Inside: This collection of exciting art history for kids projects will excite your students with creative process art at the same time as connecting with an artist from art history. These art history for kids projects are so clever!
While I was developing the Art History for Kids pinboard, I came across approximately 400 projects based on Kandinsky’s circles (I don’t judge. I totally did a Kandinsky circle project with my elementary kids when I taught, and it was uber-successful.) and many more fabulous art history for kids projects. But after a while they were all starting to blend together, but there were a couple that stood out and made me say “Wow! That is amazing!” I kept thinking about these projects over the next few days and decided I needed to give these awesome bloggers a shout-out.
So here you go. In no particular order, here are 7 awesome art history for kids projects that I found to be super exciting.
I am always choosing 5 things, so I went with 7 today. It feels weird. I miss 5.
“Where the Fauve Things Are” at My Small Potatoes
This art history for kids project is so amazing. Look at those kids. They are having a BLAST! Arlee at My Small Potatoes totally captures the essence and sheer joy of Fauvism and really taught her kids something about Fauvism and Henri Matisse in such a fun and silly way. Not to mention, the images on her blog are just gorgeous. What a treat!
“Kids Get Arty: Exploring Mike Kelley for Kids” at Red Ted Art
I loved this project, because of it’s close ties with the artwork, the unexpected artist choice of Mike Kelley, and the sheer fun of the activity. How fun would it be to stick a bunch of random stuff in clay? Really fun. Excuse me while I go do this.
“Starry Night Art with Melted Crayons” at Happy Hooligans
In this project, Jackie and the Hooligans painted in shades of blue and yellow onto aluminum foil and then melted crayon shavings onto the paintings. Yes! So beautiful and satisfying and all things perfect.
“Kids Get Arty: Exploring Street Art & Banksy” at Red Ted Art
Maggy at Red Ted Art gets an extra shout-out, because she is just that awesome. I really love projects that go beyond the usual suspects of Monet, van Gogh, etc. Her project inspired by the street artist Banksy takes kids outdoors and gets them thinking about art in new and different ways. And that kangaroo they put on the side of the house? Super cute.
“The Great Artist Vincent van Gogh…A Study in Self Portraiture” at My Small Potatoes
I totally realize I just said I like projects that go beyond van Gogh, and then I included two van Gogh-inspired projects. Sshh. I know. I know. This one I loved again because the kids get to explore and do something new and different. Art is more than paper and paint. Arlee nails it again by having her kids paint their portraits right onto the mirror. And then they take paper and make a print from the mirror? Icing on the cake.
“Inspired {Wayne Thiebaud}” at Dilly-Dali Art
Speaking of icing, check this out. She made FROSTING PAINT. That’s all I have to say about that. FROSTING PAINT! Genius.
“Inspired {Helen Frankenthaler}” at Dilly-Dali Art
I really love this art history for kids activity. Not only is the final product beautiful, but it really captures the spirit of Abstract Expressionism emphasis on the expression and actions of an artist. Extra bonus points go to Aleacia at Dilly-Dali Art for choosing a woman artist, Helen Frankenthaler, for her project.
~
This art history for kids post was originally published on October 24, 2014.
