As a parent, you probably discovered early on the many ways your child learns. By immersing your child in the arts, you’re giving them the opportunity to better develop their creativity, non-verbal skills, and self-expression. Get your kids creative juices flowing with these fun and diverse activities. These can be enjoyed by kids of all ages, and we’ve noted below which grade level we’d recommend for each.
- Take a different spin on crayon drawing to boost your preschooler’s creativity and motor skills. All you need is paper, crayons, black paint, and a paperclip to surprise your child with a fun new way to make art.
Sand craft mason jars (best for kindergarten)
- Broaden your child’s artistic horizons with sand as the medium. Find some mason jars and food coloring, and you’re on your way to bringing beautiful bookends or paperweights to life. Before you pour the colorful sand into the jars, ask your child what pattern they’d like. This will help give the art their unique touch. Don’t forget to have them sign their name on the bottom of the jars in sharpie, so everyone knows who created their masterpieces once they’re finished.
Sponge flowers (best for 1st grade)
- Beautify household essentials with ease! Cut sponges into flower shapes, apply Tempera paint, and press them on a table cloth or sheet to create a floral pattern. Try cutting different shapes to give the pattern a one-of-a-kind look. If you’re interested in making a family treasure that will withstand a little more wear and tear, swap in fabric paint for the Tempera.
Emotions in art (best for 2nd grade)
- Art helps people of all ages express and process emotions. This creative social emotional learning worksheet guides students to express what they are feeling in the moment. Your child will learn how colors and shapes relate to a range of emotions and experiences.
The basics of reading sheet music (best for 3rd grade)
- Looking to branch away from crafting and drawing and learn more about performing arts? Teach your child the basics of how to read sheet music. The worksheet helps young learners understand reading basic notes on a staff in both bass clef and treble clef.
Understanding universal symbols (best for 4th grade)
- Help kids think about language barriers and how to cross them. They’ll increase their understanding of universal symbols by brainstorming creative ones to add to the symbols already depicted. After they create their list, walk them through ones you’d add by explaining what they are and why people use them across the globe.
Self-portrait photography (best for 5th grade)
- Encourage your child to create a self-portrait album to help them understand more about themselves. This activity challenges them to reflect on their feelings and values. Specifically designed for pre-teenage children, it gives them something to be proud of during a time full of fast changes. Best of all, they can view their creation at any point through the years to reflect on how they were feeling while making their album.
