There are so many benefits to incorporating open-ended art activities into your preschooler’s daily routine. Not only does it foster creativity and imagination, but it also helps with fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving. Plus, it’s just plain fun! Here are 10 of our favorite open-ended art activities for preschoolers.
1. Paint with nature
Gather objects from nature such as flowers, leaves and twigs, then use them as stamps or brushes to paint on paper or fabric.
2. Potato stamping
Creating a stamp out of a humble potato is so much fun, and kids never get tired of stamping projects. All you need is a potato, a knife (an adult will have to cut the potato), paint and paper.
These potato printing ideas for winter will inspire children to add stamping to more of their artwork.
3. Bubble wrap printing
Dip bubble wrap into paints then press it onto paper for interesting patterns.
4. Scrapbooking
Teach your little one about storytelling by letting them create a mini scrapbook featuring their favorite moments & memories in life so far. It doesn’t need to be elaborate – simple photos & drawings will do!
5. Clay impressions
Roll out or flatten some play doh or clay and stamp it with small items to make interesting impressions. Try items with unusual shapes, like legos or matchbox cars.
6. Texture rubbing
Place paper over various textures, such as the sidewalk or a textured wall, and rub a crayon over the paper to transfer the texture.
7. Crayon resist
Draw with crayons on watercolor paper and then paint over top with watercolors. The crayon will resist the paint. A white crayon painted over with a dark shade of watercolor will give the most dramatic effect. You can also crayon resist dye Easter eggs!
8. Collage
Set out some glue and various materials such as tissue paper, yarn, fabric, and buttons for your child to create a collage.
9. Doodling
Nothing simpler than doodling with a pen and paper.
10. Marble painting
Create abstract works of art by rolling marbles dipped in paint across large pieces of paper or canvas board. Whenever my son does marble painting at school, his teachers tape the paper to the bottom of a small pizza box to contain the mess and keep the marbles from rolling away.
Click here to read more about the benefits of open ended art activities (also known as process art) for preschoolers
Does your child have a favorite method of creating art? Tell us in the comments below!
