Friday, September 20, 2013

Easy Ways To Get Children Interested In Art

By Kate Halfey


While art serves as a wonderful creative outlet for kids, many parents are not really sure how to set up art projects at home or provide ways to expose their children to various styles of art. If you are unsure how to get your children excited about various forms of art, consider some of the following suggestions.

Many larger towns and certainly big cities have art museums, and very few charge a great deal for entrance. Going to a museum is a great way to open your children's minds to a variety of art styles. Many museums offer kid-friendly programs and events, so plan a visit on a day when there is a fun activity for them to enjoy. You can even create your own little scavenger hunt and have them locate various painters or styles of art during your visit.

If a museum is too far for an easy visit, simply find some local galleries to visit instead. Most towns have at least one gallery, if not several, and this is certainly an inexpensive option. Not only are galleries an idea, but also many local communities hold one or more art shows or festivals during the year, so don't forget to think about this as an option. Even your public library is a convenient source of art. Ask the librarian to help you find books that display pictures of various styles of art.

Art classes can be a fun way for children to enjoy art and to learn advanced techniques. While private lessons can be pricey, many community centers offer low-cost art classes for children of many ages. Sometimes even public schools have an after-school art class that teaches a specific technique. This is certainly a fun option if it's affordable and available in your area.

One way to encourage kids to enjoy art is to have art supplies at the ready all the time. Get a small rolling cart with drawers and fill it with supplies that they can grab whenever the inspiration hits. You can fill it with plenty of drawing and coloring products, as well as scissors, different types of paper, glue, paint, stickers, popsicle sticks and anything else you dream up. While children generally hope we keep all the artwork forever, this is really not practical, so instead, consider taking pictures of the art projects and then create a fun art scrapbook. This is easier to store, but still preserves the memories.

Sometimes it's hard to think up projects on your own, but with the internet, great ideas are just a few seconds away. Family internet sites and idea sites such as Pinterest are good places to search for artsy ideas, as is ArtProjectsForKids.org. You will find ideas for hundreds of different styles of art that will keep your children happy and engaged. Also find online craft suppliers and sign up to receive emails about sales and special promotions as this will reduce the cost of craft supplies.




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