Saturday, August 31, 2013

Easy Ways To Get Children Interested In Art

By Kate Halfey


Pablo Picasso once said that every child was an artist; however, you might feel that your children are reluctant artists and need some encouragement. Perhaps your children love art, but you are unsure how to provide them with opportunities to experience art and to enjoy new types of projects. Whether you fall into either category, the following artsy ideas might prove helpful.

There are many fun and inexpensive ways to provide examples of famous works of art to your children. Most cities offer an abundance of different types of art museums, and while you might think that children will not enjoy these museums, many offer special events for children. Go online and check out the museum offerings in your local area and see if there are special kid-friendly activities that fit into your schedule.

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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