Open ended art experiences or art invitations are excellent ways to encourage creative thinking for kids. It does not take expensive art materials or take a lot of time. Art invitations are easy art projects to create at home even with a busy family schedule.
What is an art invitation?
An art invitation is simply art materials laid out in an inviting way for your child to create. The invitations usually are self directed meaning, let your child lead the project.
There are no steps to follow or “wrong” way to make the project.
This means your child may use the materials in a different way than you intended but I find a lot of the time they come up with a better solution than you had planned!
For more information on why opened end art experiences are important for the development of children click over to our popular post, Why My Child’s Artwork is a Pinterest Fail.
Creative Art stART with Chalk and Cookie Cutters
Materials
Chalk
Cookie Cutters
Paper
Tutorial
No tutorial! Let your child have fun! Lil B realized the chalk was too big to draw inside the cookie cutter so he began to draw around the outside leaving a beautiful negative space in the shape of the cookie cutter.
I did demonstrate how he could go back and outline the shape to make it pop out on the paper. I also showed how he can rub the chalk together with his finger to blend two colors. It is perfectly fine to demonstrate techniques but do NOT draw on your child’s paper. Have a separate paper that is for you to draw or demonstrate on.
Get your art on!
I recommend that you draw along the side of your child! It does not matter if you are not Picasso (remember, there is no wrong way to complete the project). Not only does it count as quality time together but you are also modeling how creating is an important skill to develop. Also being next to your child will limit the misuse of materials. You most likely will not have chalk hand prints on the wall if you are sitting down at the table too and it is a fun way to spend time together.
What are your favorite art experiences to create with your child?
Show us on Instagram with #CreativeArtStarts and tag us @handmadekidsart
Pin It here:
I absolutely love this idea, especially since we have so many uniquely shaped cookie cutters during the holiday season. Thanks for helping me keep the littles busy during our cold Chicago winters!