Connetix Construction Kit Review
Time has not been allowing me to create content for Artful Kids recently – a frustrating state of affairs since I have lots of new project ideas I would like to add, although one that I hope will not last too long. In spite of this I decided to try and make time to review this product when it was offered to me, because it appealed to me so much. Construction toys of various kinds are available in multiple shapes and sizes, but this one seemed to offer such a lot, and when it arrived I wasn’t disappointed. The box it arrived in was satisfyingly sturdy, and contained a colourful…
Nature Art Project Round-Up
Working with art and nature is a popular combination, and one that I find I return to again and again, yet it occurred to me that I have never brought these posts together into a single location which can be used as a resource for parents and educators. The activities and resources listed below offer a wide variety of cross curricular activities, suitable for a range of ages and circumstances, from outdoor education to activities which combine art with science. I have also listed a few inspirational books on this theme which may be helpful too. Projects Beautiful Nature Art Books to Inspire & Inform The books listed below are…
Collaged Door Sign
This week we found yet another use for all those old comics and magazines we seem to accumulate – creating a collaged door sign. I’m not going to insult anyone’s intelligence by creating a ‘tutorial’ for this as I think it’s pretty self-explanatory really. The base was a piece of foam-board covered with coloured paper. The letters were cut out and glued a little haphazardly (I think it looks better that way) onto a piece of plain white paper whose edges I tore for decorative effect. Overall I’m quite pleased with the finished result…. Alternatively you could glue the letters onto pieces of adhesive magnetic sheet to create…
Beach Art
There’s no reason for kids to stop being creative if you go away on holiday. Even if you stay at home the (hopefully) long sunny summer days, and extra time that the summer holidays bring, provide the perfect opportunity to experiment with a bit of land art. Land art is the name given to the practice of creating artwork outdoors using only the natural materials you find around you. For me, land art not only comes from the landscape but also forms part of it, so is never intrusive. At its best, it is both influenced by and gives something back to its environment in a never-ending virtuous circle. It…
