Most parents recognize the value of teaching their children about art. Whether it’s improving fine motor skills or building self-confidence and creativity, making art offers countless benefits for kids. However, during the summer months, it’s common for children to spend more time outdoors and less time on artistic activities. So what can you do to keep children engaged with art at this time of year?
How to Keep Kids Inspired by Art During Summer Break
The sights and sounds of summer are perfect for inspiring creativity in kids. Here are some ideas and projects to keep children engaged with art, and eager to work on their latest creative project.
Plan Summer Art Projects
Planning a series of art projects with your child involves them in the process and creates a fun routine that both you and your child will enjoy. You can make the experience more engaging by first brainstorming the project idea using Golden Road Arts, Pinterest, YouTube and other websites, then visiting an art store for supplies, and finally getting to work on the drawing, painting, sculpture or mixed media piece.
Create Art Outdoors
Summer is a good time of year to get creative outdoors. Depending on your location, you could set up a space in the yard or travel to a place of natural beauty. Going on walks during the summer is also a great way to find and collect materials like leaves, twigs, flowers, feathers and rocks.
Combine Art With Stories
Combining art with books is a way for parents to support their child’s artistic development at home. Taking inspiration from our free summer art events in Hillsboro, you could read a short story to your child and encourage them to create art based on the themes or emotions that are presented.
Create a Summer Art Diary
Giving a child their own sketchbook and encouraging them to bring it on trips can help keep them engaged when they’re away from their usual creative space. Framing it as a challenge to keep a summer art diary can be especially motivating. Many children enjoy filling the pages with sketches, mixed media designs and creative ideas based on their surroundings and experiences.
Visit Inspiring Locations in Your City
Creating art at home is important for a child’s development, yet the summer can be the perfect time to discover new and inspiring places around your city. Look for local art galleries, museums and public art events that offer hands-on activities or family-friendly exhibitions. You can also inspire creativity in many other places, including local parks, gardens, zoos and national parks.
Access Free Online Art Lessons for the Summer
Golden Road Arts develops online art lessons and in-person events for elementary and middle school children. To keep your kids engaged with art over the summer, browse our free library of instructional and art literacy tutorials. Watch free art lessons now.
