
<li><strong>Super cheap and free stuff</strong> - homemade play dough, any kind of paper, free wallpaper sample books from a paint store, cloth scraps, newsprint roll ends from your local newspaper printer, textured things for print making, wood scraps, items from nature, egg cartons for holding paint, a roll of toilet paper for murals, colored rice, magazines - I think you get the idea. Literally anything will work.</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Sources</strong></h4>
<span style="color: #3366ff;"><a style="color: #3366ff;" href="http://bit.ly/1MHnCCW" target="_blank">Michael's</a></span> - These stores are popping up everywhere out our way. Their online store has everything and often in small, very affordable amounts. Check out the glitter!
<a href="http://bit.ly/1HOm6Jr" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3366ff;">Discount School Supply</span></a> - a vast and delicious resource. This company caters to schools so some items come in larger lots, but not always. Share some with a friend.
Second hand and junk stores - gold mines!
Grandma - aren't you amazed at what she is willing to part with for the grandkids?
<h4><strong>Finally -</strong></h4>
<ul>
<li>Coming soon! - <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Art With the Kids, Part 2 - Setting Up the Studio</span>.</li>
<li>To receive an email notice of all new posts, click <strong>subscribe</strong> below or on the right.</li>
</ul>
I hope you enjoyed the first of this series and found it helpful. If you have any ideas to share please do!
This post was originally featured on the blog "ParentWhiz".