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This week we are exploring fine art. A lot of people don’t think that fine art is something preschoolers have any interest in, but I disagree. Young children can love fine art, they just need the opportunity to be exposed to it. This week at Camp Learn & Play your children will be exposed to art with great picture books as well as have a chance to become the artist.
If you are brand new to Camp Learn & Play you can jump in on this week’s activities or start wherever works for you, this is all go at your own pace. I suggest two simple activities a day but it’s up to you!
Week at a glance – print this out here.
Then, stop by our Resource Center to get everything you need ready for the week!
Fine Art Booklist – print this out here.
Here are your activities for the week. Click on the titles if you need more detailed instructions!
Monday
AM: Matisse Collages
A lot of children ( and adults for that matter) don’t realize that many of Matisse’s colorful paintings are actually collages of paper cut outs. You can use photos of his work as inspiration or simply provide the materials.
PM: Painting en Plein Air ( French for painting outside and did you catch that typo in the weekly schedule? Me neither, urgh!). This is a great activity to incorporate pretend play. Paint outside and pretend to be like Monet!
Tuesday
AM: Paint Like Jackson Pollock. Moving their bodies comes naturally to preschoolers and this activity is a wonderfully active art project. Jackson Pollock splattered and poured his paint onto the canvas, and your camper will love trying this out. Psst! You’ll want to do this outside.
PM: Kandinsky Circles Two Ways. Kandinsky had many geometric shapes in many of his masterpieces, but his circles are probably his most iconic. Paint, cut and paste or, instead, grab a low temp glue gun and some recyclables, making 3D version.
Wednesday
AM: Paint Like Emily Carr. Emily Carr is a Canadian painter who is a personal favorite but in my experience, she is not well known outside of Canada. When I share her paintings with children, they are drawn to them, especially the big trees and totem poles. They remind me of my childhood in British Columbia, and this art project is a fun way to tap into her art.
PM: Jasper Johns created some of the most iconic American paintings, and when I took my son to the art museum he immediately loved the Target paintings, perhaps because it was familiar, it doesn’t matter why. Capitalize on that familiarity and create some art!
Thursday
AM: Make Your Own Mini Museum – Bring pretend to play into your activities with this simple little museum. You can print off mini pictures of paintings or use stickers like I did. Or just make your own! I’ve seen this redone by readers with Playmobil, Little People, and even Lego mini figures.
PM: Create Abstract Art with this totally addictive drawing and coloring activity. I do this ALL the time and have since I was a kid.
Friday
AM: Pointillism. Children are fascinated by this art technique and if your local museum has any pointillist work by Villerne, Seurat, or Signac take them to see it. There is nothing like seeing it up close. There are many more pointillist painters, but those three are among the most widely found in museums.
PM: Have A Gallery Show with all the art you made this week and any other kid art you may have hanging around.
Museum Fun
Here are some great tips for going to an art museum with your kids.
Find even more fine art activities on my Camp Learn & Play – Fine Art Activities Pinterest Board
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