Art Projects for Kids + Tips for the Teacher!

Art Projects for Kids + Tips for the Teacher!

Elementary Art Projects & Creative Lessons for Kids

Welcome to Art is Basic, a blog full of elementary art lessons, easy art projects, and teaching ideas for K-5 classrooms. Browse hundreds of engaging activities designed to inspire young artists.

A spherical craft made of intertwined blue and white yarn hanging from the ceiling in a cluttered room, resembling decorative balls.

String Balls

I have this cool idea to make a mobile out of string balls. It’s a project where you blow up a balloon, dip strings in glue and place around the balloon. When the glue dries, you pop the…

September 13, 2011
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plastic containers filled with various colors of paint, neatly stacked on a table.

How I organize my paints

I know many people have different ways to organize painting days. I just pour the paints into little cups with lids. I get them fairly cheaply from a local restaurant supply store. The kids share the colors with…

September 12, 2011
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Colorful abstract painting with splashes and circles in blue, green, pink, and yellow on a white background. Incorporating elements of Bubble Prints gives it a unique touch.

Bubble Prints!

After experimenting with several ways of doing bubble prints, I think I found a way that works well. I poured some kids bubbles into small containers. Then, I mixed a few drops of food coloring into the containers. …

September 3, 2011
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A handwritten list of children's classroom rules bordered with green and blue tape, adds a touch of excitement to the new school year.

New School Year

Welcome back to a new school year! Clean Classroom Origami Hanging from Ceiling Conduct Contract taped to inside of sketchbook Decorating the sketchbook covers with our names

August 30, 2011

Kid's artwork on a mantel with a "Because Nice Matters" sign, apples, a clock, and cups.

What to do with all of your kid’s art?

Here is a post that I am putting on my school class website for parents: Children are prolific artists. I have found some interesting ways to document your child’s art journey and display favorite works of art. 1. …

August 25, 2011
2

Close-up of an orange flower with long, green leaves against a blue background.

Paintings from my watercolor class

I’ve been taking a watercolor class this summer, which has been very useful in learning new techniques and basically how to approach painting. Here are a few paintings that I made this summer: I think it will be…

August 17, 2011
3

Two abstract, ghostly figures: one dark with a hat, the other light and faceless, holding flowers, set against a muted background.

Women Artists

I would like to introduce to you some of my favorite women artists. Molly, over at Her Speak, posted about some of her favorites. Without further introduction, here are some to get you thinking, exploring and looking. Shinique…

July 30, 2011
1

Colorful abstract cityscape with tall buildings, black ladders, squares, and dots against a blue, green, and red background.

Old School Throwback!– with YOUR LINKS

Here is a an OLD lesson that I taught about 6 years ago at my previous school. I think these turned out lovely. These chalk drawings were inspired by the Pueblo dwellings of the Native Americans. We read…

July 30, 2011

A vibrant, abstract artwork featuring colorful flowers, stars, and swirling patterns with the word "alive" in the center.

Buried Treasure

July 28, 2011
3

Two colorful clay owl sculptures; one blue and green with an open mouth, the other orange and smaller.

Old School Throwback!– with YOUR LINKS

Here is one of my favorite little clay projects I have done. We made clay monsters. I taught this project about 5 years ago and I haven’t done it again. I think I will do it again this…

July 23, 2011
4

Illustration of a marching band performing with a large crowd of people holding colorful balloons in the background, adding a lively atmosphere.

Book Review 3

Today I am going to share with you some pages inside the book Parade, by Donald Crews. This book would be excellent to illustrate the idea of showing depth through overlapping. The colors and pictures are so much…

July 22, 2011
1

Art Teacher SHOWCASE!! Installment #5

Today I am featuring Karen Bosch on the 5th installment of the Art Teacher Showcase. 1) My name is Karen Bosch and my blog is Pixels and Paintbrushes: I also have a personal blog called Clever Karen…

July 20, 2011
4

Colorful and doodled "Happy" lettering with abstract patterns, flowers, and swirls on a white background.

New Stand Alone Page

I figured out how to make a stand-alone page for the art teacher directory! If you haven’t added your’s yet, you must! It needs to be an art teacher blog, however. I will delete it if it is…

July 16, 2011
2

A watercolor painting features green hills under a vibrant blue sky with clouds in shades of white and purple.

Clouds Watercolor Painting

I am taking a watercolor class this summer at the local recreation and parks department. Our first real painting assignment was to paint a picture of clouds. No, it couldn’t be just a white cloud on white…

July 14, 2011
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A child holding up a drawing of an Egyptian pharaoh's head in front of their face in a classroom, under the guidance of their art teacher.

Art Teacher Showcase Installment 4

The next Art Teacher Blog I will be showcasing is Jody Sebring’s. 1. The name and URL of your blog www.artfor1170.blogspot.com2. A brief description of your blog and why it is awesome. Tell us where you live and…

July 12, 2011
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