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April 3, 2017 6 Comments

10 Fun Activities to Engage with Works of Art

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Do you want to look at artworks with your toddlers and preschoolers, but you think they are too young? They are not! Looking at art opens kids up to new cultures and ideas, helps them learn empathy, and develops creativity and critical thinking skills.

The Art Curator for Kids - 10 Fun Activities to Engage with Works of Art

Try some of these activities out with your little one in front of any artwork of your choosing to get him or her engaged with works of art.

10 Fun Activities to Enjoy Works of Art

Free PDF

10 Fun Activities to Engage with Art

Get active with art! Here are some of my favorite interactive art activities for kids and students of all ages!

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Free PDF

10 Fun Activities to Engage with Art

Get active with art! Here are some of my favorite interactive art activities for kids and students of all ages!

  1. Talk about it. This can be as simple as pointing out funny things, counting objects, or discussing shapes. (Try these artworks for a great place to start. And check out these tips and these for more suggestions.)
  2. Move! Put your bodies into the position of the characters, pantomime the actions, make up a dance, or play charades. (Check out this post for some great artworks for this activity!)
  3. Play “I spy.” One person choose something from the artwork and gives hints about it while the other people guess what it is. Or, check out this I spy art book series!
  4. Make a texture bag. Place a textured object that is similar to something in the artwork in a bag. Have the child reach into the bag, feel the texture, and describe it without looking at it.
  5. Make up a story about the artwork together. What happened before the scene in the art? What will happen next?
  6. Integrate your child’s toys. Use the artwork as the spark for some pretend play. Use blocks to build the scene or use toy characters to act out the story. Take the child’s lead.10 Fun Activities to Enjoy Works of Art-Draw
  7. Draw the artwork. Drawing the artwork makes the child spend more time looking at it. The more looking they do, the more they benefit from the experience.
  8. Practice description skills. Have the child describe the artwork to someone who has never seen it before. If old enough, have the second person draw the artwork based on the description of the child.
    10 Fun Activities to Enjoy Works of Art-Museum
  9. Visit an art museum and play. Did you know that most art museums offer special materials for families to use in the galleries? Ask at the front desk if they have any family guides or resources to use on your visit. These often include scavenger hunts, discussion guides, games, and/or books to read in front of artworks.
  10. Have a museum scavenger hunt. Before you go, print a small clip from the artwork or a picture of an item from the artwork. (Check out the museum’s website to find out what is on view). Then, have the kids look for their picture in the museum.

Try it out, don’t stress, and have fun!

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Filed Under: Art Connection Activities
Tagged With: best of art class curator

 

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Reader Interactions

6 Comments

  1. Michelle

    July 10, 2015 at 12:45 am

    These are great suggestions. I especially love the “move” tip. That’s such a cute picture. This summer my kids and I are doing some of the art projects in the book Discovering Great Artists by MaryAnn Kohl. They’re having a lot of fun. Before the summer ends I’m hoping to go to an art museum so they can see some work by some of the same artists in person.

    Reply to this comment
    • Cindy, The Art Curator for Kids

      July 10, 2015 at 10:27 pm

      Awesome! That is such a great book! I hope your kids enjoy the experience. I’m sure their experiences doing the projects beforehand will enrich their experience so much!

      Reply to this comment
  2. Sarah at SmallWorld

    July 10, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Sooo many great ideas!

    Reply to this comment
    • Cindy, The Art Curator for Kids

      July 10, 2015 at 10:26 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  3. Carla Martins

    July 19, 2015 at 10:42 am

    I learn so much from your posts! Thank you for sharing this sugestions.

    Reply to this comment
    • Cindy, The Art Curator for Kids

      July 20, 2015 at 10:35 am

      I’m so glad! You’re welcome. 🙂

      Reply to this comment

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Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art Class Curator is awesome!
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Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and come away with some profound thoughts!
Melissa G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
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I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts, but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface with your site.
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